Free's review: Fast track plays slow

Track speed

Although the main track was “fast,” it played extremely slow Friday. Final times were off by several lengths. No problem, the results all made sense. Despite the track speed, most dirt races were won by a frontrunner or pace-presser.

In this handicapper’s opinion, there was no bias. The winners were logical contenders. An $8,000 claiming mare needed 1:40.95 to cover a mile, slowest since the winter meet began Dec. 26. Eltoninadress returned $4.40 in race 5. So the track was slow. No big deal.

Favorites (all surfaces) won 3 of 8 Friday; the win rate for favorites since the April 25 start of the meet is 29 percent (23 for 80).

Claim game

The honest veteran Fit to Rule won for the fourth time in his last five starts in race 6, wiring the $12,500 claiming route in 1:38.73 (Beyer Figure 87). His win flatters Mensa Heat, the horse that Fit to Rule defeated last out. Mensa Heat is entered Sunday in race 6 for $8,000 claimers. Mensa Heat looks formidable after the win by Fit to Rule.

The top four finishers from race 6 Friday were claimed. Fit to Rule was claimed by Peter Miller in a two-way shake, runner-up Cook Inlet was claimed by George Barr in a nine-way, third-place Graeme Crackerjack was claimed by Phil D’Amato, and fourth-place Twin Six was claimed by Jerry Hollendorfer in a five way.

Baby talk

Trainer Doug O’Neill was right. He did have the goods in race 1. Unfortunately for bettors who believed the pre-race hyperbole on 2-year-old first-time starter Sky Preacher, it was O’Neill’s “other” colt who came out firing in a good-looking debut.

O’Neill-trained Henry’s Holiday was overlooked at 9-1 while Sky Preacher started at a ridiculous 3-10. Henry’s Holiday, with a ground-saving ride from Tyler Baze, split horses into the lane and kicked by 3 1/4 lengths. As of Saturday morning, there is a question regarding the final time. Originally posted as 52.25 seconds; the time in the race chart was published as 55.25. The preliminary Beyer for Henry’s Holiday is 75.

As for Sky Preacher, he actually ran all right. He was not quick, lost ground racing wide, and finished steadily as if wanting more ground. He finished more than five lengths clear of third. Next time, we will find out for certain if he is as good as O’Neill hopes. As for bettors, it is unclear why anyone would have backed him at 30 cents on the dollar.

Disclosure: This handicapper’s pick was dreadful. Tiz Jolie started as 5-1 second choice, chased the pace, and backed up. Awful.

Easy trip, good rider

There was no speed in race 3, a one-mile turf race for $25,000 claiming, non-winners of two. The expected pacesetter was Dancer Humor, but he surrendered a tactical advantage when he was not asked for speed. Instead, it was jockey Tiago Pereira setting the pace on Benba. And the race was over.

Benba made the lead and the rail, ambled along, and wired the field. It was his first start since being claimed for $12,500 by trainer A.C. Avila, who is emerging from an early-season funk. Last week, Avila shipped second-start maiden Masochistic from Santa Anita to Churchill Downs where he won by 14 lengths and earned a 99 Beyer.

Avila is 3 for 38 this year, with 8 seconds and 8 thirds. The past week, Avila tripled his win total for the year.

The rider of Benba, Brazilian native Tiago Pereira is starting to make an impact. Pereira has won with 4 of his first 20 mounts. Pereira, 37, won the $10 million Dubai World Cup on Gloria de Campeao in 2010.

Horses to watch

SKY PREACHER
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: May 9, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 3 1/4
Beyer: 64

Although this 2-year-old first-timer was overbet at 3-10, he ran well. Not quick, he lost ground on the turn and into the lane and finished like a colt who wants more ground than 4 1/2 furlongs. It was a decent debut by the wagering underlay.