Polytrack devils advocates please respond

[sumitas]

This is, i hope, the greatest advance in horse racing in our lifetime.

[bogeydaman]

Here is one "take" that I have not heard on the benefits of Poly racing at KEE (at least after viewing 2 Kee days). I have historically always been impressed with the purses, class of fields, etc (IE basically the racing at Keeneland), but always found myself disappointed with the lack of "exciting" dirt races. The reason being is that the track is historically speed favoring, many horses either love it or hate it, and you will frequently find a horse 5 lengths clear at the top of the stretch. The result was anticlimactic (unless of course you had % on the winner). There was typically a big "spread" between the winner, 2nd place finisher, etc compared to many other dirt tracks.

With just a few exceptions the past couple days (like Ginger Punch) it seems to me that the races are more exciting, a larger % of horses look to have a shot at the top of the stretch, etc. The Phoenix yesterday 2/3 of the field had a shot within the 1/4 pole.

[Revolution]

the field size does it for me. belmont was unbettable yesterday. keeneland had some nice fields. polytrack might get us some nice field sizes in california finally.

it also saves money on track maintenance, keeps horses sounder, and might finally get us away from these ridiculous run to the front and the race is over type of racing.

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Revolution

the field size does it for me. belmont was unbettable yesterday. keeneland had some nice fields. polytrack might get us some nice field sizes in california finally.

it also saves money on track maintenance, keeps horses sounder, and might finally get us away from these ridiculous run to the front and the race is over type of racing.

This is the 3rd excellent post in a row I've read from Revolution today. The previous two were in the "HOY sense" thread. Short and to the point.

--Dunbar

[Left Bank]

You all need to remember that Polytrack IS 85% sand,so it isn't all synthetic.The animals ARE still running on dirt,just modified dirt.With a few goodies and some wax added to it.

[Revolution]

Originally Posted by Kimmeastar

You all need to remember that Polytrack IS 85% sand,so it isn't all synthetic.The animals ARE still running on dirt,just modified dirt.With a few goodies and some wax added to it.

that is correct, some as much as 90% sand.

[SniperSB23]

Turf to poly wins again as Asi Siempre wins the Spinster. Happy Ticket checked bad in the stretch. I'm starting to enjoy this surface. It is kind of fun seeing turf horses and dirt horses square off on a track that plays to both.