Truth About Synthetic Surfaces

The (REAL) Truth About Synthetic Surfaces

by BILL FINLEY

Winter 2010 SPONSORED BY

ichard Shapiro doesn’t have long history. According to Califor- trainers, the Thoroughbred owners, Rmuch of anything to do with nia Horse Racing Board records, 14 every track—was in support of this. horse racing these days, something horses died that meet as the result of Every board member but one was in he never imagined possible. His training or racing accidents. Shapiro full support of this and that member grandparents owned three-time believed he had found a solution, [Jerry Moss] abstained. We went into Hollywood Gold Cup winner Na- a way to end the destruction of so this with high hopes and felt maybe we tive Diver, and he still remembers many horses. It was a new racing sur- could stem the increasing number of the thrill he felt every time he’d go face, one that had received nothing fatalities that were occurring.” to the track to watch the great geld- but favorable reviews among Europe- Shapiro wasn’t wrong. ing run. He went to college, ran a an horsemen and racetrack officials, As loud and as angry as the critics harness track, owned horses him- and had a proven record of success may be, the facts are not on the side self and built a successful real estate at Turfway Park, where fatal injuries of the legions of synthetic surface hat- business. In 2005, he accepted the had become nearly non-existent and ers who insist the switch to Polytrack, position as the chairman of the Cal- Cushion Track, Tapeta and Pro-Ride ifornia Horse Racing Board, bring- is well on its way to destroying the ing with him a passion and enthu- “I’m labeled the post- sport. While synthetic surfaces are far siasm for the job and a clear goal: less than perfect and have not been he wanted to make California horse er boy for synthetic the panacea that many had hoped racing every bit as great as it once they would be, they have fulfilled their was. surfaces. I get quite a most important promise, to reduce the These days, his work hours are number of horses that die on the race- spent in his office in Calabasas, Cal- bit of hate mail and track. ifornia, where he runs Winco Asset Though the compilation of data con- Management. He resigned from the hate e-mail.” cerning fatalities on all forms of rac- CHRB position Dec. 16, 2008, being surfaces is still a work in progress, fore his term had expired. He rarely - Richard Shapiro every report done so far on synthetic goes to the racetrack. It’s not that surfaces comes to the same conclusion: Richard Shapiro doesn’t like horse weather-related cancellations had be- when it comes to fatal injuries, syn- racing. It’s that horse racing doesn’t come a thing of the past. thetic surfaces are considerably safer like Richard Shapiro. “In May of 2006, the issue of syn- than conventional dirt racetracks. His crime? He’s the guy who thetic tracks came up for a vote at the According to a report released by forced synthetic racing surfaces on board level,” Shapiro said. “Every or- Dr. Rick Arthur, the California Horse California racing. ganization—the Jockeys’ Guild, the Racing Board’s equine medical direc- “I’m labeled the poster boy for synthetic surfaces,” Shapiro said. “I get quite a bit of hate mail and hate e-mail.” To prove it, he pulls out a folder filled with letters and e-mails he has received. It is large and jammed with papers. “One guy said I should be hung from the Seabiscuit statue at Santa Anita,” Shapiro said. In 2006, Shapiro ordered that all major California racetracks switch to synthetic surfaces by the end of the following year. He did so in the midst of a turbulent time in racing, nationally and in California. Bar- baro’s breakdown in the Preakness

stunned and angered an entire na- PHOTO: HORSEPHOTOS tion. The 2006 Del Mar meet was Under Richard Shapiro’s chairmanship, the CHRB adopted a synthetic surface man- among the deadliest in the track’s date for all major horse racing tracks in California. Winter 2010

TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 2 tor, the state’s racing industry was five Polytrack tracks, there were 57 particularly safe meet at Turfway, averaging 3.09 fatal breakdowns per combined fatalities. (The statistics do where no horses broke down dur- 1,000 starters on dirt racetracks in not include catastrophic breakdowns ing the 2006 winter/spring season, the years prior to the installation occurring during training hours). At but Polytrack continues to outper- of synthetic tracks. Arthur derived form dirt when it comes to safety. In those figures from a study of 80,492 2008, the same five meets produced races run at Bay Meadows, Golden “Without 36 catastrophic breakdowns over Gate Fields, Hollywood Park, Del the synthetic track, 21 fewer than Mar and Santa Anita over 29 racing a doubt, the combined figure for the final meets that preceded the switch to dirt meets. synthetic tracks. synthetic The industry is waiting for what In 52,266 races run over synthetic should be the most comprehensive SPONSORED BY surfaces since the Shapiro-ordered tracks are report yet on track surfaces and safe- mandate went into effect, the num- safer than ty. The Jockey Club is in the midst of ber of fatalities has fallen to 1.68 per compiling an exhaustive amount of 1,000 starters. That’s a 45.6- percent dirt tracks.” data relating to injuries and break- decrease. downs. No date has yet been issued A report done by Martin Collins -Michael Dickinson concerning when the report will be Surfaces and Footing, the company released, and The Jockey Club will that manufactures and sells Poly- the comparable meets that took place not release any information on the track, which is in use at Keeneland, after the installation of Polytrack, the study until it is complete. However, Turfway, Woodbine, Del Mar and number of fatalities dropped to 20, a a source that has seen much of The Arlington, was even more favor- 65-percent decrease. Jockey Club data compiled so far able. At the final dirt meets at the Those numbers were bolstered by a said the final report would shine a favorable light on synthetic tracks. A 13-month pilot program conducted earlier by The Jockey Club showed that the rate of fatal injuries on synthetic tracks was 27.59 percent less than it was on dirt surfaces. “Without a doubt, synthetic tracks are safer than dirt tracks,” said Mi- chael Dickinson, the former trainer who now manufactures and sells the synthetic surface Tapeta. “There have been some bumps in the road with synthetic surfaces in the USA, and it has been a learning experience for manufacturers, track superinten- dents and trainers, but people have already had 100 years to perfect dirt tracks and have failed miserably. People are forgetting the huge public outcry after several high-profile fatalities in big races. We have 58 jockeys under permanent disabil- ity and an estimated 1,000 horse fatalities annually. Those numbers are unacceptable for the public and most decent people.” The numbers would seem to speak for themselves, but they haven’t qui-

PHOTO: HORSEPHOTOS eted or swayed the anti-synthetic Michael Dickinson, former trainer, who now manufactures and sells the synthetic forces or made much of an impact surface Tapeta, inspects the Tapeta surface at Al Quoz in Dubai.

3 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 4 SPONSORED BY

on the overall consciousness of the to wager on races horse racing industry. The simple over these quirky fact is that a lot of people hate syn- surfaces. The reality “I know people thetic tracks. is something en- That includes a lot of gamblers, tirely different. who make a living particularly big bettors. Synthetic Comparing pre- surface racing is definitely differ- synthetic era and by gambling and ent than dirt racing. It doesn’t favor synthetic era han- speed horses, the fields are more dle figures is often those guys don’t bunched up at the finish and some the ultimate ap- horses won’t run their best over ples-to-oranges ex- trust Polytrack.” the surface. It’s different, and that’s ercise. Some tracks something some players don’t like. switched surfaces - gambler Eric Adelson “I know people who make a living in the middle of the gambling and those guys don’t trust year and one, Woodbine, changed over Arlington increased 9.2 percent Polytrack,” said Kentucky-based in the middle of a meet. Santa Anita from 2006 to 2007. According to gambler Eric Adelson. “They’d rath- went from dirt to Cushion Track, figures supplied by the Illinois Rac- er bet a dirt race at Penn National Cushion Track to Pro-Ride, and had ing Board, in 2009, Arlington aver- than bet a race at Keeneland. There to cancel 11 days of racing when the aged $787,592 more in handle per are guys who would bet $20,000 a Cushion Track became unusable. Turf day than it did in 2006, when the day at Keeneland when they ran on races are included in meet handle fig- track last had a dirt surface.

