The theory over the years has become that a softer, slower surface is a safer one. With dirt tracks that means more cushion, with grass courses it probably means more water. Don't know if it's true on dirt, but on grass an awful lot of horses break down when the course is dry and hard, and horsemen scream.

Nevertheless, there was a stretch this summer with some awfully fast grass races, some of which took place in your neck of the woods-- Royal Regalia ran a mile in 1:31:4 and change, Soaring Free seven furlongs in 1:19:1. Special Ring went 1 1/8th in 1:45:4 around 2 turns in the Eddie Read, Artie Schiller 1:45:2 in the Jamaica. There were at least 3 mile races on the Belmont turf in 1:32 and change. Shaconage went 1 1/8th in 1:46:3 at CD, with 2 others within 1 1/2 lengths-- and they were all fillies.

I came up with all of those with 5 minutes thought and a quick look at the BC pp's. There are probably quite a few more examples.



TGJB