ROTW

[bellsbendboy]

Second consecutive week the ROTW featured a two turn, graded grass stake. Both analyst(s) selected stone closers racing against huge rails who did not class up. Integer power aside ...seldom a winning strategy. Just my opinion. bbb

[FrankD.]

Maybe you should try expressing your opinion before a race is run? On something other than 2/1 or less!

[bellsbendboy]

Hello Frank,

My post was in no way meant as a slight to the analysts\' nor as an endorsement for any particular horse.  Sorry if it appeared such.

A large percentage of this game is knowing who NOT to bet.  With that written and coupled with your request for a fish to fry; I\'ll go you one better.

Refrain, forever, from betting on stone closing, class challenged, two turn grass animals facing large rails; regardless of number power!

bbb

[TGJB]

Okay, I guess Frank wasn\'t clear enough.

Don\'t ever red board the ROTW here again. If you have something to say do it before the race.

[Paolo]

What do you mean by a large or huge rail?

[TMW]

Paolo Wrote:
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> What do you mean by a large or huge rail?

Never heard of that phrase either -- but assume he means rails out -- favoring front running horses and being a disadvantage to closers because the course is narrow. I guess.

[bellsbendboy]

Rails out indeed though the length of grass and narrowing of the course is not a factor.

Management employs the turf rail to maintain the grass.

In short, more of the race is run around turns generally leading to a softer pace.  Perhaps twenty some percent of turf horses are by nature deep closers.  They are quite compromised when the rail is out.

Keeneland is the only track that keeps separate course records. One for each course.

As a side note the only way Arlington can run ten panels on their turf course is with the rail way out...and the Arlington million is seldom won by a true deep closer!  bbb