|
02-28-2020, 11:55 PM
|
#1
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 361
|
King Abdul Aziz Racecourse (Saudi Arabia)
According to Mike Smith, this track has the best dirt surface he's ever ridden on: https://www.horseracingnation.com/ne...Challenge_123# .
Perhaps we need to send all of our major dirt track superintentents over there to have a look and replicate it here in the US.
|
|
|
02-29-2020, 12:52 AM
|
#2
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 3,641
|
He says it is a very "kind" surface as well.
If somebody finds a technical article about the composition and %'s of what is in there, I would like to read it.
I think Mike has ridden on enough surfaces to know. One thing I trust jockeys about, they are ON a surface as part of their daily living.....something bettors and even track superintendants are not.
|
|
|
02-29-2020, 02:20 AM
|
#3
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 3,641
|
Of course, since they have such an arid climate, that track is not facing the same stressors as a track would here.
Just like I try to eat local and in season, I think tracks are best made from local materials that mother nature has tested in the environment itself. It rains a whole lot in AR, for instance. And they WAY it rains is also important, here we get some real downpours.
I remember once a few years ago track was closed for the day due to washout: take a look at this gully!
Last edited by clicknow; 02-29-2020 at 02:24 AM.
|
|
|
02-29-2020, 09:14 AM
|
#4
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 7,332
|
Jockeys love to say "best ever" about things. He's ridden a handful of races there....and I'm sure his hosts ( I wonder what riders got paid to participate in that Jockey Challenge ) were pleased to be complimented.
Not saying it's not a good surface but a fair dose of cynicism might not be a terrible idea.
|
|
|
02-29-2020, 09:44 AM
|
#5
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 20,602
|
Has anyone been watching the early races?
I just woke up.
How is the track playing?
edit: I see the first 3 were on turf, so I didn't miss much.
__________________
"Unlearning is the highest form of learning"
Last edited by classhandicapper; 02-29-2020 at 09:46 AM.
|
|
|
02-29-2020, 10:43 AM
|
#6
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 20,602
|
On the broadcast I believe they just said the track is primarily sand based with some synthetic and wood chip mixed in.
__________________
"Unlearning is the highest form of learning"
|
|
|
02-29-2020, 10:43 AM
|
#7
|
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Dark Side of the Moon
Posts: 5,870
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by clicknow
Of course, since they have such an arid climate, that track is not facing the same stressors as a track would here.
Just like I try to eat local and in season, I think tracks are best made from local materials that mother nature has tested in the environment itself. It rains a whole lot in AR, for instance. And they WAY it rains is also important, here we get some real downpours.
I remember once a few years ago track was closed for the day due to washout: take a look at this gully!
|
That type of concentrated erosion could be mitigated, my guess is that the grandstand apron, made out of concrete or asphalt was draining onto the track rather than into a drainage conveyance system. It likely busted through some built up dirt on the outer edge of the track and that is the result.
|
|
|
02-29-2020, 03:23 PM
|
#8
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 3,641
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by GMB@BP
That type of concentrated erosion could be mitigated, my guess is that the grandstand apron, made out of concrete or asphalt was draining onto the track rather than into a drainage conveyance system. It likely busted through some built up dirt on the outer edge of the track and that is the result.
|
I think my photo was from 2013.
Since Oaklawn re-surfaces their track every single year
and so much has been re-configured with the owner/winner circle, etc. I'm sure whatever flaw that was is long gone.
It is fun to go there off season and see the huge mounds of dirt piled up, all over the place, while they remix, let everything sit, and re-mix and re-deposit everything.
I don't know what other racetrack re-surfaces every year. Anybody know? It's a big job, that's for sure.
|
|
|
02-29-2020, 10:20 PM
|
#9
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 371
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by classhandicapper
On the broadcast I believe they just said the track is primarily sand based with some synthetic and wood chip mixed in.
|
The dirt surface resembles the synthetic surfaces over in Europe.
|
|
|
03-01-2020, 10:04 AM
|
#10
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 20,602
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by horsefan2019
The dirt surface resembles the synthetic surfaces over in Europe.
|
Interesting.
Most of the major horses handled it well, but at times during the card the stretch drives had that "stagger" look to them like it was a battle of who was tiring least instead of who was finishing best. I wasn't familiar with any of the other horses though.
__________________
"Unlearning is the highest form of learning"
|
|
|
03-01-2020, 08:25 PM
|
#11
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 361
|
Here's a very informative video concerning the dirt surface:
.
The track super is Bob Turman, previously with Bay Meadows. The most interesting part of this video, for me, is that I've never known a trackman to put a penetrometer into a dirt track to test for the correct compaction. His attention to detail is phenomenal.
|
|
|
03-01-2020, 08:29 PM
|
#12
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 361
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by classhandicapper
On the broadcast I believe they just said the track is primarily sand based with some synthetic and wood chip mixed in.
|
Appears as if the broadcast got it wrong. The trackman in the video does not mention any synthetic or wood chip in the surface. He does mention an organic mixture and very fine sand. Light on the silt and clay.
|
|
|
03-01-2020, 08:51 PM
|
#13
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 7,332
|
I wonder if Mike still loves the surface:-)
|
|
|
03-02-2020, 10:37 AM
|
#14
|
The Voice of Reason!
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Canandaigua, New york
Posts: 112,787
|
Baffert: Mike, how's the track playing?
Mike: Expensive!
__________________
Who does the Racing Form Detective like in this one?
|
|
|
03-03-2020, 12:48 PM
|
#15
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 269
|
There are a lot of horse friendly surfaces.
But no body wants 1:44 mile races, they want to see 1:35 miles and 1:09 for 6 furlongs.
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Rate This Thread |
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|