Thus it amazes me that the manufacturer didn't install a furlong of it, water the hell out of it, and see what happened (as Keeneland did during their installation of Polytrack).

If gamblers were gone, there would still be horse racing. It would just be markedly privatized back into a hobby of the wealthy. Associations of wealthy owners would own a few tracks, they would still breed, sell and race (albeit on a much smaller scale). Employed trainers would be those few working for private farms and private racing stables, rather than public. Purses would be funded by entry fees and subscription from patrons.

If slots were still allowed, however, we might still have Mountaineer running year-round.

The same horsemen who have made drugs such a major factor in racing? Maybe if the horsemen didn't rely on illicit elixirs, none of this nonsense about "healing the horses" would've come up in the first place.

Before Turfway debuted their Polytrack in 2005, NOBODY said a word about diminishing injuries. The only thing that was mentioned was not having the cancellations that racing in Cincinnati in January can bring. It wasn't until the first meet was over that Turfway management started mentioning the injuries being down. Then TVG ran with it as did the rest of media. Turfway is one track that had a legitimate reason to install a synthetic surface; these California tracks were ignorant to rush into it.

I would be careful here JJP, throwing drugs into this conversation is going to be gasoline, and their is only a few that are doing it in regards to drugs

Hono's employer is one that is most defintely not doing it in my opinion

"It wasn't until the first meet was over that Turfway management started mentioning the injuries being down. Then TVG ran with it as did the rest of media. Turfway is one track that had a legitimate reason to install a synthetic surface; these California tracks were ignorant to rush into it."

i must miss your point.

synthetic surfaces were created as all weather tracks. as a side effect they are kinder to runners.

so they should only be installed where it snows?

Idiot Proof has a monster win at Monmouth in what I think was a track record and then a second in the BC Sprint. You could argue he is a horse for the course at Monmouth but there is no way you can claim he isn't very talented on the dirt and has run his two best races by far on it.

I don't have In Summation's PPs in front of me but from what I remember those early dirt wins were over statebred 2yos. Once he used up his conditions he was no longer able to compete on the dirt but could on the turf before he really found his home on the synthetics.

Midnight Lute losing to Daaher at a mile is indicative that the BC Sprint is a toss? Are we watching the same sport?

I'm not accusing anyone in particular, but like Da Hoss says, I believe it is fairly widespread. I don't think there's any denying that years of drug use have made the breed more prone to injuries and ailments.

My point was that the intent was to enable places like Turfway and Woodbine to race in the harsh weather, and cut down on cancellations. To answer your last question, realistically, thats probably a good idea. I could see NYRA installing a synethetic surface for Aqueduct but I doubt you'll ever see the Fair Grounds or Gulfstream put one in. Thank God.

I do not think it is widespread, I think there are a few per circuit that most people can name that are, they are one step ahead. Sooner or later things will even out, in this day in age, everyone is watching, and everyone is in everyones business.

If I get bored one day I will put together "Scav's list of drug users"

apparently not.

The voice of reason.

A well constructed synthetic track like Keeneland can handle rain and eliminate the slop factor. They proved it last meet. The week of the BC at Monmouth, Keeneland was deluged for two days and the track was as good as if it had never rained.

they were originally trying to find a way to deal with the 110 degree heat, not a drainage problem...then the finer sand that they went with to try to deal with the heat created the drainage issue. so now they're back to square one, they created a problem by trying to eliminate a different problem. once the drainage is taken care of, will they have a proper mix to deal with the heat they will encounter?

I believe that uninformed opinions that have no basis or evidence are much more dangerous than all the supposed drug use going on. Trying to tie 'drug use' and genetics is a stretch at best, rubbish at worst. The fact that people within the industry have made similar statements does not excuse the fact that they are wrong also.

I really have nothing to add here but i thought I'd post this anyway.

Not defending Idiot Proof.... I like him although he wasn't my pick for this race.

For the sake of fairness, and since this race was discussed, this is from SA barn notes.....

http://www.santaanita.com/news/sn.ph...january3rd2008


Idiot Proof was not himself after finishing third as the 3-5 favorite in Tuesday’s El Conejo Handicap. “He was sick that night,” trainer Cliff Sise Jr. said Thursday morning. “After he cooled out, he laid down in his stall for like a half an hour, which he’s never done. He wouldn’t touch his feed and his temperature was 1:01.4, so I had a vet come and treat him. The horse was a little gassy, but a few hours later, he was OK and he acted good yesterday morning, but something upset his stomach the day of the race. He just wasn’t right.” .