Rokeby Forever wrote:Hi FOS,
And a Happy New Year to you!
I did see the replay. Indeed, this colt can motor! Let's hope he holds together and continues to develop.
Gorgeous Goose is a filly Rok...and I agree that she can really motor (your word).
Rokeby Forever wrote:If I have one concern, it might be how differently he'd race on taller East Coast turf. I hope we find out in 2008.
Interesting...I don't recall ever hearing the reference East Coast turf (your words). Regardless the length of the turf (grass)...I find that SoCal turf is quite dependably firm, whereas turf courses on the east coast seem to often be listed as something other than a firm surface.
To my way of thinking, it's not so much about the length of the grass/turf as it is about the moisture content in the ground.
All too often, it seems (to me anyway) that horses up and down the east coast (particularly) are running over turf surfaces listed as good (or possibly softer) whereas the SoCal turf (in general) is (or at least it seems that way to me anyway) almost always listed as firm.
That said...seems to me that firm turf is the more level (if you will) playing field than softer (than firm that is) turf conditions.
I don't know that the length of the blades of grass/turf would concern me so much as the water content in the ground. Continuing that thought...I also get a sense (would you agree) that the European turfers (in general) handle the softer turf surfaces a whole lot better than most North American turfers?
A glance/look at turf race results (throughout most of Europe in general)...seem to highlight the notion that more often than not the turf (throughout Europe anyway) is NOT listed as firm.
I might suggest that SoCal's turf surfaces are some of the most consistently firm surfaces anywhere (certainly in North America anyway). To my way of thinking that's arguably a good-thing (if for no other reason, it seems to me that knowing what the surface will likely be that a horse will race over is a good thing).
For what it's worth...it seems (to me anyway) that many horses not only come up (among other things) muscle-sore (when running over soft ground) but actually cannot handle it (to varying degrees).
Rok...it seems to me (as mentioned previously) that firm turf is the more level playing field (if you will)...to the extent that many (if not most) turfers (in North America anyway) seem (to my way of thinking anyway) to handle it (firm) better than a turf surface listed as good or softer?
Here's hoping that 2008 is a great year.
To your health.
Best
Respectfully