Some BASIC assumptions
 

It's getting real tough out there. Even very, very basic assumptions are proven to be unsustainable in the racing business. Like accurate data, for example. I was comparing the DMR EQUIBASE charts with those from TRAKUS recently, and not only are there SIGNIFICANT differences in terms of position and lengths, there are also HUGE differences in terms of the time of the race (final and splits). Needless to day, 'ACCURATE' is not in the vocabulary to those collecting racing data. Makes no sense to me that you would have a couple of DOOFUSES at the track, one with a set of binoculars watching the race and calling out what he sees to the other who is frantically writing it all down, when you can just take a snapshot of the calls off the video feed, like they do in HKG. Much more accurate, less expensive. Duhh

BUT, there are even more basic expectations that fail empirical testing.

For example, it's now IMPOSSIBLE to fully view a turf race in AP without obstructions. I understand that the trees look nice but by next year rather than obstructing the viewing of 40% of the race, we won't be able to see the horses at all. In other words, CUT DOWN THE ****IN TREES, this isn't a jungle/forest, it's a track. Damn, some of us want to actually SEE the race.

I went to the track for first time in my life...AP couple weeks ago...That was the BIGGEST impression I took home with me...I couldn't see half the #@$?!?! race cuz of the trees...

I thought it was odd, but nobody else seemed to care.

Here you have a beautiful facility ( and AP really impressed me with it's cleaniness and nice people and great atomosphere, even the food was good) ....But you'd have to watch the "drive-in movie" to see the race.

Heck I live in da U.P. Michigan....All I see is trees day in..day out. I drove 8 hr to watch horseracing...not horticulture.

Speaking of the AP trees and making assumptions....whenever I lose, I always just assume that my horse lost because of something nefarious that happened during the part of the race I couldn't see.

I've always said CDI would be a penny stock without the Derby.

I laughed :D

I took the family to Yosemite a couple of years back. Here in environmentally over-sensitive California. As we were driving the valley floor, I kiddingly said, "they need to cut these darned trees down so you can see some stuff!"

Turns out, now they are.

Back on the subject at hand, I've been watching races and replays with periods of consistency since living in Miami in the late 1970's and early 1980's. In those days, one of the local independent stations showed the races of the day in full every evening. I also caught more than my fair share live and in person at Gulfstream, Calder and Hialeah.

Point is, more than one time I'd catch a race summary in a form that seemed much different than what I had recalled from watching the race on the day it actually took place.

To this day, I normally flatly ignore the verbiage comments offered in the form for each race.

And to offer one of my strategies which is probably pretty common practice to many here, I often look at mid-pack finishing horses who seemed they could have profited from a little different ride. If I see what I think is an upgrade of rider in the next race against similar company, that horse is often in my exotics.

I really don't understand how you could go to a track as impressive as AP and have that be the BIGGEST impression of the track you came away with.
I agree that it is unfortunate, but in my opinion it pales in comparison to the overall quality of the facility.

haven't looked at enough Del Mar Trackus yet, but Monzante's run looks pretty nice on Trackus.

not too often that you see a horse match his Peak MPH in the Final segment. 10.93 isn't a bad 9th furlong either, flattered more by going furthest.

Strange as it may seem, I didn't go there to inspect the facility...It was nice to look at tho during "tree time"