Horse Racing Forum - USA Thoroughbred Races

The New York Racing Association announced plans Monday for the future utilization of the all-weather Tapeta track at the new Belmont Park.
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/ ... Tapeta_123

So which months Dec through Feb?

Squeaky wrote: ↑Mon Jul 01, 2024 5:22 pm So which months Dec through Feb?

I don't know but I think we have time to go to handicapping school all over again.

Are there breeding plays on Tapeta when it's freezing?

Anyone who is concerned or interested in the Tapeta at Belmont should listen to Mark Casse on Steve Byk’s show yesterday. Incredibly informative and eye opening on the entire subject of synthetic surfaces and how it benefits horses and the breeding aspect of it all.

Northport wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 12:08 pm Anyone who is concerned or interested in the Tapeta at Belmont should listen to Mark Casse on Steve Byk’s show yesterday. Incredibly informative and eye opening on the entire subject of synthetic surfaces and how it benefits horses and the breeding aspect of it all.

I second that recommendation! It's a great segment of considerable length and detail. One thing I really appreciate about Steve Byk is that when he gets a guest on that he knows has a lot to say about a subject that he or she is infinitely knowledgeable about, he just sits back and let's them talk. You can often learn so much more from an "interview" that's conducted with as little interruption as possible, and Byk's really a master at that. He uses the same style every week in his segments with Sid Fernando, the pedigree guy, and I enjoy that so much!

Northport wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 12:08 pm Anyone who is concerned or interested in the Tapeta at Belmont should listen to Mark Casse on Steve Byk’s show yesterday. Incredibly informative and eye opening on the entire subject of synthetic surfaces and how it benefits horses and the breeding aspect of it all.

I’ll listen to the segment when I get a round tuitt. I’ve got a bid in for one on eBay. A word to the wise don’t bother with the square one’s, you’ll never get anything done. Synthetics were less than optimal in so. CA. Part of it was that two of the companies used—Cushion Track and Pro-Ride—went out of business. I’m not sure about Poly Track. Before I listen, did Casse happen to mention how many of his former charges are now “living on a groom’s farm in Canada” due to soft tissue injuries that made the horse’s value drop like a stone? I think Tapeta was a brilliant idea at Gulfstream and I think, in theory, they’re going to be a good idea at Belmont. I don’t know if they fit in every context, however.

Curtis wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 2:02 pm

Northport wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 12:08 pm Anyone who is concerned or interested in the Tapeta at Belmont should listen to Mark Casse on Steve Byk’s show yesterday. Incredibly informative and eye opening on the entire subject of synthetic surfaces and how it benefits horses and the breeding aspect of it all.

I’ll listen to the segment when I get a round tuitt. I’ve got a bid in for one on eBay. A word to the wise don’t bother with the square one’s, you’ll never get anything done. Synthetics were less than optimal in so. CA. Part of it was that two of the companies used—Cushion Track and Pro-Ride—went out of business. I’m not sure about Poly Track. Before I listen, did Casse happen to mention how many of his former charges are now “living on a groom’s farm in Canada” due to soft tissue injuries that made the horse’s value drop like a stone? I think Tapeta was a brilliant idea at Gulfstream and I think, in theory, they’re going to be a good idea at Belmont. I don’t know if they fit in every context, however.

He kind of said the opposite. More like, how horses like Fev Rover and Filo De Arianna wouldnt be able to be kept sound enough to race if they trained and raced on dirt. And how the ~kindness~ of the Tapeta gives horses with tendon and ligament issues a chance to work/race/thrive. He has etched out a niche for himself where he gets horses that are hard to keep sound, brings them to Woodbine, and gets a nice tune out of them.

Is anyone supposed to be surprised by this? The Belmont dirt isn't winterized, so what else were they going to be running on?

Tessablue wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:52 pm Is anyone supposed to be surprised by this? The Belmont dirt isn't winterized, so what else were they going to be running on?

That was something that was pointed out in the discussion between the two of them (Byk got involved in that one).

Because the dirt track at the new Belmont wouldn't have to be "winterized" due to no winter racing to be held on it, they were going to be able to install basically the same surface that will be in use at Saratoga, which is statistically "safer". No need to "tweak" the surface with chemicals or other additives, and it would eliminate the problem of switching from one kind of surface to another between meets at racetracks on the same circuit.

I actually remember when Del Mar decided to go back to dirt on their surface, they deliberately chose the same surface that Santa Anita used in their return to dirt some 2 years before.......just because it was thought that the same surface between same circuit tracks was the best thing. I will never understand how two organizations like that can ignore the implications of climate in a sport conducted outdoors involving live animals!

