NY turf sprints
 

Can anybody tell me what has caused this fascination with carding an endless array of turf sprints? I can't imagine its good for the grass course. Is this something horsemen wanted?

The races fill...why would it be bad for the turf?

Large, open fields. . . Better to bet on than small dirt fields. . .

Bad horses need somewhere to run too.

I like them........They are tough to handicap & they often have horses that pay a nice price.

I like them too...

Do you also have a problem when Calder runs them as much as they do, and when they run down the hill at Santa Anita?

"I like them... they are tough to handicap"

I'll never understand.

Actually they had problems at Mth a few years back with so many turf sprints, apparently the first furlong out of the gate gets a lot of divots...

I hate turf sprints, other than down the hill at Santa Anita. Just not my wheelhouse.

My sentiments exactly

Turf Sprint = Rodeo

No because I don't bet those tracks.

Why not run more turf routes and cut back on the sprints? Too chaotic, IMO.

As for the earlier comment, I don't think there's any doubt the sprints tear up the grass more than routes do.

Just a few years ago NYRA never had any turf sprints. I think sprints are over done on any surface but the horsemen like them. It seems like Keeneland has more routes than NY and it does seem to make it more interesting.

Why?

Didn't our own Andy Serling say not very long ago that he feared he might share some of the blame for there now being all of these New York turf sprints?

Because the horses are running harder and hitting the ground harder.

You are kidding right?

My landscaper told me that sprinting on my turf is dangerous and I shouldn't do it. He also told me that horses are nothing more than downsized unicorns plotting to take over the world.


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I'm not sure that was a cigarette he gave me...


(Oh god I am in big trouble now

Oh sh...better do something to put this thread back in professional mode...new people are watching!!)










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THUD

Let me ask you a question: which do you think is harder on a grass course? The typical crawlfest turf route in New York where they go 49 and change to the half.....or a 6 furlong sprint where they get to the half in :44 and change? I've never worked on a track maintenance crew so I can't say for sure but I seriously doubt routes tear up a course as much as sprints do.

The speed at which they are going makes no difference. The only thing that they do is cause more wear on the one turn which could lead to the turf being uneven in wear and tear (Track super told me this one).