TURF RACES

Late speed, in combination with class, dominates on the turf. Not early speed, not pace, not tactical speed, and not improving form. When the real grass racing begins, shortly following the prestretch call, class and late speed tell the tale.

Pace is not exactly irrelevant on the grass, but it is far less decisive an influence. The softer footing saps enormous energy, regardless of running times. Frontrunners without stamina tire on the turf, no matter how slow the early going. Pace duels ruin the participants. Impressive closers possess the endurance required. Closers can relax early, settle into a slower stride and, as the jockey desires, unleash a burst of late speed. The strongest closer represents a serious contender on turf; always.

Horses that have an extraordinary chance of losing on the grass:

As a general rule, handicappers can throw out heavily bet, front-running three-year-olds when first they switch to the turf. The inexperienced horses exhaust themselves, and lose. Do not expect they will finish second either.

Conventional speed figures and pace ratings are unreliable, and in numerous instances useless, in the handicapping of grass routes.

In all claiming cases, horses that finished fastest last out from the prestretch call to the wire will be difficult to handle.

Jockeys are more significant on the turf. Prefer intelligent, waiting-style riders, and discount the impatient, aggressive, can't-wait types that consistently move boldly into the far turn and around the far turn, but fall short in the drive.

Inside post positions are also helpful on the grass. Statistically, the inside outperforms the outside on all turf courses. The sharper turns place a premium on saving ground. But if the classiest horse having the best closing time will exit from the outside, that's the likeliest winner regardless. The horse can take back, drop over, and save its kick for the end. If the jockey doesn't rush the horse to secure early position, or arouse it too soon for striking position, the long late kick will be satisfactory, at least much of the time.

Among horses trying the turf for the first and second times, pedigree is the overarching asset. Dirt form is unimportant. When introduced to the scene, horses bred for grass win on the surface with amazing consistency. They repeatedly pay high mutuels. In maiden races, nonwinners allowances, and 3YO stakes, all of which involve younger, lightly raced horses, prefer horses boasting effective grass sires.

Among horses 4up, too, any switching to grass for the first or second time and having an effective turf sire become automatic contenders.

Foreign imports also deserve special consideration on grass. As the 1990s come into focus, racing in Europe can be considered five pounds superior to comparable racing in the States. The superiority reveals itself undeniably in American grass racing, where European imports shine. Other things being relatively equal, prefer the imports of England and France, more so at inflated mutuels. And if graded or listed imports from Europe remain eligible to preliminary nonwinners allowance contests, or highly restricted classified races, or restricted stakes here, the horses stand out on class.

Turf races can be upsetting to handicappers who fail to adapt to the grassy surface. But turf races can be as predictable as any. Different kinds of horses prosper on turf, and different handicapping factors apply. Just as versatile runners are more likely to transfer their talents to grass racing successfully, so are versatile handicappers.