Santa Anita Park Main Track

[Vp123]

Dear colleagues

Some of you have any information of why the main track at Santa Anita this two seconds slower than in other seasons?

Regards,

VP

[White Hat]

Can't answer that but it's just as speed biased as ever.

[Stefan]

They dumped truckloads of sand onto the track earlier this year.

http://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-adds-sand-seeking-slower-safer-main-track

[Vp123]

They dumped truckloads of sand onto the track earlier this year.

http://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-adds-sand-seeking-slower-safer-main-track

good news

A fairer main track, where fast and slow horses have a chance to win.

I was surprised, I was betting on very fast horses and are gaining intermediate horses.

Thank you for the information.

[Andyc]

Can't answer that but it's just as speed biased as ever.

I'm surprised at your answer. Based on your assessment of Frankel times must be slower at Santa Anita because the horses are overrated or not as good as prior years.

[Pooch]

How does a slow track make a slow horse win? Wouldn't a slow track make all horses run slower?

[Trackmomma]

How does a slow track make a slow horse win? Wouldn't a slow track make all horses run slower?

Yes. But a track can be slow and still have a speed bias.

[Andyc]

How does a slow track make a slow horse win? Wouldn't a slow track make all horses run slower?

A change in track surface won't affect all horses equally, so some will have a greater chance of winning and others obviously a lesser chance. What matters is the energy requirements for the surface and how those requirements are in sync with how a horse uses its energy. An example using humans can be seen if 2 people of relatively equal running abilities raced up a 1/4 mile 10% grade. If one of the runners tried to sprint from the very beginning as hard as possible they would surely be out of energy very early and unlikely to beat a runner who went at a steady even pace. Conversely if they raced down the grade would see the runner who sprinted to the lead most likely win the race from a runner trying to go at a steady pace. In each case the surface dictated the optimal style for a runner to be successful.

With horses, the surface also dictates but most horses are pretty much one-dimensional as to what style they are able to employ. The really great ones have/had the ability to adapt to what is necessary.

[Vp123]

A change in track surface won't affect all horses equally, so some will have a greater chance of winning and others obviously a lesser chance. What matters is the energy requirements for the surface and how those requirements are in sync with how a horse uses its energy. An example using humans can be seen if 2 people of relatively equal running abilities raced up a 1/4 mile 10% grade. If one of the runners tried to sprint from the very beginning as hard as possible they would surely be out of energy very early and unlikely to beat a runner who went at a steady even pace. Conversely if they raced down the grade would see the runner who sprinted to the lead most likely win the race from a runner trying to go at a steady pace. In each case the surface dictated the optimal style for a runner to be successful.

With horses, the surface also dictates but most horses are pretty much one-dimensional as to what style they are able to employ. The really great ones have/had the ability to adapt to what is necessary.

Excellent your opinion. I only add the rider is very important, which manage energy better your horse will have more chance to win.