TGJB wrote:

> Regarding BR's Wood figure, this was a situation that goes
> straight to the figure making comments I made here recently.
> The problem is not just how you deal with BR and Survivalist,
> it's also how do you deal with all those horses behind them. We
> posted the race here before-- you can find it with a search for
> "Wood" and "attached"--

I did a search and could not come up with the TFigs for the Wood. I'd certainly lay them over the horses to try and ascertain the merits of figs on the margins.

If you take the horses one by one, to me its pretty clear they all went south badly.

Going Wild - Finished last, beaten 41 lengths. Can there be any doubt?

Pavo - Coming off a career effort in the Gotham I believe. I read the poor Wood as a bounce to the moon.

Naughty New Yorker - beaten 32 lengths, beaten 7 and 15 respectively by Galloping Grocer and Scrappy T, both horses he handled in the Whirlaway. Finished close to in the Gotham. 1st time Lasix in the Wood, did it dull him?

Galloping Grocer - Tactical decision to lay off the pace in the Wood. Did it discourage GG? He certainly didn't pick up a foot.

Scrappy T - Significant layoff, Saddle slipped 4 marks into race. Came home in over 28 seconds.

Survivalist - Its really all about him isnt it? Slow early, slow late, jockey commented negatively, worked like a pig first work after.

Tracks are slower. What that means to me is the strip was scalding Wood day. I just dont think most of the horses entered took advantage of it. But you have to admit, even the New York Bred Slow Rats motored early. Foggy is the question mark to me. But he ran different. Maybe he was off, maybe he rated better than he has.