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.