Saturday conditions: Partly cloudy, 86 degrees, faintest of breezes
Turf is firm - very firm.
The main track appeared fair after two races, with comebacking last-to-first Wildeydsouthernboy home over favored pace-setter Set in Stone. Forestry Type wired race 2, with stalking odds-on favorite fading to second-last. But when Mad Mercer led all the way in race 3, an Illinois $10K maiden-claimer, while 4-5 favorite Cat Has Claws tracked on the outside and ran in place through the stretch, and no one else made any ground, there was a hint of something front end-ish afoot. Stay tuned.
Aforementioned race 2 was an N3X alw. with an $80K claiming option, yet it took the winner more than 27 seconds to complete the final furlong of a one-turn mile. Race 3 had a final six-furlong time of 1:14.60. I'd say this is a laboring all-weather course.