Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup horse races.Del Mar Inaugurates Artificial Race Track
Posted on Friday, July 13th, 2007
DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Thoroughbreds tested Del Mar Race Track‘s new artificial surface for the first time Thursday, working out over the track ahead of next week’s opening of the 43-day summer meeting.
The $9 million Polytrack, a mixture of sand, fibers, rubber and wax, was installed recently in an effort to provide a more consistent surface believed to be safer for horses and riders. Racing on the mile oval begins Wednesday.
“We’re very happy with it right now,” said Jim Barnes, assistant to seven-time Del Mar training champion Bob Baffert. “The horses are going over it well. They’re not leaving divots. As the horses train, it (the surface) gives and then comes back.”
Several trainers said the surface had a bounce to it.
“It seemed like the horses really sensed it was a new track and they were kind of cautious,” trainer Bruce Headley said.
“My riders said it felt very good to them. They said the horses knew it was different but they bounced along, and so we’re hopeful that it’s what everybody dreams it is.”
Only two horses were timed in workouts, with an estimated 400 horses simply out for a jog or gallop on the new surface.
“I’m getting nothing but positive reactions,” Del Mar general manager Joe Harper said. “I had one trainer tell me the only thing wrong with this track was me standing in the middle of it asking everyone how it is.”
Since the initial installation of 16,000 tons of Polytrack in January, more wax and fibers were added to the mix to improve consistency.
“We’re cautiously optimistic,” racing secretary Tom Robbins said. “We’ll continue to monitor the track on a daily basis to make sure we have it where it is right.”
Tags: Del Mar Race Track, artificial race track, Polytrack
"Del Mar Inaugurates Artificial Race Track" was posted on Friday, July 13th, 2007 at 9:56 am and is filed under Del Mar Race Track, Horse Racing Industry, Race Tracks News, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
Previous Horse Racing News Entry:
Barbaro’s Life To Become a Movie
Next Horse Racing News Entry:
Mohegan Sun Bids for New York Racing
Tuesday, August 14th, 2007 1:08 pm By Horses Wild » Pacific Classic Field at Del Mar Features Lava Man, The King of California Tracks » Horse Racing News. Breeders Cup to Triple Crown, Racing Picks and Betting Tips.
[...] The 17th Pacific Classic will be run on a synthetic surface for the first time, but its Polytrack, a bit different than Hollywood’s Cushion Track. Both are all-weather surfaces. [...]