NEWLY FORMED CTT TAKES POSITION AGAINST SYNTHETIC SURFACES
The California Thoroughbred Trainers took a strong position against synthetic surfaces in a public statement.
This stance came out of the newly formed CTT which was created after an upstart trainers organization agreed to disband. The organization, California Horsemen for Change, came back to the fold after being assured of a special election to replace its board.
Read it at The Thoroughbred Times
Then come back to the Paulick Report and let us know what you think.
Tags: bradford cummings, california horsemen for change, california thoroughbred trainers, ctt, Paulick Report, thoroughbred times
January 28th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Good for the CTT!
It’s about time people stood up against the propaganda from the synthetic advocates and stood up for what’s right. The Keenland/Polytrack/Martin Collins International group has a lot of pull and won’t go down easy. Some people believe they might even have some Racing Officials and Racing Executives in their pockets. It would be nice if someone asked.
80% of the Trainers know what’s been going on. The other 20% love the theory of how synthetic surfaces are supposed to be but can’t reconcile the reality that they aren’t as advertised.
Does anyone out there believe for a minute that these Trainers want a surface that is less safe for their horses? Why would they want to hurt their ability to earn a living by losing horses to injuries and fatalities on a dirt surface? The answer is simple. A quality dirt surface is better for everyone including Horseplayers.
The “synthetic geeks” need to cut the B.S. and get on with the racing. Otherwise we can turn the Tracks into museums with petting zoos.
January 29th, 2010 at 12:04 am
What is a “quality” dirt surface?
Is it the type on which, heretofore, racehorses were breaking-down in significant numbers?
That was the case in Southern California.
January 29th, 2010 at 12:18 am
After watching Dubai races today I don’t like thr future of Tapeta. Its like watching turf horses run in the mud. You don’t know who is going to like it. Good luck getting any good American horses.
January 29th, 2010 at 4:42 am
Garrett…
A quality dirt surface doesn’t have a base that is 40 or 50 years old. You can’t compare safety on any surface with a base that old.
I can tell you what a cheesy worn out synthetic surface is though. Take a look at Del Mar and Arlington after three years. No cushion and worn out. If you don’t believe me read this quote from Bill Casner of Winstar Farms about Del Mar 2009. Pay attention to the last line.
http://www.nctimes.com/sports/equestrian/racing/article_76e60435-8242-51d3-9bc9-1a7debc5b864.html
Excerpt:
“Maintenance is the absolute critical thing,” said Winstar Farm’s Bill Casner, who owns Colonel John, the morning-line favorite in Del Mar’s $1 million Pacific Classic on Sunday. “They have tightened up the Del Mar surface this year. The first year, it was slow but safe. It was pretty good last year. This year it sounds like a herd of buffalo down there on the track.”
January 29th, 2010 at 6:54 am
Apparently the new CTT has already forgotten the breakdown-a-day world of California dirt tracks.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:11 am
I agree with Andrew. With the money that these tracks have sunk into synthetics, they could have redone their dirt tracks from the base to the loam. Did any of the polytrack people take into consideration that big chunks of carpet and rubber will decompose with time and maintenance?
January 29th, 2010 at 11:42 am
There is validity in the arguments on both sides of this war. There seems to be no DMZ. Trainers are vehemently on one side of this or the other. A rational discussion becomes impossible, especially when joined by the very vocal lifeblood of the industry, the gambler. Are there bet makers out there who LIKE betting on synthetic tracks? Obviously some don’t mind, as there is NO proof that synthetics lead to a drop in wagering. Please read the article “Ground Control” in the Thoroughbred Daily News Magazine, Or better yet, Ray, why don’t you link to it. Let’s continue the discussion after everyone has read this very well researched piece.
January 29th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
What’s a quality dirt surface? Pimlico, for starters. I think the weather must be a big factor, though, in California. We have these deeply ingrained perceptions of California dirt tracks being like asphalt highways on which even $12.5k claimers buzz six in 1:09. In Maryland, you hit that time you’re sniffing the track record. Something must have been wrong with the California dirt tracks or we never would have gotten into this mess in the first place. The dirt course at Pimlico is reasonably deep and forgiving and the soil looks rich, not like dust on a sugar bundt cake. If the reverse to dirt is made on the West Coast, I think a lot of thought needs to go into just what kind of dirt they are talking about. Fast times should not be the goal, I hope we finally all can agree. We have long known tracks get souped up for big days for flashy times. The old Santa Anita always looked souped up. Those days have to be in the rear view. The old tradition at Santa Anita was speed. The present is, well, that new thing out there where horses bred for or used to racing on dirt have no chance. The future must be as close as possible to fair playing and safe. Speed should not be penalized at any distance, but neither, too, should stamina. May the best horse win.
January 29th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Jonh S. One of the problems with synthetics in Ca. seems to be our desire to see those 1.09s. We make tracks designed for slower times into the highways we must want,. I guess we will go back to the fast dirt tracks, and give up the 40% reductions in catastrophic injuries the syns have brought us.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Howard…Good suggestion. Here is the link to the TDN story by Bill Finley. It’s in the form of a PDF file. I think it’s a very balanced piece.
http://www.keeneland.com/Reference/GroundControl.pdf
January 29th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Quality dirt track? I guess no one thinks that a quality dirt track could be found anywhere outside the U.S.. I have posted, several times, about the dirt track at Palermo in Buenos Aires. It is different than any track that I have ever seen and is safe no matter what the weather. I have raced all over the world and this is the best dirt track that I have seen anywhere. Would it hurt for someone to take a look? It’s not that expensive to travel here and you could also get the enjoyment of a good steak with a glass of Malbec.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
“Fast times should not be the goal, I hope we finally all can agree”
That would defeat the purpose of why so many trainers want dirt. It’s much easier to handicap and they want to tell an owner their horse is going to win today. Jumping out in front and staying there on a fast track are easy tactics to employ. It’s much more difficult to do on turf or synthetic. I can guarantee you they would be calling for a fast and quick track asap and to hell with the consequences.
January 29th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
John Fulton: I couldn’t agree more with your comments about the Track at Palermo, and Argentine steak with a glass of Malbec.