Del Mar - Initial thoughts?

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Yes, but you brought up comparing different tracks and different surfaces.

The fractions I compared, occured on the same surface, at the same track, on the same day.

[Riot]

As a veterinarian, I fully embrace and support the use of artificial surfaces as safer for racing, and I'll hold that opinion unless overwhelming evidence to the contrary appears at some future time (which I doubt, based upon history of use in other countries. But other countries are not the US).

Certainly I expect that viewpoint to influence my acceptance of same from a wagering standpoint. But I still see the varients inherent within artificial surfaces as just another handicapping opportunity

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Cool.

I'd like to hear your position on pace....and how to judge it.

[letswastemoney]

I think artificial surfaces give some horses, such as Nashoba's Key, a chance to perform in races we wouldn't otherwise see them in

[_ed_]

Originally Posted by Riot

As a veterinarian, I fully embrace and support the use of artificial surfaces as safer for racing, and I'll hold that opinion unless overwhelming evidence to the contrary appears at some future time (which I doubt, based upon history of use in other countries. But other countries are not the US).

Certainly I expect that viewpoint to influence my acceptance of same from a wagering standpoint. But I still see the varients inherent within artificial surfaces as just another handicapping opportunity

I'm not a vet but I hold the same opinion.

I've heard that Arlington's field sizes have increased substantially. I'll be interested to see if that's the case at Del Mar too, look forward to seeing some figures.

I'm jealous of everyone who has all-weather tracks, here we have to race on swampy turf all winter. It's not fun.

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by Riot

As a veterinarian, I fully embrace and support the use of artificial surfaces as safer for racing, and I'll hold that opinion unless overwhelming evidence to the contrary appears at some future time (which I doubt, based upon history of use in other countries. But other countries are not the US).

Certainly I expect that viewpoint to influence my acceptance of same from a wagering standpoint. But I still see the varients inherent within artificial surfaces as just another handicapping opportunity

We need time for the jockeys and trainers to develope some predictable patterns.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by 2Hot4TV

We need time for the jockeys and trainers to develope some predictable patterns.

I am very excited about next year's Triple Crown trail.

How will the cream of the California crop, filtered via synthetic surfaces, perform when they come east?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Riot

I am very excited about next year's Triple Crown trail.

How will the cream of the California crop, filtered via synthetic surfaces, perform when they come east?

What do you mean by filtered because I don't think Domincian's subsequent races since the Blue Grass indicate he belongs anywhere near the wire with Street Sense?

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

What do you mean by filtered because I don't think Domincian's subsequent races since the Blue Grass indicate he belongs anywhere near the wire with Street Sense?

This will be the first year the CA 2-year-olds will run primarily on synthetic surfaces. It will be interesting, when they take, "the best of that bunch", and bring them east, to see how they perform in the Triple Crown preps.

[The Bid]

They will probably do the same thing the regular cal shippers do.....Get drilled

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by Riot

I am very excited about next year's Triple Crown trail.

How will the cream of the California crop, filtered via synthetic surfaces, perform when they come east?

They should have a stronger bottom and if they take to the dirt they will be hard to beat.