Handicapping Tip #9 ("STAY OFF THE GRASS!") generated more feedback than any other to date so here's a little more discussion on turf racing as we get ready to enter fall and winter racing in North America. 

Handicapper Bill Birdsley of Plattsmouth, NE, writes: 

George: Just a comment on your grass article: Chicago coddles their turf and races on it very cautiously. Fairgrounds runs a winter meet and any track superintendent could have a great course under the climate during that time of year. One more thing: California doesn't have seasons; real grass won't grow there; their courses are sand based and they have a hell of a time to get the grass good enough to keep it from coming up in horses' faces. Santa Anita has spent millions and they still have problems. I believe it was Frankel that wouldn't put a horse on it recently. But you are certainly right: Ellis is terrible but they race on it way more and have sprints and claiming turf races. No one else with a turf track does that, to my knowledge.

Good comments, Bill. Arlington's turf course is HUGE, and management moves the rail frequently to keep the course in excellent racing condition without causing undue grief to players. But I stand by my Fair Grounds evaluation. It would be very easy for them to run more turf races than they usually do, which I'm sure would tear up that surface needlessly. I've seen it get pretty wet down there during the winter. 

I visited Del Mar the last week of August, 1996, and was very impressed by the condition of the turf track. Nearing the end of the meet, it was still holding together very well and not very much was kicked up by the horses. At that time, Santa Anita's new turf track was opened for workouts and the early word from trainers was that it seemed to be a great improvement. We'll know soon enough. 

Ellis does run more of what can rightfully be called cheap races on the turf (as does Canterbury and a couple of other ovals outside the major circuits, and there's definitely a need for that type of racing. Not all runners bred for grass are great horses, and those that are not need lower-level allowances and claiming races. But this is even more reason for tracks like Ellis to maintain their turf courses with more care and attention, to give those cheaper animals a chance to be competitive, as well as seeing that the fans in the stands have firmer ground for handicapping.