Dirt racings demise?

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Cardus

The "third surface" has become the "third rail" of racing, hasn't it?

I still don't have a definitive stance on the subject (synthetic surfaces), unlike, A) most everyone on this board, and B) almost everyone else (media, owners/trainers/jockeys, other fans). I've wagered very little on synthetic racing to date. I know that I am waiting for more form to develop. I know that I have posted previously that on the Del Mar surface, the racing looked unnatural, like some of the horses were bouncing up and down, but not running smoothly.

It makes me think, though: what will this sport look like in 10, 20 years? Can you imagine your reaction to the first Kentucky Derby run on a synthetic surface?

I don't even want to think about it. The only thought worse than that would be Saratoga replacing their dirt track with poly.

[ELA]

Originally Posted by Cardus

The "third surface" has become the "third rail" of racing, hasn't it?

I still don't have a definitive stance on the subject (synthetic surfaces), unlike, A) most everyone on this board, and B) almost everyone else (media, owners/trainers/jockeys, other fans). I've wagered very little on synthetic racing to date. I know that I am waiting for more form to develop. I know that I have posted previously that on the Del Mar surface, the racing looked unnatural, like some of the horses were bouncing up and down, but not running smoothly.

It makes me think, though: what will this sport look like in 10, 20 years? Can you imagine your reaction to the first Kentucky Derby run on a synthetic surface?

Interesting, and in my mind, thought provoking thought process. So, I have a question -- do you think that the majority of the trainers, who were racing at Del Mar this season, dislike the track surface? Do they dislike any poly/synthetic/etc. surface at all?

With regard to the fans -- do the majority of the fans in CA dislike the poly/synthetic/etc. What about nationwide? Sure, the bettors (perhaps a different strata than "fans" in general) might bet on horses running on ice, but contrary to what every hard-core bettor says, this industry and this sport is not about just the bettor. The chicken and the egg, and in this case, even more to the point -- cause and effect.

Handle and field size were up. I want to know why. I hear people say they are looking for predictability. How much? What about the Aqueduct inner track (of years ago)? What about the Keeneland Spring meet? Is that too much predictability? There will always be something less than ideal.

I think there will eventually be a medium with the alternative surfaces. However, until we get there, I think what might be overlooked is the alleged "greater good" so to speak.

Anyway -- great points. I learn a great deal from other perspectives on these types of issues.

Eric

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by philcski

...especially considering there are synthetic surfaces which play comparable to traditional dirt (see: Arlington, Presque Isle, even Turfway), which tells me the track maintenance is to fault.

While these tracks may be closer to dirt than Delmar and Keeneland, there is no way they are even close to be comparable to dirt the way we are used to seeing it.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Paint it green?

That would be a start.

[JJP]

Originally Posted by philcski

Bettors like large fields, and both delivered. I hate them both and didn't play Del Mar after the opening weekend, especially considering there are synthetic surfaces which play comparable to traditional dirt (see: Arlington, Presque Isle, even Turfway), which tells me the track maintenance is to fault.

Arlington definitely does NOT play like a regular dirt surface. Their published stats are a bit distorted since they now card many 1 1/16 mile races, which they had carded maybe 10 in the previous 20 years combined. These races have a fairly short run to the first turn, then a 700 foot stretch run so speed horses have an unfair advantage in those races. And despite this, Saturday saw head-scratchers like Gold Hornet and Solo Survivor win. IMO, Turfway is by far the most realistic of the Poly tracks.