What Is The Fairest Turf Course?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

I was thinking about this yesterday for some reason. Any ideas? I don't know that I follow enough tracks closely enough to know how each one plays.

But in terms of fair to all types, no wacky turns etc...

I guess of the ones I follow, I might go with Arlington. Woodbine might be close if the stretch wasn't so long....Churchill is up there. Maybe Belmont outer.

I dont think of CD as that fair considering the course plays a lot differently with the rais up or down. Tampa is pretty consistent. AP is a great course but they often get crazy about the temp rail too.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I dont think of CD as that fair considering the course plays a lot differently with the rais up or down. Tampa is pretty consistent. AP is a great course but they often get crazy about the temp rail too.

Yeah I consider CD to be in the 2nd tier somewhere I would say. And yes temp rails screw up fairness but on big days they are always down.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by Scav

Always Down? The last three Millions they cut the turf course in half and had temp rails. The other turf races are run on the inner and the three big races are run on the outer

Usually down I guess I don't follow ARL close enough to know. I can't see other than drainage problems having the rail out. I know how it is in NY on big days.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Usually down I guess I don't follow ARL close enough to know. I can't see other than drainage problems having the rail out. I know how it is in NY on big days.

I thought you were speaking in terms of Arl's because that is what Chuck was talking about. All good

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by Scav

I thought you were speaking in terms of Arl's because that is what Chuck was talking about. All good

You should be happy. I think your local track has the fairest turf course. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

You should be happy. I think your local track has the fairest turf course. Maybe I'm wrong.

I think your wrong. Speed never really hold even with real slow fractions. It favors stalkers IMO. Closers have a hell of a time getting to the wire.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by Scav

I think your wrong. Speed never really hold even with real slow fractions. It favors stalkers IMO. Closers have a hell of a time getting to the wire.

What's your pick?

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by Scav

I think your wrong. Speed never really hold even with real slow fractions. It favors stalkers IMO. Closers have a hell of a time getting to the wire.

Originally Posted by randallscott35

You should be happy. I think your local track has the fairest turf course. Maybe I'm wrong.

Winner’s Running Style on Arlington Turf

Closers: 61/180 = 33.9%
Stalkers: 43/180 = 23.9%
Pressers: 29/180 = 16.1%
Speed: 47/180 = 26.1%

When the rail is out past 42 feet, the course becomes much less favorable to speed/pressing types. When the rail is in from 0-42 feet, you're looking at a much fairer course.

[the_fat_man]

WO by a long margin. It's tough as hell to figure out but no cheap winners on it.

Once upon a time it was the two BEL courses (especially the wider) but no more. And, SAR this year is playing more and more like the Southern Cal courses. When sprinters are able to stretch and consistently beat routers, there's a problem.

Other fair courses are GG, CRC, and TAM.

[clyde]

Fairgrounds.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by clyde

Fairgrounds.

I agree with this. Would be in my Top 3

even though most of you have never seen it, Turf Paradise has a great Turf Course and it doesn't look bad after the meets over with.

[clyde]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

I agree with this. Would be in my Top 3

You know it!!

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by Cardus

As I scroll through this thread, I am thinking, "Fairgrounds is not on this list."

And then you agree with Mort.

Funny.

Forgot about it at first. But yes they would be towards the top.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Actually, I meant that it should not be on a list of the fairest turf courses.

I don't know what the numbers say -- either historically or recently -- but by memory I believe that the course in New Orleans has always favored closers, particularly in route races.

Gotcha. I really started the thread for input since I don't follow tracks outside of the Northeast close enough on a daily basis to really know.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Actually, I meant that it should not be on a list of the fairest turf courses.

I don't know what the numbers say -- either historically or recently -- but by memory I believe that the course in New Orleans has always favored closers, particularly in route races.

As the course becomes ragged over the meet, it doesn't favor closers quite as much as it does when the grass is higher. The movement of the rail also has an effect.

The FG turf takes quite a beating from the Jazz Fest patrons. The new irrigation system will keep the turf in better shape than it has been in the last few meets.

[clyde]

Originally Posted by Cardus

As I scroll through this thread, I am thinking, "Fairgrounds is not on this list."

And then you agree with Mort.

Funny.

You'll get there...given the advances in modern medical technology----and so forth.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by clyde

Fairgrounds.

That depends on how sandy it gets.