Synthetic vs. Dirt

[Terlingua]

Is it unlikely that a decent synthetic runner would do as well, or better, on dirt? I just read Andrew Beyer's bit on Zenyatta and realized that I donèt know enough about this topic to take a more critical perspective on the points he makes. I know what most people know, I guess. That synthetic tracks are probably closer to turf than dirt. But does that mean a decent runner like Zenyatta would likely be less talented on dirt? And what difference would a dirt surface make to her running style, if any?

[bdw0617]

each horse is it's own individual. for instance lookin at lucky's half brother is a grade 2 winner on dirt, i knew hew ould improve on dirt or at least thought he would.


sidney's candy's entire family, are turfers. i knew he would not be the same on dirt. i banked on it. same with twirling candy and chocolate candy, they are all from the same family.

z is somewhat a complex case. street cry + i'm not even going to butcher her dam's spelling is extremely turfish with kris s being her damsire. but, her half sister is a multiple grade 1 winner on dirt.

i personally think she will not run BAD on dirt, nut i think synthetic/turf is probably where she is going to run her best. I thinks he can handle anything, unlike some, i don't think any o the candy's can handle dirt at all.

[ArchDandy]

She's already ran on dirt- and seemed to win by bigger margins if I'm not mistaken- she's only a "synthetic specialist" because she races in CA and CA only has synthetic tracks.

[tbrace]

Andy Beyer embarrasses himself with this kind of stuff. Zenyatta has run and won on both surfaces.

Crist said the same thing, and he, too, is wrong.

[wangkw]

How about on a wet day...Isn't it true a synthetic surface runs even more closer to turf ? I ever heard that from a race caller.