from an ESPN The Magazine article/interview with Kenny Mayne.


Mayne: What do you think of all the new synthetic tracks?

Baffert: It costs almost $10 million to put a track in.  You could do a mile of freeway for that.  If people would\'ve put that kind of money into dirt surfaces, and made some that drain more efficiently, we would\'ve been better off.  The new stuff really affects certain speed horses.  It takes their brilliance away.  That\'s what I don\'t like about it.  It\'s changed racing.  But I can\'t see the tracks staying around because they\'ve become a headache to maintain.  And they fall apart.

Dana666: Amen, Brother Bob - you\'re preaching to the choir! Too bad it won\'t be in time for this year\'s Breeder\'s Cup!

Barry Irwin: I believe that it now 1 in a row for Baffert.

And congratulations to him for making this point.

TGJB: Barry-- as long as you\'re here--

1-- I think you were responsible for the Kentucky papare showing an interest in the rachel story. Thanks, we\'ll see if they follow up.

2-- Let me get this straight. They gave the jockey days, but didn\'t take the horse down?

Barry Irwin: Jerry:

1. Yes, correct. Jenny Rees, Louisville Courier Journal.

2. Yes, correct! I guess the stewards were padding their resumes in case one of them wanted to apply for a job in California.