Arlington Polytrack

[cj]

So far, it looks a lot closer to Keeneland than it does to the other artificial surfaces.

In 6f races, of which there have been 35 run, the average winner is going .77 seconds slower to the pace call than on dirt. That is about 4.5 lengths slower.

At 1 mile, there have been 27 races run. The average winner is going .94 seconds slower to the pace call. This is about 6.5 lengths slower than on dirt. This actually is nearly identical to the turf races at AP.

I'm not saying this is good, bad or indifferent. It is just good info to have for a bettor.

[classhandicapper]

Thanks for the update.

Are there any patterns developing based on the type of surface installed?

[DanG]

Originally Posted by cj

So far, it looks a lot closer to Keeneland than it does to the other artificial surfaces.

The surface is virtually identical to Keenelands by design as I understand it.

Keenelands April and Oct meets are ‘bookends to Arlington and they were trying to become a bridge to those powerful outfits.

[Good4Now]

Dan G

If you go to the Arlington - Churchill Downs website you can see the schedule for the shuttle service that has been instituted between the two tracks.

I anticipate it will be played like a piano by some of the better trainers.
Chopsticks or a Beethoven sonata???

[Valuist]

We've had easterly winds most days so far in NW suburban Chicago and that really kills speed out of the 1 mile chute. Of the 8 furlongs, 5 are run due east, about 1 is around the turn, and about 2 furlongs for the homestretch so speed has definitely been disadvantaged in the mile races. The winds will shift as we get closer to June and they will come out of the west and speed should hold a bit better at 1 mile and 7 furlongs.

I've noticed there's been quite a few repeat winners and dropping speed, a great angle at normal dirt meets, has not been good. And IMO, speed figures, be they Beyers, T-Graph, BRIS or my own, aren't very good over this fake stuff.

Here's the proto-type winner, from what I've seen:
1. coming off a win. Doesn't matter if its moving up
2. Stalking or closing running style. Speed has not been good
3. At least one work over the Poly (be it at AP or Kee or TP) since a horse's last race.

[xciceroguy]

Polytrack at Arlington? Have they had less breakdowns this year?

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally Posted by xciceroguy

Polytrack at Arlington? Have they had less breakdowns this year?

After last year, it would be hard NOT to have less breakdowns, Poly or no Poly.

[Robert Fischer]

7th race today #5 Stellas New Groove(5/2) looks to possibly be one of the vulnerable polytrack favorites that we see at Keeneland.