Del Mar 2008

[Playwithfire]

Does anybody have any insight on whether the surface at Del Mar will be different than last year? Although i didn't mind it so much as i was able to handicap it fairly well (read: avoid speed), it still was obviously an anomaly to see times so slow, as well as track differing from morning to afternoon. I hope they figure out a way to keep it consistent.

[Turn-To Fan]

Here is an article from the local paper (San Diego Union Tribune) on the changes made to the track. Long story short--they are confident the track will be faster and more consistent this year.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/de ... elmar.html

[cindylou]

From what I have been hearing locally, the Track crew has been working very hard to tighten up the track in the afternoons. They have made some changes in the make up of the synthetic itself and have worked with some polytrack specialist to look at moisture content and and maintenance to try and make it more consistant with morning training and racing in the afternoon. Hopefully we will know how they have fared in a day or two of racing.

[ArchDandy]

What about their turf?

[cindylou]

I have not heard anything about the Turf. There was such an uproar about the polytrack last year, that I think that has been the focus. However, given that they have spent so much time dealing with the polytrack surface, let's hope the Turf has been undergoing maintence
as well.

[ArchDandy]

Thanks for the info, heres to hoping its safer than before.

[Playwithfire]

Thanks for the updates. I too hope the turf is safer, they seem to have an awful lot of injuries on it. I think they mow it too tightly.

[Playwithfire]

Thanks for the updates. I too hope the turf is safer, they seem to have an awful lot of injuries on it. I think they mow it too tightly.

[cindylou]

It was ironic given all the expense and whoohah that the polytrack created and we had to hold our breath everytime they ran a turf race. I too hope they have give it some attention.

[louis finochio]

The speed died in the 1st, the mile time of 1:46 4 is an indication this track is the same old track of last year, slow & easy for the injuries but bad news for the speed bias handicappers. Its better to play trainers like Mullins who will have a hot barn full of winners.

[Sierra]

The speed died in the 1st, the mile time of 1:46 4 is an indication this track is the same old track of last year, slow & easy for the injuries but bad news for the speed bias handicappers. Its better to play trainers like Mullins who will have a hot barn full of winners.

The first race of the meet, for $10,000 claimers, was run in a final time of 1:37.82 for a mile.

[Turn-To Fan]

Looks like they are focusing on consistency more than speed. There were three track records set on opening day, but the times are still pretty slow. I can see the ads for yesterday's winners now: "set new track record at Del Mar."

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/46181.htm

[dray33]

Is the turf looking better?

[UmmYeah]

Well the horse that finished 2nd in one of the stakes was vanned off, so that doesn't seem like a good sign to me.

[dray33]

grrreat. I got one running short on the turf today. Perfectly Natural in the 4th. Good luck girl.