Track Trends

NYRA handicapper, Andy Serling, provides daily analysis of track trends and conditions at Beautiful Belmont Park in an attempt to share his thoughts and insights into any possible track biases. This can be a helpful resource for handicappers as track conditions can change from one day to the next.

Saratoga Track Trends Aqueduct Track Trends

Friday, May 7

Fast / Good

Clear

Wind 6 to 10 MPH NW

The main track played fairly. While speed did well on both turf courses, it appeared to be because of race dynamics and not any bias. There is an argument that the rail was an advantage in the Inner Turf.

Thursday, May 6

Fast / Good

Clear

Wind 8 MPH SE

The main track appeared to play fairly, as while speed did well in the majority of the races, it likely was not related to any kind of track bias. I would say the same for the turf courses as well.

Sunday, May 2

Fast / Firm

Cloudy

Wind 10 MPH NE

All courses, turf and dirt, appeared to play fairly

Saturday, May 1

Fast / Firm

Clear

Wind 14 to 10 MPH SE

There is an argument looking at the dirt races that outside closers may have had an advantage, and that's entirely possible, but it also may have been more related to race dynamics and at least relatively logical results. The turf courses continue to play fairly.

Friday, April 30

Fast / Good

Clear

Wind 17 to 19 MPH ESE

All courses, turf and dirt, appeared to play fairly

Thursday, April 29

Fast / Firm

Cloudy

Wind 6 to 10 MPH North

All courses, turf and dirt, appeared to play fairly

Sunday, April 25

Sloppy ( Sealed ) / Off

Cloudy

Wind 9 MPH SSW to SSE

It seemed like the best running was done off the rail, but enough horses did well slightly off the rail to suggest the track was mostly fair.

Saturday, April 24

Fast / Firm

Clear

Wind 8 to 13 MPH NE

The turf courses have firmed up quite a bit since Thursday. All courses, dirt and turf, played fairly

Friday, April 23

Fast / Firm

Clear

Wind 14 MPH East

The Main Track appeared to play fairly. The turf courses are still listed as Firm, but are likely Good at best, especially the Widener. It's arguable that the Widener was favorable to closers, but the routes on that course often lean that way, and the paces of all three races may well have been on the quick side. The two races on the Inner Turf were dominated by logical horses.

Thursday, April 22

Fast / Firm

Clear

Wind 18 MPH ESE

The wind was a factor and being that it was a direct headwind on the backstretch, it appears to have caused the early fractions to be relatively slow. Speed dominated the three dirt races, but they were all won by favorites, so it's hard to declare there was any bias. As for the turf courses, while listed "Firm" based on the times, both courses were on the Yielding side of Good. It's possible speed was a bit of a disadvantage, particularly on the Widener, but the evidence is hardly conclusive.

Previous Years' Track Trends:

2020 Trends 2019 Trends 2018 Trends 2017 Trends