The rail was DEAD Saturday....

[jmetro]

or it certainly seemed to be on the turf.  Surprised no one has mentioned anything about how the turf races played out.  Outside paths definetly seemed preferred, and saving ground was insignificant.  Sunday\'s Churchill card played that way too.

[NoCarolinaTony]

Think it usually does unless speed holds up....when really FIRM...this surface had give to it.

NC Tony

[bellsbendboy]

The condition ( fast, soft, etc.)  of the Churchill turf course has no bearing on whether speed does well... rather it is the position of the temporary rail that is the main determinate.

On major racing days, weekends and the like,  at most tracks,  racing is generally conducted on the hedge.  At Churchill, during this years spring meet my memory tells me there were two wire to wire winners off the hedge,  both stakes winners in allowance races.  The two turn sample size was about 46 races.

When the rail is out, either 15 ft. or 22ft.  speed is difficult to collar.  The rail is generally up during the week.  This years spring meet, again from memory about 44 heats and speed/pressers won about 31 times. BBB

[miff]

The one thing in common with all three grass winners is they were pretty well off the pace in the first half or so.

Ouija Board 7th out of 10

Miesque 13th out of 13  (My horse of the year. Could not beat 50k claimers last year for Mott and Woflson gets a career plus+ year at age 7)

Red Rocks 9th out of 11


I always thought dead rails on grass were very rare and caused by rainy conditions where the water ran down towards the inside of the course, making it deeper inside.


Mike