Beyer: Changing the Derby Trial figure

[Calzone Lord]

Paynter's 1-back number jumped from 92 to 100.




I have the impression that the Pimlico track was being fooled with a little early on in the Preakness card.

Obviously -- if a race track is fair -- the rail will be the best place to be generally speaking...because it's the shortest way around.

The rail was made deep for the dirt races on the Preakness day card.

Bob Baffert asked Jeff Siegal in an HRTV interview that day if he should change Bodemeister's style... Siegal told Baffert "no, but I would tell Mike Smith to stay out in the 3 or 4 path while he's setting the pace"

Smith basically kept him in the two-path throughout. I was very surprised he didn't even come out when he was clear on the far turn. Even on a fair track -- a lot of guys would have floated out and tried to herd and race ride. Especially on a tiring track like that where the inside is no good and you might get a little edge if you can come out and stop the momentum of anything on-coming.

[blackthroatedwind]

Given the weather and track conditions at Churchill that night, it's not hard to believe the figures are tough to pinpoint.

[outofthebox]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

Paynter's 1-back number jumped from 92 to 100.




I have the impression that the Pimlico track was being fooled with a little early on in the Preakness card.

Obviously -- if a race track is fair -- the rail will be the best place to be generally speaking...because it's the shortest way around.

The rail was made deep for the dirt races on the Preakness day card.

Bob Baffert asked Jeff Siegal in an HRTV interview that day if he should change Bodemeister's style... Siegal told Baffert "no, but I would tell Mike Smith to stay out in the 3 or 4 path while he's setting the pace"

Smith basically kept him in the two-path throughout. I was very surprised he didn't even come out when he was clear on the far turn. Even on a fair track -- a lot of guys would have floated out and tried to herd and race ride. Especially on a tiring track like that where the inside is no good and you might get a little edge if you can come out and stop the momentum of anything on-coming.

I agree with you on this thought. I'm sure Smith has thought about this. I still don't know why tracks have to mess with the condition of the track on big days. Whether it be tightening it up or messing with the depth. Must be very frustrating for figure makers dealing with all this change..

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by outofthebox

I agree with you on this thought. I'm sure Smith has thought about this. I still don't know why tracks have to mess with the condition of the track on big days. Whether it be tightening it up or messing with the depth. Must be very frustrating for figure makers dealing with all this change..

Opening day at Louisiana Downs was a complete stagger fest for all horses down the stretch. I honestly thought I could have jumped in at the eigth pole and been competitive myself.

The track superintendent, who does a fantastic job, called me up and asked about it. The next day they were finishing no problem. He said sometimes you need a few days to get things right and make the right adjustments.

The point is... it's really easy for any track super to make pretty drastic changes in a matter of minutes. It's a pretty powerful position at the end of the day, but I don't think a lot of them purposefully try and create drag strips on big days, although I'm sure some do.