According to DRF Track Information the Keeneland stretch is 1,174 feet. That would mean the 1 1/16 mile races with the shortened stretch go 844 feet.

Oaklawn also uses the 1/16th pole start for one mile races and their shortened stretch goes 825 feet, 1,155 normally.

NT

Thanks. I hadn't realized Gulfstream had such a short stretch. Probably had to make room for a Starbucks or two.

The horses skipping this race or that race in order for an easier spot is because there are too many graded races. We have talked about this before but it is just the way things are. So many connections use graded races as a prep race for another graded race.

No matter who shows up to take on Invasor, they were not going to win unless something out of the ordinary happened in the race.

Can somebody refresh my memory: why did Magna reconstruct the configuration of Gulfstream? When one thinks of GP, one thinks of the 3YO preps leading up to, and obviously including, the Florida Derby, which is at 1 1/8 miles. I wonder if they would consider going to 1 3/16 miles just to make things more fair.

I believe the main track circumfrence is related to his desire to make a wider turf course. While I applaud the better turf course, the old one was far from terrific, the 1 1/8 new track is problematic. On the one hand, the new mile chute enabling one turn miles is very good, but the problems associated with the short run to the first turn for 1 1/8 races has diminished the track.

I guess you can't have everything.

Are these races on ESPN this weekend or no?

The most glaring omission from the Gulfstream re-configuration is the absence of 1 1/16 mile races! Now if they want the new 3YOs to go two-turns they have to go 9 furlongs. I think that was a big mistake.

The turf course idea was a copy of what Arlington does, as they are able to move the rail something like 84 feet. I always thought that it essentially set up an inner and outer turf course, but doesn't use that designation.

The inclusion of a one mile chute was terrific, but the short stretch and inability to go 1 1/16 is a big down-side in my opinion.

NT

No ESPN for Saturday, only available on HRTV.

NT

I really dont think that not having 1 1/16 miles races is all that big of a deal. I didn't miss any 1 1/16 miles races last year. I love the 1 mile chute and I like the new turf course. I happen to think Gulf has done a good job transforming the track. To the serious horse player, there are many downsides. But for the most part, it is a positive.

If you are a horseman looking to stretch your horse out to two turns there is a difference. It also does not allow Gulfstream to have a gradual increase in the distances of the Ky Derby prep races. The Holy Bull this Saturday will be one mile, then the Fountain of Youth will be a mile and a furlong and the Fla Derby will be a mile and a furlong.

NT

I hear you, and in a perfect world there would be a linear progression, however the old track could not run 1 mile races and the preps leading up to the Florida Derby were 7F and 1 1/16 races. Now, while it would be nice to go from 1 1/16 to 1 1/8 what has really happened is many trainers use the Fountain of Youth as they used to use the Florida Derby, as their respective dates are now similar, so in many ways little has been changed in the grander scheme of things.

Well, and Stronach has ruined the Florida Derby. But, I'm sure that's all part of his new paradigm.

I agree from a horseman's view. But I dont run any horses down there. I would love to but I dont have that option right now. The 3 year old progression doesnt make sense, but it worked out well last year. Like BTW said--you cant have it all.

Agreed. All in all the racing product is first-rate. No doubt about it.

NT

I donot see why running 1 mile one turn races is a big deal. the 7F to 1 1/16 was better,ihmo. However with the new config. why would many trainers want to a - want to go to 1 1/8th that soon and b - take the chance at drawing an outside post as a final prep 5 weeks out. I think Barbaro will have been the exception to the rule, and we could wait a long time until it happens again, GP got lucky. Your comment of using the Fountian of Youth race in place of the Florida Derby is spot on. In trying to make the Florida Derby a final prep 5 weeks out , they are trying to change the reality of the Derby Trail. This year the FL. Derby is March 31 st. and 1/4 of south florida will be fllying north that same weekend. New paradigm indeed.