Synthetic Surfaces on the way out?

[Southieboy]

There is a rumor floating around that Keeneland will announce during the spring meet, that they will return to a dirt track for the fall meet. If true one has to imagine the status of the current poly prototypes that are in effect at Del Mar and Woodbine would be in question.

[Hollywoodmike]

I don't think Del Mar will be a serious BC host track till they switch back to conventional dirt.

[Andymays]

I hear the same thing. Will work on the truth tomorrow.

[Andymays]

It could be Arlington.

[DegenerationX]

I believe that at the end of 2011 the partnership between Keeneland and Polytrack was dissolved so it is possible they will switch.

[Kermit]

Poly would be safer for their sales, when they run those way under-aged babies for the prospective buyers.

[Southieboy]

http://www.drf.com/news/keeneland-marti ... artnership

[Andymays]

http://www.drf.com/news/keeneland-martin-collins-dissolve-polytrack-company-partnership

Yes, but I need absolute confirmation before I can throw a party.

[Southieboy]

With Del Mar planning to expand their turf course next year it would be the perfect time to switch back to a dirt surface. There would be a few eastern/midwest based stables that would consider sending a division over.

[Todko]

I think some of the old timers on this forum may recall my opinion of the poly back in '05 -- before the first horses raced on it. I used to stop by in the summer at Turfway (Polyway) and watch construction of the track. You could see inherent problems with it even during the initial construction.

I don't believe racing should give up and building safer tracks -- poly just wasn't the answer.