West Coast Offense

[richiebee]

Chuck:

Some would say that NYRA had the first true synthetic surface-- the winterized
IDT aka the \"Inner Tube\".

I think having a synthetic surface and a conventional dirt surface at the same
facility would make easier the comparison/contrast of racing on the 2 surfaces
and thus would have some scientific value; NYRA is one of the only places where
this could be done.

Traditional dirt racing has already fallen victim, to an extent, to a Racing
office/horse population which seems to only be able to fill turf races; dirt
racing, especially at Belmont, is already becoming a novelty, the way turf
racing used to be.

[NoCarolinaTony]

No....it was done early this year as CD was lamented for 2008.

NC Tony

[ezgoer89]

Chuckles_the_Clown2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I\'m not sure what the status of Golden Gate Fields
> is.

Golden Gate Fields is installing a Tapeta surface, the same one used by Dickinson at his training facility.  It is currently used on several training tracks.  GGF will be the first track in the world to have Tapeta installed for regular racing.

http://www.goldengatefields.com/NewsEvents/FeatureStories/Details/GGF.htm

[miff]

Bee,

There was a plan to investigate a synthetic inner track at the Big A or a synthetic training track somewhere in NY.The idioticians in Albany are now in the process of turning the Aqueduct into a Stronach thing or something driven by the value of the property to the state. I hear NYRA will concede ownership rights to the tracks and land if they get renewed. There is lots of wheeling and dealing with lots of powerful politicians trying to protect their constituents interest.

Not particularly good news for Poly-Quackers, but the Del Mar fiasco has slowed the tide on conversion to synthetic, at least in NY.You would be surprised to hear several NY Hall of Fame Trainers say that they would welcome synthetic training surfaces but not for racing.NYRA is sending their people to all of the seminars around the country re synthetics and it at least seems that they will fully investigate thoroughly before moving. It it also noteworthy that there is much being investigated by the breeding industry since synthetics will change that industry rather dramatically.

Would have thought California would have investigated more thoroughly before knee jerk reacting on synthetics.


Mike

[Bally Ache]

Wasn\'t Bay Meadows already given an exemption?  Couldn\'t they be given another if they decided they wanted to remain in business?  

The idea that Del Mar, of all places, needs an artificial surface is ludicrous.  It has yet to be proven that artificial surfaces will prevent breakdowns. This is what the proponents hang their hats on in the face of something that is looking more and more like a fiasco.  All of a sudden they\'re all animal lovers.

Tracks rushed headlong into this as if it were a given that this was THE solution.  Del Mar and Keeneland. which have a reputation as first rate tracks to preserve, will insist that this is okay and everybody likes it right up until the day they make the announcement they\'re taking it out.

[ezgoer89]

Bally Ache Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wasn\'t Bay Meadows already given an exemption?
> Couldn\'t they be given another if they decided
> they wanted to remain in business?  


Kinda... sorta...

http://www.sacbee.com/362/story/231811.html

[Silver Charm]

NC Tony, I am not going to argue over Silica if you know something or it sounds like quite a bit about it.

What I am going to argue is why didn\'t they recognized the problems they are having with the SmellMar Racing surface when they did their studies. To counter any of these arguments or debates would SmellMar be willing to produce the results of those studies. If they have them?

That is my biggest beef. Did they research any of this before they voted Across the Board in Calif to require Polytrack at all Tracks. What kind of data was on the table or presented to them when they made the vote. That people who stand speed Cal-bred dirt sires will be put out of business or at least see a 20%-50% haircut in their stud fees. That horses who used to be able to run in 1:09 will now go in a one-paced 1:13 and the fans will loved it.

Even Trevor Denmans calls have become boring. A new low for Polytrack and racing in general for that matter..............

[fkach]

>You would be surprised to hear several NY Hall of Fame Trainers say that they would welcome synthetic training surfaces but not for racing.<

That\'s because this approach would actually make some sense until we know everything we need to know.

I don\'t see that much downside to training over the stuff and you could still get the potential upside of it being a safer surface and easier on the horses.

[APny]

I have to say that I think all the Del Mar trash talking is a little much.  Have you guys been betting at all?  I have been doing pretty well there and think the track is playing real fair.  I couldn\'t hit a race at Keeneland and still haven\'t hit a race using the sheets at Arlington...but for some reason Hollywood and Del Mar have been good to me.  I agree California jumped the gun mandating synthetic surfaces...but when it comes to playing the game....I don\'t think Del Mar has been that bad....I actually like it better than the speed biased sheet of concrete that it used to be.

[Lost Cause]

I sort of agree that this track seems to be a bit more formful than keeneland..
I\'m not a big better of Synthetics yet but i\'m trying to get it..

The three biggest things I have learned about Del Mar\'s Polytrack are:
-No matter what you do, do not play the speed unless you get a price and very loose on the lead..
-Horses cutting back in distance do well, probably because they don\'t get as tired as quick..
-Victor Espinoza, i hated him on the regular dirt surfaces but on Poly his style (off the pace and go 5 wide on the turn everytime) is perfect for Poly.

This is all stuff I have noticed.  If anyone else has tips (besides not betting Polytrack), please let me know as I see there is a lot of money being paid out over there and want to get some of it.

[bordercollie]

With out being over cynical,IMO, Delmar is impossible.

[Silver Charm]

One mans opinion. And a good one.

http://opinions.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=40099

Now if we can just get things to where it is fun to watch, fast and exciting and betable then even I will not be complaining.

And oh by the way the track will probably be able to stay in business.