On Which Surface?

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

Slowly put the bong down and back away.....

Look at it this way. There are three possible ways this could play out if both Curlin and Big Brown run in the Classic.

1-They both take to it, both run their "A" races and we are treated to a good show and left with no doubt as to who's the best.

2-Only one takes to it, wins easily while the other is a non-factor. We have no clue who is the best and the result is irrelevant.

3-Neither take to it, Go Between wins over Well Armed, Curlin and Big Brown finish 7th and 8th. We have no clue who is best and the result is irrelevant.

All of this is assuming that Henrythenavigator doesn't just win it no matter how well they like the track.

The point is that there is just as much chance, actually an even better chance, that we'll get a result that's totally irrelevant than one that is relevant. I can't see how that's good.

[ArlJim78]

i'd say that spyder has offered the most relevant advice.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Look at it this way. There are three possible ways this could play out if both Curlin and Big Brown run in the Classic.

1-They both take to it, both run their "A" races and we are treated to a good show and left with no doubt as to who's the best.

2-Only one takes to it, wins easily while the other is a non-factor. We have no clue who is the best and the result is irrelevant.

3-Neither take to it, Go Between wins over Well Armed, Curlin and Big Brown finish 7th and 8th. We have no clue who is best and the result is irrelevant.

All of this is assuming that Henrythenavigator doesn't just win it no matter how well they like the track.

The point is that there is just as much chance, actually an even better chance, that we'll get a result that's totally irrelevant than one that is relevant. I can't see how that's good.

The way you have framed it actually makes for a compelling argument. I see your point.

Unfortunately, like it or not, poly is here to stay and there is no doubt a bumpy road ahead. This is certainly a pretty lame but necessary bump.

[CSC]

All races should be run on grass...

[blackthroatedwind]

I think KG is probably basically right. The idea of Curlin and Big Brown theoretically deciding who is better on a completely different surface than they have ever run on is about as inane as the Arc, arguably Europe's Championship race, being decided on the dirt. It's meaningless.

In retrospect, Zenyatta going to Oaklawn may be the most definite championship performance of the year.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

In retrospect, Zenyatta going to Oaklawn may be the most definite championship performance of the year.

What if Hystericalady or Ginger Punch should somehow win the Distaff? The sad thing is that Hystericalady has so far shown a disdain for the synthetics, and now must race over it if she hopes to win a championship, while the surface gives Proud Spell an excuse to avoid another meeting with Music Note (unless Darley sends her to the Cotillion for a "rubber match").

Your post also got me thinking about other categories. If you had an inconclusive result in the Filly and Mare Sprint, who would deserve year-end honors for female sprinter: Intangaroo or Indian Blessing? Can Street Boss, who has been really impressive in his races this year, win the champion sprinter award without ever leaving California, and never racing on conventional dirt?

[Danzig]

they need to have a new set of eclipses for top poly horses--oh, excuse me...top AWT horses.

we have a division for turfers, so they need to quit playing like the fake is the same as the real, and have a separate division for the other NON dirt horses as well.

[sdjcom]

I think 1 race decides nothing. As we all know years ago top horses ran against each other and sometimes split the wins after several confrontations.
Any horse can have a bad day, so one race means nothing.

[sdjcom]

Originally Posted by Danzig

they need to have a new set of eclipses for top poly horses--oh, excuse me...top AWT horses.

we have a division for turfers, so they need to quit playing like the fake is the same as the real, and have a separate division for the other NON dirt horses as well.

I agree with you somewhat, why not have a point system, and award horses for the 3 different surfaces on their finish position, and at end of year tally up and the top horses go to breeders cup. Each horse must run at least 1 time on all 3 surfaces. Let's make it interesting. Turf racing is must more predominate now along with artificial, which is here to stay. Just an idea.

[zippyneedsawin]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

What if Hystericalady or Ginger Punch should somehow win the Distaff? The sad thing is that Hystericalady has so far shown a disdain for the synthetics, and now must race over it if she hopes to win a championship, while the surface gives Proud Spell an excuse to avoid another meeting with Music Note (unless Darley sends her to the Cotillion for a "rubber match").

Your post also got me thinking about other categories. If you had an inconclusive result in the Filly and Mare Sprint, who would deserve year-end honors for female sprinter: Intangaroo or Indian Blessing? Can Street Boss, who has been really impressive in his races this year, win the champion sprinter award without ever leaving California, and never racing on conventional dirt?

Why would you assume Music Note would run well on an AWT? .. or that MN is better than PS for that matter? I'd like to see a 'rubber match' nonetheless.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by zippyneedsawin

Why would you assume Music Note would run well on an AWT? .. or that MN is better than PS for that matter? I'd like to see a 'rubber match' nonetheless.

I'm not assuming that Music Note would run well on an AWT ... or that Music Note is "better" than Proud Spell. My point was that, due to Proud Spell's showing in the Ashland, it gives her connections an excuse not to point to the Breeders' Cup.

Personally, I'd like the two to meet in the Beldame; the Cotillion is close to Proud Spell's home base but, at 8.5F, it is not exactly a "championship" race. My sense is that Proud Spell's connections think that, if the two fillies don't face each other again this year, Proud Spell wrapped up a championship with her win in the Alabama (barring Music Note winning the BC Distaff).

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

What if Hystericalady or Ginger Punch should somehow win the Distaff? The sad thing is that Hystericalady has so far shown a disdain for the synthetics, and now must race over it if she hopes to win a championship, while the surface gives Proud Spell an excuse to avoid another meeting with Music Note (unless Darley sends her to the Cotillion for a "rubber match").

Your post also got me thinking about other categories. If you had an inconclusive result in the Filly and Mare Sprint, who would deserve year-end honors for female sprinter: Intangaroo or Indian Blessing? Can Street Boss, who has been really impressive in his races this year, win the champion sprinter award without ever leaving California, and never racing on conventional dirt?

on dirt lady and zenyatta tower over Ginger punch.... hysericalady would give zenyatta a good run on dirt, if not defeat her.