Cushion Track, Hollywood Gold Cup winner, and pedigree

[vineyridge]

Mast Track won the Hollywood Gold Cup on Cushion Track. His breeding is very unlike most of the dirt horses that are running today.
http://www.pedigreequery.com/mast+track

Do you think this is more evidence that different breeding will excel on the synthetic surfaces?

His pedigree looks very turfy to me.

[Pete]

Hi Vineyridge,

Good observation.

His damside is about as European and turf as is possible. Mizzen Mast got his start in France but made his reputation on dirt winning the Malibu (G1) and Strub (G2).

Mast Track is a complete outcross and his pedigree is similar to many of the best horses that Cozzene got.

I think it's a distinct possibility that the surface was to his liking based on pedigree.

Regards,

Pete

[ArchDandy]

Its been said that cushion plays a lot like turf, there does seem to be a link.

[cindylou]

My observances here in Calif is that Hollywood Parks Cushion track is really pretty well suited to turf pedigree more than some of the other artificial surfaces. I always look at that when handicapping there.

[vineyridge]

And with Santa Anita going to Cushion Track, if Cindylou is correct, California three year old racing is going to have to deal with the difference between Cushion and the back east tracks in the Triple Crown. Gonna put a monkey wrench in the straight progression from the SA Derby to the Ky Derby.

[cindylou]

Yes, I would have to agree with you. The Derby bound 3 year olds will be at a disadvantage in California. It is an interesting
situation all around.