Should there be a separate synthetic awards?
 

I believe so. There are separate turf awards since it's a different surface. So why not synthetic awards?

I disagree. I don't think we should have synthetic surfaces. bring back the DIRT!

Times two. I was out to Santa Anita yesterday and they are doing as much work to that track ( Between races) as they did with dirt.

The point is there is no reason to have plastic race tracks. Say what you want, but let them die.

Because, outside of Keeneland, they will be gone from major racing soon enough.

I disagree. They aren't going anywhere and will multiply.

This has got to be a lie. They told us that one of the main reasons they were putting it in was because they wouldn't have to work on it.

I can only speak for Arl but instead of grooming the track after every race including a water truck they do it every 4 or 5 races. They do have the 'poop crew' run the track every race picking up their namesake and tounge ties but that's 2 guys in a golf cart not 3 tractors and a water truck.

However the biggest advantage I can speak of is rain days are no longer washed down to 4-horse races with no show etc. wagering and races coming off the turf for the most part remain intact.

Which is fine. That was the reason Turfway installed it. It's the main reason why other midwestern tracks installed it. I think SA did it because they wanted to attract the BC.

my only concern is with socal and I am worried that with the status of Hollywood and Santa Anita financially they might not be able to make a 10 million dollar change again.

No way Jose.

With what has happened in California I cant see any track investing in what is already proven to be as much work as dirt.

Why do you think Hollywood park plays so close to dirt? Do you think they have been replacing the the worn out cushion track with new syntheic?

My guess is they been speading dirt little by little.

If everybody brings a pocketful of dirt from home, WE CAN DO IT !!!!!!

Santa Anita was running three tractors with cultivators spinning/digging and fluffing up the surface along with the water trucks.

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The owners in socal are really upset, why should they buy expensive yearlings to run on this stuff if its only going to hurt their long term chances at having stallions?

SA had to do it.. it was mandated, right?

It was mandated and I could be wrong but what I have learned is that SA made the biggest push for it before it became mandated and with them being the main track in the state, they were heard.

Why are awards such a big topic?

I dont believe that any track will be replacing their surfaces anytime soon, synthetic or dirt

Why does this matter to you?

Like Pioneer of the Nile? Maybe 2% of the horses bought have a legit chance at being a stallion. Wont there be stallions that sire synthetic horses? Wouldnt that actually give an owner a greater chance at developing a stallion prospect?

You are making a joke with POTN right? Do you know how much more money he would have been worth with a win in the SA Derby, Hol Futurity, and second in the Derby had it been on dirt for all the races.

A horse like Zensational is losing money because of the stuff, he would be worth more if he had that same record on dirt. Dont think the owners do not recognize this at the high levels of racing out there.

Yes.

If you believe synthetics will be around at the top levels of the game in 10 years, I guess there may be some value for "synthetic stallions". However, SoCal will go back to dirt sooner or later, and Keeneland and Woodbine will be the only tracks that matter running on the stuff, and Woodbine doesn't matter much in the US anyway. The other runs about a month a year.

If there were synthetic awards who would get it?

Zenyatta amd Pioneer of the Nile for sure.

:tro:

Am I making a joke ? Let me ask you this. Is $4 million dollars a joke? That is what his owners got for 1/2 of him as a stallion. In a terrible market for stallions. If those races were run on dirt what do you think he would have brought? An $8 million dollar value for a horse with his record is damn good. Though I think Vinery is nuts for giving them that.

A horse like Zensational if he wins the BC will be worth plenty. It isnt as though you would be breeding to Zensational thinking of Triple Crown horse.

Del Mar isnt going to change. Hollywood isnt going to change and probably wont be around. who knows what will become of SA but the current management isnt going to change. The possibility of a new track in Southern California having a dirt track is highly probable. But Turfway, Arlington, Woodbine, Keeneland, Golden Gate, Presque Isle and Sheikh Mo Downs arent changing. I realize that some of those arent major tracks but outside of SA and Hollywood that is all the tracks with synthetics.

Delmar could very well change if the horsemen there have anything to do with it.

It seems odd to compare Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra because they've done all their accomplishments on a different surface.

A lot of the horses Zenyatta beat are not going to run the same way on dirt. Lethal Heat probably won't run the same on dirt, given who her sire is. Life is Sweet was mostly a turf horse before coming here wasn't she?

Likewise, Macho Again isn't going to run the same way on synthetics or turf. Mine That Bird seems a notch below his best at Santa Anita. It remains to be seen what Summer Bird will do, but are we to judge Summer Bird by the same standards on synthetics? Even if he loses the Classic, wouldn't you bet him right back once he starts on dirt again?

If Zenyatta were to race in the Classic and beat Summer Bird, people would be saying, "Look Zenyatta beat Summer Bird...she must be as good or better than RA!"

These horses are being compared to each other as if they're the same type. I just figure things would be more clearer if there was a synthetic HOY, then maybe there wouldn't be so much argument over who deserves HOY more.

Why would you say that? Del mar is the one CA track whose management is completely supportive of their track.

Why would Zenyatta deserve HOY based upon her current campaign?

Why are you asking so many questions today?

The SoCal horsemen are not happy with ANY of the synthetic surfaces. Didn't like 20 horses die at the short Delmar meet this year. It has been widely reported lately.

One things is sure, a mix of dirt and synthetics isn't going to benefit anyone out there.

Feeling inquisitive. Getting set for the big Morimoto Iron Chef America at 10!

Since when are tracks taking horseman's desires into consideration? Especially when they will have to dig back into their pockets to do so and even more importantly admit the surfaces installed were no good. There is a better chance of me being treated for anorexia than that happening.