Specializing in Turf??

[andicap]

I have been away for the game for a while now and am thinking about returning.

One reason I quit was a lack of time. Others included the small fields, declining prices, drug trainers.

I feel the itch to return but to specialize in order to spend my time more effectively. My theory is turf racing offers larger fields, the best opportunities for trips and CJ's figures here are among the best I have ever seen. Also, the drug trainers do not seem to dominate the turf they way they do on dirt.

Opinions?

[cbp]

I think if the DIRT players all suddenly decided to start playing TURF exclusively, the game becomes a lot more beatable. CJ's figures or otherwise.

[Stillriledup]

I lean more towards dirt races just because the turf courses are not as 'uniform' as dirt courses and I feel its more of a guess if a horse will handle the specific footing, how did recent rains affect the biases? It's a lot of guesswork. I play turf races but I think my largest plays are on the main track.

[Tom]

Andy!
Welcome back - you have been missed.

You plan sounds good - turf is always a good bet.

[thaskalos]

I have discovered that the turf is one of the most difficult surfaces to earn a profit on.

The other very difficult surfaces are the dirt and the poly.

[ultracapper]

If they only ran on felt.

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

I have discovered that the turf is one of the most difficult surfaces to earn a profit on.

The other very difficult surfaces are the dirt and the poly.

That just woke me up. I needed a morning laugh on a Monday.

[classhandicapper]

I like the idea of specializing a LOT.

There are only so many hours in a day. Specializing allows you to reach your highest possible level in one area instead of spreading your energies around and not maxing out anywhere.

[raybo]

My opinion is that you should specialize, if your records tell you that you are better at a particular race type, distance range, surface, track, surface condition, etc.. Asking others if you should specialize in turf races is not going to answer the question. Your records will answer it. And, if you don't keep records then you won't ever know whether you should specialize in a particular type of racing or not.

That being said, turf races often pay higher prices due to larger field sizes, track configuration, usually tighter turns than the main track, rail changes, unknown/inaccurate surface conditions and designations, and of course, the way many of them are run, with a bunched field at the stretch call and a cavalry charge to the wire. Higher prices are great, but if you can't hit enough winning tickets it makes no difference. The only way you will know if turf is for you is to keep records.

[JimG]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

I like the idea of specializing a LOT.

Me too! Welcome back Andy.

Jim

[Robert Fischer]

Originally Posted by andicap

I have been away for the game for a while now and am thinking about returning.

One reason I quit was a lack of time. Others included the small fields, declining prices, drug trainers.

I feel the itch to return but to specialize in order to spend my time more effectively. My theory is turf racing offers larger fields, the best opportunities for trips and CJ's figures here are among the best I have ever seen. Also, the drug trainers do not seem to dominate the turf they way they do on dirt.

Opinions?

Try it

At the very least it will offer you a stimulating way of looking at the races again.

For me, my 'repertoire' is a series of specializations. I'm happy if I can recognize one the races to be a familiar pattern, and then I may try to branch out from that one race.

[cj]

Originally Posted by andicap

I have been away for the game for a while now and am thinking about returning.

One reason I quit was a lack of time. Others included the small fields, declining prices, drug trainers.

I feel the itch to return but to specialize in order to spend my time more effectively. My theory is turf racing offers larger fields, the best opportunities for trips and CJ's figures here are among the best I have ever seen. Also, the drug trainers do not seem to dominate the turf they way they do on dirt.

Opinions?

Welcome back Andy!

Specializing is great. I think it is best to do it in the races that interest you the most. I've lost all interest in claiming races the last few years. I stick to stakes, allowance, and msw races for 90% of my play. The TimeformUS Race Finder is really good at grouping the races you want to specialize in.

[SandyW]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

I like the idea of specializing a LOT.

There are only so many hours in a day. Specializing allows you to reach your highest possible level in one area instead of spreading your energies around and not maxing out anywhere.

I'm starting to specialize in moving money from my left pocket to my right pocket. Very rarely have a losing day.

[raybo]

I play all kinds of races, from MdnClm to G1s, dirt or turf, sprint or route, small fields or large fields. The only exception is races with more than 20% of the field having no distance/surface qualified pacelines.

I "specialize" in the "tracks" I play. I play only tracks where I have positive ROIs, mostly small to medium (DeD, EvD, OP, FG, etc.) but also play a few large tracks (Bel, Kee, Sar, SA). But the overriding focus is on positive ROIs. Record keeping tells me where to play. Rather than specializing in race types to play, etc., in win betting I find and eliminate race types that produce negative ROIs at each of the tracks I play. But, I'll play superfectas in some of those negative win play race types. I bet small to win large (relatively), because I don't believe in betting with both fists in individual races.

[thaskalos]

If the race is a well-contested sprint on the dirt...then the chances are that I will have a wager of some kind on it...unless it's run at Ded, Mnr, FE, PM, or any of the Texas or the New Mexico tracks.

If it's a dirt route...then it's 70/30 that I will passing it. And if it's a turf race...then it's guaranteed that I'll be somewhere else, eating my lunch.