Speed is good this week on the Del Mar main track, and the first dirt race Friday (race 1, seven furlongs) provided more evidence that front-runners and pace-pressers will continue to hold the edge over closers. Americanize pressed a fast pace (:44.39 opening half-mile) and won clear.

Seven of the 10 dirt races, including both routes, were won by horses positioned one-two at the first pace call. Bettors that like Sharp Azteca in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, or Paradise Woods in the BC Distaff, do not need worry about the racing surface.

The final time of race 1 (seven furlongs in 1:21.73) was in line with the speed of the track on Wednesday and Thursday.

As for turf, the rails are down Friday, after the first two days of the meet with the rails at 30 feet. Ritzy A.P. won the first grass race Friday, first-level allowance at a mile and a sixteenth, after being positioned third behind a slow pace.

The turf course seems fair, perhaps with a lean to horses with a finishing kick.