In the post-race analysis of the Kentucky Derby, many have noted how slowly the race was run, with the victorious California Chrome covering 1 1/4 miles in 2:03.66 over what had seemed to be a quick track. My thoughts: The time and figure mean little in this case.
DRF Plus closer looks for Churchill on Friday, May 9.
The striking thing about Saturday's Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park is the almost complete lack of early speed. In a total pace play, I’m going with Fabulous Kid, who, barring an unlucky start, will be the lone front runner, and be as loose early as he wants to be.
DRF Plus closer looks for Belmont Park on Friday, May 9.
For the third time in the first six racing days, rain has washed all of today’s scheduled turf races – the 5th, 7th and 9th – to the main track. They remain at their original distances.
The suspense was over early through most of the card, as six straight winners romped home by four lengths or better, capped by Bay of Plenty (6th, $3.60), who ran off the screen by just over nine lengths against first-level allowance company.
Desert Steel has been training super for her race-1 debut, and if the juvenile filly is as quick in the afternoon as she is in the morning then the outside post (8) will not bother her.
Santa Anita schedules 2-year-old races at 4 1/2 furlongs now that Hollywood Park is closed, and it only took a pair of baby races to see something special.
Five days after Derby Day, racing returns to Churchill Thursday with a modest nine-race card that drew only 69 entrants, and with only a single race that has as many as 10 runners - the nightcap, a maiden $10,000 claimer.
Santa Anita: DRF Plus handicapping report for May 8, 2014
