It's finally here. This weekend the 26th incarnation of John Gaines' 1982 brainchild is scheduled to take place Nov. 6-7 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Cal. The two-day extravaganza, which features 14 championship races — 13 of which will offer a purse of $1 million or more — is being held at The Great Race Place for the second year in a row and presents handicappers with the added challenge of a synthetic main track once again.
Long known for its innovative use of silicone, the state of California has also been a pioneer in "fake" dirt, or all-weather racing surfaces (yeah, I know, it’s like comparing apples to... oh, never mind). At Santa Anita, the faux soil is called "Pro-Ride" and, last year, many believe it contributed to a glut of late-running Breeders' Cup winners...
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