well its been a month

[Travis Stone]

The buzz was Fair Grounds was on its way up, and Gulfstream on its way down. A few unfortunate situations at FG such as the quarantine combined with a better racing program at Gulfstream Park have axed such predictions.

I've said it before, but Doug Bredar, who was our racing secretary at LAD the past two years, and helped LAD be one of just a few tracks to increase handle last year, is doing a tremendous job. He told me he was going to bring back "a lot of the things that worked" and he's so far succeeded.

As for FG... one more "in defense of" post... but their new track super is Brian Jabelman, and he too works at LAD. Our track has been in tip-top shape since he came down and re-worked it. He says FG needs some long-term work, more than he can fix overnight. He knows what he's doing, and the breakdown talk out of NO is not related to his skill level, which is top notch.

Interestingly, I asked him about the speed/rail bias which can often appear at LAD and he said the track's banking will never allow him or any super to completely avoid. I found that interesting.

Okay, I apologize for the LAD rant!

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

The buzz was Fair Grounds was on its way up, and Gulfstream on its way down. A few unfortunate situations at FG such as the quarantine combined with a better racing program at Gulfstream Park have axed such predictions.

I've said it before, but Doug Bredar, who was our racing secretary at LAD the past two years, and helped LAD be one of just a few tracks to increase handle last year, is doing a tremendous job. He told me he was going to bring back "a lot of the things that worked" and he's so far succeeded.

As for FG... one more "in defense of" post... but their new track super is Brian Jabelman, and he too works at LAD. Our track has been in tip-top shape since he came down and re-worked it. He says FG needs some long-term work, more than he can fix overnight. He knows what he's doing, and the breakdown talk out of NO is not related to his skill level, which is top notch.

Interestingly, I asked him about the speed/rail bias which can often appear at LAD and he said the track's banking will never allow him or any super to completely avoid. I found that interesting.

Okay, I apologize for the LAD rant!

I'm not sure what could be done, but the FG "Turf" course is hardly a Turf Course.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by GBBob

I'm not sure what could be done, but the FG "Turf" course is hardly a Turf Course.

Turf courses are tricky, it's just like our lawn. Replacing and re-working a dirt course is far "easier" and less expensive than grass.

I'm not too familiar with the details of the FG turf, but Brian arrived in NO less than one month ago, so I'm sure he's made a list of things to improve.

[Bigsmc]

FG is sand based. While it drains tremendously after heavy rains, it doesn't seem as hearty with use.

GP and Calder have similar issues. Their turf just doesn't stand up to a lot of use.

Calder's gets needed breaks because of the incessant So. FL. thunderstorms in the summer causing at least a couple off the turf days each week. While GP's turf is given breaks because it is very wide and has several rail settings. It too will be broken down pretty good with a lot of sand being kicked up by the end of the meet.

Keeneland's turf is sand based too, pre-poly, they used to leave almost everything on the turf because it drained so well. It didn't suffer the breakdown of the surface the others show because of the shortness of the meets.

Disclaimer: I am not a track superintendant, but I play one at home with my sand based lawn.

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

FG is sand based. While it drains tremendously after heavy rains, it doesn't seem as hearty with use.

GP and Calder have similar issues. Their turf just doesn't stand up to a lot of use.

Calder's gets needed breaks because of the incessant So. FL. thunderstorms in the summer causing at least a couple off the turf days each week. While GP's turf is given breaks because it is very wide and has several rail settings. It too will be broken down pretty good with a lot of sand being kicked up by the end of the meet.

Keeneland's turf is sand based too, pre-poly, they used to leave almost everything on the turf because it drained so well. It didn't suffer the breakdown of the surface the others show because of the shortness of the meets.

Disclaimer: I am not a track superintendant, but I play one at home with my sand based lawn.

You also stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night