Turfway Park will become the first racetrack in North America to install a
Polytrack surface on its main track. The announcement was made at a Wednesday
morning press conference at Keeneland, which co-owns the Northern Kentucky track
with Harrah’s Inc. and G-TECH. The installation of the surface is scheduled to
be completed in time for the opening of Turfway’s Fall Meet, which begins
September 7.
Keeneland installed a Polytrack surface on its five-eighths of a mile
training track in September 2004 and is the North American distributor for the
product. Polytrack was first introduced in England in the early 1980s and offers
a number of benefits compared to a conventional dirt track. Chief among those
advantages is that the surface appears to be safer for horses because of its
unique cushioning effect.
“Trainers using the Keeneland training track report lower vet bills and
significantly fewer problems keeping their horses fit and sound,” Turfway Park
President Robert Elliston said. “Trainers in Europe have seen the same kind of
results, and we expect to see the same at Turfway.”
Beyond the safety advantages, horsemen have been impressed with the
Polytrack’s reduced kickback, its adaptability for various training regimens
and its uniformity in a variety of weather conditions — the last benefit likely
will be welcomed by some handicappers.
Polytrack is a unique blend of fibers, recycled rubber and silica sand
covered with a wax coating. It should provide a consistent racing surface and is
expected to withstand extreme winter weather conditions. The seven-inch-deep
surface rests on 10 inches of porous macadam and stone that contains a vertical
drainage system. Water drains through the material rather than horizontally
across the surface.
“Our track crew does an outstanding job under difficult circumstances, but
every year we lose racing days because temperatures in our area vary so much,”
Elliston said. “The constant freeze-and-thaw cycle can make the track uneven and
unsafe for our riders and horses. Sometimes the track must be closed in the
mornings as well, which disrupts training schedules. We expect Polytrack to
alleviate both problems.
“So, while we may still lose a day or two to bitter cold, we expect to
recover nine or 10 or more days we typically lose to compromised track
conditions. That means our on-track and simulcast patrons can count on Turfway
running races and our horsemen can plan a training strategy and adhere to it.
“As a bonus, our maintenance costs should be reduced significantly.”
Keeneland President and CEO Nick Nicholson, who is known for implementing
forward-thinking ideas, believes the Polytrack surface could have a major
impact.
“Polytrack has the potential to revolutionize racing in North America,”
Nicholson said. “As a Turfway partner, we are proud to be a part of this
milestone decision that is a step toward improving our racing product and a
giant leap forward for the racing industry as a whole.”