I'm just not sure how a track could be labeled speed favoring when closers win.

Well, I "have no opinion", "don't know what I'm talking about", "don't know anything about race tracks", and "have an agenda".

So if I were you, I would just smile and take my money.

If you actually have a defendable position there is no reason to resort to the passive aggressive " poor me " position that is so prevelent on the internet when people get backed into a corner after trying to establish what is ultimately an indefensible opinion.

Or, how about " maybe I was wrong. "

Gotta love Twirling. Can't believe $9 to win, plus $25 on the exacta. Never thought I would get that. Nice way to get back damn xmas money. Hope the horse keeps pushing forward 2011.

:D

LOL. Let's see. I took back the use of "concrete highway" as indeed being an unfair characterization. But no, I don't feel my assessment is wrong at all. Not everything about horse racing is precisely quantifiable.

We'll see what others opinions are when track variables and figures come out, and these horses run back in the future.

Sorry for you and the other self-characterized more knowledgeable here, but no, I don't feel I have to "defend" my opinion any more than I already have discussed it. It's called opinion for a reason. You don't like my opinion, or think it's wrong, or silly, good for you! That's what makes parimutual racing.

Neither do I think it is passive-aggressive or "poor me" to name other people's behaviour for precisely what it is. I suppose you evaluate others through your own behaviour patterns, though.

Actually, the only one in this conversation that is " self-characterized " as, really, anything, is you.

You would be able to defend your opinion if it actually was defendable. It isn't in this case. But, hey, you can always resort to ridiculous characterizations in that case.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion.

Too bad you don't extend the same courtesy back to me.

Whatever Freddy. You laughed at me too when I said Twirling Candy would tank in the Goodwood and would appear in the Malibu next time out.

For the record, he probably would have won the lowly Sir Beaufort as well if Sadler swapped those two colts.

Not sure where this is coming from. Is it because I said elsewhere that John Sadler is primarily a trainer of sprinters?

You did notice the distances of today's races, right?

Apology accepted.

I think the trip,ride and jockey did him in in the Goodwood.

Elaborate please. I don't really remember the race.

He settled fine early as you expected cutting back. Not sure he'll settle as well in a route, particularly in a typical CA graded stakes with a short field.

We'll see what he can do around two turns again in the San Fernando, Strub, and Big Cap (he should start in at least one of those).

Will you stop already..You should know by now not to take me serious

No times posted in today's 1st.

New dirt track plays fast and safe on opening day
By Steve Andersen
www.drf.com

ARCADIA, Calif. – A day after two longstanding track records were broken on the debut of a newly installed sand-and-clay racetrack at Santa Anita, the horses who set the records emerged without mishap, and horsemen and track executives said they were pleased with the way the track performed.

While many trainers had expected the track to be quick, considering workout times from recent weeks, Sunday’s times on the opening day of the spring-summer meeting were surprisingly fast.

Trainer John Sadler, who was the star of the day with three stakes wins, including Grade 1 wins with Switch and Twirling Candy, said his horses were fine.

“The main thing is horses are pulling up well,” he said.

http://www.drf.com/news/new-dirt-tra...fe-opening-day

Reprinting articles in the above manner is a violation of copyright laws....which has been mentioned here about eight million times by Byk.

Thanks so much... You're too kind. I'm here all week!

Thank you, NTamm!