Track Trends: Field size increases; favorite win percentage falls

As the highly anticipated Saratoga meet began, the favorite win rate decreased. For the week ended Sunday, chalk won 39 percent of the time. Only three more total races were run, at 782 for the week in comparison to the prior week's number of 779. 

Horseplayers can check out the Secrets to Win at Saratoga free e-book for more information on trends to follow for the meet. 

Average field size increased to 7.1 runners. For the previous week, average field size was 6.7. Grass events bolstered these numbers, attracting an average of 8.6 runners across 168 races. Bettors could find much more value on the turf, as favorites won only 36 percent of the time. This was the lowest of the three surfaces.

The inner turf course at Saratoga had the highest average field size for the week, at 10.44 runners. This was followed up closely by Canterbury Park's turf course, where there was an average of 10.43 contenders. Turf racing was the only surface where average field size surpassed 8.2 for the week.

Favorites won less than 20 percent of the time at six tracks, including Colonial Downs. A few long-shot winners contributed to the generous average payout of $29.80 for a $2 win wager.

At Gulfstream Park, the Pick 5 sequence went unsolved on Sunday. A carryover of $94,227.00 awaits in Friday's pool. Favorites won only 19 percent of the time on the dirt and 29 percent of the time on the synthetic. Power Picks are available for bettors looking to get involved at Gulfstream on Friday.