Del Mar Meet

[asudevil]

Despite longshots, all's fair on Del Mar's Polytrack
(August 05, 2008 8:58 AM)

Winning favorites at Del Mar this meet are a rarity, sort of like going to the X Games and not hearing the word, "Dude."

Through July 8, favorites were winning less than 20 percent of the time, well below the national average of 33. The assault on chalk recently resulted in a three-day Pick Six carryover of more than $5 million, a record for Del Mar.

While favorite players are scratching their heads and searching for means to replenish their bankroll, horsemen in general are delighted with Phase 2 of Del Mar’s Polytrack, a synthetic surface that was installed last year but drew widespread criticism due to ponderously slow times recorded by winning horses.

Whether it’s Polytrack, Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track or Santa Anita’s upcoming Pro-Ride, synthetic surfaces are a work in progress, to date requiring periodic tweaks. This meet, the addition of water to Del Mar’s Polytrack has resulted in an improved surface and faster times.

"The track is a lot more fair and a lot tighter," said Doug O’Neill, who has won 20 training titles in less than 15 years during his ascent as one of the game’s icons. "You can tell by the times. The track is a lot more consistent from the mornings to the last race of the day. We’ve been very happy with it; even some of the trainers who complain a lot haven’t complained much. They’re looking for something else to complain about.

"Knock on wood, our stable’s been pretty good as far as not having injuries, and I don’t think one horse has been vanned off from the main track so far. The old Del Mar (traditional dirt, which was replaced last year), there would be two a day when we were all desensitized about injuries. But now, knock on wood, the track’s been very good."

Variances in synthetic surfaces range from subtle to obvious.

"Polytrack is a fresh, new synthetic track, but Hollywood is in the process of being rejuvenated and they’re waiting for a shipment (of additional synthetic mix) late this month," O’Neill said. "But I train full time at Hollywood and the track’s been good, so we’re happy with synthetic surfaces."

Astute bettors can benefit by observing artificial nuances.

"There is a difference in Polytrack and Cushion Track when it comes to handicapping," O’Neill said. "Horses that are more patient mentally and want to finish are doing better on Polytrack than they did on Cushion Track at Hollywood. Speed was better at Hollywood, so adjustments have to be made and different strategy has to be used at Del Mar, but that adds to the excitement and the fun of it.

"But Del Mar has to be frustrating to big bettors, that’s for sure," O’Neill said about the plethora of longshots, "but hopefully they can get a read on it and zero in on how the track is playing, because it seems pretty consistent. If you can get a read on it, you should be OK."

Pro-Ride, which presently is being installed at Santa Anita in time for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Oak Tree Oct. 24 and 25, will remain unknown until tested at the Arcadia track, but reports are encouraging, according to O’Neill. A snafu in the mix during installation of Cushion Track at Santa Anita last year resulted in poor drainage. Ian Pearse, founder and president of Pro-Ride, rode to the rescue, patching up the track, enabling the 85-day Santa Anita meet to conclude without further incident after losing several days of racing.

"I spoke to one of my clients who trains on the Pro-Ride training center in Kentucky, and he raves about it," O’Neill said. "He says it’s the best synthetic around, and from what I’ve heard, Pro- Ride is a beautiful track. Ian is making sure it’s done right this time. I’m looking forward to a safe, consistent track that can handle any amount of rain without concern. You have to applaud Santa Anita for stepping up and spending more money to try and get it right."

The Homestretch

Todd Pletcher plans to have a large division of his extensive national operation based at Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup.

"We’ll likely be stabled at Santa Anita for the winter," Pletcher said. "I would hope we would have a full barn there." Assistant Mike McCarthy will call the shots at Santa Anita for the 41-year-old Pletcher, winner of four consecutive Eclipse Awards as the nation’s outstanding trainer from 2004 through 2007.