New Column from Beyer

[philcski]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

I disagree, and I think the fairest track (of the three) is usually Belmont. I think Churchill wants no more Giacomos. Their "tight" tracks on big days means it's very difficult to get the same winner of both the Kentucky Derby, and the Belmont. If you look at these races run at Belmont(lately,) you're going to see horses earning their wins in the stretch. They must be able to finish up. I think it's the best dirt track in the country,and I would play it if they didn't have the New York breds in the 6th / 9th races. That's like putting orange juice in beer.

The day Giacomo won at CD the track was REALLY tight. I don't have the times handy to prove that out but it was definitely fast and fair to all running styles. Don't forget how fast they went up front in that race, with some very questionable 10F pedigrees. Nobody ever called Street Sense a fainthearted frontrunner, and I don't think he would have won the Belmont last year, either.

I agree that Belmont Park is a tremendously fair track on 95% of days, however.

If I have some time later tonight I'll get a chart together of the average winners' lengths beaten at the 1/2 mile pole at each distance at each track, I'm guessing they won't be much different between CD and Bel.