tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post5915468601624205918..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Welcome to DRF ReadersAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-85962606614225566522007-07-26T10:25:00.000-04:002007-07-26T10:25:00.000-04:00Polytrack may prove to be worthwhile for some trac...Polytrack may prove to be worthwhile for some tracks but I hope that it is not installed on the main tracks at Belmont and Saratoga. It may make more sense at Aqueduct since that meet lasts for 6 months through the worst weather. I am not a Luddite when it comes to change but let's let the case for polytrack be conclusively made elsewhere before jumping on that bandwagon. And there is much yet to be proven over a number of years of experience before we can identify all of the unintended consequences of synthetic racing surfaces. So,on that note, off to the Spa for a great week-end of racing and relaxation at America's greatest racetrack! /S/ Green Mtn PunterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-90390867832242617492007-07-25T21:48:00.000-04:002007-07-25T21:48:00.000-04:00http://picasaweb.google.com/jplanson/SaratogaJuly2...http://picasaweb.google.com/jplanson/SaratogaJuly25WednesdayJim Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12868430639026487238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-85788568980459789692007-07-25T21:47:00.000-04:002007-07-25T21:47:00.000-04:00Here's a link to some images from Opening Day........Here's a link to some images from Opening Day...........yes, I'm no Barbra Livingston.......Jim Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12868430639026487238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-65950901975175776682007-07-25T20:55:00.000-04:002007-07-25T20:55:00.000-04:00Wow, Mr. Green Mtn Punter, you really feel passion...Wow, Mr. Green Mtn Punter, you really feel passionately about this. I share your desire to see an upgrade in the breed in terms of longevity and soundness. But I don't agree that it's necessarily a temporary respite. My impression is that the tracks at which the surface has worked, the injury rate has remained low. The ones at which there have been problems are another matter. I agree with you that it's not for every track. But I'd like to see it work. How about improving the breed <I>and</I> developing a safer surface.Alan Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-19357701793132803442007-07-25T18:53:00.000-04:002007-07-25T18:53:00.000-04:00The fact that there were no breakdowns on polytrac...The fact that there were no breakdowns on polytrack during the first week of the Del Mar Meet this year tells me that the 5 or 6 breakdowns last year have just been delayed this year,their non-occurrence to date is nothing more than a temporary respite from the inevitable Darwinian outcome. Instead of lowering the bar any further why not go back to the original, noble goal of thoroughbred racing and breeding, i.e., "improvement of the breed"?<BR/>/S/Green Mtn PunterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com