I would agree with your points on the stakes level races. I've done better in these races than the cheap claimers over the years for sure, and the fact that the odds are a little easier to project is probably a factor.

I would disagree with you on the maidens though. There are instances where the 'board tells you', but I find opportunities in these races. I look at the 'first time out' sire stats and the trainer 'first time out' stats. If I like what I see and I get my price I'm in, and I'll go against the short priced horse with the flashy workout line who doesn't measure up on the sire/trainer angles. I'll give a long workout in a decent time some weight, but I'm always amazed when people bang down those 3f bullet type first timers to 4/5, and I look to beat them. This is actually a scenario I expect to see a lot of soon, with all the debut types coming through in the East. HP