Slowly but surely the truth about synthetic surfaces......

[Saratoga_Mike]

http://www.insidesocal.com/horseracing/2010/01/santa-anitas-holiday-card-wipe.html

Excerpt:

But don't despair. A high-ranking Santa Anita official told me recently that Pro-Ride will almost certainly be gone by next Oak Tree meeting, replaced by a natural dirt surface.

The official, who did not want me to use his name because an official decision concerning the track surface has not been reached yet, also told me that the high rollers, people who bet far more on the races than you and I, don't like betting on synthetics. That hurts the handle, just another little fly in the ointment that is California racing these days.

I think you predicted this might happen a few months ago. I thought you were dreaming. Good call. I might be able to once again play Cali racing.

[CincyHorseplayer]

Yesss!!!

AndyMays wins!!

So much for that comment on the Stein show about you being a nuisance with his heart in the right place!!

[andymays]

Yesss!!!

AndyMays wins!!

So much for that comment on the Stein show about you being a nuisance with his heart in the right place!!


It looks like being a nuisance paid off over the last several months. I think he also said I should run California racing and I laughed my ass off. I exchanged emails with Roger today in fact. He was one of the first to be against synthetic surfaces.

I can't wait to hear all the talking heads come out and tell people the truth about stuff. It's music to my ears even though it's not offically official yet.

[rwwupl]

It looks like being a nuisance paid off over the last several months. I think he also said I should run California racing and I laughed my ass off. I exchanged emails with Roger today in fact. He was one of the first to be against synthetic surfaces.

I can't wait to hear all the talking heads come out and tell people the truth about stuff. It's music to my ears even though it's not offically official yet.


Andy...

:) :ThmbUp:

[andymays]

Andy...

:) :ThmbUp:


rwwupl :ThmbUp:

You did a lot as well! Good Job! :ThmbUp:

[andymays]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-santa-anita19-2010jan19,0,4968058.column

Excerpt:

Trainer John Shirreffs, an outspoken critic of synthetic surfaces, was thrilled to learn about Santa Anita's plans.

"I'm glad to hear it," he said. "It's wonderful if one track in California is dirt."

Excerpt:

A growing number of trainers have lost confidence in synthetic surfaces, which were supposed to be all-weather, consistent and safe, according to the early proponents.

The main thoroughbred tracks in California spent nearly $40 million to make the change to synthetic surfaces. Santa Anita could face a bill of at least $8 million when it finalizes its new track surface.

[andymays]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/54904/new-surface-likely-for-santa-anita-park

Excerpt:

The Star News reported Oak Tree executive vice president Sherwood Chillingworth as saying Frank Stronach, chairman of Santa Anita owner Magna Entertainment Corp., would prefer a dirt surface.

[andymays]

>>> AUDIO: Santa Anita prez Ron Charles on Monday's At the Races with Steve Byk, "The decision to replace the existing track was really made back around the time of the Breeders' Cup... We haven't said specifically what surface that would be - but I do think that announcement will be coming out very shortly." [interview about 1/3 into Hour2]
Also on the program, SoCal racing gadfly Jamgotchian, "Finally we have a business decision -- a good business decision that was made."
>>> Trainer Barry Abrams, "The reason they put in synthetics was because no one wanted to come to California to race because it wasn't safe. By going back to dirt, they're going to create more problems."
>>> Oak Tree VP, "I think Frank Stronach wants a dirt surface. That would be my educated guess."

http://www.thoroughbredracingradionetwork.com/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_detail&agid=670&year=2010&month=01&day=18&Itemid=35

[ExoticDancer]

That's great news. Now, if we could only get rid of this crap everywhere else.

Amen !

[andymays]

Whatsthescript back to racing after standing in California - Thoroughbred Times
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/ra...California.aspx

Excerpt:

“These synthetic tracks here on the West Coast are bad for soft tissue injuries so we decided to bring him back in the East, where he could train on dirt,” Stull said. “We thought we would give it a shot, and he behaved very well and trained super aggressively on his own at our ranch, which has a regular dirt track. He just loves to train.”