1 1/8 SMrgrta-G1 SANTA MARGARITA INVITATIONAL S.. Grade 1

[Whirlaway]

Baffert and Sadler go at it again!

[Whirlaway]

Gotta beat Baffert and Always a Princessina.

[bdw0617]

I hope AAP is okay

[rumple]

Looked bad on AAP, on replay I saw she broke down and then 50 yards later fell down at the finish line.

[bdw0617]

I think bob b said she is going to be okay, obviously her career is over however

[FOS]

hi bdw0617

I think bob b said she is going to be okay, obviously her career is over however

I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk/questions-raised about the new surface at Santa Anita.

I've heard trainers refer to it as 'stiff' and 'jarring' and reference how it's affecting the joints/shins/knees/ankles of some.

The surface (and base) at Hollywood Park has been a winner...and the poly at Del Mar has arguably been very good since the decision to water it, as necessary.

As for Santa Anita, seems that something may not be just right with the track...and yesterday's issue/fall/breakdown/whatever with Always A Princess (in the G1 Santa Margarita) may be just enough to raise awareness/questions and generate discussion re the track's new surface...and maybe the base too.

Respectfully

[kimberley mine]

hi bdw0617

The surface (and base) at Hollywood Park has been a winner...and the poly at Del Mar has arguably been very good since the decision to water it, as necessary.

As for Santa Anita, seems that something may not be just right with the track...and yesterday's issue/fall/breakdown/whatever with Always A Princess (in the G1 Santa Margarita) may be just enough to raise awareness/questions and generate discussion re the track's new surface...and maybe the base too.

Respectfully

The problem I keep coming back to is the drainage. If the drainage isn't working, the substrate could be fine and the cushioning material could be perfect, and you still will be stuffed. Especially now that there is a significant amount of clay in the track, fine particulate matter will block up a drain quicker than quick and the only thing left for the water to do is run off and take the cushion with it.

Something else that seems a major problem is that the surface material itself can't be watered in such a way that it will provide a better cushion, as done at Del Mar. With sand, either the water will drain off OR you will get something like running on concrete. The amount of clay in that material is similarly unable to hold water. Adding more sand isn't likely to help, since you will get a cushion layer that is likely to blow off or pile up.

I wonder what would happen if about 30% of the current cushion volume were topped up with wood chips or some similar organic material. That will hold water without becoming packed and hard, swell up with water and soften, and can be bermed in such a way to minimize erosion of the track when the big winter rains come. ETA: and you can water it in the summer when it's windy, and it won't blow away as much as the sand will.

[bdw0617]

hi bdw0617

I think bob b said she is going to be okay, obviously her career is over however

I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk/questions-raised about the new surface at Santa Anita.

I've heard trainers refer to it as 'stiff' and 'jarring' and reference how it's affecting the joints/shins/knees/ankles of some.

The surface (and base) at Hollywood Park has been a winner...and the poly at Del Mar has arguably been very good since the decision to water it, as necessary.

As for Santa Anita, seems that something may not be just right with the track...and yesterday's issue/fall/breakdown/whatever with Always A Princess (in the G1 Santa Margarita) may be just enough to raise awareness/questions and generate discussion re the track's new surface...and maybe the base too.

Respectfully

If I can speak freely, I had her going into the race, and in the post parade I tossed her, she looked pretty crappy.

[BenB]

Chips will (rot) in time, so the whole top from the track will become a mess.

Pure sand will go from the track as soon as it dries and the wind starts.

The best will still be a synth track, it has been proven the most horse friendly
track.

Everyone wanted to have a fast front runner friendly track, only the breakdown rate was not been taken seriously.

[FOS]

hi kimberly mine

hi bdw0617

The surface (and base) at Hollywood Park has been a winner...and the poly at Del Mar has arguably been very good since the decision to water it, as necessary.

As for Santa Anita, seems that something may not be just right with the track...and yesterday's issue/fall/breakdown/whatever with Always A Princess (in the G1 Santa Margarita) may be just enough to raise awareness/questions and generate discussion re the track's new surface...and maybe the base too.

Respectfully

The problem I keep coming back to is the drainage. If the drainage isn't working, the substrate could be fine and the cushioning material could be perfect, and you still will be stuffed. ... ... ...

The previous drainage issues at Santa Anita were well documented, I guess , and Stronach himself, when describing the previous surface and drainage/base, used language like we did it on the cheap. When making his case for the most recent surface and base/drainage he used language such as we'll get it right this time...which certainly sounded good.

Maybe Stronach intended to get it right this time at Santa Anita...maybe he believes he did get it right (this time)...but it seems kinda clear (doesn't it?) that once again something's just not right.

Isn't that kinda what happened at his Gulfstream Park? Maybe he intended to get the facility right (the track already was)...maybe he believes he did get the facility right...but clearly it's not.

Is that maybe the Stronach way...just don't get it right.

Respectfully

[BenB]

An sandy/loam track is a hell of a lot faster than an sand only track.

When you have to replace the whole base it is cheaper to build an whole new
track.

Them cost will be as much as the whole spending up to now with all the tracks replacements.

[FOS]

hi BenB

Chips will (rot) in time, so the whole top from the track will become a mess.

Pure sand will go from the track as soon as it dries and the wind starts.

The best will still be a synth track, it has been proven the most horse friendly track.

Everyone wanted to have a fast front runner friendly track, only the breakdown rate was not been taken seriously.

It all sounds so simple and easy...but apparently it's not so simple and easy to come up with the near perfect (much less perfect) package which includes...surface, base and drainage that'll satisfy nearly everyone (much less everyone).

It's probably fair to say that costs/dollars usually come into play...but even if/when money is not an object...a weak link (or links) among the designers/planners/engineers/installers etc etc could compromise the quality/integrity of the final product/result.

Question is...what'll it take to get it right? Hmmmm.

Best to ya

Respectfully

[BenB]

Iam an civil contractor, so I knew that there are a lot of problems coming around.

The most difficult is the weather , with the amount of rains.

[ElPrado]

The time of year will influence it, too. I've lived in Los Angeles. It rains this time of year. The odds that Stronach will now be pouting about his dates get lower and lower.

[Turn-To Fan]

Looks like Always a Princess is ok after surgery.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... a-princess