Racing on Polytrack is no doubt safer, but it happens to be boring as can be because a) horses do not move well and look athletic racing on it and b) grinders beat brilliance every time, and Americans are used to equating brilliance with quality. We have never rewarded triers, we have been awed by brilliance.

The Brits have been racing on synthetic surfaces for quite awhile now. But they don't run their big races on the stuff and the good horses rarely if ever do anything but breeze or gallop on the stuff.

Grass racing is the surface of choice abroad because a) it is beautiful to see, b) the horses look great on it and it is traditional.

I long for a day when there are fewer horses in training racing at fewer venues and there are a few super tracks that have several different turf course from which to choose so that horses invariably race on fresh grass.

I for one would rather sit home and watch that type of fare on TV than go to my local track and watch bad horses run, especially if it is on a synthetic surface.

B-o-r-i-n-g!