Larry Jones Colt Likes Polytrack

Turfway Park officials say Polytrack is safety tested. Jockeys hedge. Horses break down. Nine fatal breakdowns are recorded this season; just three in 2005-'06 races.

What's so attractive about a synthetic horse racing surface?

We might consult thoroughbred runner Hard Spun. Apparently, he loves Polytrack. His stretch run in the Southwest Stakes on natural dirt played like a braking freight train. After gallant races on synthetic surfaces, he seemed to be protesting the return to Mother Earth. He rated in the early going, but merely skipped through the lane. Trainer Larry Jones said the colt didn't take to the hard Arkansas track.

Turfway Park (Florence, Kentucky) officials approved the replacement of the top two inches of the Polytrack's surface in 2006. This supposedly cured a kickback problem by tightening the surface. Recently, though, the surface has been tilled to loosen it up. Horses have been reported to have chucks of the surface clog in their hooves.

Jockeys have mixed feelings about the safety of the surface. It's been reported that some of them have been told to keep their opinions to themselves. Track officials insist they have made every effort to communicate with riders, horsemen, and veterinarians regarding the concerns expressed.

Inclement weather and varying temperatures still are taking a toll on thePolytrack. Testing the surface in a wide range of circumstances is ongoing. High on the list of concerns, according to Turfway president Bob Elliston, is the loss of racing days due to these fluctuating conditions. Weather cancellations led to a total loss of five full racing days and two partial days.

Elliston also reported to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority in Lexington that there were no fatal breakdowns on the new surface from January to April, 2006, and no fatalities in February, 2007. But there were a total of five fatal breakdowns between November 26 and December 31, 2006, and four more in January, 2007, an overall increase. Just three fatal injuries occurred in all of the 2005-'06 season.

Shouldn't the increase of loss of thoroughbreds due to breakdowns on the surface strike up as much concern as uncontrollable weather effects? Fatal breakdowns also put the lives of jockeys at risk.

How much loss of life is acceptable? By highlighting the non-fatal time periods is Elliston excusing concern for the increase of losses before and after that timeframe?