I don't know what to think anymore on this issue. It's like a network of things where one affects ten other things.........sort of like the ecosystem!🫣

Tessablue wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:52 pm Is anyone supposed to be surprised by this? The Belmont dirt isn't winterized, so what else were they going to be running on?

A ton of people have been crying on X about it.

https://x.com/RepoleStable/status/1808101333011935454

Flanders wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 6:11 pm

Tessablue wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:52 pm Is anyone supposed to be surprised by this? The Belmont dirt isn't winterized, so what else were they going to be running on?

A ton of people have been crying on X about it.

https://x.com/RepoleStable/status/1808101333011935454

Horseracing stakeholders immediately complaining about changing a status quo that would ultimately help the welfare of Thoroughbreds? Say it aint so.

Maybe the fields start out small with just Woodbine, Turfway, and Presque shippers along with NY bred turf horses that usually get the winter off, but give it 2 or 3 years and I’m sure it will find its niche.

Northport wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 10:21 pm Horseracing stakeholders immediately complaining about changing a status quo that would ultimately help the welfare of Thoroughbreds? Say it aint so.

A tale as old as the sport! I genuinely don't understand how any owners or horseplayers could be surprised by this. And I guarantee Repole will run horses there this winter.

Have never heard a bad thing about Tapeta, and imagine a meet where you have to wonder every single day if they'll be able to stay on the dirt. People will get over it and adapt, and the product will be better for it. Also very interested in the Belmont dirt switch; keeping it consistent between circuits makes sense, but let's see how it goes in practice.

Northport wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 10:21 pm

Flanders wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 6:11 pm

Tessablue wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:52 pm Is anyone supposed to be surprised by this? The Belmont dirt isn't winterized, so what else were they going to be running on?

A ton of people have been crying on X about it.

https://x.com/RepoleStable/status/1808101333011935454

Horseracing stakeholders immediately complaining about changing a status quo that would ultimately help the welfare of Thoroughbreds? Say it aint so.

Maybe the fields start out small with just Woodbine, Turfway, and Presque shippers along with NY bred turf horses that usually get the winter off, but give it 2 or 3 years and I’m sure it will find its niche.

Maybe I'm far outta the loop but what's with the strong resistance to tapeta? From bettors and owners/trainers?

Change is scary. Horseplayers know how to bet dirt, trainers know how to train on dirt, owners know they can get stud deals on dirt. And I think that's pretty much where the logic stops. I think people also aren't aware of the fact that there are different types of synthetic surfaces, and Tapeta has emerged as the best of them.

When handicapping a race and reading all the comments available in different publications, has anybody ever seen

"Bred for tapeta, will appreciate the switch in surfaces, should move up several lengths"

stark wrote: ↑Fri Jul 05, 2024 5:24 pm When handicapping a race and reading all the comments available in different publications, has anybody ever seen

"Bred for tapeta, will appreciate the switch in surfaces, should move up several lengths"

No but I’m waiting for Tapeta to come out with a horse proof field turf type material. You could race on it 365 days a year—366 this year—and it would make grass founder a thing of the past.

So obviously I haven’t been paying attention until now….what going to happen to Aqueduct?

Gemini wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2024 7:42 pm So obviously I haven’t been paying attention until now….what going to happen to Aqueduct?

Sadly it will cease to exist

Gemini wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2024 7:42 pm So obviously I haven’t been paying attention until now….what going to happen to Aqueduct?

Its a long story why, I mean I can TL:DR and say, NYRA did some bad stuff, filed bankruptcy a couple times and were essentially forced to give up the land and racetracks to the state of NY, to get bailed out. It was destined from that point forward that Aqueduct was going to be no more. Its also why the NY Islanders Arena is in the Belmont parking lot.

https://www.horseraceinsider.com/cuomo- ... -for-nyra/

Flanders wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2024 9:15 pm

Gemini wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2024 7:42 pm So obviously I haven’t been paying attention until now….what going to happen to Aqueduct?

Its a long story why, I mean I can TL:DR and say, NYRA did some bad stuff, filed bankruptcy a couple times and were essentially forced to give up the land and racetracks to the state of NY, to get bailed out. It was destined from that point forward that Aqueduct was going to be no more. Its also why the NY Islanders Arena is in the Belmont parking lot.

https://www.horseraceinsider.com/cuomo- ... -for-nyra/

I suppose I should’ve figured without asking.

It’s depressing…such a waste of history, as bad as Arlington and Hollywood Park.