Deadlines for the Sunday paper have prevented timely updates but here's an attempt at catching up:
Scotchirish was a late scratch just before the opener after a tantrum at the gate, and the way it turned out that was very unfortunate, since he probably would have gotten a decent check. This was not a stellar field by any means, but favorite Ruling Decision was able to pull it out despite a scare from firster El Corriente. I won't be playing any of these back if they return against even an average group.
Rocket Zee had absolutely no excuse in the 2nd, yielding the lead late despite setting the pace on slow fractions. She's another who won't be getting any more from me next time. Want another? How about almost any California shipper? The West Coast runners just haven't run well here early in the meet, and that includes Miss McCall, who blew a clear lead as the 3/5 favorite in the 3rd. The only excuse could conceivably be a dead rail, and if later races prove that's the case it would change everything, but as it stands now that narrow loss by Miss McCall was despite a very favorable trip.
