New York Post: Ed Fountaine

[cj]

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse...R9qNFLVSCreJHP

SIXTH RACE: Question: With 16 2-year-olds entered in this maiden race at seven furlongs, why wasn't it split into two races of eight horses each? Answer: This is the "new, improved NYRA."

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse...#ixzz0yhASIseT

Is this guy for real? He wants a full field split into two races of 8? Thank goodness he DOESN'T work for NYRA.

Now, if we could only get them to run more than one dirt route on big race days.

[bane]

Originally Posted by cj

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse...R9qNFLVSCreJHP



Is this guy for real? He wants a full field split into two races of 8? Thank goodness he DOESN'T work for NYRA.

Now, if we could only get them to run more than one dirt route on big race days.

he must have been born in Cali

[Cardus]

How about his Woodward Stakes article?

Now, I am a huge believer in the difference between reporting (article) and opinion (column), but wasn't there a little room for him to ask a question about the strength of Quality Road's performance?

[MickJ26]

I love Ed's column.
The Post has a great horse racing section.
One of the few reasons to still read The Post anymore.

[cj]

Originally Posted by MickJ26

I love Ed's column.
The Post has a great horse racing section.
One of the few reasons to still read The Post anymore.

I just don't see how anyone could favor two eight horse fields over a huge 14 horse field. It isn't like they need more races to fill the card.

[Grits]

The last three days of Saratoga, we've seen and will see tomorrow--

Friday: 5 of 9 races on turf

Saturday: 6 of 11 races on turf

Sunday: 6 of 11 on turf

Monday: 8 of 11 on turf

The turf for weeks has thrown up dust. Its dry and chewed up with little grass left a good ways out from the rail.

I understand one has to write races for what's on the grounds . . . but still.

Is there going to be a repeat of this when moving downstate next week?


Also noting Monmouth--not so much turf racing and this may have to do with more races per day. Lot of difference between the two.

Friday: 3 of 12 on turf

Saturday: 3 of 13 on turf

Sunday: 4 of 13 on turf

Monday: 3 of 13 on turf


Don't know, maybe there's something I'm missing.

[OTM Al]

Originally Posted by Grits

Don't know, maybe there's something I'm missing.

That would be that Saratoga has 2 turf courses and Monmouth has 1 plus Saratoga is closing tomorrow, so they might as well use it up if they can fill the races.

[Grits]

I'm aware Saratoga has two turf courses Al, and that Monmouth only has one--given I'm in Saratoga between two to three weeks during the meet.

[NJ Stinks]

Originally Posted by MickJ26

I love Ed's column.
The Post has a great horse racing section.
One of the few reasons to still read The Post anymore.

The racing section and Phil Muchnick get my dollar - especially when Phil is writing on Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays. Otherwise, it's the NY Daily News for me.

Ed is usually right in his criticisms of NYRA. Maybe he was really complimenting the racing office? I can't believe otherwise - Ed isn't that dense.

My only problem with Ed is his affinity for picking NY-based horses over horses that haven't run in NY. I swear he kept picking Saarland and I have no idea why other than Saarland's NY connection.

[Cardus]

Originally Posted by Grits

I'm aware Saratoga has two turf courses Al, and that Monmouth only has one--given I'm in Saratoga between two to three weeks during the meet.

If you know that Saratoga has two turf courses -- and I know that you know this -- then configure another reason why there are the number of turf races at Saratoga that seem, to you, to be in excess of what is necessary.

[Saratoga_Mike]

Originally Posted by Cardus

If you know that Saratoga has two turf courses -- and I know that you know this -- then configure another reason why there are the number of turf races at Saratoga that seem, to you, to be in excess of what is necessary.

Don't most tracks card a ton of turf races toward the end of their meets, as they don't care at that point if the surface gets all torn up? At the end of GP meet this yr, I believe they had an entire card of turf racing.

It makes sense to me - as turf racing typically attracts large fields and most gamblers like betting on turf racing (because of the field size and the different racing dynamic than dirt), as long as they aren't all turf sprints. I guess Grits won't be taking in the Kentucky Downs meet!

[MickJ26]

I'm guessing if it was Belmont, they would've split them into two divisions.
Since Saratoga is wrapping up, they wanted to accommodate the Kentucky guys who wouldn't ordinarily ship to Belmont, who'd have to wait for Keeneland to open for this type of race.
However, I agree with Ed. My opinion is that any field larger than 12 is too big. Good horses are going to get bad trips and you increase the chances of horses stuck in traffic clipping heels.
Yes, the Post still has a great old-school sports section. Mr. Mushnick and the racing worth the price of admission. I know that wasn't the point of the thread, I just wanted to throw that in.

[Grits]

Originally Posted by Cardus

If you know that Saratoga has two turf courses -- and I know that you know this -- then configure another reason why there are the number of turf races at Saratoga that seem, to you, to be in excess of what is necessary.

Cardus, I'm too tired, tonight, to configure anything else; having handicapped for weeks and weeks, everyday except Tuesdays, to be honest, I really am drained.

If I'm tired, I know the folks with NYRA must be beat.

Rest well.

[Grits]

The Kentucky Down's meet is a short meet, but an enjoyable one, S.Mike!!!

[Saratoga_Mike]

Originally Posted by Grits

The Kentucky Down's meet is a short meet, but an enjoyable one, S.Mike!!!

I used to go there every Saturday (for simul) when I lived in Nashville.