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 13

Fast / Firm

Cloudy

67

Wind 7 to 9 MPH SW to NW

The rail was good on the Main Track, though not likely an advantage, as the dirt races played fairly. The turf courses also appeared to play fairly.

Thursday, May 12

Fast / Firm

Clear

69

Wind 6 MPH NW

The Main Track appeared to play fairly, while the times were very much on the slow side. The turf courses also appeared fair.

Sunday, May 8

Muddy ( sealed ) / Off

Cloudy

54

Wind 15 to 12 MPH SW

While most of the running was done off the rail, some horses did well at least close to the inside, but possibly best at least a little off the inside. Worth following going forward.

Saturday, May 7

Sloppy ( sealed ) / Yielding

Rainy

48

Wind 18 to 15 MPH SW

Speed did well on the Main Track, but it was arguably situational, as most results were logical and horses made effective runs from behind. A lot of the best running was done outside but horses did well inside. Overall, despite the adverse conditions, the track was fair. Both turf races were run on the Inner Turf. With the rails out 35 feet, the running was done well out in the course. While listed as Yielding, the course was probably Heavy given the final times. Speed won both races ( on a heavy favorite and the other 10:1 ). I wouldn't make much of this, as we rarely run under these conditions, and likely many didn't handle the going.

Friday, May 6

Fast ( 1-2 ) Good ( sealed ) 4&6; Sloppy ( sealed ) 7-9 / Firm ( 3&5 )

Rainy

58

Wind 4 to 8 MPH WNW

Even with the track changing dramatically during the day, we saw logical results throughout, and a likely fair track. The rail was good even as the track got wetter. We ran one race on each turf course and each played out fairly. 

Thursday, May 5

Fast / Firm

Clear

70

Wind 4 MPH SE to NNE

The rail was good on the Main Track but not a clear advantage as, overall, the track played fairly. The rails were at 18 feet and 35 feet on the Widener and Inner Turf respectively. Both courses appeared to play fairly.

Sunday, May 1

Fast / Firm

Clear

66

Wind 7 to 9 MPH NNW

There is a strong argument the rail was an advantage on the Main Track. Both turf courses appeared to play fairly. 

Saturday, April 30

Fast / Firm

Clear

62

Wind 8 to 5 MPH SE

There is an argument the rail was good, if not a clear advantage, on the Main Track. Possible to close outside however, but being inside was likely helpful. The turf courses played fairly.

Friday, April 29

Fast / Firm

Clear

58

Wind 15 to 13 MPH SE

The wind was not as severe as Thursday. There is an argument the rail was an advantage on the Main Track but in many ways it may have been situational. Worth following going forward. With only three turf races, it's hard to say there was any bias. The courses likely played fairly.

Thursday, April 28

Fast / Firm

Clear

53

Wind 17 MPH SE

There was a strong headwind down the backstretch. The early fractions may have appeared slow but it was wind related. The inside was good, though no apparent advantage, as the races played out fairly on both the Main Track and the two turf courses.

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