Track tips for Thursday, Sept. 6

Arlington's Polytrack seems to be favoring speed more as the season has worn on. Over the last two weeks (Aug. 22 to Sept. 3), 27 of the 80 races run over the Arlington carpet have been won in front-running fashion (33.7 percent), and another 11 (13.7 percent) have been won by pace pressers (horses within 2 lengths of the lead past the opening quarter and half). That means that nearly half of the races run over the Arlington Polytrack the last two weeks have been won by speed/pressing types.

A total of 21 horses have won at least three times at the meet, and Dancy's Angel and First Movement are the only two to win four times. Of those with at least 3 wins, carpet lover Prophet John is the only one who has yet to taste defeat. Early-season Poly sensations Hatch and Cane Garden Boy have tailed off noticeably as the season has worn on, and it appears that the fresher horses are doing the most damage at we hit the final couple of weeks of the season.

Best bet: Mary Abbott (1st)

Price play: Keystone Kid (5th)

Contact: joedakracing@aol.com

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