Some facts and figures to think about as we head into the Saratoga meet:

* Horses that broke from the 1-hole on the Mellon (outer) Turf course were 1-for-43 during the 2009 meet. Horses breaking from posts 4, 5, and 6 won 21 of the 43 grass sprints on that course.
* Post position didn't appear to favor one spot over another in both sprints and routes on the main track.
* On the Inner Turf, which only saw route races and no sprints, post position #2 saw 16 winners in 74 races (22%), by far the highest of any post. Post position #1 was a paltry 3-for-74 (4%).
* Jockey Robby Albarado only rode 11 horses in the 2009 meet that went off as the post time favorite, but he brought eight of those home for the score for an incredible 73% hit rate. This was easily the highest percentage for a jockey riding a favorite at Saratoga last year.
* Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was strong on the turf course in 2009, winning 8 of 22 starts on the lawn (36%). On the other hand, Gary Contessa was a weak 3-for-48 (6%).
* Jockey Alan Garcia didn't do a whole lot of winning in stakes races at Saratoga in 2009, but he was extremely strong in Maiden Calming and Allowance races (21% and 26%, respectively).
* Jockey John Valazquez had a brutal 2009 meet on the lawn, hitting on just 4 of 97 starts.
* Mike Luzzi only won 9 races at last year's meet, but those nine winners paid an average of $28.10.

Good stuff also check the win % of 2nd time maiden starters for Steve Asmussen

yes very good info. thank you for the heads up

Also pay attention to Linda Rice when she runs horses on the grass at 5 or 5 1/2 furlongs. Deadly Esp with A Garcia or C Velq on them. Or if its a first time starter on the grass or a horse trying the grass for the first time.