R there too many turf sprints at Saratoga ?

[Benny]

According to a 2008 article by Kelso Sturgeon there was an increase in turf sprints -

" Meanwhile, the number of turf sprints run at Saratoga has quickly multiplied from 11 in 2005, to 22 in 2006, to 40 in 2007! This makes turf sprints the most rapidly growing segment of racing at "

The NYRA website has 16 such races run so far, with another 19 listed for the next book until 8/19. That's 35 with another 2 weeks to go after that.

To me its too much, and you ??

[randallscott35]

It's not my thing but they can fill a lot of them so...

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Benny

According to a 2008 article by Kelso Sturgeon there was an increase in turf sprints -

" Meanwhile, the number of turf sprints run at Saratoga has quickly multiplied from 11 in 2005, to 22 in 2006, to 40 in 2007! This makes turf sprints the most rapidly growing segment of racing at "

The NYRA website has 16 such races run so far, with another 19 listed for the next book until 8/19. That's 35 with another 2 weeks to go after that.

To me its too much, and you ??

I think they are fun. I dont prefer them, I would rather bet a stakes race or a nice 2yr race. They dont bother me though and I dont believe its too much.
The quality of racing is great, is this the only thing left to complain about?

[letswastemoney]

I dislike the turf sprints, specifically the ones 5.5 furlongs and less. They feel more random because the smallest thing can happen and your pick has no time to recover.

It's like the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, which is consistently regarded as one of the worst races on the card if not the worst. Most bettors would prefer longer races.

[parsixfarms]

Whether you like them or not (personally, I think they are overdone and are a prime example of the continual shortening of the condition book under the current racing secretary), one unintended consequence is that a disproportionate number of the two-turn turf races at Saratoga are being run over the inner turf.

[PatCummings]

I just don't understand how someone doesn't like a race because of the distance. I tend to feel there are too many double/triple conditioned races, which I loathe, and am starting to completely pass as a bettor. But a field of 2YO maidens sprinting 5.5 on turf at Saratoga is more appealing to me than say, triple conditioned runners at 6F on dirt, or at any other distance.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

I just don't understand how someone doesn't like a race because of the distance. I tend to feel there are too many double/triple conditioned races, which I loathe, and am starting to completely pass as a bettor. But a field of 2YO maidens sprinting 5.5 on turf at Saratoga is more appealing to me than say, triple conditioned runners at 6F on dirt, or at any other distance.

Most of the turf sprints are not for 2 year olds though.

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Most of the turf sprints are not for 2 year olds though.

Well, there was no qualification before...not all turf sprints are the same...