Thank You Santa Anita...

[levinmpa]

...for making a wise decision in the selection of Cushion Track as your mandated synthetic surface. Track President Ron Charles and company are doing everything right these days. The Oak Tree opener looked very encouraging.

The first race was a Cushion Track route with a presser that had the lead turning for home getting the money. Something that was a rarity at Del Mar.

In the 3rd, a 6Fur N2X Allowance, the winner went wire to wire in fractions of 21:2, 44:0 and finished in 1:08:00.

The surface appeared fair, with winners coming from on and off the pace in other Cushion Track races. The times seemed be in line with the class leves as well, with 2YO MSW's going in 1:11. The kickback was noticeable, as it was when Hollypark began the Cushion Track era, but I'm sure they'll get a handle on that.

The Great Race Place is still living up to its name.

Thank you Ron Charles.

[46zilzal]

Hasn't there been complaints that THIS type of track ages rapidly as compared to other artificial surfaces?

Many things work great, right out of the box.

[bigmack]

Many things work great, right out of the box.
What is this, Zilly's discount house of adages? If only that "Apple a day" thing would work.

[Greyfox]

One of the later 6.5 furlong races went in 1:23 and change. Pretty tiring stuff me thinks.

[Greyfox]

One of the later 6.5 furlong races went in 1:23 and change. Pretty tiring stuff me thinks.

I was wrong. The television screen said the time was 1:23 and change.
I've just checked the chart that says 1:13 and change.
Not so tiring I guess.

[DanG]

I was wrong. The television screen said the time was 1:23 and change.
I've just checked the chart that says 1:13 and change.
Not so tiring I guess.
Wrong both times Grey…



1:16.57 was the only 6.5f Art.(projected at 1:16.13 btw)


1:13:30 was down the hill.
The track played remarkable close to projections overall on opening day.

[john del riccio]

Wrong both times Grey…


1:16.57 was the only 6.5f Art.(projected at 1:16.13 btw)


1:13:30 was down the hill.
The track played remarkable close to projections overall on opening day.

The winner of the allowance race early in the card that Flores rode went in 108, this horse will make some noise down the road. The surface was not slow like DMR at all.

John

[DanG]

The winner of the allowance race early in the card that Flores rode went in 108, this horse will make some noise down the road. The surface was not slow like DMR at all.

John
Agreed John;

A good 1.5+ seconds faster than projected and it should be interesting how this stacks up over the first couple weeks. As noted by the thread starter they really seemed to learn from Hollywood and hopefully will avoid the maintenance errors they had early on.

[john del riccio]

Agreed John;

A good 1.5+ seconds faster than projected and it should be interesting how this stacks up over the first couple weeks. As noted by the thread starter they really seemed to learn from Hollywood and hopefully will avoid the maintenance errors they had early on.

I think this surface is different that DMR, is it the same make up as HOL, they really aught to me this type of info easily available....

John

[alysheba88]

Thank them for what? Allowing drugged up horses to run?

[Hosshead]

So I guess we should expect that this winter in Ca., will produce faster times (on hard plastic) than the summer on soft plastic.
Does Bob Baffert know this ?

[Niko]

Well, he's back in CA from Saratoga and didn't go elsewhere.

[joeyreb]

Great opening week so far!!

The track seems to running fair and not a speed killer

Thumbs up here!!!

[David-LV]

Thank you Ron Charles for doing your homework. :jump:

It is unfortunate that some of the other leaders in the horse racing industry don't give a dam about their customers. :bang:



http://www.bloodhorse.com/articleindex/article.asp?id=40997



http://channels.bloodhorse.com/images/content/SantaAnitaCushionTrackBen.jpg