Track Trends: Win rate for favorites soars, field size holds steady

Favorites at a 41.9 percent clip during the week ending on Sunday, a stark increase from last week's numbers. For the week ending Sept. 4 chalk won at only 36.7 percent. 

RELATED: Track Trends: Can favorites be trusted at Colonial?

With Labor Day racing to account for, a total of 858 races were run last week. Even with this increase from the prior week's 778 races, average field size remained the same at 7.1 runners. 

Summer meets came to an end at Saratoga, Del Mar and Colonial Downs. The final week of racing this season at Canterbury Park begins Wednesday. On the main track, favorites won 40 percent of the time. Turf races were slightly more formful, with the chalk winning at a 58 percent rate. Bettors playing the remaining few cards at Canterbury can check out Power Picks.

Fall meets begin at Churchill Downs and Aqueduct on Thursday. There is no turf racing for the time being at Churchill Downs, potentially leading to more competitive fields and a larger average field size in New York grass races.

Horseplayers with an interest in both circuits can check out Paddock Prince selections, and subscribe to the Horse Racing Nation YouTube channel for video handicapping content. 

Note: Data for this week include Canadian tracks, while prior weeks have not.