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Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS
Why?
The Pro-Ride at Santa Anita is crazy closer friendly more often than not. It's not uncommon to see horses loafing on the lead through easy fractions and get mowed down by several horses late.
I've seen the charts and research CM Oreo did on it - and it basically confirms the obvious.
In Well Armed's final Dubai World Cup prep he was crawling in a big way and still got ran down.
I think it's more closer friendly than even Keeneland's poly. Evita Argentina steam rolled the boys in the Grade 2 San Vincente - she struggled to close ground when a dull 4th at 3/5 in the Beaumont. Stardom Bound struggled to close big ground when 3rd at 3/5 in the Ashland. Ventura didn't have that same explosive finish she did in the Breeders Cup at Keeneland when she lost the Madison at 2/5. Georgie Boy didn't get his chance. Pioneer of the Nile was 3rd beaten 7 lengths when he ran on it at age 2 in that race Square Eddie dominated.
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The example of Well Armed is interesting, the track that day at Dubai was a freeway. I think any American based speed horse worth his salt would have been dangerous on the lead and most likely would have won.
I'm not saying turf horses don't do well at SA post pro ride, that is obvious by last years results in the BC. What I am saying is pro ride is a fair surface for all horses, it's certainly more fairer than traditional dirt. It certainly didn't effect Midnight Lute who has won on both pro ride and traditional dirt.