Thank God Belmont has 2 turf courses

[ronsmac]

So far this week , Belmont has run 10 races on the dirt and only 66 horses have started. Even with Casino fueled purses , trainers just don't want to run on the dirt anymore. I'm old so I'll do the "back in my day". I remember when 10 races would get 85 or more starters in N.Y.

[Robert Fischer]

some of the 5 and 6 horse fields have been disrespectful to the betting public

[Robert Fischer]

it also sometimes seems as if 20% of the card is dedicated to the ny breeding industry

I tossed a horse today because she wasn't stepped up in class, but 40k statebred maiden claimers are running for a purse of $40k. Then you also get a break in conditions for future races.


the turf-heavy cards may lack in quality, but they can be good betting cards. If you happen to be a turf / race-flow/ setup / trip... guy, they can be very good.
The public often gravitates to an underlayed favorite or two. Occasionally get a race where almost any horse can win or compete.

[CincyHorseplayer]

Turf heavy cards are fine by me!

[onefast99]

If you looked at the Monmouth at the Meadowlands meet last year the turf was a sea of dirt and islands of grass, samething applied to GP West and now GP. Hopefully the fact we are getting hit with a lot of rain will keep the turf in good shape.

[Tom]

it also sometimes seems as if 20% of the card is dedicated to the ny breeding industry



I thought it was 80%.

[ronsmac]

Turf heavy cards are fine by me!I'm not talking about the turf. I'm saying even when they only card 3 dirt races they can only average 6 horse fields.

[Robert Fischer]

Remainder of Saturday June 17 Card at Belmont, Races 4 thru 9 cancelled due to Murphy's law.

[sour grapes]

the cancellation of big tickets of the pick 6 is what killed racing today,nyra has run many a card under worse weather,they got too greedy going for 5 big turf fields instead of spiltting the pick 6 with 3 dirt and 3 turf races.I would have been pissed had i went out to belmont today.

[TheOracle]

So far this week , Belmont has run 10 races on the dirt and only 66 horses have started. Even with Casino fueled purses , trainers just don't want to run on the dirt anymore. I'm old so I'll do the "back in my day". I remember when 10 races would get 85 or more starters in N.Y.

Hey Rob,

You are absolutely correct only 66 have started on the Dirt as of June 14th at Belmont

http://www.insidethenumbers.net/images/comments/drtbelone.png

http://www.insidethenumbers.net/images/comments/drtbeltwo.png

http://www.insidethenumbers.net/images/comments/beldrtfour.png

To compare there were 150 Turf races as of June 14th so the Dirt races made up 30.5% of the entire weeks racing

If you notice the majority of the Dirt races were small fields many less than 8 horses per race