Louis: Coast Guard and the New Santa Anita Surface

[Whirlaway]

Shoe,

I saw Coast Guard scratched from the Sham Stakes last Saturday. Have you heard anything about Coast Guard?

I thought Colonel John benefited from the new Santa Anita surface whereas El Gato Malo seemed to be at a disadvantage; he just couldn't transfer his energy as efficiently as he did in the San Rafael Stakes. Please share with us your thoughts on the Sham Stakes.

Talk to us about what you are hearing about the new additives to the Santa Anita surface. Is it faster or slower than before the additives and what type of horse does the new surface favor: the early speed horse, the horse that presses the pace or the horse that comes from behind? What do the trainers and jockeys think about the new surface? What are your thoughts about Santa Anita returning to dirt and what are they thinking on the backstretch?

Thanks Lou

[louis finochio]

What trainer trains Coast Guard? I will answer your other ? later, Louis.

[louis finochio]

El Gato Malo was on the inside and blocked until is jockey went to the outside at the 5 16 pole, the footing next to the rail was deep that's why EGM was wide entering the stretch.

CJ & EGM Made their stretch run at the same time, as Colonel outran EGM to the wire. The cushion track is slower now than the 1 part of the meet, after the maintenance crew put chemicals on the track to allow drainage.

Though horsemen are happy with the track as it is playing now, a thoroughbred has to be fit to come from behind, as the front runners 1 involved in a speed duel will succumb to a stretch runner, as the cushion surface is slower.

in the morning after the workouts, the maintenance crew walks the entire cushion track, looking for Stone's that have worked their way out from the asphalt.

The jockeys have noticed when a horse is working or racing that their hind feet stay in place on the cushion track and move more freely and natural without staying in place on a dirt track. That's why there are more hind end injuries on the cushion track then on dirt.

I know the management, is looking for the safest surface, to replace the cushion track after the meeting is over. if the management returns to dirt, it has to be the type that most all of thoroughbreds will have little problems with. Some of the older backstretch personnel don't like the cushion track, as the jockeys and thoroughbred are inhaling the chemicals and oil foul smell that could cause health problems with long-term use.

After the meeting is over the fatalities and injuries will be compared to those meetings with the dirt surface, then the management will make their decision.

If SA finds the right dirt & everyone is happy with it, then I would vote for it.

[Whirlaway]

Thanks for the information Lou.

The name of the trainer for Coast Guard is David Hofmans. When you get the chance, no hurry here, check with him and find out the scoop on Coast Guard. I figure he'll be tough next time out.

Interesting info about the Santa Anita surface. I'm really keen on how the additives changed how horses run upon it. From your information the track is slower than it was during the first part of the meet. Horses on the front end in a speed duel fail while horses coming from behind must be dead fit to win; looks like the track favors horses pressing the leaders. Interesting the track crew walks the track looking for asphalt stones. Are they finding any stones? What do you think about the humans and horses inhaling and accidentally ingesting particles of cushion-track? What are they saying about that on the backstretch? I doubt anyone has done a long term study on how those fumes and particles might effect horses and humans ... I found it interesting that "when a horse is working or racing that their hind feet stay in place on the cushion track..." Do you think it has more grip? I agree w/you, "If SA finds the right dirt & everyone is happy with it, then I would vote for it."

Lots of questions for you here Lou. Thanks for your time, we appreciate it.

[louis finochio]

The backstretch is negative on the chemicals & cushion track, as those elements pose a health problem for the Tb & humans.

They are finding many stones. When the hind feet stay in place on the cushion track, that is what is causing all thiose hind end injuries, on dirt the hind feet dont stay in place & they have far less hind end injuries.

No the cushion track has no more grip than dirt, as dirt has been the natural surface for many years.

[Sysonby]

Isn't Coast Guard going in the El Camino Real at Bay Meadows tomorrow?

[louis finochio]

CG is doing great and will run as Sysonby posted. Good Luck CG, have a great winning run, all the best louis.

[Whirlaway]

Thanks for the info, fine work.

Considering what we've learned about the racetrack surface at Santa Anita from our man in the know Mr. Finochio, it looks like a good decision to run Coast Guard on the DIRT at Bay Meadows. He should be tough to beat and I'll be rooting for him.