JoeKay:
Great betting races with huge fields.
One way in which Mth will never be able to match Belmont and Saratoga regards the
configuration of the tracks; there seemed to be six furlong races aplenty at Mth
this weekend. I think most horseplayers like to see diverse distances--sprints at
NYRA can be run at 6, 6-1/2, 7, 7-1/2 furlongs, not to mention the longer races
run at one turn.
Also think you will find that most Mth turf races will be run at either 1 mile or
1-1/16th mile, with a rare trip to the infield chute for a 1-1/8th race. In pre
Wayward Hayward/Camporegime days, the 2 Belmont turf courses were used rather
extensively at distances of 1-1/4, 1-3/8 and 1-1/2 miles. The reason for this
utilization was simple-- Belmont had something which no other track could offer
(that being the ability to run longer turf races without traveling around 3 turns).
Wonder if there is any truth to the rumor that CH was presented with data
showing that bettors liked 5f turf sprints more than the longer turf sprints, and
that plans for a 4f straight turf course in the infield (to be called the
Paterson course) are currently being drawn.
Yeah thats a bit of a nit pick on the Mth facility on my part. To me things will
not be right until world class racing returns to a renovated and refurbished Belmont.
