Dear Steve,

Thanks for the response. I do not specifically recall Banjo Picker's sheet, so, it is hard for me to reply too much. Also, the whole number power issue is clouded by pattern issues which I think are better put aside for the purposes of this discussion.

Two Sixty Four really had number superiority (in addition to a beautiful pattern). Only second choice Gold and Roses had run one figure better and you could view that number with a touch of skepticism (sloppy sealed track figure in a race with evident and unexpected wide margins between the horses -- 21 lengths separated the first 4 finishers). Favorite Carminooch had once run one figure close but that was in his last effort that looked like an isolated jump up which might well induce a bounce (but note the differences between late 3 year old versus early 3 year old jump ups -- the same sort of move was made by War Emblem early and that type of effort is less likely to be an isolated jump up).

With Banjo Picker, did he have number superiority coming in? I seem to recall there being some pretty strong horses in that race (they may have not run what was necessary recently, but I would be surprised if BJ's top was better than some of the others in that race). If he did have number superiority, maybe we should take a look at him. If he was a pattern play, then he is somewhat less relevant although still potentially interesting.

I admit it is hard to separate pattern and number power sometimes (and it may be particularly tough in this case).

Best,

SoCal