Turf Racing vs. Dirt Racing Increases in U.S.

[bobphilo]

Interesting article in TDN concerning a study indicating an increase of turf vs. dirt races in the U.S.

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/pdf/tdn/tdn181019.pdf

IMO this is the result of the following factors.


1) In keeping with studies showing turf racing has fewer fatalities than dirt and a public concern over safety in racing the industry is trying to improve these figures by carding more grass races.

2) Also with keeping with a concern for decreasing stamina in modern horses, there is an increase in interest in the type of racing that will encourage breeding for stamina.

3) The major races are on turf in Europe and U.S. racing is trying to increase their status in international racing by carding more races on turf in addition to encouraging more European participation in the U.S. by carding more major grass races.

This increase could be good news for Jerry since, as the Paulick article pointed out, the T-Graph figures which include ground loss which is such an important factor on the grass, make the T-Graph ratings even more valuable for turf handicapping.

[jma11473]

It\'s all about filling fields, and turf races fill and have larger fields than dirt racing. The idea that racetracks are running more turf races NOW because they\'re hoping there will be more horses with stamina five years from now is ludicrous.

[bobphilo]

They are not concerned with increasing race horse stamina 5 years from now for its own sake. They are interested in responding to, or appearing to respond to public interest in the issue now.

[RICH]

I also think you get better prices or at least a better chance