Aqueduct handicapping roundup: Week of March 1

DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?

The fractions of Normandy Invasion’s win in a one-mile allowance race at Gulfstream last Saturday were originally posted as 24.50, 46.61, 1:10.31, 1:22.35 and 1:34.78, but later amended to 22.85, 44.96, 1:08.66, 1:20.70 and 1:33.12, a track record.

Speed handicappers have long dealt with occasional screwy running times, and they are not limited to Gulfstream Park.

For example, it took 39 years before the Maryland Racing Commission changed Secretariat’s 1973 Preakness clocking from 1:54.40 to 1:53. And when Quality Road broke a 30-year-old track record in Saratoga’s 2009 Amsterdam Stakes, the timer malfunctioned during the running of the race – coincidentally or not, the first of the meet at 6 1/2 furlongs. After consulting numerous sources, including a back-up computer used by the photo-finish technician and hand-timed video replays, the New York Racing Association amended the time of Quality Road’s race to 1:13.74 from its original 1:13.45, although the 1:13.45 is in the books (literally) in the chart that appears in the American Racing Manual.

Fast forward to last Friday when Aqueduct was shrouded in dense fog. Before it lifted in late afternoon, the only thing anyone could see were the Trakus “chiclets” running on the bottom of video screens. The fractions for race 5 were posted as 25.81, 44.20 and 55.49, with a final time of 1:06.07, which would’ve been a world record for six furlongs on any surface, and which didn’t pass anyone’s smell test, least of all track announcer John Imbriale.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t believe those times are correct,” he said.

The splits remained up until after Ground Control had been unsaddled in the winner’s circle, and were eventually changed to a more believable 22.81, 46.70, 59.49 and 1:12.89. That differed slightly from Trakus, which timed the race in 22.85, 46.70, 59.11 and 1:12.33, a standard deviation that is par for the course.

There was a considerably larger discrepancy in race 3 last Friday that bears mention. The $16,000 claimer was won by Haldane, who was credited with a lifetime Beyer top of 82. The 5-year-old mare was claimed from the race and entered back for this Friday. The official times were 22.43, 46.80, 1:00.26 and 1:12.80, while Trakus tabbed the race in 23.55, 48.04, 1:00.71 and 1:14.00.

At six furlongs, a difference of six-fifths is 16-17 points on the Beyer scale.

Haldane’s six previous Beyer Figures (most recent listed first) were 52-69-61-56-74-52. By the time of 1:12.80, the 82 would be a 30-point improvement on her last race. At 1:14, she would rate about 66. I’m giving this round to Trakus, pending on what version of Haldane shows up a week later.

ART OR SCIENCE?

There were several occasions last week when handicappers might just as well have closed up the old toolbox and gone with the hunch play of the day.

◗ The aforementioned Ground Control, a first-time starter who won by almost nine lengths, is owned by Fog City Stable.
◗ Last Saturday, which was 2-22, the second race was won by Irsaal, who wore saddlecloth No. 2.
◗ And last Sunday, there was this call at the finish from John Imbriale. “It’s number 7 . . . Seven Dreams . . . in the seventh race!”

Of course it was.

A NEW WRINKLE

The longstanding New York-bred conditions have been maiden special weight, first-level allowance, and second-level allowance.

Last Sunday’s eighth race ushered in a more advanced level. The one-mile race was an allowance-optional claimer for “nonwinners of three other than,” or nonwinners of four races, or nonwinners of $46,000 at a mile or over since Oct. 1, or optional claiming price of $75,000.

The race drew 13 before scratches, and was won by the improving Hot Rendezvous, who was now captured four of her last five starts and is headed for the March 29 Broadway.