BEYER: Poly's Anti-Speed Bias

[jpops757]

If so many think Beyer and his figures are so bogus. Why is one of the first questions asked after an important race is, WHAT WAS THE BEYER NUMBER?

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by jpops757

If so many think Beyer and his figures are so bogus. Why is one of the first questions asked after an important race is, WHAT WAS THE BEYER NUMBER?

Beyers are not just put on important races, what is an important race anyway?? My next race I bet, is just important as the last.

[Grits]

In this article Beyer openly complains about the polytrack surface, holding the belief that this may not be good for racing.

Yet, when he speaks to the general manager . . . etc, and learns that part of this can well be attributed to the jockeys making the determination of how to ride this particular track (and of course, the jock is going to ride to win the race therefore getting his check) . . . he ignores this bit of information. Still believing the surface to be the sole problem. I think that this is a mistake.

Lifelong handicappers can be difficult. They can be as difficult as the trainers, the jockeys, the horses...etc. The puzzle is difficult enough, and when there is a new concern that confounds them--so completely as polytrack has--they are not pleased.

I think too, that two short race meets provide little in determining the ultimate answers regarding this new dynamic to racing.

And, as all weather as this has been billed, there may be changes in the surface on days like Saturday's, with constant pouring, pouring rain. This has been shown at Woodbine and at Turfway.

I'm not sure Andy was on track at Keeneland on Saturday, but the rain and the jock's judgements could have had a great deal to do with how the Bluegrass Stakes was run.

I think its a little premature to determine the surface unfit for North American racecourses, therefore possibly a hindrance to the game.

Maybe Andy will think on this one a little bit longer.