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Old 08-02-2022, 03:08 PM   #10
ScottJ
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Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 297
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheffwed View Post
I know this is controversial, but this is why Saratoga should consider adding Tapeta or a similar surface - too many cards end up unappealing on sloppy tracks with small fields - GP was smart about this (I prefer GP Tapeta to their dirt races myself)
This has cost GP significant handle (despite the perception that it is saving turf race field size) and horses shipping out to Saratoga in particular have been performing well below par. Ultimately, it makes the proposition a bad business move particularly if GP wants to rebuild its Championship Meet reputation during the winter months.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheffwed View Post
Almost entire meets at Saratoga have been lost to bad weather in the past, then again Saratoga succeeds despite NYRA, not because of it
The last drenching season was 2018 when some 40 turf races were lost. Driving your entire strategy around the potential for rain completely misses the point of this boutique meeting.

Also, I disagree that Saratoga succeeds in spite of NYRA. In fact, NYRA's aggressive broadcasting, investments at the track, and overall marketing has swollen Saratoga numbers post-pandemic to absolute new highs. Saratoga exists today from the efforts of Mary Lou Whitney - period. The rest of us are caretakers of that legacy.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheffwed View Post
more controversy while we are at it - Saratoga should also up the minimum weights so jockeys don't have to make weight all the time - it doesn't affect the quality of racing - witness the exciting steeplechase race last week and see what the weights were
Weight has been discussed for a long time and the potential to increase weights to 122/126 have been floated, but never moved forward. Not sure what problem is being solved here aside from potential extra muscle mass for the jockeys.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheffwed View Post
Saratoga should do all it can to be as ethical and high bar minimum standard on safety for jockeys and horses as possible and it fails (as does the sport more generally) though steps like no Lasix in Stakes was a great move in this direction

(PS I own horses a bit with the great Keri Brion, who prides herself on not using Lasix, and steeplechase racing is better for horses who don't get run at high speeds during sprint races while on injury masking drugs - the racing these days at Colonial for example seems much more well suited to what's best for horses, longer races, more turf, less cheap sprints)
Agree regarding graded races in particular being drug free across the board. We can debate whether Lasix is in that camp or not, but for now, let's say it is.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheffwed View Post
I realize adding All Weather at Saratoga probably isn't likely and a lot of people would disagree

I do have to wonder if there's some way to alter the dirt track a bit to have more all weather flexibility

For those who don't like All Weather at all, I get it, but one wonders if recent technology might be worth a look (probably would help to look at Colonial's turf technology which helps keep races from coming off the turf as well)
Take a moment to look at Aqueduct's handle heading into early December when the turf can be used before any freeze takes place. Turf is a money-maker all around, excellent for the horses, and NYRA certainly would not be following the Colonial model but the incredible six turf course model they already have in place under Glen Kozak.
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