No one could be blamed for believing Churchill Downs has been temporarily transformed into NYRA South when the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere Stakes is run Saturday under the lights.
Beyer Speed Figures have undergone relatively few changes during the 23 years that they have been part of Daily Racing Form. Rooted in logic and mathematics, the calculations behind the numbers have stood the test of time. But we are now making important changes to our calculations for turf races, so that these figures will better define the ability of grass runners in relation to dirt runners. With the revised methodology, good stakes and allowance horses will typically earn figures 2 or 3 points better than in the past. Many horses at the bottom end of the class ladder will receive lower numbers.
Streamside will be looking to make amends for his failure to defend his title in the Oak Tree Sprint this summer when he meets seven rivals Saturday in the $50,000-added Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.
Other than being disqualified from first back to fifth in a first-level allowance race on Oct. 10, Metaphorically hasn’t finished worse than second in his last six starts on turf. The consistent sophomore should be in the mix again when he runs in a $12,500 optional-claiming race that will serve as the featured race on Saturday at Gulfstream Park West.
Julian Pimentel, a prominent Maryland-based jockey, was charged with assault by Anne Arundel County, Md., police last week after being involved in an altercation at a local restaurant, according to a police report.
The players are almost certainly going to focus on Palace (two Grade 1 stakes last year) and Stallwalkin’ Dude in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash on Saturday at Laurel Park. Certainly, the historical Beyer Speed Figures are there for the two New York horses, with a combined nine triple-digit Beyers when looking at their last 10 races each. I can’t argue with the logic, but I don’t know if the form and similar off-the-pace styles will travel. If it does, it is as easy as it looks. If it does not, anything is possible.
Many of the best sprinters on the grounds go at it Saturday at Turf Paradise in double-barrel stakes action, as 3-year-olds and up contest the $35,000 Luke Kruytbosch while fillies and mares battle in the $35,000 City of Phoenix.
After shelving his star 2-year-old filly Caren for the remainder of the year, trainer Mike DePaulo will go to his bench when he sends out Audacious Bear in Saturday’s $125,000 South Ocean Stakes at Woodbine.
Bob Pandolfo's Sharp Horses and Track Trends for November 5 to 8, 2015.
McGee: Laurel pick three play for Saturday, Nov. 14