PHOTO: HORSEPHOTOS At Keeneland, 2005 was the last year that both meets were run over a dirt surface. Handle improved dramatically in both 2006 and 2007. The average daily handle for the 2007 spring meet on Polytrack was $2,480,743 more than it was for the 2005 spring meet run over dirt. Keeneland’s numbers have since fallen significantly, but the 2009 figures represent only a minor decrease over the 2005 numbers. Moreover, recent decreases in Keeneland’s handle are due in large part to management’s decision to cut off two offshore rebate shops, Racing and Gaming Services (RGS) and Elite Turf Club. In 2009, Arlington averaged $787,592 more in handle per day with Polytack than it did Del Mar, where the Polytrack era in 2006, when the track last had a dirt surface. debuted at the beginning of the the dirt. They’ll bet Churchill, but ures and obviously have no bearing 2007 meet, is another track where they won’t touch Keeneland. Hand- on how customers have reacted to the comparisons easily can be made. icapping was difficult enough with switch to a synthetic track. With the switch to Polytrack, handle just turf and dirt, and now you’ve But there are some comparisons that increased by 3.2 percent in 2007. It got one more thing to adjust to. come pretty close to an ideal apples- has gone down since, with the 2009 With Polytrack, there are too many to-apples situation, and all of them meet averaging $13,040,512 a day, unknowns. It becomes guesswork. show that bettors have done anything a 3.7 percent decrease over the final Any Polytrack track, the handle goes but flee from synthetic surface tracks. year of dirt racing. down.” Arlington Park last ran on the dirt That Keeneland and Del Mar are That is the perception--that tracks in 2006. A Polytrack surface was in- among synthetic-surface tracks that with synthetic surfaces have seen stalled in time for the beginning of the have experienced recent declines in major declines in handle, all of them 2007 meet, and bettors embraced it. handle has fueled the argument that attributed to the players’ reluctance The average daily, all-sources handle at artificial surfaces are bad for busi-

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PHOTO: HORSEPHOTOS run her in the Breeders’ Cup because of his misgivings about “plastic” surfaces. But Jackson, who declined to be interviewed for this story, isn’t backing down. In a post-Breeders’ Cup article that ran in the Daily Racing Form, he said: “The health of the horse is more important than running in a big race.” Michael Dickinson is among those who believe Jackson’s real problem is a failure to accept Curlin’s defeat SPONSORED BY a year earlier in the Breeders’ Cup Classic over the Pro-Ride surface. Instead of blaming his horse, he seemed to find an easy excuse in the racing surface, Dickinson said. “Jess Jackson blamed the synthetic surface at Santa Anita for Curlin’s defeat in the Breeders’ Cup Clas- Del Mar, which installed Polytrack in 2007. has weathered the gambling downturn bet- sic,” Dickinson began. “He ignores ter than many other racetracks. the fact that in his last two races he ness. Those arguments are easily re- main track at Woodbine is a Poly- struggled to beat inferior opposition; futed. track surface. he was life-and-death to beat Wan- The horse racing business is bad If synthetic tracks are safer and derin Boy and Past the Point, who most everywhere. According to they aren’t leading to declines in have never won a Grade I race be- Equibase, $15.5 billion was wagered handle, then what is the problem? tween them. He was almost certain- in North America in 2006. In 2009, Perhaps, ironically, many critics use ly past his peak from the brilliance the final number dipped to $12.3 the safety issue as their main argu- we had seen in the Breeders’ Cup billion. That’s a 20.6-percent de- ment against synthetic tracks. They the previous year and in the Dubai crease. Some tracks with synthetic believe they are, in fact, dangerous. World Cup. It was obvious that the surfaces may be down in handle, Owner Jess Jackson has been one horse handled the surface and moved but they aren’t down nearly as much of the loudest objectors to synthetic well.” as the North American average. If tracks. Jackson doesn’t seem to like Had Jackson been the only one to anything, synthetic surfaces seem to anything about them and he is the criticize synthetic tracks, it would be have helped tracks prevent the type one who added the word “plastic” to easy to dismiss him as embittered or of devastating handle decreases that the synthetic surface debate, a word misguided, but he is far from alone. are plaguing the rest of the industry. he used every time he referred to Synthetic surface haters are not hard That’s no doubt the case at Wood- synthetic tracks, doing so with ob- to find. bine. Amidst one of the worst eco- vious disdain. Even though Rachel “Artificial surfaces are just too un- nomic times in the history of the Alexandra won a race at Keeneland predictable,” Wayne Lukas said. “It’s sport. Woodbine’s all-sources handle over Polytrack when handled by her not a good race track. It makes good for 2009 increased 7.0 percent. The prior connections, Jackson refused to horses average and average horses

1963 1966 1971

A synthetic Tartan track surface makes its debut Tropical Park installs Tartan Track, a rub- Calder installs a synthetic track, a surface at the Meadows, a harness track near Pittsburgh. berized surface inside the main track. Many called Saf-T-Turf. Calder’s synthetic surface Problems eventually arise with the synthetic track owners and trainers refused to race their remains a work in progress over the next sev- and it is replaced after one year with a traditional horses on the surface. eral years and undergoes a handful of signifi- stone dust surface. cant changes. In 1991, Calder management gives up and installs a traditional dirt surface.

5 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 6 SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY

