Crist on the Farcical World Cup

[pweizer]

I did read the article. I just don't see how yesterday's result was any crazier than last year's was. Thus, to me, this same article could have been written about any race where long shots came in.

My main point was that the race Crist used was a poor example of why synthetics are bad for racing.

Paul

[blackthroatedwind]

His first name isn't Jesus.

[ninetoone]

If the article had been written after 10 straight years of chaotic results, I would agree with him...but the sample isn't large enough. Who's to say that the favorites won't win the next couple of years....the sport in general produces chaotic results, as Crist says himself in the article.

[MisterB]

So when you have a 4 horse photo in Saratoga on the turf, winner to 4th seperated by about 3 inches, this a bad race too?

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by MisterB

So when you have a 4 horse photo in Saratoga on the turf, winner to 4th seperated by about 3 inches, this a bad race too?

I don't think I can respond to this or your earlier comment about training on Tapeta without it coming off as insulting. I'll simply say, if you have turf racing, what do you need psuedo-turf for exactly? Crist's point is that there's no point to synthetic racing. And certainly not for $10,000,000 to get a bunch of 5-7yo ne'er do wells finishing a half length apart.

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by Kasept

I don't think I can respond to this or your earlier comment about training on Tapeta without it coming off as insulting. I'll simply say, if you have turf racing, what do you need psuedo-turf for exactly? Crist's point is that there's no point to synthetic racing. And certainly not for $10,000,000 to get a bunch of 5-7yo ne'er do wells finishing a half length apart.

I guess the answer is simple, no need to scratch horses from 12 to 4. I'm insult proof. Seems fair if there is only 1/2 length seperating the winner. If people are betting on this surface, or off track conditions, I have no pity on them. One thing can be sure, toss the Favs.

[brockguy]

I have been saying for years that the two turf races (the Duty Free and Sheema Classic) should get at least equal billing to the World Cup as they consistently come up as better quality races. Now, however, with the World Cup run on Tapeta you will dilute the quality of the 2 turf races and get owners trying their hand at the jackpot race on a turf like surface. It makes a mess of the whole thing IMO.

The one good thing you could say is that if they wanted to switch it to dirt, they would have the resources to do it quite easily, but I wouldnt be holding my breath for it to change any time soon.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by brockguy

I have been saying for years that the two turf races (the Duty Free and Sheema Classic) should get at least equal billing to the World Cup as they consistently come up as better quality races. Now, however, with the World Cup run on Tapeta you will dilute the quality of the 2 turf races and get owners trying their hand at the jackpot race on a turf like surface. It makes a mess of the whole thing IMO.

The one good thing you could say is that if they wanted to switch it to dirt, they would have the resources to do it quite easily, but I wouldnt be holding my breath for it to change any time soon.

Eh, you're from Ireland. You only like stuff that's colored green.

[the_fat_man]

The real farce is what happens at tracks like the AQU Inner, MTH, and all the other bush dirt tracks in the country.

Maybe that's why WO saw an increase in handle and NYRA tracks lost money, for example. Hard to sway the dirt hardliners, however.

[JJP]

It should be pointed out that Gloria de Campeo (sp?), the winner of the so-called "best race in the world" came to Arlington last year and got buried by over 9 lengths against Gio Ponti.

[clyde]

Of course his first name isn't Jesus---it's Steven H.




Thought that was pretty well known,but oh well.

[tector]

Originally Posted by MisterB

So when you have a 4 horse photo in Saratoga on the turf, winner to 4th seperated by about 3 inches, this a bad race too?

More often than not, yes, if you are talking about the speed of the race. For drama, it is just fine.

[NTamm1215]

I guess I just don't agree with the thought that because this particular result was somewhat inscrutable should make us say, "oh gosh, look what Sheikh Mo did, he ruined the World Cup."

This World Cup had no star appeal. At all. Gitano Hernando is far from an international superstar, so too Gio Ponti, Richard's Kid, and most others from the field. If in coming years we have a number of classic American handicap horses go there and fail then we can re-visit this discussion and say that the altered surface has changed what was once a place for greatness to be exemplified. Sure, Cigar, Silver Charm, Dubai Millennium, even horses like Roses in May and Pleasantly Perfect in their day, Invasor, and Curlin went to Dubai to take the ultimate international test.

It's understandable that Sheikh Mohammed saw an opportunity to turn his prized event into something that would be truly international. Did he do it at the expense of hurting American involvement in the race? Absolutely. Would it have been a more interesting race at Nad Al Sheba if Quality Road showed up? Probably, but the rest of the world would beg to differ.

NT