Track bias and big days

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

As far as biases go, I don't think it was that much of a speed bias over the two days.

The South American horse in the Dirt Marathon came from more than 20 lengths out of it to blow them all away in the stretch.

Pace battles never materialized in a lot of spots where they figured to. The Dirt Mile looked loaded with speed on paper -- and that pace was an absolute crawl.

Rail Trip and John Scott really got screwed badly when Shackleford blew the start. The dirt mile field was so bunched up, John Scott's dead last and just 5 behind that crawl ... and he's pulling Espinoza so much that he feels the need to try and circle six wide.

Other than Mike Smith on Atigun and Royal Delta I didn't see unexpected overly aggressive tactics from any riders.

I think the performances of Tapizar and Fort Larned have A LOT more to do with Shackleford and Game on Dude both blowing the break, and no one else wanting any part of being anywhere near the lead than they have to do with that track.

You make some good points but even BC races aside, particularly on Thursday, I felt like horses on the lead in the stretch just kept staying on and closers were spinning their wheels. Every dirt race felt like a parade from the quarter pole to the wire. Meaningful moves from off the pace were mitigated regardless of the pace. Sure, a few closers clunked-up for a share, but on a fair racetrack, I think we see a lot of different results. Too many horses just didn't quit down the lane all weekend.