tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post1172992169066951535..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: What Cancellation?Alan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-762666179509943682010-01-31T09:36:46.004-05:002010-01-31T09:36:46.004-05:00It actually wasn't the cold, but the tyrack co...It actually wasn't the cold, but the tyrack condition that caused yesterday's cancellation. I was talking with Rosie Napravnik this morning, in the warmth of the Belmont training track clockers' stand, and she said that the track material was clumping up and making the surface hazardous. And here I thought we'd finally found track maintenance folks who had a handle on how to keep things going through the winter.<br /><br />Yes, we'd all be better off with a two-month winter break, but so many trainers and owners now depend on the year-round schedule that it'll be a painful process to go back.Steve Zornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00290710261555708639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-27409824786804198222010-01-31T09:32:07.203-05:002010-01-31T09:32:07.203-05:00If you're at Aqueduct in the winter to play Aq...If you're at Aqueduct in the winter to play Aqueduct's races, it's because you like to gamble. And those gambling dollars are not coming from the younger generation (mine). You can convince a 20- or 30-something to drop a few hundred bucks in a nice day at a nice track, but not to get hooked in racing and trifectas at the Big A.El Angelohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14145024095815950963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-19628310539379189942010-01-31T09:24:12.793-05:002010-01-31T09:24:12.793-05:00I think when racing started stretching their seaso...I think when racing started stretching their seasons to where they had to winterize tracks it started to lose it appeal. If you had taken a first timer to Aqueduct yesterday what would they have liked? Standing in the fresh air watching the saddling activity at the paddock? Maybe down to the rail for a closeup of the post parade and then the stretch run? Nothing that I think would appeal to a newcomer.<br /> The rights of spring for my wife and I used to be the the last days of Keenland and then over to Churchill for opening weekend. Kentucky is beautiful then. Try and picture those tracks with enclosed grandstands racing in Feb or November.<br /> Now that Aqueduct is getting slots they'll have purse money to run forever even without fans. The horsemen will be happy.<br /><br />RGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com