track maintenance crew that did a spectacular job in preparing the track to it's phenomenal state after the steady rain we had for the previous 48 hours. Though it played fast it seemed to be a fair track and all the horsemen seemed pleased with the surface.

There was a HUGE inside speed bias for the early part of the card.

Listening to Kent on one of his earlier victories he said the track was playing fair so though the times were fast It may have been a function of how the races were run. the 1st two races, the speed horses weren't involved in any duels to say. the 1st race the top two finishers had the race to themselves with the winner making a move after settling behind the 2nd place horse for half the race. The True North, Fabulous Strike gets a benefit of not getting pressure immediately and relaxes for the first quarter mile before Sixthirteen rushes up and is spent by the time turning for home. The Woody Stephens is just like any other race where a contested pace leads to a dream trip for Munnings who sat behind the dueling leaders.
How many times have we seen a loose on the lead horse get brave with no real pressure and win? That's exactly what happenend in the Acorn. I wouldn't classify yesterdays track as "speed" favoring or biased. I thought it was an honest track where pace dynamics(contested pace vs loose on the lead horses) dictated each outcome.

The crew should get a on the spot cash award for their hard work and great job. Now the world knows how good New York Racing is.

Please take a group photo of this fine crew and post it on the NYRA site.

Charlie has to be proud

Everyone loves to knock NYRA it seems, but no one can argue yesterday's entire show, start to finish, was anything but spectacular. Even Yorker.

From the buses to the bathrooms to the parking and services, and most importantly the track and the card, NYRA put on a great show and really redeemed themselves.

When we arrived at the track on friday in the pouring rain there were several crews with weed wackers cleaning up all around the entrance. The grass was too wet to use a mower. These guys deserve a lot of credit.