Empire Way

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

I am sure the figure is mechanically correct but not sure its representative of the horses ability,

One race prior: A $32,000 claiming race for older males at the exact same distance went 32 full points faster

One race after: A filly shipping in from Los Al wins a weak $8,000 claiming sprint for females in upset fashion with a time that equals just 3 points lower than Empire Way.


There are no smoke and mirrors with the number -- if you think it should have been a 76 instead of a 65... suddenly that 32K claiming winner also gets bumped up 11 and gets a figure as fast as the Breeders Cup Sprint winner.

Mechanically correct? -- unquestionably. The whole day seems very cut and dry.

Any first-time starter can improve with a race. Sadler's Sidney's Candy improved a gigantic amount from start one to two.

Obviously, the super slow winner did close into a slow pace and is a lock to prefer more ground. If his sister wasn't Royal Delta -- no one would care -- and as far as debuts go ... Royal Delta's was a pole better.