Eurobounce has an unlimited supply of excuses. If the clockers are only catching 2 out of 15 then they should go back to the Helen Keller School.

Chances are there were a lot less horses on the track than 15. The hundreds of horses stabled at Turfway never left the barn that morning. Now he'll say the path from the stables was too icy or maybe aliens abducted the entire backstretch horses and all.

I'd actually favor synthetic surfaces too Scuds. I'd actually favor synthetic surfaces developed by DuPont or BASF -- corporations with real Phds in Materials Science, Physics, and Engineering. I'd favor surfaces designed and tested by experts.

I don't favor somebody like Martin Collins concocting walks and gallops out of pollutants (old tires, carpet fibers) and then selling it as a racing surface and as the panacea to all of racing's problems. Check into "Marty's" background -- he's not exactly a graduate of MIT.

Kickback problems? Hell, let's chop up some spandex and wire coverings and throw it in the mix. Add some Oreo cookies too while you're at it.

I have to sign off now and resume my Snow Dance. Trying to get it to freeze and snow. Instead of betting on the horses we'll be betting on how far those clumps of poly can fly. A nice freeze and the gate crew won't be the only ones wearing flak vests -- the jockeys will need them too.

People tend to put the microscope on whether a certain synthetic will allow racing in the f'n Tundra.I think the most important thing is that horses(in general) will be able to race more often(per year) if they at least train on a synthetic.

I am very interested in the kickback issue. Dirt has horrible kickback if you get enough moisture to form hard mudballs. So poly kickback is worse than the incredibly hard dirt with that moisture in it?

Poly is a work in progress that will improve.

Thanks for posting that JJP. It's like I said it is.

Also, cooking oil may degrade living tissue if it is used too much. Could be hoof problems down the road if horses are sprayed with that too often.

just a little fyi....no offense to anyone but playa doesn't any of these horses we are talking about so why are people getting worked up about it...he just helps out a trainer being a groom for the trainer.....

i also find it funny that people would rag on scuds for being a "gambler" and that he "doesn't take part in the business".....last time i checked if you place a bet you take part in the business....this is just me but betting a decent amount of money in the game mean more then being a groom

They should be spraying Pledge,or something like that instead.

Playa knows I am just kid'n with him.He is like a firecracker that ya just gotta get lit.Playa,can ya post the photo with you in the Winners Circle at Churchill(the one with your shirttail hanging out.)That is the best.

lol i gotta see this

I hate to admit it, but the Scudsman pays attention. And anyone who plays and watches very closely like this California nutmeg must be respected. If you want to learn about training, train. If you want to learn about gambling, gamble without addiction. Pay attention to details, know which details in a race are relevant and which are not. The Scudsman has got this as does our gifted Hooves. They play and watch closely all the time.

anything to make your day scuds
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/20610...68366524ptquQF

Playa,I have my own less than stellar animals that I take care of.My MINPINS are actually pretty bright and useful animals.Then,I have this half an American Eskimo Mutt.I took him in because people (who shouldn't of ever had a dog) were leaving him alone for days (sometimes.)He is not that bright.I use to give Minpins Pistachios,and they would leave the shell behind.This fool would come behind them,and eat the sharp shell.Somewhere along the genetic line,the Minpins automatically do understand not to eat the shells,but not him.Atleast he has a big bite,and likes to be a watchdog.Big dummy loves to show his teeth.

Turfway was hugely biased in favor of outside and closers yesterday. It was as bad as any of the Keeneland days. Who said this stuff wouldn't have biases?