Cross the Line -- First Dirt

[SoCalMan2]

In the first couple of years of synthetic tracks, I recall a phenomenon a lot of people called first dirt.  When a horse had been running its whole career on synthetic and was getting dirt for the first time, the horse would typically make an oversize jump up.  A lot of times, that jump up would be so big it would be a knock out number.  I have now forgotten how to read for that.

So, without knowing what Cross the Line\'s sheet looks like, does anybody know if he is a candidate to explode first dirt?  What were the nuances that were used to look for a first dirt explosion?  I have just completely forgotten this sheet reading nuance, but it looks like it could be relevant for the Santa Anita Derby.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.......

[Michael D.]

I don\'t have a strong opinion on the colt, but he is a 1/2 to Ria Antonia, the 2013 BC Juvy filly winner who made the synth to dirt move. Take a look at her sheet in the archives (first race on the 2nd). Note that she paid $66 after getting put up.