good.” sport, he is astute and level-headed, problem is always the hind end. It’s Said trainer Darrell Vienna: “Is and his opinions matter. Shirreffs is very difficult because on a dirt track, there anything good about these as anti-synthetic as a trainer can be. if you’re diligent and paying atten- tracks? I think the problem starts “My biggest problem with syn- tion to your horses, you’ll find a little with what the expectations were thetic racing surfaces is that they are heat or filling. You can adjust the and the promises that were made. very difficult on young horses,” he area right away. On a synthetic track, The purveyors of these tracks el- said. ”It seems like until a horse turns you don’t get that heat or filling. By evated the expectations. They told three they don’t do well on synthetic the time the horse is noticeably off, us they would be safer. They told us surfaces. There’s a certain fatigue fac- it’s a much greater problem than it they would be more consistent. They tor. Usually when you train on a tra- would have been had you found out told us they would need less main- ditional surface and put a good foun- earlier.” tenance. They told us they would dation on them, you get that feeling Dr. Foster Northrup, a prominent operate under any conditions. They veterinarian who works the Ken- scored a perfect 100 percent: every tucky circuit, where horses race on one of those things is incorrect.” “I think the both dirt and Polytrack, said that he Even Shapiro is no longer firmly in does in fact see different injuries on the pro-synthetic corner. problem starts dirt and synthetic tracks. “Where we are today? I’m morti- “In my experience, with the syn- fied,” he said. “They have not proven thetic tracks, we’re seeing a lot more to be what we thought they would with what the soft tissue injuries,” he said. “These be.” are injuries that are probably related In many respects, Shapiro is right. expectations to the foot not being able to slide Synthetic tracks were hailed as some- as it was designed to do in nature. thing that would bring horse racing were and the You’re seeing fewer true concussion- out of the dark ages and solve many type injuries, but I’m seeing a lot of the sport’s problems. That hasn’t promises that more suspensory and tendon prob- exactly been the case. Synthetic tracks lems. There are a lot of variables and have been far from perfect and have were made.” we’re still plugging our way through presented a new list of problems that this, but you definitely see different rarely surfaced with dirt tracks. Some -Darrell Vienna types of injuries between Churchill of the anti-synthetic complaints are and Keeneland.” legitimate. they’re getting bigger and stronger But the key question is not wheth- One of the most frequently heard and taking all the right steps. With er synthetic tracks are producing new criticisms is that while synthetic synthetics, the horses just seem tired. injuries, but if these new injuries are tracks may cut down on fatalities, They don’t come out of it bigger or so rampant and serious that they out- they cause a number of injuries that stronger or faster.” weigh whatever positive impact syn- did not necessarily occur on dirt. Shirreffs said he’s never had more thetic tracks have had on the over- Numerous California-based trainers problems keeping his horses healthy. all well-being of the Thoroughbred. insist that their problems with un- “I find the attrition rate is very That’s exactly the question Dr. Jeff sound horses increased significantly high on synthetics,” he said. “There Blea, president of the Southern Cali- once California went synthetic. are a lot of injuries in the mornings fornia Equine Foundation, is trying Among them is John Shirreffs. One and those horses don’t even reach the to answer. Dr. Blea is in the midst of of the most respected trainers in the races in the afternoons. It seems the a detailed one-year study of injuries

1987 1988 1989

British equestrian and entrepreneur Martin Remington Park installs Equitrack. It is re- The era of flat racing over all-weather tracks be- Collins installs the first Polytrack surface at the moved and replaced with a traditional dirt sur- gins in England as Lingfield hosts Europe’s first yard of English trainer Richard Hannon. face in 1991. race over a synthetic surface. The first races are run over Equitrack, but Lingfield eventually switches to Polytrack.

5 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 6

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he engineered synthetic top layer is composed of recycled poly- Tpropylene fibers, recycled rubber and silica sand. All of the components are carefully weighed, mixed and thoroughly coated with wax. The wax coating prevents moisture absorption, allowing water to flow quickly through the top surface into the vertical drainage system. The vertical drainage system is comprised of a layer of porous macadam, drainage stone and a system of drainage pipes that carry water away from underneath the track.

2004 2005 2006

Keeneland, eager to usher in a synthetic surface The first synthetic surface race in the U.S. since Keeneland converts its main track to Polytrack, era in the U.S., converts its five-eighths-of-a-mile 1991 is held as the Turfway Park fall meet kicks and the fall meet is conducted over a synthetic training track to Polytrack. off over a Polytrack surface. surface.

Woodbine Racecourse debuts its Polytrack surface in August.

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at the Southern California tracks. He Photo: Sarah K. Andrew has enlisted several on-track veterinarians, who are providing him with the records of their clients’ horses. The study will be concluded May 1, 2010 and the data will then be sent to an epidemiologist. In the meantime, Dr. Blea has begun to form some opinions. He agrees that synthetics are causing an increase in soft tissue injuries, like suspensory problems. Yet, Dr. Blea believes the bottom line is that synthetic tracks are indeed helping to keep Southern California’s horse population healthier. “These synthetic surfaces, when they are good, they are very, very Santa Anita’s Cushion Track was replaced by Pro-Ride after disastrous drainage prob- good,” he said. “Bottom line, I do lems surfaced. think they are safer, when they are year for which complete statistics are are 17 times more likely to cause a good. That’s the caveat. They have to available, the average combined field suspensory injury. Even though the be in good shape and properly main- size at the same tracks was 8.0. Larg- trainers have been warned of this, tained. er average field size would seem to they still insist on using toe-grabs.” “Catastrophic deaths are down, indicate a sounder horse population. Presque Isle reported a breakdown and that’s important. Looking at the Dickinson, whose Tapeta surface rate of four horses from 5,677 start- different types of injuries versus what was installed at Presque Isle Downs ers, or .07 percent, in 2008, one of we used to see on dirt, I do think in 2008, said that he surveyed the the lowest in the country. synthetic tracks are safe because I 20 top trainers after the initial meet- Nowhere is the anti-synthetic sen- don’t think the injuries we have now ing and they reported no suspensory timent stronger than it is in Califor- are as devastating or create as many injuries or bowed tendons. In 2009, nia, which is understandable consid- career-ending scenarios as what we he said, “the top 10 trainers reported ering what has happened at Santa had in the past.” one tendon among them.” Anita. The numbers regarding field size “I have also heard about soft tissue Cushion Track, a synthetic surface seem to back up Blea’s findings. At injuries at some tracks, and it is of- manufactured by an English compa- all four California tracks where syn- ten a maintenance issue.” Dickinson ny, was first installed at Hollywood thetic surfaces were installed, average said. “As a trainer, I found that a few Park and got through the first meet field sizes are larger now than they horses suffered from minor muscular there without any significant prob- were at the final meets run over dirt soreness in the hind end, but after lems. Encouraged by what they saw surfaces. a massage, hot towels and ice, these at Hollywood, Santa Anita officials In 2005, the last year where every aches disappeared in a few days. The decided to go with Cushion Track California race meet was run over trainers who complain most about when it came to pick a synthetic sur- dirt, average field size statewide at the soft tissue have been known to be ob- face manufacturer. Cushion Track major California tracks was 7.5 start- sessed with toe-grabs. Dr. Sue Stover made its Santa Anita debut Sept. 26, ers per race. In 2008, the most recent of U.C.-Davis reports that toe-grabs 2007. It passed its first few tests, but

2006 2008 2009

The California Horse Racing Board makes it Santa Anita’s Cushion Track is inundated by The California Horse Racing Board informs the mandatory for all major tracks in the state to several days of rain and does not drain prop- state’s four major racetracks that synthetic install a synthetic surface by Jan. 1 erly. The problems lead Santa Anita to cancel surfaces are no longer mandatory. 11 days of racing. Hollywood Park becomes the first California track to convert to a synthetic surface, install- ing a product called Cushion Track.

