1st week of Del Mar/Poly

[SlewsMyHero]

It appears to me that the sprints are pretty fair, but the routes are being dominated by closers. It doesn't seem to matter how fast or slow they go up front, case in point, a classy runner like Buzzards Bay runs a comfortable 1/2 in :49.2 and stops at the top of the stretch. Conditioning is very important on this surface.

[JJP]

They've got a real kickback problem. Watch the AP races and you see very little. At Dmr, those horses and riders behind the leaders have to be choking to death.

[Honu]

Originally Posted by JJP

They've got a real kickback problem. Watch the AP races and you see very little. At Dmr, those horses and riders behind the leaders have to be choking to death.

Actually I talked to a bunch of those jocks , Gryder , Espinoza , Solis , MC Baze and they said its very minimal (the kickback) , that it doesnt fly up as high as dirt and that its more like a light spray.

[JJP]

Originally Posted by Honu

Actually I talked to a bunch of those jocks , Gryder , Espinoza , Solis , MC Baze and they said its very minimal (the kickback) , that it doesnt fly up as high as dirt and that its more like a light spray.

Maybe its not like dirt clods hitting them in the face but it is really noticeable. Still, given a choice, I'd be more wary of synthetic fibers getting into my lungs than regular dirt.

[Honu]

Originally Posted by JJP

Maybe its not like dirt clods hitting them in the face but it is really noticeable. Still, given a choice, I'd be more wary of synthetic fibers getting into my lungs than regular dirt.

But dirt tracks arent just dirt , there are chemicals that they put in the material also, I rode races on the east coast for a few winters and they put alot of stuff on the surface to try and keep it from freezing.
I can remember waking up the next morning after riding on an off track and still blowing dirt and stuff out of my nose and having grit in my mouth even after brushing and rinsing my teeth.
We had a horse a couple of years ago here that won a stake in the slop at Santa Anita , he was coughing his head off after the race so we scoped him and the vet said he had half the racetrack in his lungs , the next day his temp went up and about 12 hours later we were putting him on a van to the equine hospital , he got a lung infection and almsot died , he never ran again.
I can only tell you what the jocks who are riding on it tell me, the spray is minimal and they dont seem too worried about it , they are most likely more worried about what they can have for dinner when they are done.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by SlewsMyHero

It appears to me that the sprints are pretty fair, but the routes are being dominated by closers. It doesn't seem to matter how fast or slow they go up front, case in point, a classy runner like Buzzards Bay runs a comfortable 1/2 in :49.2 and stops at the top of the stretch.

I agree with you. Sprint races play more fairly, but the further they go, the more the advantage is with the off-the-pace plodders...and the more ugly the race is to watch.

I agree about Buzzards Bay as well...he was just loping through a VERY easy half mile through slow fractions....and he finished up like a sniper shot him at the top of the stretch.

I believe that the top two finishers came from last and 2nd to last, into the teeth of that 49 and change rate'em up pace.

I can only imagine what the Pacific Classic will look like. I'd honestly like to see a top class steeplechase horse, who's in very good form, run in a race like the PAC Classic.

[The Bid]

McDynamo should be entered

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by The Bid

McDynamo should be entered

The old son of Dynaformer probably could have won the Pacific Classic over that silly surface had he been in his prime.

I'm actually not kidding though, I think a top flight steeplechase horse might have a serious look going 10 furlongs over that surface.

[philcski]

Three words about the Poly there:

I HATE IT.

Finally made my first trip to Del Mar, and the place is beautiful but I would have done better wiping my ass and seeing what sticks. Cashed ZERO tickets on it in 3 days. Total disaster. There is absolutely NO form whatsoever. Traditional methods of handicapping are useless.

If I ever go back, I'll stick to drinking margaritas and betting Santa Rosa.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by philcski

Traditional methods of handicapping are useless.

While I'm not sure that's entirely true.....that to me is the one thing that's easy to like about that surface.

It figures to reward those who can adjust best to the nature of those races.

However, if you consider yourself someone who actually cares about this sport and it's history, you almost have to position yourself against the kind of racing that the surface creates.

The problem is, there are a lot of people who care more about supporting what they believe is most to their financial benefit....even if its greatly at the expense of the history and excitement of the sport.

It's maddening listening to people try and pretend to justify this new surface with this "it's so much safer" argument. It's simply an attempt at a band-aid....to fix a problem that was never caused by dirt surfaces being too demanding.

It is nice to see the unanimous approval it has recieved from breeders, trainers, and vets. Three groups, whos most prolific of members (the vast majority anyway) have been an absolute scourge.