8/10: Saratoga (Day 17)

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by Betsy

I hope this question won't sound stupid, but why do they announce MTO scratches with the other early scratches? If there's heavy rain in the forecast, why not wait until later in the day so that, if the races do come off the turf, at least you will have decent fields?

thanks!

They haven't scratched any MTO's yet today.

They keep an eye on the weather and usually scratch MTO's in the early pick 4 races when the scratches are announced early. They do usually wait until later in the day for the late MTO's, but when the P6 starts, they make their decision and scratch them or take the races off the turf.

Also, I am sure there are race day medications and procedures (detention barn) that trainers need to consider and do not want to wait until the last minute to scratch.