Belmont Was Not a Slow Tiring Track On Belmont Stakes Day

There are a few articles out there saying that Belmont was a slow or a cuppy track on Saturday. The writer that wrote that is either incompetent or purposely deceiving his audience. First of all speed won every dirt race expect for the True North and the times were fast all day. Iavarone called the track a beach, it was not. My notes reflect that this was the biggest speed favoring track of the meet and I will be looking to wager on some of the closers that were comprimised by the speed bias when they run back.

The water pressure issues that effected Elmont and the upper floors of the grandstand, did not effect track maintenance. The track was watered after each and every race by not one but two trucks, the drivers of the water trucks were even honking there horns at the crowd every time they drove past, so it was hard to miss them. The track is not a valid excuse for Big Brown.

Race 1 was a N1X six furlong sprint and it was won wire to wire in 108 and 4/5ths. Speed was 1-2

Race 2 was a maiden special weight and it was run in a fast time of 116 and 3/5ths for 6 1/2 furlongs. The winner and place horse engaged in a heated duel with the pacesetter being passed mid-stretch and then re-rallying to claim the lead again for the win. Speed was 1-2

Race 4 was a N2X allowance over a mile in 134 and 2/5ths, not a slow time. The winner tracked a fast pace and drew off.

Race 5 was the slowest race on the undercard. The statebreds went 6 1/2 panels in 117 3/5ths. 20-1 winner was close up and had back class winning a stakes race as a 2 year old.

Race 6 Benny the Bull was the only deep closer that won all day on the dirt course and completed the 6 furlongs in 109 flat under 123 lbs. Not a slow time.

Race 8 Three year old fillies completed the mile in 134 and 2/5ths, still fast and the winner pressed the pace. Speed was once again 1-2.

Race 9 The 108 and 3 fractions of the Woody Stevens could not have happened on a beach. The winner scored wire to wire. The outclassed and overmatched speed duel loser hung on for third, perhaps the clearest illustration of the speed bias.

Race 11 The Belmont was won in wire to wire fashion. Another wire to wire effort.

Race 13, 116 and 4 for statebreds is a good time and speed ran 1-2 all the way around.