Jerry,

I'll defer to your overall acumen on track consistency in the new millineum.

I thought Smarty would explode once he got off the slop. I really don't think he's quite as good on it. He's good on it. Very Good, but on dry tracks he goes into the most impressive late race enery conservation I think i've seen. Easy Goer was capable of explosive fractions and split runs, but theres not been a more efficient energy machine that I've seen than Smarty. That said the 12 mark issue is significant for many horses...but i've seen no indication it should be a problem. I'm more concerned about the Big Sandy itself. Sunday Silence was very efficient but Smarty's late efficiency is outdoing Sunday on dry surfaces. I knew that.

I also completely agree with you're figures for the Derby. I don't think theres any doubt about them. They say "close enough for government work". Well thats good enough in Iraq, but your work is substantially better than that. I think I understand it. I could never duplicate it, but I love both the science and reality of it.

Everyone knew Rock Hard was a good horse he beat Imperialism in the Santa Anita Derby. I thought two horses had a chance for second: Rock Hard and Lion Heart and in all candor....i utilized you're figures on this. I rejected everything else. Your figures have held up magnificently for this triple crown and the recent preps...anyone considering them and knowing how to handicap should be sitting on full pockets.