It appears that the not-so-new epidemic of no pace in turf races is also spreading to turf sprints. So it is with that background that, in my view, a good portion of Broadway Run's victory in today's Coronation Cup at Saratoga should go to jockey Luis Saez putting her right on the early lead.

Broadway Run ran well winning her debut and finishing a sharp second in her first two starts. On that basis alone, her Coronation Cup victory wasn't a surprise. But it was something of a surprise to see her go virtually wire to wire in this 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint stakes considering she was far from a speed burner in either of her first two starts.

Enter Saez, who often shows a willingness to take the initiative in turf races. Now, I'm not saying Broadway Run couldn't have won today with a different approach. But I do think Saez putting Broadway Run on the lead when no one else really seemed all that interested in it enhanced whatever chance she had, and that was all that was needed.