Michael:

Have not seen Friday's card, but I think last Thursday's Saratoga card may have been one of the worst I've ever seen. A nine race card kicked off by a Steeplechase stake won by an odds on favorite. There were four maiden races, including 3 consecutive maiden races. We're talking inner dirt here. The card was so bereft of wagering opportunities I must admit to diving into the early double at the quaint and picaresque Saratoga Raceway.

Disagree with your take on Campo. He seems to be writing the races which will fill, which is what you would want if you were a NYRA shareholder (if there was such a thing). He has used all distances and courses available to him, and the optional claimers and state bred claiming races he has utilized were long overdue. Ditto maiden claimers on the grass.

If anything, he seems to rely too much on grass racing. Its almost like handicapping a decent allowance race on the main track is something we never get to do any more.

Despite the occasional poor card, still a good product IMO. The dilution of the quality of racing has a lot to do with the extension of the meet to 36 days.

Question for California folk: TVG keeps showing the wonderful surf shots of the ocean next to Del Mar -- how come I never see anybody swimming?

Thursday's BIG event: Tiger v Phil, mano a mano at Medinah.