Three New BC Races

[Bobby Fischer]

I am not a fan of synthetic surface at major tracks, however if the 2008 BC is managed even half way decent, it should be a huge success as far as field size.

The surfaces have been around for a few years now and trainers are catching on.
In 2008 you will get all the standard BC horses , + several polytrack specialists, + extra foriegn turf horses to run on synthetic.

I don't think we will see negative effects until we move back to a dirt surface for a few years. I think a BC with a synthetic surface lowers the quality of the sport, but field size should increase.

The Classic should absolutely have a fully loaded gate in 2008. If not then someone isn't doing their job.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fischer

I am not a fan of synthetic surface at major tracks, however if the 2008 BC is managed even half way decent, it should be a huge success as far as field size.

The surfaces have been around for a few years now and trainers are catching on.
In 2008 you will get all the standard BC horses , + several polytrack specialists, + extra foriegn turf horses to run on synthetic.

I don't think we will see negative effects until we move back to a dirt surface for a few years. I think a BC with a synthetic surface lowers the quality of the sport, but field size should increase.

The Classic should absolutely have a fully loaded gate in 2008. If not then someone isn't doing their job.

If the dollar doesn't recover a little, the incentive for horses from across the pond to come over is diminished. Some will certainly still do it (as they did this year) but probably not as many as in past years.

[Bobby Fischer]

Originally Posted by miraja2

If the dollar doesn't recover a little, the incentive for horses from across the pond to come over is diminished. Some will certainly still do it (as they did this year) but probably not as many as in past years.

Yes, that will have an impact. The owners always have to weigh which races they ship to and consider things like economics, bloodstock, prestige...
Some of these outfits seem to ship a couple horses over and participate each year.