TDN Magazine, WINTER 2010 | 8 7 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 8 Where the Turf Meets the Surf

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The 2006 Winter/Spring meet at Turfway, its first on Polytrack, produced no fatal injuries. disaster was not far away. yet another cancellation in January, horses primarily prep in the fall Synthetic surfaces are supposed to 2010, prompting ownership to pon- on the dirt, started a combined 10 be impervious to water, which was der a return to dirt. horses in non-turf races in the Breed- among their main selling points. But Santa Anita hosted the Breeders’ ers’ Cup. None won and only one the Santa Anita Cushion Track de- Cup in 2008 and 2009. Though (Ready’s Echo, the 2nd-place fin- teriorated in early 2008 to a point both editions of the Breeders’ Cup isher in the 2009 Dirt Mile) finished where it wouldn’t drain. Heavy rains concluded without any injuries or better than fifth. left standing water on the racetrack, reported problems, the critics found The issue that could potentially and the track was deemed unsafe. new reason to fault synthetic tracks. do the most damage to the reputa- Santa Anita had to cancel 11 days Both years, the non-turf races were tion of synthetic surfaces is not what of racing in January and February of dominated by horses that had had harm they may or may not cause 2008 because of track-related prob- some success on synthetic tracks, horses, but how safe they are for lems. while the horses who had been rac- jockeys. That was never an issue un- Those few weeks represented a ing on dirt were more or less non- til the 2009 Arlington meet. Jockeys nadir for synthetic surfaces. Track factors. These were championship Rene Douglas and Michael Straight management had been told that races, yet they seemed to be won not were both paralyzed during the meet they would hold up to any weather by the best horses, but by the horses after falling and hitting the Polytrack conditions, and, suddenly, there was who handled the track the best. surface. a synthetic track that had to be com- In 2008 and 2009, not one horse That two jockeys were paralyzed pletely shut down because it couldn’t who last raced on the dirt won a within a short period of time at one handle a rainy stretch. Breeders’ Cup synthetic surface race. track may be nothing more than a (Santa Anita President Ron In future Breeders’ Cups run on syn- tragic coincidence. Or it could be Charles declined to talk to the Thor- thetic surfaces, Jess Jackson may not a direct result of the racing surface. oughbred Daily News for this story). be the only horseman taking a pass. Which was it? It’s a question jockeys Santa Anita was left with no choice “We have less of a presence in Cali- everywhere are starting to ask. but to tear out the Cushion Track, fornia than we would if they still had “I do know for a fact that when which had cost about $10 million to dirt tracks,” trainer Todd Pletcher you fall on it, it’s a lot harder on put in in the first place. Santa Anita said. “The Breeders’ Cup is a unique you,” said jockey Richard Migliore. called in still another manufacturer, situation. It’s hard to pass those races “It seems like when you fall on dirt the Pro-Ride company. Eventually, just because of the surface. But the or turf, you hit and then bounce and Cushion Track was replaced with synthetic tracks certainly affect your roll. It kind of disperses the energy the Pro-Ride surface, which had not confidence, especially with the hors- a little bit. I fell on this track [at experienced any extraordinary prob- es who have never been on it.” Santa Anita] about a year ago, and lems until torrential rains caused In 2008 and 2009, Pletcher, whose I got planted. I didn’t get hurt, but I

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was sore for a month. You see more What’s the best possible racing sur- surface manufacturers, but from in- blunt force kind of trauma. There face? Synthetic? Dirt? What kind of dustry giants like Churchill Downs, have been some catastrophic injuries synthetic? What mixture of dirt? He’s The Jockey Club, the NTRA, NYRA, with riders, as we know, though I hoping to figure that out. He wants Oak Tree, and the California Associ- don’t know if it would have been dif- to find the answers that have eluded ation of Racing Fairs.) ferent on dirt. Jockeys are definitely PHOTO: HORSEPHOTOS An industry that had always starting to wonder. There’s no doubt seemed content to work in the dark about that.” has begun to embrace science, par- Woodbine jockey Chad Beckon ticularly when it comes to anything and Keeneland rider Julia Brimo also that might reduce injuries and break- suffered serious injuries in 2009 as downs. The impetus may have been the result of spills on synthetic sur- the fatal, high-profile injuries suf- faces, in both cases Polytrack tracks. fered by Barbaro and Eight Belles. It Jockeys’ Guild President John may have taken a public outcry for Velazquez admitted his organization the industry to finally become proac- is concerned about the recent rash of tive, but it is now clearly interested serious injuries on synthetic tracks in tackling its safety issues. Peterson’s and will continue to monitor the role will be an important one. situation. He chooses his words carefully “It’s definitely something we have and he says that, with further study, to keep our eye on and ask questions there’s no reason why dirt racetracks to see if it is safe for jockeys or not,” can’t become much safer than they Velazquez said. “A lot of people like are, but he sees a lot of potential in it and a lot of people hate it. Hope- synthetic surfaces. fully, there won’t be any more acci- “The biggest thing that was driv- dents. The riders are definitely con- ing most people was that [synthetic cerned, especially the people who “No matter how tracks] were supposed to be safer, are riding on those racetracks all the and we are seeing that,” Peterson time. They are definitely worried and much people may said. “No matter how much people definitely thinking, `If I fall, will this may complain, the numbers we have happen to me?’’’ complain, the seen so far all indicate that synthet- Mick Peterson had heard all of the ic tracks are safer. They may not be complaints about synthetic surfaces, numbers we have producing the 95-percent reduction and hopes to solve all of the valid in fatalities that we saw the first year ones. As for those which are are base- seen so far all indi- at Del Mar, but people have short less, he would like to debunk the memories. Everyone thought Del myths. cate that synthetic Mar was so awful this year, but it was In a garage behind a modest white still better than it was during the dirt house in Orono, Maine, about 250 tracks are safer.” years.” miles from the nearest Thoroughbred - Mick Peterson Peterson believes that the main racetrack, Peterson is studying racing reason synthetic tracks are safer is be- surfaces. A professor with a Ph.D. in the industry for more than a century cause they are uniform. Dirt tracks, Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, and come up with the perfect racing he said, tend to be uneven, with he looks, acts and talks just like you’d surface–or the surface that comes some areas harder than others, some expect of a professor with a Ph.D. in closest to being perfect. deeper than others, some wetter than Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. others. He’s a very smart guy. This is his job, his passion and “A horse can adapt to a hard track, With machines, laboratory glass- his mission. Peterson, on sabbatical a soft track, a cuppy track--really, any ware and other gadgets everywhere, from his teaching job at the Univer- kind of surface,” he said. “If you tell he is studying a number of race- sity of Maine and now the head of me that one stride to another is go- tracks, looking into such things as the industry-funded Racing Surfaces ing to be different, then the horse triaxial shear strength, sieve separa- Testing Laboratory, probably knows doesn’t have a chance. We’re seeing tion, microscopy and other com- more about racing surfaces than less variation on synthetic tracks.” ponents of track surfaces that are anyone in the world. (The funding Yet Peterson admits that synthetic well beyond the grasp of most of us. primarily comes not from synthetic- tracks can be better than they are.

TDN Magazine, WINTER 2010 | 10 9 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 10

