Santa Anita's Good News
 

I'm not sure how old this news is, but I just read that Santa Anita isn't choosing Polytrack. They are choosing between Cushion and a brand called Pro-Ride from Australia, and the decision should be made in a week. It has seemed like every track was choosing the Polytrack brand. Perhaps it is cheaper, but after having felt four of the brands and seen results on track, Polytrack is easily the worst substitute for dirt out of all of them. It's actually more of a substitute for turf. This is good news, especially considering the Breeders' Cup is going to be held there in '08.

wouldn't asphalt be cheaper?

I was actually hoping that we could just turn beaches into race tracks. I think it would be great to see the Breeders' Cup Classic run at 10 furlongs STRAIGHT up the Monterey coastline. It would also help fan development. Surfer dudes and sk8r chicks would dig racing if this happened.

they race on the beach at Laytown.. It's watered twice a day every day..\
http://www.hri.ie/Content/HRI/hrirac...es.aspx?id=594

Maybe they should try ASTROTURF.

Brock,

I'm going to Laytown this year. Is there anything I should know before I go?

before you go, make sure that it is on. I went up there a few years ago and was cancelled due to dangerous ridges on the sand. wasn't too happy it's only on once a year and if its cancelled, you'll have to wait til next year. ... its certainly an experience in its own right..

Hopefully, they'll run. I've planned a golf holiday around it knowing that they only race one day a year. We'll be playing Laytown & Bettystown earlier in the day, so if their off, it won't be a complete loss.

Also will be visiting Tralee, Ballinrobe, Sligo, Bellewstown, Down Royal, The Curragh, Roscommon, Clonmel and Kilbeggan on this trip.

sounds like a grand trip.. some very quaint tracks in there and if youre lucky you might see some future stars in the making at somewhere like tralee..