Keeneland going back to dirt

[cj]

Beginning with 2014 fall meeting.

[Tall One]

Originally Posted by cj

Beginning with 2014 fall meeting.

LEXINGTON, Ky. Keeneland announced today that it is converting its main race track from synthetic Polytrack material to a state-of-the-art dirt surface, with a drainage system that will be the first of its kind in North America.

The conversion will take place over the summer, with construction scheduled to begin May 19 and be completed Aug. 15. The track will reopen for training Sept. 1. The Fall Meet begins Oct. 3.

“Keeneland’s mission is to provide the highest level of racing possible, and in order to accomplish that goal going forward, a dirt surface is preferable,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “This dirt track will be a ‘next-generation’ surface, the most extensively researched and most sophisticated in North America. We believe that with the new materials and research available to us today we can build a world-class dirt track that is as safe as our synthetic surface for horses and riders. Their safety absolutely remains our top priority.”

[elhelmete]

Didn't the same article say they're keeping the existing base/drainage? Just at first blush, I'm not digging that but I'm not an expert.

[FantasticDan]

Look for Sinister Minister to come out of retirement

[cj]

Look at the list of horses that have won Keeneland's big races and then look at what they have done on the bigger stage. That is probably reason #1 why dirt is returning. No more G3 turf races posing as G1s.

[Saratoga_Mike]

KEE will be relevant to KY Derby again

[Saratoga_Mike]

What has happened to KEE's handle since they switched to the synthetic track?

[RacingFan1992]

By a show of hands who is happy about the decision. (I sure am.)

[illinoisbred]

Lets hope CDI will deem Arlington worthy of the investment and replace the poly. If not,no one will want to race here next year. And agree CJ..when horses such as Middie and El Gran Estreno win your premiere main track stake,it's time to rethink and remove the stuff.

[JustRalph]

Originally Posted by Saratoga_Mike

What has happened to KEE's handle since they switched to the synthetic track?

mine went to nothing......... just think........a reason to head back to Lexington and visit

[Edward DeVere]

Ken "Kitten's Joy" Ramsey has been placed on suicide watch.

[Leparoux]

Originally Posted by Saratoga_Mike

What has happened to KEE's handle since they switched to the synthetic track?

This is a good question... has the synth hurt the handle?

Great move. Breeders Cup in 2015 or 2016, mark it down.

[Valuist]

Originally Posted by illinoisbred

Lets hope CDI will deem Arlington worthy of the investment and replace the poly. If not,no one will want to race here next year. And agree CJ..when horses such as Middie and El Gran Estreno win your premiere main track stake,it's time to rethink and remove the stuff.

Supposedly 7 years is the life for Polytrack and then new Poly has to be brought in....unless you get rid of it, like you and I hope. I'm still upset how Arlington caved in to public pressure and one media outlet (Chicago Tribune) who was on a smear campaign when they had a breakdown problem back in 2006. Arlington management kept talking about "Keeneland does this, and Keeneland does that and we want the same surface." Hopefully they will emulate Keeneland this time. Love their grass course but the main track is a joke and not playable.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by elhelmete

Didn't the same article say they're keeping the existing base/drainage? Just at first blush, I'm not digging that but I'm not an expert.

I'm pretty sure that was all new when they went to plasti-crap, so should be in good shape.

[olddaddy]

Arlington probably has the nicest facility in US and one of the best grass courses. Bringing back dirt would be nice but without bringing back stables it really doesnt matter.