"False Surface"

Since the synthetic tracks are a favorite subject, I have to revisit Jess Jackson's "false surface" comment from the Eclipse Awards.

Here's what Jackson said during his acceptance speech for Curlin's Champion Older Horse award:

"I congratulate the Europeans for coming over and running on a false surface. But I do believe that given another year of racing Curlin might have shown that he could adjust his pasterns to do that."

Eclipse voters apparently concurred to a degree. They went against the results of the first synthetic Breeders' Cup in a few categories, choosing Indian Blessing over Ventura, Benny the Bull over Midnight Lute, and Curlin over Zenyatta.

The horses I voted for went 10-for-10 in the horse categories, but I was just 2-for-5 in the human categories. No surprise that Steve Asmuseen won outstanding trainer, I just liked Richard Dutrow, Bob Baffert, and Bobby Frankel's work better.

I preferred IEAH Stables in the owner category and Stonerside for breeder, instead of Adena Springs.