Aqueduct's inner track will become turf course

[pointman]

While this sounds good, makes sense in attracting more turf races to the Big A and I am certainly for more turf racing, this smells to me of an ulterior motive coming from the Cuomo administration to get Aqueduct prepared for a period to renovate Belmont so that Cuomo can complete his land grab of Aqueduct racetrack permanently. It is hard for me to believe that they would spend this money for about 8 weeks a year.

I hope I am wrong, but this is New York, the land of corrupt politicians. Where Cuomo has any involvement there is always an undisclosed ulterior motive and nothing can be taken at face value.

[pmayjr]

I thought the discussion was for the inner to become a synthetic/tapeta/poly track? Which I was in favor for.

Reason being: I was hoping to get all those NY-bred turfers who clearly don't like dirt out of the barns in the winter, as turfers seem to handle synthetic surfaces as good (if not better) as dirt horses too.

Even if you guys hate synthetic surfaces (many of you have continually flamed me for it in the past), I know you guys would rather play 8-9 horse synthetic races than 5 horse dirt fields.

[cakes44]

Originally Posted by pmayjr

I thought the discussion was for the inner to become a synthetic/tapeta/poly track? Which I was in favor for.

Reason being: I was hoping to get all those NY-bred turfers who clearly don't like dirt out of the barns in the winter, as turfers seem to handle synthetic surfaces as good (if not better) as dirt horses too.

Even if you guys hate synthetic surfaces (many of you have continually flamed me for it in the past), I know you guys would rather play 8-9 horses synthetic races than 5 horse dirt fields.

Yes please.

[pointman]

Originally Posted by pmayjr

I thought the discussion was for the inner to become a synthetic/tapeta/poly track? Which I was in favor for.

Reason being: I was hoping to get all those NY-bred turfers who clearly don't like dirt out of the barns in the winter, as turfers seem to handle synthetic surfaces as good (if not better) as dirt horses too.

Even if you guys hate synthetic surfaces (many of you have continually flamed me for it in the past), I know you guys would rather play 8-9 horse synthetic races than 5 horse dirt fields.

I am pretty sure that putting in a synthetic surface is much more expensive than a dirt surface, even a dirt surface that is altered for winter racing.

I seriously doubt NYRA would make that investment when Cuomo has made it pretty clear that his long term goal is to modify Belmont to accommodate winter racing so he can take the land at Aqueduct for some ridiculous project he can toot his horn in advertising that he consistently wastes NY taxpayer money with.

I too would welcome a synthetic track at the Big A.