Comments on From the Ring to the Racetrack: Tennis, anyone?

It is going to take time for the industry to figur...

2008-12-29T14:27:00.000-05:00

It is going to take time for the industry to figure out how it is going to handle synthetics - and whether dirt will eventually become obsolete or not.

Turf horses have never gotten much respect in the U.S. Take English Channel last year -- very few even considered him for champion older horse even though he had more grade I's (including a Breeders' Cup win) than Lawyer Ron.

It is somewhat funny considering what happened in the Breeders' Cup this year. Raven's Pass and Henrythenavigator weren't even considered the best 3-year-old colts in Europe - New Approach was. And the best horse period was a 3-year-old filly! They easily had a better 3-year-old crop than we did in the States.

That last comment was me, posted anonymously as a ...

2008-12-24T22:28:00.000-05:00

That last comment was me, posted anonymously as a result of an itchy trigger finger!

I wrote about the parallels to tennis surfaces a w...

2008-12-24T15:28:00.000-05:00

I wrote about the parallels to tennis surfaces a while back, and I think that the major difference between the two sports at this point is that no tennis players is *compelled* to play on any one surface, and the end of year championship doesn't rely on the ability to compete on one surface. If, in order to be declared the "champion" at the end of the year, tennis players had to compete on clay, the fabric of tennis would be remarkably different to what it is now. Versatility is now commended, and desirable, but not necessary to be at the top of the sport. Tennis players are not asked, in order to be champion, to compete at a venue on a surface that's not installed anywhere else, which is the case with the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita on Pro-Ride. Forget synthetics in general--if a horse doesn't take to Pro-Ride, it's chances of being a champion are significantly, and absurdly, reduced.

I agree with Pyro. The synthetic is a totally di...

2008-12-24T10:56:00.000-05:00

I agree with Pyro. The synthetic is a totally different surface that plays differently on each individual track like the different hard court surfaces in tennis. It will take a truly special horse to dominate on all surfaces. Look at tennis and how dominating Roger Federer has been over a long period of time and he still hasn't won the French.

Synthetic surface is simply a 3rd surface and some...

2008-12-24T00:53:00.000-05:00

Synthetic surface is simply a 3rd surface and sometimes more. Meaning each synthetic track may play different. It took a little getting used to, but it really hasnt affected my betting ability. I handicap it like the other two surfaces, some like it some dont. Some are bred for it, some arent. I think as long as they keep some dirt tracks throughout the country, racing will be fine. If they go to strictly poly, racing may suffer. I am a fan of dirt personally and hope they keep the balance as is.