Originally Posted by JJP

I believe Arlington had 24 breakdowns last year, not 40. As for the earlier comment about randomness with Polytrack, there's no question its more random. Until the majority of horses have run 5-6 times over it, one can only draw limited conclusions. I'll bet TP, where 95% of the non-maidens have run over it, and I feel speed at least has some chance. But the crap that they run on at Kee, AP and Dmr is just brutal to watch. It looks like all the speed tires, and the deep closers can't get in gear quick enough, and the midpack runners basically inherit the win with their one paced style. And ALL the runners look like they are struggling in the stretch. Let's hope PETA doesnt watch these debacles.

I find some horseman's comments very strange: they talk about the surface not "breaking away" like dirt, yet the horses' hooves must be sinking in further because the times are so much slower. What gives? And supposedly the horses come back after a race or workout and barely blowing? Yet it seems that every horse is struggling in the stretch....yet another contradiction.

Originally Posted by Scav

JJ, I was including morning breakdowns also in that 40 number, 24 was during races. I think that 40 number is actually larger

Originally Posted by Scav

JJ, I was including morning breakdowns also in that 40 number, 24 was during races. I think that 40 number is actually larger

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Why are you up so late?

Originally Posted by JJP

I think there's going to be one very strong angle when Hawthorne opens: speed horses who tired at AP.

Originally Posted by Scav

No job, I can do whatever I want now, it is awesome

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Why aren't you in Saratoga then?

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Why aren't you in Saratoga then?

Originally Posted by Scav

I have alot of commitments in the next couple weeks up here. A wedding, handicapping contest, two Cubs games, and a Bears preseason game. Still cleaning my wounds from the first trip, almost healed.

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

I hope you didn't pay for those tickets. Preseason football is absolutely unwatchable.

One of the biggest travesties in sports is the NFL Owners forcing their season ticket holders to buy tickets to preseason games at full price.

I can't give them away, nobody wants to go see a 4-12 team (for that matter, I couldn't give them away after they won the Super Bowl), playing scrubs after one series, in 95 degree heat with not a breath of wind blowing through the stadium.

Originally Posted by Scav

We always go to one preseason just for the hell of it, it keeps us out of trouble. Never pay for them.

Word here is that the Bears are HUNGRY this year and no let down. Schedule is playable and the offensive looks to be real serious. Who knows if that holds but pretty excited. Upgrading the jerseys this weekend as I am going to get a Benson and a Harris Jersey, so when they are on offensive going to rock the benson jersey and when on D going to rock the Harris jersey, and no, not Walt Harris.

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

I agree with Bigs, there is nothing worse than preseason football.

Originally Posted by dearheart54

Pre-season baseball isn't all it's cracked up to be either.

Originally Posted by viscount26

I only got to one Patriots game last year. Good job it was against the Bears Scav.

Originally Posted by dearheart54

Pre-season baseball isn't all it's cracked up to be either.

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

I thoroughly enjoy Spring Training....it may have something to do with the weather being nice, most games being during the day so work must be blown off, and the beer being cold. I also enjoy seeing National League teams that I don't normally get to see throughout the seasaon. The product on the field is not much to look at, but it is a fun afternoon out. The newer stadiums are very comfortable and clean. Legends Field in Tampa (Yankees) and Bright House in Clearwater (Phillies) are very nice.

Watch on Spring Training on TV? No way.

Originally Posted by Scav

I was in vegas for that game, felt like my balls got hit with a hammer after that debacle. Should have beat them also. We are going undefeated this year so it is all good :)

Bears regular season tickets were out of control this year, sold out in 10 minutes. I only got one game, and only 4 tickets, and I needed 12 for the annual tailgating party. Home against the Lions

Originally Posted by SentToStud

I'll take the Lions + ... ?

Originally Posted by Scav

We always go to one preseason just for the hell of it, it keeps us out of trouble. Never pay for them.

Word here is that the Bears are HUNGRY this year and no let down. Schedule is playable and the offensive looks to be real serious. Who knows if that holds but pretty excited. Upgrading the jerseys this weekend as I am going to get a Benson and a Harris Jersey, so when they are on offensive going to rock the benson jersey and when on D going to rock the Harris jersey, and no, not Walt Harris.

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Disagree about Cali. They had breakdowns, but the reasons are not so clear.

Weren't a lot of the breakdowns on each surface last year because of sore horses? I seem to remember a fantastic article written by Christine janks about it. Seems like a sore horse will breakdown on any surface, so instead of spending millions and millions of dollars, how about making a concerned effort to get horses that have problems off of the track.