Players have one month to get their thoughts together. This is the first Breeders’ Cup since 1984, which the big dance will be run on artificial surface.

The Australian company who created the Pro-Ride surface has made a composite of granulated sands, a unique cushioning agent, and a patented polymeric binding agent. It is created to reduce kickback, and allows for a 2-phase cushioning effect. Ian Pearse from Pro-Ride arrived in mid-July, and completely removed the old track. He added a new base, and the surface was applied soon after.

So, how do we get a handle on the new synthetic wave? You may want to take a look at: “Betting Synthetic Surfaces: Conquering Racing’s Newest Frontier,” the book is written by Bill Finley from the Daily Racing Form Press. It’s available at www.drf.com, and is major bookstores.

The Blood-Horse magazine put out a book in 2007, but Finley’s book takes the issue to the next level. He is able to debunk the turf runner myth taking to the surface, and that dirt horses fare much better to the new surface than the turf players.

With one month to go I would suggest: educate yourself with up to date books; watch all of the Santa Anita races you can take; and keep WinningPonies.com as your guiding tool. With all of these three elements, you have a much greater edge than the player who walks up the day of the event and empties their pockets.