That stretch dual is as good as it gets.

But, because of all the great advances in exotic wagering - the need for larger field size has to become way more important now - than in the 1960's.

The early 60's - you're looking at win-place-show betting and just two Daily Doubles a day - with a 10-to-14% takeout depending on the track.

Now you're looking at W-P-S takeouts ranging from 15.5% in So. Cal to 20% at Turf Paradise. So - the exotic menu has to come through to make the race playable.

The trifecta at New York tracks is 26% takeout -- the daily double in Cal is 23% - so, bigger fields become so much more important now. I never read much about field size in the old days. Gamblers didn't seem to complain that much about it.

It was a good race.

Royal Delta looked pretty uncomfortable when she took a little dirt. She had a meltdown at Tampa the first time... they might want to keep her wide down the backstretch or something.