Synthetic Surfaces and New York Racing (905 Views)
Posted by:
richiebee (IP Logged)
Date: July 22, 2007 02:54AM
In the major venues where synthetic racing surfaces have been installed
(basically Keeneland, Woodbine, and the 3 major California tracks), synthetic
surfaces have replaced traditional dirt surfaces.
Given the size of the two downstate New York facilities, the opportunity exists
to install a synthetic surface which will be used IN ADDITION TO a traditional
dirt surface.
Imagine a nine race card which featured 3 turf races,3 dirt races and 3
synthetic races. Imagine the games trainers could play moving animals back and
forth from one surface to the other.
Synthetic is here to stay. Horseplayers and trainers will adapt to synthetic
quirks. The synthetic database or profile grows with each day of racing.
Horseplayers and trainers will learn the differences in the synthetic surfaces
at the various venues.
As FKach says, the breeding business will have to deal with
uncertainty, but it is hard for me to really feel sorry for thoroughbred
breeders who have made more money than anyone else in the game in the last
quarter century.
Dirt and synthetic side by side. It might be one advantage NY racing might have
over other venues in the near future.