11 SPONSORED BY any better than the type of tracks wetracks of type the than better any be to track dirt a get to going we’reever that know don’t I could. we all dirt the worked we think I good. really consistently is that something with up end might you where nity opportu- of window a is there and trackswe usedtohave.dirt the than worse no were they pened, hap- that when But material. the of troubles make-up the and and maintenance with mistakes been have when there times been have There better than anything we’ve ever seen. they’rewe’vewhen fornia, times had Cali- in here synthetics the “With we’vethan had,”ever said. Mandella we’re going to have something better maybe then them, of out kinks the get we if that, thought the on based proponent. synthetic surface a is he says he why is which well, as potential their in believes Mandella over.thing elsehorsesmightrun any- than safer much are they where point a to advance may tracks thetic syn- time, given that, optimistic is doesn’t,what and works what ing he tendents and scientists are still learn- superin- track manufacturers, that and time, of period short a only for around been have they Considering PHOTO: HORSEPHOTOS “There is still learning going on, going learning still is “There is support and enthusiasm “My Richard trainer Fame of Hall TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 else is Dennis Moore at Hollywood at Moore Dennis is else anyone than more out this figured has who person The maintenance. to comes it when advancements of alot made already have tracks The ticeable improvement with all tracks. no- be will there years, five to three “In said. Peterson improving,” tally incremen- already are we and prove on. handle a get to yet have intendents tracks and other problems that track super- the in inconsistencies cause waxes melting and oils Frozen heit. Fahren- degrees 21 about at freeze will temperature room at liquid are that oils same The tracks. synthetic lems with some of the oils that are in prob- been also have There fall. and rise temperatures the as changes wax wax in them, and the composition of have tracks synthetic All face. faces sur- synthetic that problem vexing most the tem- is says he in which perature, fluctuations with deal to every day. answers the to closer little a inching is Peterson,who like people ture.” fu- the to comes it when light see some and dungeon the of out get to chance our is This had. always have “I think we will incrementally im- incrementally will we think “I how on working currently is He in faith his placing is Mandella geon and see some light had. This is our chance better than the type of we’re ever going to get the tracks every few years.” few the tracksevery with a magic juice that can be put on happy.we’rethink I handicappers up end to going the make will which racing, the of consistency the in and data injury the in “You’llit said. see think you’ll see I the effects of this,” but he headline, a be not may Park’ other year. every track the to reapplied be can new, that finding oils be inexpensive to appears solution The years. first their in did they as years fourth or third their in well as performed not have tracks artificial some why plain over time, which he believes may ex- surface the of base the into seep to tend tracks synthetic in oils the that discovered has He tracks. synthetic to added be can that oil of kind lar particu- has a with experimenting made colleagues his of one progress hot, justdumpwateronit.” thing too gets track the when water; called magical this have We tures. tempera- other at uses he that tool deeper a has he Then master. gallop a gets warmer,bit little the to back goes he it when and certain temperatures, at harrow power a uses he where together put has he that tocol Park.He’s pro-maintenance this got tracks we have always to get out of the dun- a dirt track to be any when it comes to the eesn s lo okn o ways on working also is Peterson Hollywood for chosen oil “‘New the by encouraged is Peterson “I don’t know that - Richard Mandella future. ”

D aaie itr21 12 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY to make synthetic tracks more giving borrows many of its components way. Track surfaces will continue to when it comes to the hoof hitting from the artificial surfaces? Stover evolve. With that in mind, should we the surface. Veterinarians believe that isn’t sure, but she tends to believe continue on with synthetic surfaces? one of the reasons synthetic surfaces that synthetic tracks have more plus- The answer is definitely yes.” may be causing injuries that weren’t es than minuses. necessarily seen on dirt tracks is that “The synthetic surfaces that we have Will anything convert the uncon- the hoof tends to hit the surface and seen have potential because, with verted or stop the incendiary rhetoric spring right back up. Ideally, the hoof them, we’ve measured smaller peak from critics like Jess Jackson? There should be allowed to slide some, and loads on the horse’s limbs,” she said. are a lot of people out there who not the track should have some give to it. “We’ve measured lower acceleration, only dislike synthetic tracks, but are “Too little slide is what they’re so it’s less jarring to the bones of the intent on ridding the sport of this starting to see with synthetic tracks,” limb. But, we have a long way to go. perceived menace. These are not Peterson said. “It’s grabby. You can Since Henry Ford built the Model people likely to change their minds. see it in the hoof print. There is no T, the auto industry has come a long “I am sure that we will return to elongation of the hoof print on the dirt in California,” Shirreffs said. surface of the track. What you really “The industry is going to demand need is some slide, but not too much To fully under- it. Among owners and trainers, there slide. aren’t many out here who are happy “We’re already seeing improve- stand why so with the way the surfaces are now.” ments in this area. Turfway and Hol- Shirreffs, at least, is able to articu- lywood seem to have a little more many people so late why he dislikes synthetic tracks slide than some of the other tracks. dislike something and has a credible reason for his de- Nobody knows yet how much slide sire to return to dirt. Ask others why is enough, but there is a little more that has apparent- they dislike synthetic tracks so much slide on some of these tracks and ly saved the lives and their answers are usually along that’s a step in the right direction. the lines of this: “I just do.” There is going to be the ability to of a lot of horses To fully understand why so many fine tune these tracks. Toward the people so dislike something that has end of the 2009 meet at Arlington, may require an apparently saved the lives of a lot we made a lot of progress there, too, advanced degree horses may require an advanced de- on the slide issue. A lot of that had to gree in psychology, but the answer do with maintenance tools and loos- in psychology. has to start with this: synthetic tracks ening up the surface.” are different and a lot of people don’t At the University of California- Davis, Dr. Sue Stover heads a group that is doing another study that will likely lead to improvements in track surfaces. Various types of surfaces have been duplicated in small 4 by 4 by 4 boxes, an easy and cost-effective way to study racing surfaces. “Our interest is in determining mechanical behaviors of surfaces that optimize horse locomotion and prevent injury,” Dr. Stover said. Stover believes that her group can find the optimal qualities among a variety of different racing surfaces, particularly when it comes to what properties seem to put horses at the greatest risks. By doing so, she believes she can come up with a recipe of sorts, one that will create the best Photo: Sarah K. Andrew racing surface possible. Will that be a Despite Zenyatta’s 13 wins on synthetic surfaces, trainer John Shirreffs is not a fan. syntheticTDN track Magazine, or at least WINTER a track 2010 that | 12

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PHOTO: HORSEPHOTOSwas not correct; the data showed that “The synthetic synthetic tracks were, in fact, safer. tracks have been The problem occurred because a pre- blamed for every- senter at The Jockey Club’s Welfare thing from the and Safety of the Racehorse summit Lindbergh baby misinterpreted some of the available on. The one thing information and made some errors synthetic surface during her talk. critics have done An August 2009 report in the Los well is manage Angeles Times featured the head- to get themselves line “Thoroughbreds suffer a higher number of fatal injuries on synthet- SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY heard. They are opinionated, im- ic surfaces than dirt.” It included passioned, loud the information that there were 19 and relentless. deaths in 2008 at California tracks on synthetics that were directly re- -Joe Harper lated to hind-end injuries, and just one death on dirt surfaces related like different. themselves heard. They are opinionat- to a hind-end injury. That led the Be it at a racetrack or anywhere ed, impassioned, loud and relentless. reporter to conclude that when it else, people are often uncomfort- “I don’t know what’s going to hap- came to hind-end injuries, synthetic able with anything new. They cling pen here in the future, but the loud- surfaces were much more dangerous to what they know and what they est-mouthed trainers right now would than dirt. understand, even if that means act- prefer dirt,” said California Thor- What the reporter apparently ing and thinking irrationally and oughbred Trainers President Jim Cas- didn’t understand was that the vast ignoring the type of injury data sidy. “There are a lot of people who majority of all main track races that leaves no doubt that synthetic like [synthetics] and have had decent in California are run on synthetic tracks are safer. luck with it, but they’re not saying tracks. With only Fairplex and the Disliking synthetic tracks is not anything.” Northern California fair tracks still only easy, it’s convenient. For own- Being quiet doesn’t win a public racing on the dirt, it was hardly a ers, trainers, breeders and gamblers, relations war, which is what is going surprise that synthetic surfaces pro- there has never been a better excuse on within the industry, particularly duced more fatal hind end injuries than synthetic tracks. Why blame in California. Many among the pro- than dirt surfaces. The entire article yourself or your horses when there synthetic forces have come to realize was based on a badly flawed premise. is such a readily available scapegoat that the problem isn’t necessarily with “It’s not clear whether or not there out there? synthetic tracks, but how the tracks are more hind-end injuries on syn- Why did the horse run so badly? have been perceived. If perception is thetics,” said Dr. Arthur. “The press It must be the synthetic track. reality, then reality doesn’t matter. grossly overstated it and took it out Why am I 0-for-29 at the meet? “From a safety standpoint, yes, these of context.” Because I’m forced to run over this tracks have been successful,” said Jim Those were just two examples of rotten surface. Pendergast, the general manager of where a media report shed an un- Why haven’t I picked a winner Polytrack’s U.S division. “From a favorable light on synthetic tracks. in three days and have lost $500 public relations standpoint, no, we Sometimes it seems that any break- at Keeneland? Because those idiots haven’t been successful at all.” down on a synthetic track creates a put in Polytrack. Who can handi- Even the media, whether intention- stir that winds up reported some- cap races run over this stuff? ally or not, has played a role in unfair- where. Why didn’t Curlin win the 2008 ly fanning the flames against synthetic “There are prominent people in the Breeders’ Cup? Plastic. surfaces. industry who have said we are see- “The synthetic tracks have been A March, 2008 article in the Daily ing just as many injuries as before,” blamed for everything from the Racing Form reported that data col- Pendergast said. “But they don’t have Lindbergh baby on,” said Del Mar lected during the first six months of statistics to back that up. Anybody President and CEO Joe Harper. 2007 showed that there was no signif- can say whatever they want to. Once The one thing synthetic surface crit- icant difference between fatality rates it gets in the press, it becomes gospel. ics have done well is manage to get on dirt and synthetic tracks. The article What you have is a snowball effect.

