|
|
FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK MARCH 5, 2010 by Frank Cotolo It was a disjointed week of weather, with four racing programs to end February and begin March. The tracks were listed fast, good, fast and fast -- but that final day, the first day of March, saw a tremendous rain storm invade the program and knock out two of the 10 races. This made for a 38-race week and some slowing of the public's recent sharp wagering performances. The public-choice hit rate fell to 37 percent for all events, with only a quartet of turf races added to the mix. On the surface The speed factor slowed considerably, perhaps due to the inconsistent footing. Off-the-pace winners took over, striking 39 percent of the time. That is the highest rate for closers since the week of February 19. Wire-to-wire wins were rare this last week of February, with only 18 percent of the winners managing the feat. Being close to the leader and winning was worthy of 32 percent of the victors. So the tide turned a bit from recent trends on the main track. The turf course's four races were 50-percent closers and 50-percent speed, the only wire-to-wire being a half-panel short of a mile. Trainers Steve Asmussen and Bret Calhoun had the best week with three winners each. Doubling were Greg Foley, Andy Leggio Jr., Ralph Nicks, Michael Stidham and Tom Amoss. Noteworthy are Nicks and David Carroll, whose maidens became winners in the toughest way possible. Nicks' THUNDER WAY (Thunder Gulch) broke his maiden on the turf at a mile. Carroll's NIGHT VISION (More Than Ready) broke his maiden on the dirt at 1 1/16 miles. The amazing statistic of maidens winning in a route (eight furlongs or more) is 2 percent. Both of these horses deserve bet-back status for joining that elite group. HORSES TO WATCH Friday (2/26) 2ND -- CALL ME COLLECT (Wire Me Collect), at 4-1, was clearly stalking well enough to beat two of the three choices. Saturday (2/27) 4TH -- QUIET PLEASURE (Victory Gallop) was best of the rest finishing second, well ahead of the remaining horses. In that same race, BOSS E BRIT (Safely's Mark) dueled for three calls on the lead at 53-1 and took third behind the aforementioned. Sunday (2/28) 5TH -- NIGHT VISION (More Than Ready), as mentioned above, was a very good maiden winner and should be considered a bet-back. 10TH -- I'M A SALTY CAT (Malibu Wesley) can do it soon with another clear lead, unchallenged. Monday (3/1) 1ST -- BUILT TO PRECISION (Pure Precision) was best of the rest, getting second in a small field at 8-1. 4TH -- SHAKER LAKES (Friends Lake) did not like trying to move up the rail on the turf course.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
