Tip of the Week: The Inside Dirt

A few weeks ago, we discussed how handicappers tackling the Keeneland meet needed to keep in mind how its Polytrack surface was more akin to turf than dirt.
Now, with racing having shifted over to Churchill Downs and its dirt main track, it’s time to turn around that rule of thumb and adopt a forgiving attitude.
Finding horses that floundered on Polytrack in Lexington but displayed strong form previously on dirt can pave the way to success in Louisville.
A good example of that could be found in the sixth race at Churchill Downs on Sunday, May 11.
Kitty’s Turn was listed at 6-1 in the morning line after finishing seventh in his last race, winding up some 14 lengths behind the winner on Polytrack at Keeneland. It was nearly as weak of an effort as his only other start on a synthetic surface, a 13 ½-length loss.
Clearly, he did not relish Polytrack, but on dirt – the surface for the May 11 race – Kitty’s Turn has been a much more formidable runner. In 29 starts on a fast dirt track, he had seven wins, three seconds and five thirds.
Better than that, in six starts on Churchill Downs’ main track he had two wins, two seconds and a third.
Dropping in claiming price from $10,000 to $7,500 – the level at which he was victorious in a June 14, 2013 race at Churchill Downs – Kitty’s Turn appeared an attractive play at 6-1.
So attractive, in fact, that Kitty’s Turn was bet down to the 5-2 second choice in a field of eight – and he didn’t disappoint. Kitty’s Turn relished his return to dirt and put that forgettable start on Polytrack behind him. He chased the pace and then drew off to a length and a half victory that was worth $7.40 for every $2 wager.
THE LESSON: Don’t be swayed by a poor effort on a synthetic surface, especially when a horse with a poor record on an artificial course and a solid one on a natural surface switches back to a dirt course.
KITTY'S TURN'S PERFORMANCES AT CHURCHILL AND KEENELAND