Rain doesn’t force races off the grass and onto a sloppy dirt course. It provided data on how a synthetic surface performs in New York’s cycle of freezing and thawing temperatures as well as snow and rain.Īn advantage of synthetic surfaces is they provide a consistent, all-weather track. In late 2022, NYRA installed a Tapeta surface on Belmont’s pony track used mostly for jogging horses. ![]() Said Glen Kozak, NYRA senior vice president of operations and capital projects, “The new track represents an investment in the future of Belmont Park that will enhance equine safety, support field size during inclement weather and provide horsemen with another year-round training option.” “I think there were a lot of mistakes, but we’re a a lot smarter now,” Casse said. Heavy usage also wore down the materials quickly, and more watering was often needed to maintain the correct consistency. “If they didn’t have so many issues early on in California, we’d all probably be racing on synthetic tracks,” said Casse, citing the initial steep learning curve involved in installing and maintaining such surfaces.ĭrainage problems cost Santa Anita racing days and the subsequent installation of another brand of synthetic failed to perform adequately under extreme temperatures. Eight horses have died at that track this year - three involved musculoskeletal issues the others had varied reasons. ![]() Golden Gate Fields in the San Francisco Bay area is the only California track still racing on synthetic. Santa Anita, now-defunct Hollywood Park and Del Mar north of San Diego spent millions tearing out their dirt tracks in what proved to be a failed experiment. ![]() It hasn’t taken hold everywhere, however.Ĭalifornia racing officials mandated a switch from dirt to synthetics in 2007.
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