How is the Breeders' Cup Track Playing? (Live Blog)

How is the Track Playing?

Blogging live from the press box at Churchill Downs, the HRN team will help track how the dirt and turf courses are playing at Churchill Downs.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, dirt

(post, horse)

8 Rothko – He sat back in third but off the rail.

3 Enclosure – Borel moved this horse up the rail.

2 Goodtimehadbyall – Saved ground early and on the turn

Pace: 23 1/5  45 1/5  1:09 2/5  Track muddy

Race 2 – 1 mile, dirt

5 – Congo – Stalked the pace 4 wide

4 – Chilled – 5 wide on the turn

7 – Katz My Song – speed along the rail

Pace:  23  46 3/5 1:12 1:38

Race 3 - 1 1/16 miles, dirt

4 – Mister Mardi Gras – Raced near the inside, swung wide for the stretch

2 – Alma d’Oro – Rated in the 3 path, went to 5 path for drive home

5 – Glenwood Canyon – Prompted pace 3 or 4 wide

Pace:  25 2/5  51 1:15 1/5  1:39 2/5  1:45 3/5

Race 4 – 1 1/16 miles dirt, Ack Ack

1 – Will’s Wildcat – Borel settled him then pushed to the lead on the rail

10 – Wine Police – Angled inside and advanced inside

2 – Uncle Brent – Started inside, swung wide for drive home

Pace:   21 2/5  44 3/5  1:09 2/5

Race 5 – 6 furlongs dirt, BC Juvenile Sprint

6 – Secret Circle – Pressed the pace 2 wide.

5 – Schumoos – Off the rail on the backside, but most of the stretch on the rail

7 – Holdin Bullets – Stalked the pace 3 wide.

Pace: 20 4/5  44 2/5  1:10 2/5

Overview:  The first five dirt races seems to show a propensity for the inside part of the track.  Horses won on the outside, but it is looking like the inside part of the track is moving horses up.  Let’s see if this trend continues over the weekend. 

Race 7 – 7 furlongs dirt, FM Sprint

5 – Musical Romance – Pressed from inside, but off rail

6 – Switch – Rallied 5 wide

11 – Her Smile – Bid 4 wide and 5 wide

Pace: 22 2/5  45 3/5  1:10 2/5  1:23 2/5

Race 8 – 1 1/16 miles dirt, BC Juvenile Fillies

9 – My Miss Aurelia – race between rivals

5 – Grace Hall – Rated off rail, angled wide in stretch

11 – Weemissfrankie – Hung out 4 wide, angled 6 wide

Pace: 23 1/5  47  1:13  1:46

Race 10 – BC Ladies Classic

6 – Royal Delta – Raced three wide

3 – It’s Tricky – Close up along the inside

2 – Pachattack – Along the inside

Pace: 24  49  1:13 3/5  1:38 1:50 3/5

Overview of Friday:

It seems like the best horses are still winning, although there is still a slight advantage to being along the inside.  Let’s continue to watch the trend on Saturday.