1st week of Del Mar/Poly

[The Bid]

McDynamo should be entered

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Honu

I have a theory , Im not a gambler but from watching the races on the Poly at Del Mar you need to be looking at the horses that run consistant fractions of twelve , horses that run twelves for the eigths but cant catch the front speed are the horses that seem to be doing the best .

If a horse that's going beyond a mile over this surface, even a top class horse, is running 12 for each furlong, he's going way too fast and will bite the dust through the lane.

As an example, just take a look at the talentless April claimer Sun Boat, in his victory in the 8.5 furlong Grade 2 San Diego Stakes on Saturday.

After a quarter mile he was dead last, 10 lengths off of a 24.54 first quarter. So, basically, he ran his first quarter in the 26's. A couple of 13 and small change 1/8ths to start. From there he picked it up and ran a steady diet of eights in the mid-to-high 12's.

Had a horse in the San Diego ran 12 flat eights throughout the entire running of the race, he'd have won by about 20 lengths.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by The Bid

McDynamo should be entered

The old son of Dynaformer probably could have won the Pacific Classic over that silly surface had he been in his prime.

I'm actually not kidding though, I think a top flight steeplechase horse might have a serious look going 10 furlongs over that surface.

[philcski]

Three words about the Poly there:

I HATE IT.

Finally made my first trip to Del Mar, and the place is beautiful but I would have done better wiping my ass and seeing what sticks. Cashed ZERO tickets on it in 3 days. Total disaster. There is absolutely NO form whatsoever. Traditional methods of handicapping are useless.

If I ever go back, I'll stick to drinking margaritas and betting Santa Rosa.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by philcski

Traditional methods of handicapping are useless.

While I'm not sure that's entirely true.....that to me is the one thing that's easy to like about that surface.

It figures to reward those who can adjust best to the nature of those races.

However, if you consider yourself someone who actually cares about this sport and it's history, you almost have to position yourself against the kind of racing that the surface creates.

The problem is, there are a lot of people who care more about supporting what they believe is most to their financial benefit....even if its greatly at the expense of the history and excitement of the sport.

It's maddening listening to people try and pretend to justify this new surface with this "it's so much safer" argument. It's simply an attempt at a band-aid....to fix a problem that was never caused by dirt surfaces being too demanding.

It is nice to see the unanimous approval it has recieved from breeders, trainers, and vets. Three groups, whos most prolific of members (the vast majority anyway) have been an absolute scourge.