Meadowlands Opener In Doubt

[IRISHLADSTABLE]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=24479

Jimmy

[shanta]

Irish,
I am at the Meadowlands 4 to 5 days a week.

Problem is management is so cheap they do not turn the track over completely when switching from harness to thoros. They use the harness track as a base but always stop short of doing a total makeover.

There was serious talk this year of running a grass only meet starting next year to save the $600,000.00 plus it costs to turn the main track over.

Management has done everything in it's power to sabotage the flat meet there for years now. They want year round harness and if these screw ups continue they will get what they want. I can just see it now: non stop harness action wondering which race Jim Morrill is a "go" in. Now there is "HEAVEN ON EARTH".

NOT ! :p

Richie

[cj]

Originally posted by shanta
Irish,
...There was serious talk this year of running a grass only meet starting next year to save the $600,000.00 plus it costs to turn the main track over.


This would be impossible with the current allotment of racing dates, the weather would interfere.

[shanta]

Originally posted by cj
This would be impossible with the current allotment of racing dates, the weather would interfere.

CJ,
Since when does common sense factor into anything that the track has done over the last several years regarding the thoros?
Richie

[the little guy]

Isn't it worth mentioning the date of the comments/meeting? September 24. That was a week ago and they have drawn the cards. I would lay a big price they race tonight.

Having said that, probably much of what you say about their managemant is true.

[The_Knight_Sky]

It's the annual salvos being fired at each other.
The horsemen versus The Big M management.

Last year it was "drainage problems", this year "pebbles". http://www.hoc-board.de/phpBB2/smilies/traurig/jpshakehead.gif

In the end the TRAINERS gave their blessing to the track surface.
but no word yet from the jockey colony.

A year round harness meet would be counterproductive,
as everyone at the plant needs a respite. Even the boutique
meet that is now in place serves a purpose,
but I'd much rather see a live racing meet from Labor Day to Breeders Cup day.

The annual flux in scheduling is the generally the horsemen's fault
for insisting on 140 racing days. Much of that is levied on to the
Monmouth Park meet resulting in oversaturation.

Trainers approve Big M surface:
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1096611072254940.xml

[Tom]

I would say when the horsemen ride the races, they can approve the track. Until then, it should be the jocks' call. they are then ones out there, no the trainers.
IMHO....