“Overall, synthetic racing surfaces continued to be associated with significantly fewer fatal injuries than dirt and turf,” said Dr. Tim Parkin, a veterinarian and epidemiologist from the University of Glasgow, who serves as a consultant on the Equine Injury Database and performed the analysis.
Keeneland’s announcement to replace its Polytrack comes on the heels of rumors last week that the racetrack was planning to make a bid to hold North America’s richest event in horse racing, the two-day Breeders’ Cup series. The Breeders Cup will be held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Cal. for the third consecutive year this November. In 2010 and 2011, Breeders’ Cup was held at Churchill Downs. No announcements have been made for the 2015 Breeders’ Cup.
“This is not a decision that we have undertaken lightly,” Thomason said. “From the outset of the synthetic surface installation in 2006, we have always said that this is a journey and not a destination. The racing landscape has changed, and for that reason we have an obligation to our horsemen and to our fans to evaluate where the industry is going.
“Owners and trainers, especially those who compete at the highest levels of the sport, overwhelmingly prefer dirt tracks,” he said. “In keeping with our mission and the quality that is expected of Keeneland, we have to be more competitive in attracting the top horses and Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup contenders and in hosting major racing events.”
Reactions among race fans on Twitter have been mixed with some voicing enthusiasm for a return to a natural surface with others expressing concern regarding the safety of the horse. Reactions from two top trainers of Kentucky Derby 140 candidates were supportive (note, the following quotes were provided with Keeneland’s press release).
“Owners and trainers who compete at the highest level prefer a dirt track,” said Kiaran McLaughlin, trainer of Cairo Prince. “For us, being based in New York, it’s what our horses are used to running on. Keeneland’s return to dirt will provide greater consistency for horses shipping in from New York, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas and other tracks around the U.S.”
“I look forward to having a greater presence at Keeneland with its return to a dirt surface,” said Todd Pletcher, trainer of Constitution, Intense Holiday, We Miss Artie, and Vinceremos. “It’s a better fit for our horses and the goals of our racing stable.”
Photo: Keeneland Photo
