Figs, Juveniles and Weekend Turf Action

By Dana Byerly, Hello Race Fans Co-founder

In a recent blog post at DRF, Dan Illman published a list of the top 25 Beyer Speed Figures for juveniles so far this year (in addition to a general top 25 for the past couple of weeks, something he does regularly). At the top of the list was J C’s Pride, that we mentioned yesterday, followed by filly Stopshoppingmaria.

What can you surmise from this list? That you’re unlikely to get a good price on the top 10 or so horses in their next start! But how should speed figures be factored? Should you still like a horse if they’re one of the only starters to not have a triple digit Beyer or Bris? Figs are just one of many angles, and should be factored accordingly.

Last year we did a “Figs Gone Wild” month, including a primer on figures entitled Figuring out Figs and a more in-depth discussion entitled Getting up to Speed on Beyers (although the same principles applies to other speed figs). The discussion piece in particular has some useful insights for considering maiden and juveniles.

Pedigree is a helpful angle with juveniles, and our pedigree maven, Valerie Grash, brings you some considerations when capping juveniles and first time starters (and not only pedigree!). On our to-do list is a discussion style post about handicapping juveniles, but until then we have some suggestions…

There’s no shortage of bloggers/writers following juveniles, so point your browser towards these fine resources:

Sites/Spreadsheets
Blood-Horse Maiden Watch
Buzz Babies Spreadsheet
In the Money – 2-year-old to Watch
Iron Madiens – Kiddie List
Hard Spun Foals
Posts about Juveniles at Raceday 360 Wire

Twitter
@BH_Maidenwatch
@BuzzBabies
@DerbyContenders (follows through Triple Crown season)

Let us know if there are any other handy online resources for juveniles!

This Saturday there are two juvenile stakes races at Woodbine, the Summer Stakes (entries) and Natalma Stakes for fillies (entries). Both are over the turf at one mile and both are Breeders’ Cup Challenges Races. The winners of both of last year’s BC juvenile turf races came out of these two races. Check out Valerie’s Intro to Turf Pedigrees as well because all of this weekend’s graded stakes action is on the turf!

Just published today: Ten Things You Should Know About the Woodbine Mile.