Santa Anita Back To Dirt

[David-LV]

There is a meeting on Wed at the Surfside at DMR at 6:30 PM with horsemen, trainers, and all concerned with a Stronach rep.

At the meeting the Stronach rep. will propose moving Oak Tree to HOL this year and ripping out the synthetic surface including the base and reinstalling a new base with a dirt surface.

Just a rumor right now what will be proposed at the meeting, but a very strong one.

__________
David-LV

[joanied]

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for dirt... thanks for this news!!

[born2ride]

Santa Anita is sitting on a bunch of sag ponds covered over by dirt, you can't install standard drainage without having similar problems to what they have now. I'd like to see dirt back at SA but I'd also like to see them put in proper drainage considering the geology and also put in a decent base.

[cj]

Originally Posted by born2ride

Santa Anita is sitting on a bunch of sag ponds covered over by dirt, you can't install standard drainage without having similar problems to what they have now. I'd like to see dirt back at SA but I'd also like to see them put in proper drainage considering the geology and also put in a decent base.

I don't ever recall any drainage problems before Cushion/ProRide.

[bane]

Originally Posted by cj

I don't ever recall any drainage problems before Cushion/ProRide.

They also just got a 100 year down pour last meet as well.

[Stillriledup]

I'll believe it when i see it.

[BlueShoe]

Originally Posted by Stillriledup

I'll believe it when i see it.

Yeah, me too. If true, this would be an early Xmas present; if false, a late April Fool joke. Just wondering though, Oak Tree is only a month and a half away, is this too late to make a switch to Hollypark? There would be planning and preparation to do involving personnel and material, etc., not just like pressing a button and start operating. Should not be that complicated to do, but with the present state of management in the industry, who knows?

[DJofSD]

Originally Posted by Stillriledup

I'll believe it when i see it.

Ditto.

Until then, it's all just shuck and jive.

[andymays]

According to someone who would know it is likely that they will announce dirt although Fabulous Frank has been known to have one of the best change ups in racing.

If they do the right thing and go back to dirt you can finally chalk one up for the good guys.

The problem is that the bad guys have screwed things up so much out here it won't make a heck of a lot of difference. Especially with a raise in the take.

[DJofSD]

If Oak Tree does happen (regardless of venue), and, SAX does fix the drainage problem, AND, FF replaces the fake stuff with God-made dirt (OK, erosion created nature-made soil), then I will be on FF's side.

Until then, it's all kabuki.

[BlueShoe]

Originally Posted by andymays

If they do the right thing and go back to dirt you can finally chalk one up for the good guys.

The problem is that the bad guys have screwed things up so much out here it won't make a heck of a lot of difference. Especially with a raise in the take.

If California does decide to replace the plastic tracks and return to dirt, but at the same time sharply increasing the takeout rate, that would be what amounts to a Pyrrhic victory for players. Can hear the wheels turning now in the heads of the powers-that-be; "Since the horsemen and the fans desire it, we will be returning to a natural all dirt racing surface. However, due to the substantial costs of implementing this change, we feel that we have no other option than to increase the parimutuel takeout percentage on all wagers". Bah, humbug.

[andymays]

Originally Posted by BlueShoe

If California does decide to replace the plastic tracks and return to dirt, but at the same time sharply increasing the takeout rate, that would be what amounts to a Pyrrhic victory for players. Can hear the wheels turning now in the heads of the powers-that-be; "Since the horsemen and the fans desire it, we will be returning to a natural all dirt racing surface. However, due to the substantial costs of implementing this change, we feel that we have no other option than to increase the parimutuel takeout percentage on all wagers". Bah, humbug.

Right. It may be over already because they are going to raise the take.

[Shelby]

Originally Posted by joanied

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for dirt... thanks for this news!!

Me too!! I really hope this is what happens.

[born2ride]

Originally Posted by cj

I don't ever recall any drainage problems before Cushion/ProRide.

They've had them to some degree for awhile, but were managable. The drainage problems were highlighted this year due to abnormal amounts of rain. The crappy drainage they put in with Pro-Ride didn't help either. I'm just saying, if they're going to put in a new surface with new drainage they should do it right so if another year has abnormal amount of rain then there will (hopefully) be fewer training and racing days lost.

[Bruddah]

I've read these posts with great interest because of the possibility of a "real" dirt surfACE with an improved drainage system at SA. As a bettor and fan of Thorughbred Racing, it sounds great at first blush. There are two things which bother me greatly. 1) Frank Stronach having anything to do with it, and 2) The CHRB raising the take out. (which Horsemen won't mind)

The term FUBAR applies to anything Stronach and the CHRB could possibly do to help So. Cal racing. Younger fans not knowing the meaning of FUBAR . (FU_KED BEYOND ALL REPAIR) The business accumen of these two entities have just about screwed SoCal racing into extinction the last 5 years, and now they want to save the po little chickens and hen house again (bettors and Horse Racing). Seems to me the Foxes have been in the hen house far too long and now they want to lock the doors.

The Historical Business Record of success of Frank S. and the CHRB sets off every warning system I have.