Top class California racing has fallen off markedly in the past few years.
A few very key big-name owners, who buy expensive yearlings, aren't around anymore---and many of the top South American horses that would be imported to Southern California, are now being bought up to run in Dubai and Suadi Arabai.
The years of South American horses running 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in races like the Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup are over. If you look at last years UAE Derby, you had Simpatico Bribon, Gold For Sale, and Invasor--three horses, who in years past, probably would have found their way to California into a barn of a Dick Mandella, Ron Mcanallly, Eduardo Inda, or Bobby Frankel.
There have been several big performances by South Ameican invaders (many at a price) in this years Dubai Racing Carnival.
I'm not so sure if the rush to install polytrack at all California racetracks, wasn't in some part, an attempt to improve the quantity and quality of horses on the grounds.
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