Fairplex to replace HP??????????

[Indian Charlie]

This has to be the biggest WTF I've ever read in racing!

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/45929.htm

They want to put in a 7f turf course as well as expand the main track and convert it to all weather, so they can run in all types of smoggy conditions.

My response would be, why bother at all, even if HP closes?

For starters, SA is practically right down the street. Second, Pomona sucks!

I'd give Del Mar all of HP's spring/summer days.

Heck, why not get crazy and let the BC in on the nuttiness! I think maybe they can run future BC turf races at SA or DM, and run the dirt races at Los Al!

Which reminds me of the time Lukas almost ran a horse named Hennessey at Los Al.

[jwkniska]

That's the same thing that Pegram said about Los Al a year or two ago.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

This has to be the biggest WTF I've ever read in racing!

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/45929.htm

They want to put in a 7f turf course as well as expand the main track and convert it to all weather, so they can run in all types of smoggy conditions.

My response would be, why bother at all, even if HP closes?

For starters, SA is practically right down the street. Second, Pomona sucks!

I'd give Del Mar all of HP's spring/summer days.

This is somewhat old news. As far as your "SA is right down the street" argument, isn't Aqueduct fairly close to Belmont?

Pomona may suck, but they do hold major TB sales there every year. And certainly saying Pomona sucks without referencing the fact that Hollywood Park is situated in the friendly confines of Inglewood is telling only half the story.

Giving extra dates to Del Mar is unlikely, both because of community resistance (rich snobs) and expense (its expensive to live there because of the rich snobs--a #1 "value" meal at McD's is at least $1.49 more there than in LA--might as well dine at Disneyland or LAX). Not to mention that if they did get the dates we'd get to look forward to over 3 months of racing on every handicapper's favorite surface, Polytrack.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

If the land that Bay Meadows is on is worth too much to keep as a track, then just exactly how much is the land worth that Del Mar is on?

[hi_im_god]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

If the land that Bay Meadows is on is worth too much to keep as a track, then just exactly how much is the land worth that Del Mar is on?

i'm not sure but one is operated by "del mar thoroughbred club" and the other by "bay meadows development corporation".

i wouldn't worry too much about del mar disappearing.

[TitanSooner]

lots, but doesn't the state own that land?

[eajinabi]

Los Al is probably a better location. Move the quarter horses to Fairplex

[hi_im_god]

Originally Posted by eajinabi

Los Al is probably a better location. Move the quarter horses to Fairplex

like los al would ever want to give up their night time franchise.

but i'm with you on preferring los al for the available dates. i'd rather sit next to empty headed newport beach than meth headed 909.

[TalkToTheHoof]

Originally Posted by TitanSooner

lots, but doesn't the state own that land?

As I understand it, the Del Mar Fairgrounds property is owned by the state and operated by the 22nd Agricultural District Association, and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club leases the facilities for their summer racing meet.

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