More synthetic thoughts. And on a rainy day, no less.
So racetracks need to make decisions about their racing surfaces very carefully. The cost to replace a surface, like Keeneland and Santa Anita both did following their ill-fated forays into synthetics, is in the tens of millions of dollars. When the industry was embracing synthetics about 15 years ago, many tracks embraced the change for two reasons, consistent racing surfaces in bad weather and greater safety for horses and riders. Mixed results have been found on both fronts. Due to the waxes used as a binder on the synthetic surfaces, the weather related challenges are just different than with dirt. Winter racing can be a challenge due to hardening of the wax and high temperatures can lead to softening. But water does seep right through and there is never a sloppy synthetic track. Breakdown numbers over the long haul have been similar to dirt.
So why synthetic? More consistency in expectations seems to be the best reason.
Weather: Rainy and then clearing but when?
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Delaware Race 1 (1:15 p.m. ET)
3-Tale of E Dubai gets a perfect spot on the drop. He is lone speed and has the best off track speed figures in the race. He gets top rider Trevor McCarthy and gets back to dirt. The question here is one of distance since his game is speed and fade. Looking to power by in the lane will be 1-Coop Tries Harder who comes in off a brief freshening. This one moves up considerably on the off going and should be running late. The happy medium between the first two is 6-Jack Straight who has early lick but is okay sitting off of the pace, too. He descends to his lowest price point of 2019, too. The 8 June work was impressive.
Delaware Race 1
$10 W/P/S 3-Tale of E Dubai
$2 Exacta box 3,6
$1 Trifecta box 1,3,6
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Delaware Race 4 (2:36)
A wide open maiden race that has some very interesting angles. 3-Perdido Bay is a 4 year old first time starter for a barn that is on fire. Seven starts with 4 wins and 3 places at Delaware this meet is phenomenal. Look for this one to add to those gaudy numbers. 6-Amundson appears to have needed a break following his only start in January. Another great pedigree for the weather but may need more ground to fulfill his potential. 7-Noontime Salsa has lots of works to get to this point and comes from a solid barn with firsters.
Delaware Race 4
$10 W/P/S 3-Perdido Bay
$2 Exacta box 3,6
$1 Trifecta box 3,6,7
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MICK’S QUICKIES
Delaware Race 6 (3:30): 4-Hardcore Folklore unites a team that wins at 60% with a decent sample size. Great off track pedigree and newfound talent since arriving at Delaware.
Delaware Race 7 (3:57): Diplodocus was one of the slowest moving dinosaurs who depended on his massive size for survival. This 4-Diplodocus is both smaller and faster . . . Thank goodness. But more importantly, stamina should not be a problem following a winter spent jumping.