My Prediction for Santa Anita

[Rupert Pupkin]

I don't think there is any doubt that they are going to switch to regualr dirt. That is pretty obvious. The question is what they're going to do later on. At the end of the meet or at the end of the year, will they put in another synthetic surface or will they try to stick with conventional dirt? They're going to get a waiver that will allow them to use regular dirt, but the waiver will expire at the end of this year. They wouldn't have asked for this waiver if they didn't intend on putting in conventional dirt.
Stronach did not want to put a synthetic track in to begin with. I think that at one point he considered playing hardball and was going to fight the CHRB. Everyone pretty much wanted him to put in a synthetic surface and he finally gave in.
It will be very interesting to see what happens this time around. I would not be surprised if he says, "Look, we tried it. We spent $11 million and it didn't work. I'm not going to do it again. If you want to try to force me to put in another synthetic track then I'll see you in court."
I can't say for sure that this is what's going to happen. But I am pretty sure that they are going to put in a dirt track at least for now. I can't say what will happen after that.
I think they will be able to put a new dirt tack in relatively fast, so I don't think that they will need to move to Hollywood Park. It was pretty clear from Charles' statement yesterday that they are not going to move to Hollywood.