13 | TDN Magazine, WINTER 2010 13 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 | 14 SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY

People don’t see the real numbers, and there have been incidents where ick Peterson, the ex- the numbers have been skewed. We Mecutive director of the keep getting hit with that, and it’s industry-funded Racing Surfaces really hard for us to make a case for Testing Laboratory, isn’t just in- ourselves when numbers come out terested in synthetic surfaces. His that aren’t accurate or are taken out goal to is find formulas that can of context.” improve all racing surfaces. Had the expectation levels for Peterson said that moisture synthetic tracks not been so high content is the primary problem at the outset, perhaps people would for most dirt tracks. When they get wet, they can become uneven and unsafe. now feel differently about them. Because synthetic tracks drain vertically and are designed to dry out almost They came around at a time when immediately, they are not affected by moisture. “If we could ever control PHOTO: HORSEPHOTOS moisture content really closely on a dirt track I think we’d be there,” he said. “You look at the dirt tracks that are the safest and part of it is climate. The dirt tracks that have always struggled are the ones that have to deal with things like the San Gabriel winds. In California, it’s always been a struggle out there with moisture content. They’ll get just about all the rain they’re going to get for the whole year in 72 hours, and then they’ll have drying winds week after week where you cannot put enough water on “We can help make the track to keep up. The water is an over- them better. We may whelming challenge for dirt tracks and if we can not make them as good improve that, I think as a very good synthetic we can bring dirt tracks really close to synthetic Keeneland joined forces with Martin Col- surface when it comes surfaces.” lins in 2004 to distribute Polytrack. Another challenge the U.S. racing industry was look- to safety, but I think on dirt tracks is the ing for something to save it from we can get them to the base. That the bases itself. The breakdowns of Barbaro, at all synthetic tracks George Washington and Eight point where they are 90 were redone could Belles had produced a public rela- have something to do tions nightmare. The average field percent as good.” with why they appear size at virtually every U.S. track was to be safer than dirt dropping sharply every year. So was tracks.“Base maintenance is still what I consider the biggest issue on a lot the number of career starts made by of the dirt tracks,” he said. “There are dirt tracks where the base is fine, like the average horse. Churchill Downs. There’s nothing wrong with the base. The thing is rock Were synthetic surfaces the an- solid all the way around. There are other dirt tracks that struggle with their swer everyone was searching for? It base, where the base is a mess.” was everyone’s hope that they were. The answer to making better dirt tracks, Peterson believes, is research. In When the first U.S. synthetic sur- his lab in Orono, Maine, he continues to test every aspect of dirt tracks, from face debuted at Turfway Park Sept. their composition to what is needed to make a perfect base to how to make 7, 2005, the first night of racing at them uniform to how various types of weather affect the tracks. the Northern Kentucky track was He’s already come to the conclusion that some tracks and areas of the treated as the beginning of a new, country are better suited for synthetic tracks, while some are a better fit for better era in Thoroughbred racing. dirt. “Turfway was a beautiful choice to put down a synthetic track,” he said. That the first few Turfway meets “Would I switch Fair Grounds to it? That would be foolish. That’s a track that went so well only raised expecta- has had a great history when it comes to safety with dirt. You think about tions. There had been six fatal ac- winter in New Orleans, that’s not the same thing as winter in Cincinnati or cidents during racing at the 2004 Northern Kentucky. Those differences matter.” Turfway fall meet and none at the

TDN Magazine, Summer 2009 | 14 13 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 | 14

Types and Locations

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An Australian-based company, Morphetville Racecourse Pro-Ride established a North American presence when it was Broadmeadow Racecourse chosen to refurbish and eventu- Gosford Race Club ally replace Cushion Track at Santa Santa Anita Anita in 2008.

