Jeremy Plonk on Polytrack

[Benny Leger]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

if the jocks didint think they were riding on turf..it would help

I could'nt agree more hooves. Either the riders are over reacting, or they are getting their instructions (bad) from some of the trainers. There have been plenty of races this meet which have had blazing fractions. Plenty of the sprints have went in 21/44 or 22/45. " Sumwon's " route (8.5 fur.) went in 22.2/46.4 A two year old just set the world record for 4.5 fur. If the surface recieves adequate water it can be very quick. It may take a while for the connections to figure out the best tactics for their horses particular running style, but over all this surface provides a fair chance for all the runners. Bettors will have to adjust, but the track is fair from rail to rail. I've struggled with this since turfway switched surfaces, but in the long run I believe it is a good thing for these particular tracks. After a few meets I think things will get back closer to normal.

[Cannon Shell]

There is no question in my opinion that the outside part of the track especially in the stretch is firmer and therefore faster than the inside.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

There is no question in my opinion that the outside part of the track especially in the stretch is firmer and therefore faster than the inside.

Any idea why?

[Benny Leger]

that's good info cannon. thx. I'll use it while capping the rest of the meet. Hope our girl is doing fine. See ya at CD if she gets in next week.

[Riot]

Was listening to DT Live first hour, Kasept mentioned that Chuck didn't think horses got any exceptional fitness/conditioning via running/training over the poly surface alone.

Good info to have, will reassess Bluegrass results ....

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Riot

Was listening to DT Live first hour, Kasept mentioned that Chuck didn't think horses got any exceptional fitness/conditioning via running/training over the poly surface alone.

Good info to have, will reassess Bluegrass results ....

It is hard to think that these horses who are only really running hard for the last 3 furlongs will be as sharp or fit as horses coming out of traditional dirt races.

[JJP]

Is it mere coincidence that after early speed was horrible all fall meet and up thru last weekend at Kee, after Beyer lashed out at Kee, the track became more speed friendly?

I think Kee management was hell-bent on erasing the rail-highway image of the former dirt track, and we saw 1 wire job for the entire fall meet (main track). Then, Beyer and others come out saying the track is just as big of a joke as before, if not worse. I guarantee you his column lit a fire under the butts of Kee management.