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Originally Posted by Bobby Fischer
it was really special that he won the Gold Cup again this year even though it was switched to polytrack.
The Pacific Classic effectively ended his 2007 campaign. They tried to make the horse run 10 furlongs on an extreme surface. Took a lot out of him and for the first time in quite a while in Cali he was asked to do something beyond his scope.
Lava Man runs near the pace and then strikes the front on the turn. No one wins that way on synthetic-turf. Even in the best form of his life he wouldn't win consistently on these surfaces. On the fast-cushion track at Santa Anita you get 3 or 4 sprinters up on a hot pace for the heart of the race , and then 5 or 6 turf horses all make a run in the stretch. On the Del Mar surface the stretch seems to slant up-hill as 10 furlong dirt horses struggle and strain to climb a mountain of pedigree and stamina. This is "extreme" racing. Only horseracing would run "Xtreme racing" and not profit from it on a cheesy espn show...
Since he can't ship away from the synthetic-turf his only hope now is to look for soft spots on the real turf. Obviously he shouldn't be placed in 1 mile races against classy horses. 9 and 10 furlongs vs. moderate california competition is his remaining option. Races where he can be a controlling speed and his style will actually benefit. The best move would be patience (skipping the tempting Sun Million Turf).
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The Gold Cup was not on polytrack, it was cushion track.
Your description of the racing at SA (no one winning from near the pace, sprinters getting overtaken by turf horses) is not accurate at all. just look at yesterdays route races.
Runforthemoneybaby, no turf experience and came from two lengths behind
RomanceisDiane, no turf experience and wins wire to wire.
Sierra Sunset, no turf experience and raced within a length of the pace.
Bold Chieftain, some turf background, came from 3 lengths back.
I don't think Lava Mans issues have a lot to do with the synthetics, just look at his turf race in the Oak Tree mile, that was also a subpar effort, at least as bad as his Pac Classic, maybe worse. With the form he had last year and early this year he would have crushed the field yesterday, even on cushion track.