15 | TDN Magazine, winter 2010

15 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 16 SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY corresponding meet a year later. In them, some are against them, both surfaces. They are too hard and too subsequent meets at Turfway, the re- sides are passionate, and they don’t many horses are getting hurt.’ I told sults were much the same–the num- like one another. The debate has got- Bob I’d be more than happy to look ber of fatalities was down dramati- ten so heated that it has gone well into it.” cally. beyond constructive. Synthetic surfaces got off to a rea- “A lot of this came about when “It’s no longer what’s right and sonably good start in California. Types and Locations Keeneland went with Polytrack and what’s wrong,” said Mandella. “It Field sizes immediately increased they put it in at Turfway,” said Dr. just became one side versus the other. and injury rates fell noticeably. Be- Arthur. “They immediately saw an It’s come to a point where we’re really tween training and racing, there were 85-percent reduction in racing fatali- hurting racing by all the hatred and 14 fatalities at Del Mar over the dirt ties. It looked like a very simple solu- fighting.” surface in 2006, and Del Mar was tion.” That’s not what anybody expect- forced to deal with an overwhelm- It turns out that synthetic tracks ed or wanted when the Shapiro-led ing amount of negative publicity. do not cause an 85-percent reduc- California Horse Racing Board man- In 2007, with a Polytrack surface in tion in injuries, or anything close to dated that the state’s major tracks go place, the number of catastrophic it. When the actual numbers started synthetic. Rather, Shapiro believed breakdowns was down to six, with coming in at 30 to 40 percent, they that he was doing what horsemen just two of them happening in the seemed disappointing. wanted. afternoon. “It’s the same thing with any new “You kept looking up and kept see- “The first year of the Polytrack at technology,” Peterson said. “If you ing the increasing number of fatali- Del Mar, the times were very slow oversell it and your expectations are ties in horses, which was very trou- and the horses didn’t look like they too high, there’s going to be a prob- bling to me,” Shapiro said. “One were racing,” Arthur said. “But it was lem. You can see why trainers, espe- day I’m at Clockers’ Corner at Santa the safest track I have ever seen. Even cially ones in California, are frustrat- Anita and Bob Baffert comes up to some of the people who hated it will ed. They are isolated out there and me. I think Bob is a great guy and agree with that.” a lot of them are struggling to keep I like Bob very much, but he is out- The synthetic surface era seemed their gig together. I think that’s why spoken. He says to me, ‘Richard, you to be getting off to a good start in a lot of them get so emotional about need to do something. We can’t get California. Shapiro was among those this. They were told this was going any owners from the East to send heralding the synthetic surface man- to solve all their problems. Take the their horses out here. We’re going to date as an unqualified success. guy with a small stable who has two die out here unless we fix these track In late 2007, he told the Blood- or three horses and they get hurt over Horse he was “ecstatic” with the re- a synthetic track. That person, after sults of the mandate. what they were led to believe, isn’t “You can see why train- “Just look at the results,” he told going to have a very balanced opin- the magazine. “Field sizes are up. ion about synthetic tracks.” ers, especially ones in Wagering, especially from out of state, has increased dramatically. We California, are frus- have hundreds more horses coming Rick Arthur is exasperated. He’s into the state from everywhere.” respected, accessible, knowledgeable trated. They are isolated He was particularly encouraged by and has the ear of California regula- the apparent decline in injuries. tors. That’s the problem. His position out there and a lot of “No surface is going to be 100-per- has placed him in the middle of the cent perfect for animals as powerful California’s heated synthetic surface them are struggling to as thoroughbreds running on ankles debate. Have a beef about synthetic little bigger than your wrist,” he re- surfaces? Go see Dr. Arthur. keep their gig together. marked. “But injuries are way down “I’ll be honest with you. I’m tired at each of the tracks with synthetic of the animosity and nastiness over I think that’s why a lot tracks. So, overall, I’m ecstatic. I synthetic surfaces,” he said. “It’s ex- couldn’t be more pleased with the hausted all of us out here in Califor- of them get so emo- results.” nia.” But it didn’t take long for senti- Dr. Arthur said synthetic surfaces tional about this.” ment to change. have become California racing’s ver- Though the 2007 meet at Del sion of Proposition 8. Some are for -Mick Peterson Mar got good marks when it came

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MEDIA: Thoroughbred Daily News BLEED: ISSUE DATE: Q1 - 2010 TRIM/LIVE: 8.5”x 11” FILE NAME: TVG_TBDN_ad_full_page COLOR: 4C+B SPONSORED BY 17 the charge to have Southern Califor - longs afteritstime,” Vienna said. that was before its time and now be- of synthetictrackseverywhere. terrevolution that will spark the end coun- a lead will state their hoping revolution, now are horsemen California some surface synthetic the ing hadtobescrapped. rac- of days 11 and wouldn’tdrain Track Cushion Anita’s Santa when away washed largely was California tracks had accumulated in Southern saster.synthetic will good Whatever di- a of short nothing became track synthetic Anita’s Santa meet, Mar ing surface. speed-favor- more to its and horses Saratoga his sent he Harper, Joe with argument heated a After him. Del Mar was no longer the place for decided Zayat Ahmed owner that disadvantage a such at be to seemed speed early with Horses 2:07.29. in run was Classic Pacific GI quarter mile-and-a- the when than evident more never was which nation, the It was among the slowest in surfaces played. track the how with weren’thappy horsemen some safety, to ina s mn toe leading those among is Vienna idea an are surfaces “Synthetic in way the led California as Just Del the after months five About TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 In the midst of a recession, Del Mar problems. the fiscal having in is country, state other every virtually like which, California, of state the would entail. surface Pro-Ride the out ripping expense major of type the undertake to tion Magna would seem to be in no position, which has filed for bankruptcy. Corpora- Entertainment Magna of it withdirt. tear out their Cushion Track to and replace take would it millions the invest to them for sense any wouldn’tmake It around. turns market estate real the once so do likely will property,the the develop and and track raze to intends that company best we canwithwhatwe have.” “Allfan. the do surface is do can we synthetic Harty,a Eoin trainer said aren’ttracks anywhere,”these going trackswon’ton theartificial beeasy. plug the pulling surfaces, synthetic beyond well go that problems has which racing, California Southern dirt. But, considering the realities of to back go tracks major nia’s three going to do if they go go they if do to going fatalities dissapears?” fatalities back to dirt and the the and dirt to back and that could hap could that and Del Mar’s facilities are owned by owned are facilities Mar’sDel hands the remainsin SantaAnita a by owned is Park Hollywood here, out on what’sgoing “With we’ve seen in racing racing in seen we’ve 40 percent decrease decrease percent 40 pen. What are they they are What pen. “People talk about about talk “People going back to dirt, dirt, to back going -Rick Arthur - of thissport. self-interests the to vital is horse the ic supporters argue that the safety of be possibly Synthet- this? than important more causing be may they problems whatever Can animals. to cruel was sport the that perception the alter to needed desperately try indus- the when time a at so done lives of hundreds of horses and have disappears?” fatalities racing in we’veseen crease de- percent 40 the and dirt to back What are they going problem. to do if they go a be will that Even pen. ing back to dirt, and that could hap- go- about talk People time. us give will critics the hope just I solvable. are they but problems, are “There said. he promising,” very them er consid- I but time, prime for ready doesn’t think that’s such a bad thing. to Arthur learn surfaces. synthetic with deal and adapt to but choice ture, California horsemen have little fu- foreseeable the for maybe, and, term, short the for least At forever. racing California changed decision that and did, he But it.” mandated have shouldn’t we “Maybe admits, Shapiro Even surfaces. synthetic to Board switch to tracks Racing forced have should Horse California there don’t appeartobe.” from the veterinarian reports we see, now,Right more?thereare but ries, inju- different about things heard than the dirt track was. I’ve seen and better is Mar Del at track synthetic the that you tell numbers good. raw The any isn’t track our so mer, sum- this track the on died horses said. Harper mistake,’” huge a was this point where we’re ready to say, ‘Boy, still believe inPolytrack. officials Mar Del Besides, track. its replacing of expense the justifying and the state would have a hard time Eey ttsi ta cms out comes that statistic “Every the saved have surfaces Synthetic “I’m not sure synthetic tracks were the believe doesn’t Arthur Dr. the at are us don’tof “I any think I cnt ut e wl, four well, be, just can’t “It

TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 18 SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY “Every statistic that comes out says that these tracks are safer. This sport can’t say our No. 1 priority is the safety of our horses and our riders and ignore these statistics.” -Nick Nicholson After putting Polytrack down on the training track in 2004, Keeneland converted its main track in 2006 says that these tracks are safer,” said and auto racing do and not have a ‘Network.’ I was mad as hell and Nick Nicholson, the president and deep and honest commitment to wasn’t going to take it anymore. chief executive officer of Keeneland, safety–not in the society we live in Breakdowns turn people away every a part-owner of the company that today. You will be called out and day. I will tell you, it makes me sick. manufactures Polytrack. “They’re spotted for what you are. That’s It repulses me. All we were trying to just safer, and you can’t throw that what I think will determine the fu- do was help fix a very serious prob- fact out. You can’t hide from that ture.” lem.” fact. This sport can’t say our No. 1 The people who send hate mail to Shapiro’s financial world came priority is the safety of our horses Richard Shapiro won’t like hearing crashing down when it was discov- and our riders and ignore these sta- that, nor is it likely to calm their vit- ered that Bernard Madoff had stolen tistics.” riol. Shapiro is tired of hearing from his money. Shapiro, who invested his There are nine North American them. During a difficult time in his life savings with Madoff, says that racetracks with synthetic tracks, life, he doesn’t need this. he was left virtually penniless due to but no others are ready to join the “I’m extremely disappointed that the scam. He’s also been in trouble list, for reasons that include the people have lost sight of what my with the legal system, having been expense, the Santa Anita Cushion intentions were,” Shapiro said. “Is it charged with one felony count of Track debacle and the negative pub- hurtful? Yes, it is hurtful. I honestly vandalism after being caught keying licity synthetic tracks have received. don’t understand why people are so the car of owner Jerry Jamgotchian, But Nicholson believes the tide will hate-filled, and that part is some- an unrelenting critic of Shapiro and turn, that the safety issue will lead thing that has left a very bad taste in synthetic tracks. racing leaders to reconsider their de- my mouth about this industry. Shapiro doesn’t try to hide the fact cisions to stay with dirt. “I look at this industry, which I that he has been through hell. “Look at what happened with grew up in, which has been a pas- Sometimes that’s what happens NASCAR after Dale Earnhardt sion of mine my entire life, and I see when you try to make a difference died,” Nicholson said. “They went it dying before my own eyes. Horse and the results aren’t exactly perfect. back and questioned all of their ba- racing is dying. It is going to die. It But did Shapiro fail? He helped make sic premises and they made changes. has lost its fan base and will not get the sport safer and has, statistically, You cannot be a sport that involves it back they way things are going. saved the lives of hundreds of horses. inherent danger like horse racing “I was like the guy in the movie That has to count for something.

TDN Magazine, winter 2010 | 18 17 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 18 SPONSOREDSPONSORED BYBY at o ae hne fr o esn te ta to than other reason make achange.” no for changes make just to people want Sometimes tracks. dirt the on California in down horses of plenty broke We tracks. dirt the on down break to used horses many how forget that people say will I judgment. firm a make to enough long around been they’ve think don’t I any. have don’t we easier toplan.” much it makes That schedules. my altering or raining the fallatKeeneland.” in title training the winning like them, with success of lot a had I’ve them. like I racing, For dirt. over would you than synthetics the over further horse a gallop to have Youit. of out lot a get don’t just They enough. put downanythingtheywanthere;I’lladapt.” can They adapted. I so them, with deal to had I knew I them. knocking quit to decided I brilliance. horse’s a justment. We managedtoadjust.” It’sthem. ad- hate an you say to going you’re course, 19 |TDN Magazine, Winter 2010 ae n h Tpt, oeie we sometimes sometimes and a lot ofproblems have Tapeta, the on Gate Golden at Up there. meet last that for great was ba- Hollywood at track day-to-day The sis. a on it to adjust they how and them of care take they how Jerry Hollendorfer: “A lot depends on yteis o’ pl o te hard them on pull don’t synthetics The grass. on hills even or dirt tional conven or sand over training more muscle up build and of out more lot a get like They much. as particularly them on don’t training I but syn - thetics, on racing like “I McPeek: Ken vor of anything that takes away from away takes that anything of vor fa- in away not I’m speed. with horses from something take they how don’t like I them. with deal to how don’t know They not. they’re day next the good, they’re day One them. against Baffert: Bob of then, race a won haven’t and land how on Keene at you’re depends If doing. you’re well it of All well. that all them to adjusted they I think dont’ and them like don’t They me. with but them, most Chicago trainers would disagree like “I Catalano: Wayne et I ee hv t wry bu it about worry to have never I tent. consis- more are They opinion. shares them, that everyone with not know problems I though fewer have I surface experience, my In alternatives. the that to prefer I but Woodbine, at them with experience had only I’ve Roger Attfield: “I like synthetic tracks. had horsesbreakdownonit.” not sure if it is good or bad, but I have I’m with. deal to have we thing more It’sone just tracks. what synthetic the with care don’t quirks of lot a are there says, anyone “I Tagg: Barclay Iv awy been always “I’ve - - worked in the mines got black lung. I worry that something something that worry I jockeys.” and lung. horses the black to got who happen men could of mines lot a similar the and the or them in territory for mining be worked coal healthy in should be up grew can’t jockeys I track That the horses. that think masks. I Turfway, surgical At kickback, the wearing concern. with horses and, health the dry a of so have is safety I the as far concerned, race As to is them of Arlington. lot a and send to Woodbine going at am and options new of lot a ally fewer injuries training and running on dirt than synthetics.” than dirt actu on are running and there and training country, the injuries experiences fewer throughout ally own my owners From to dirt. talking from with problems or injuries matter the surface.” happen,no togoing never was thatproblems. Butany wouldn’t be thechances ofcatastrophic injuries. thinkI everybody thought there You’re going to have problems on any surfaces, butlems, whether syntheticsit’s bucked shins lessenwith 2-year-olds or ankles that flare. likeboth racetracks. They’resafe surfaces. Youstill have your prob thetic tracks. With Kitten’s Joy’s offspring, I have have I offspring, Joy’s Kitten’s With syn on tracks. distance well do a thetic pedigrees was Turf it. who like I Joy, horse, turf have I Kitten’s since champion well breeder, a the real As did I mud. adjustments. and making slop I for when better handicap much did I could dirt. prefer I play to like I ponies, know the you and standpoint, gamblers’ “ Ramsey: Ken Chris Block: “ periences have been with Arlington and Keeneland. I adjust.I’mnotsuretheyallknowyet.ex howtoMy to haveracetracks the and time over change They have.supposed to is it thatingredients it theinwith one is that is properly that maintained by and has the meanright mix I What tracks. synthetic of type er perform better on it and I find there are fewer fewer are there find tracks horses I my dirt and of it find on all to most better try perform As because always synthetic consistent. will over more I are owner, that reason an some the patterns with feel and I handicap ing and read can better horses, public my much to betting a comes get it can I when on that surface a is Moss: Maggi going for all I’m dirt. here.” on tracks dirt to back had I than tracks on injuries these more had I’ve before. had never I that and injuries put hind-end up of lot a they keep getting I’m to and when resurface expensive as very They’re tracks in. same them the not change. tracks They’re The now. them like don’t I but in, Mitchell: Mike out, my horses are definitely healthier. I’m much much it.” on I’m training comfortable more healthier. definitely are horses my out, on at Training look it the big day picture. in and day panicking is Youto them. need everyone of rid get should we saying sudden, and a of All rap. bad Motion Graham now I’m getting stress fractures andand torquechips injuries.”and fracturesgetting was I injuries, old wouldn’tsay my horses are healthier now. With the I jarring.of lot a gettingup end you synthetics,so injuries are back-end related. There’s no slide to the Mark Frostad: I like synthetic tracks that are the prop “I prefer dirt over synthetic. Dirt Dirt synthetic. over dirt prefer “I “It’s a different deal all together. The “I liked them when they put them them put they when them liked “I I’ve got mixed feelings. From a From feelings. mixed got I’ve “ytei tak ae etn a getting are tracks :“Synthetic ------