Pimlico Racetrack

[ShadowRoll]

Originally Posted by mrmikegap

I've been reading alot on-line from trainers saying they are entering the Preakness because Pimlico is a speed favoring track (due to tight turns). Is this really true? While I don't have the stats, I remember during an ESPN 2007Preakness preview, one of the announcers stating Pimlico is not speed favoring.

Looking at the Preakness winners since 2000, I would have to agree. The winners, excluding War Emblem, were presser types runners.

2000 - Red Bullet, 2001 - Point Given, 2002 - War Emblem, 2003 - Funny Cide
2004 - Smarty Jones, 2005 - Afleet Alex, 2006 - Bernardini, 2007 - Curlin

The tight turn theory was a hot topic for the Breeders Cup at Monmouth. One of the pictures at this link compares Monmouth with Pimlico.
http://www.jessicachapel.com/railbir..._monmouth.html
I went to the BC there and didn't think it was that big a factor. Of course, the mud kind of buried most track condition considerations.

[tiggerv]

Pimlico 1 Year Fast Route stats
24/76 or 31.6% W2W winners (20% par)
47/76 or 61.8% winners sitting 1-2-3 at first call (50% par)
Average field size is just above 7

Pimlico current meet Fast Route stats
7/31 or 22.6% W2W winners (20% par)
19/31 or 61.3% winners sitting 1-2-3 at first call (50% par)
Average field size is close to 7