4/5-6 Weekend Beyers

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by philcski

You have this thing against frontrunners which I don't understand. Having an advantage in the lead is NOT unique to thoroughbred dirt racing- how many humans win sprints when they break in the back of the pack? Or swimmers going 100 meters? Not many, and from an energy expenditure perspective a 6F horse race is akin to humans sprinting 100 meters. An additional benefit of running up front is you're guaranteed a clear path, which is not a hinderance in human sprint races as lanes are defined. A third benefit in cheaper/maiden races is the mentality of horses- they are, by nature, pack animals. Many of them don't get trained well enough to learn how to pass another one [this does not apply to top class or older horses].

While I don't disagree with your analysis of the Aqueduct inner, I don't understand why you continue to fight it. Betting closers and outside posts on the inner is a quick trip to the poor house- so why not embrace rather than fight?

Wow comparing human's to Tb's congratulations this is world class stuff... The point is Syn racing is no more or less quarky then other dirt based venues..

[philcski]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Wow comparing human's to Tb's congratulations this is world class stuff... The point is Syn racing is no more or less quarky then other dirt based venues..

Disagree completely. Keeneland/Del Mar poly form has been proven over and over to have no relevance on any other surface.

I have no problem with synthetics if the results make reasonable sense, like Hollywood's synthetic surface (although it does level the playingfield between "good" and "really good"). I have a problem with a statement that "only in American dirt racing is being a frontrunner an advantage"- and in another thread he brought up auto racing/cycling as a comparison.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by philcski

Disagree completely. Keeneland/Del Mar poly form has been proven over and over to have no relevance on any other surface.

I have no problem with synthetics if the results make reasonable sense, like Hollywood's synthetic surface (although it does level the playingfield between "good" and "really good"). I have a problem with a statement that "only in American dirt racing is being a frontrunner an advantage"- and in another thread he brought up auto racing/cycling as a comparison.

Take an 2 turn cheap speed Inner superstar and have him race on a syn track or a fair dirt track and you will get the same result.. A loser... Have him race at hawthorne he is a superstar again.. How is it any different then any other median... Horses for courses always applies

[philcski]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Take an 2 turn cheap speed Inner superstar and have him race on a syn track or a fair dirt track and you will get the same result.. A loser... Have him race at hawthorne he is a superstar again.. How is it any different then any other median... Horses for courses always applies

Don't disagree about the inner, as stated before... love this time in NY when they first come off the inner for the reasons you've given.

Be nice to my guy Drugs though, he actually has a job (writer for a newspaper) which is a much better job than mine.

[slotdirt]

Did anybody see Crist's DRF article comparing the Wood to the Santa Anita Derby and completely disagree with it?

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Did anybody see Crist's DRF article comparing the Wood to the Santa Anita Derby and completely disagree with it?

*Raises hand*

[slotdirt]

So it wasn't just me. I think Crist is as good and astute a handicapper as there is out there, but I just don't get his point in this particular instance.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Did anybody see Crist's DRF article comparing the Wood to the Santa Anita Derby and completely disagree with it?

Read it and agree 100% with Crist.

In addition to the insanely fast early/brutally slow late aspect of the Wood playing into the conclusion and figures, there is the germane matter of the surface at Aqueduct Saturday which route runners passed over twice (frontstretch)... Pat Kelly and I talked Tuesday evening extensively about the track and he thinks it played a big role in the way the race 'looked'. I would caution Derby players to NOT dismiss the top pair from the Wood out of hand heading to Louisville. Their efforts were strong, and on top of already having established class in their favor, the fitness level of both will be greatly enhanced by Saturday going forward.

[slotdirt]

I like War Pass, and I would even consider myself somewhat of a fan of the horse, but I just don't see how the Wood is going to be a key race when looking at the Derby. I respect the opinions of Steve Crist and our friend Kasept, but I just can't see it.