[todko]

pmayjr.,

Thanks for posting that. It was very interesting. Living slightly north of TP I've followed the poly saga closely. I even stopped by while they were installing the poly at TP -- and I predicted the kickback issues before horses even ran on the stuff.

There have been a number of changes to the TP surface -- some of which haven't been discussed much in the press. TP has always insisted that it's the greatest surface in the world. If it was so great at the beginning, then why did TP feel the need to change it so often? Obviously, TP wasn't truthful about it from the start.

A "insider" told me on about March 15th that TP scraped the top 3 inches off the poly in efforts to make it quicker and to reduce the horrible kickback we saw in the spring meet. TP never spoke about scraping in the press. My "insider" helped me immensely as I adjusted my handicapping after March 15th and ended up profitable while a lot of people didn't. It was another example of how little tracks care about their patrons. Plus, TP was involved in selling poly to other tracks so Heaven forbid that they ever tell the truth about it.

The latest poly at TP is much better. Much less kickback, better times, more like dirt in color, now they need to add some artificial scent to get rid of the tire dump aroma.

I think Keeneland will have record handle for the meet. The college type crowd will bet as always and some horseplayers who stayed away will join in because the old speed bias should be gone. Plus there is not a lot happening now until Breeders Cup. Some players will stay away, but that will be offset by others increasing play.

14 horse fields on a brand new poly surface. It will be a crapshoot. Mega payouts, but still a crapshoot.