Arlignton Poly

[The Bid]

Whatever it is its not playing nearly as safe as it was earlier in the meet. The trainers want Del Mar to put water down and management refuses. Does the composition change that drastically when it gets tightened up? If so thats even more reason its not all weather. I think in a perfect climate mid 70s its a fine track, I dont think its made to handle fridged KY winters, or So Cal heat. Hopefully they work it out soon

[Riot]

Its sad for anyone to lose one on the track, but the fact is they broke down on polytrack.

Last year, and every year before, the fact is they broke down on dirt.

Bid, it's obvious you dislike artificial surfaces. You've said you don't like that races are slower. Is that the only reason, or are there others?

[The Bid]

Its slow and boring. Im not sure how much safer it is than dirt anyhow, we just have a smaller sample size. This sport is rich in history, and the history was made on dirt.

I dont dislike poly, its not all weather. I think it would be a good track to train over, I dont think it has any place in the afternoons

[Riot]

This sport is rich in history, and the history was made on dirt.

I can fully appreciate that sentiment. Thanks.

We'll see what happens at the Santa Anita Breeders Cup day ....

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Riot

I can fully appreciate that sentiment. Thanks.

We'll see what happens at the Santa Anita Breeders Cup day ....

The Euros will win all 11 BC races.

[The Bid]

I was just thinking the same thing sniper. If grass translates we are in deep ****

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by The Bid

I was just thinking the same thing sniper. If grass translates we are in deep ****

I wonder if they'll ship over from Asia too with the easy flight to CA.

[letswastemoney]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

The Euros will win all 11 BC races.

That's being a little presumptious. Nashoba's Key is a virtual lock on cushion. There are plenty of American horses that are benefiting from the artificial stuff.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

That's being a little presumptious. Nashoba's Key is a virtual lock on cushion. There are plenty of American horses that are benefiting from the artificial stuff.

Against Balance or against the best in Europe? She'll face horses that could run circles around Balance in the BC next year.

[ndjake]

There were 3 breakdowns over the past two days and one horse had a heart attack and died instantly on the track. The two horses who broke down on Thurs are both from the Catalano/Calabrese tandem. I asked my trainer about claiming the one in the 6th race (limited races/decent beyers and breeding, coming off a win at 10 dropping to 5). He indicated that he had asked the trainer who had the horse prior to Cat/Cal who said that both knees were totally shot and that the horse was actually vanned back to the barn following its win in the previous race so we luckily passed. Don't know the backstory on the other horse that broke down Thurs other than the fact that both of these horses were claimed. The sad irony of the story is that Cat/Cal claimed the horse that broke down on Friday. Unfortunately losers all the way around.

In talking to trainers they say that the poly has led to more minor injuries in the morning than they recall from recent years. Probably leading to some of the breakdowns as some trainers have a reputation for running sore horses.

Originally Posted by The Bid

Whatever it is its not playing nearly as safe as it was earlier in the meet. The trainers want Del Mar to put water down and management refuses. Does the composition change that drastically when it gets tightened up? If so thats even more reason its not all weather. I think in a perfect climate mid 70s its a fine track, I dont think its made to handle fridged KY winters, or So Cal heat. Hopefully they work it out soon

Just a thought. Now the majority of fields are small and of poor quality at Arlington and actually have been for quite some time. The initial booming field sizes have dwindled, the Illinois breeding program has taken gigantic hits on their foal crops the past decade and can no longer support a full season of racing. The out of state horses find easier spots in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, Kentucky. Not enough horses to fill good racing so they have to card crap and when crap races enough times it breaks downs.