Doubt They Run at SA.. UPDATE: Charles says synthetic out..

[Rupert Pupkin]

It's only been raining here for one day and it already looks like they're going to cancel the races today. It's supposed to rain every day this week until Friday so I don't know how they'll be able to run at all until at least Saturday or Sunday.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

It's only been raining here for one day and it already looks like they're going to cancel the races today. It's supposed to rain every day this week until Friday so I don't know how they'll be able to run at all until at least Saturday or Sunday.

Thank Goddness they have Pro ride??

[pba1817]

The "all weather" track pitch is a complete fraud.. perpetrated by some savvy snake oil salesmen to a few ignorant people.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by pba1817

The "all weather" track pitch is a complete fraud.. perpetrated by some savvy snake oil salesmen to a few ignorant people.

I can't agree with that. It's worked at almost every other track. Hollywood Park takes the rain great. Golden Gate takes it great. They botched the job at Santa Anita. Just because they botched the job at SA, that's not an indictment against all of the "all-weather" tracks.

[Honu]

Originally Posted by pba1817

The "all weather" track pitch is a complete fraud.. perpetrated by some savvy snake oil salesmen to a few ignorant people.

Its not a fraud , it works at other tracks , the freaking nimrods that installed the "drainage" system with that crap material when it was first laid down screwed it up. Either way still better than the old track and watching horses die EVERYDAY.

[pba1817]

Keep on drinking the kool-aid...

[richard]

The Santa Anita problems appear to be limited to that site.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by pba1817

Keep on drinking the kool-aid...

Honu has ridden there every day for at least the past 6-7 years. I think she knows what she's talking about.

In addition, the synthetic track has been a huge success at Arlington. Ask any of the Chicago people on this board. Field size is way up at Arlington and the number of breakdowns has gone way down. Poly has been a huge success at Arlington.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Honu

Either way still better than the old track and watching horses die EVERYDAY.

Exaggerate often?

NT

[Honu]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Exaggerate often?

NT

You are right I should have said , dying more often and seeing the horse ambulance out everday.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Honu

Its not a fraud , it works at other tracks , the freaking nimrods that installed the "drainage" system with that crap material when it was first laid down screwed it up. Either way still better than the old track and watching horses die EVERYDAY.

Did you ever consider that if they rebuilt a dirt surface are installed propper drainage, created a world class base, and maintained it correctly that it could be as safe and as well received by the industry?

[Riot]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Did you ever consider that if they rebuilt a dirt surface are installed propper drainage, created a world class base, and maintained it correctly that it could be as safe and as well received by the industry?

The above makes great sense, obviously - but track supers have had decades to do that, and it apparently never crossed anybody's mind to do so. Why not?

And ever after synthetic tracks have been around, and the above suggestion has been made - track supers of dirt tracks still don't do it. I guess they feel their tracks are fine, settle down fine after a winter and are initially groomed and gotten into shape for the first meet?

For example, New York - all the freezing and thawing and heaving the base must undergo on the outer every winter - but come spring they never pull back the cushion, check the base and correct any holes.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Did you ever consider that if they rebuilt a dirt surface are installed propper drainage, created a world class base, and maintained it correctly that it could be as safe and as well received by the industry?

I agree with you. If any of these tracks spent $10 million on a state-of-the-art dirt track (with a brand new base), I think it would be just as safe as a good synthetic track. I would actually prefer a good dirt track over a good synthetic track.

The only advantage of a synthetic track (with the exception of Santa Anita) over a dirt track is that they normally hold up great to rain and they don't have to be sealed like dirt tracks. Those sealed, rock-hard, sloppy tracks are really dangerous. I would actually much rather if they did not seal the tracks. The problem if they don't seal them is that they get really muddy and they end up getting a ton of scratches.

[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Did you ever consider that if they rebuilt a dirt surface are installed propper drainage, created a world class base, and maintained it correctly that it could be as safe and as well received by the industry?

thats too smart! they want that "all weather" surface...wait a minute its raining we got to close down....lol. yeah, this is way safer...lol....lol

[Honu]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

It's only been raining here for one day and it already looks like they're going to cancel the races today. It's supposed to rain every day this week until Friday so I don't know how they'll be able to run at all until at least Saturday or Sunday.

I dont know why they are thinking they cant run on it , they havent even been out on it .