Arlington Park opens on May 3 with a new Polytrack surface. Are we ready for a new type of racing in Illinois?

Question

Arlington Park opens on May 3 with a new Polytrack surface. Are we ready for a new type of racing in Illinois?

Answer 1

No.

Answer 2

It's nothing to be afraid of, the horses will love it.  One of our stallions would have one more Stakes horse still alive right now if it was put in last year.  I could care less about saving money on vet bills, but if it helps just one owner not have to watch his/her horse have to be put down on the track its worth it, some owners actually do have a heart.

Answer 3

they are safe surfaces dont get potholed in poor weather like dirt tracks and the horsemen love it beacuse its easy on the horses, so whether or not youre ready,  polytrack has invaded you...hopefully its a 'fair' surface... currently Keenland , turfway, and woodbine (in ontario canada) have poly as well as Hollywood in so cal. other tracks have plans to install in the near future including Santa Anita, home of the 08 breeders cup, the first BC to be run on a synthetic surface...the keenland surface now has a backwards bias compared to the old dirt surface, its driving andy beyer of the beyers speed ratings nuts because his sacred speed numbers are now garbage for handicapping winners...at last count it was 4% front running winners where as in the past speed from the inside posts was a 20% or better winner at all distances...horses coming from the turf or shortening up from routes are winning going away with 'one late run' at distances from a mile and down on the poly...the woodbine surface still plays speed but when wet often strong closers can get there much like turfway park, the hollywood surface hasnt seen much rain but speed plays, just not as well as on the old dirt course...be wary of a bias and dont overplay speed as the meet opens, but if you see a bias forming...jump on it with both feet...I understand Golden Gate Fields in the bay area SF is going to get Tapetta another synthetic surface...so it will be a challenge for handicappers to figure what surface helps when switching to what other surface, tapeta, to poly, to dirt to turf etc. Ive always liked playing closers although they dont always get a good trip , they usually are a good price compared to the easy speed handicapping (ergo the horrible win prices or exacta/trifecta payoffs) so throwing out beyers speed numbers is just fine with me...good luck bettors with the new surfaces and good luck players with the derby and triple crown races!!!

Answer 4

Poly track is like trying to re-invent the wheel.  Horses trying  adapt to it , gamblers trying to figure it out, and the owners trying  to save money on vet bills. I personally hope it fails, but im  a traditionalist.

Answer 5

Yes.  I think will improve things.  Especially hopefully cut down on the number of horses that break down on the track.  Last year they had quite a few horses breakdown so I'm hoping it will improve things.

Answer 6

What a great track Arlington is!

YES--the new poly will help to cut down on accidents, be a very uniform track thru-out, able to dry off faster after a rain, and in the long run horse owners from other tracks will be more enticed to come to ILL.