SA SURFACE: No decision today
 

Just off line with Rick Hammerle at Santa Anita..

No decision today. Likely tomorrow.

They are still analyzing dirt samples and getting construction estimates for how long it would take to take up the Cushion and lay down the dirt. (The timing of installation is a big issue right now and may end up being the deciding factor.)

As of yesterday, it looked like a done deal that they were going to put in conventional dirt. But now they have figured out that it would not be as easy as they thought. They are having a hard time finding the right kind of dirt and they are realizing that the whole process would be much tougher than they originally thought. So now they're sort of back to square one. They're not sure what they're going to do. They've got some synthetic track expert who's coming from Australia to take a look at the track and he's going to give them his opinion as to whether they can add something to the surface to make it drain.

It's starting to sound more and more like a science project....where is Mr Peabody & Sherman when you need them.....

Maybe they would be better served if they all just gft.

How can adding something to the track help it drain? They have said that the sand is what is causing the blockage and from what I understand, sand is a large part of cushion track.

Are you considering anything major like going to FG or Oaklawn for their meets instead of staying out there?

Here their solution!!!
 

Cushion track won't drain properly??? Use this....

What did SA do with their old dirt?

When Del Mar converted, they donated their dirt to a playground/soccer field complex, saved that group about a million bucks in construction costs.

They gave it away to the fans in small glass containers or something.

I'm willing to give back my container of dirt if it helps.:D

they buried it under the infield parking lot and poured asphalt over it

bentonite
 

There is a substance called bentonite (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentonite) that I have used on synthetic grass putting greens to help with drainage (it absorbs excess water). Whether or not it is safe for use on the synthetic tracks is another question.

You are a true racing fan! :p

From DRF:
Pro-Ride was the finalist with Cushion Track. This tells me SA has little faith in the Cushion Track folks.

I think Cat Litter is cheaper.......

Does this mean the METAMUCIL idea Hammerle was describing Friday has been
"relieved of front runner status" in the quest for a solution of absorbing excess water that does not drain from subsequent rainfall??

Bob Ike posted on his blog :

I have been told that Santa Anita will begin removing Cushion Track on Monday or Tuesday, skip regularly scheduled cards on Thursday and Friday (Jan. 17-18), then run two or three days of “turf only” cards. All this while feverishly installing a conventional dirt track (which obviously will be approved by the CHRB at their Jan. 17 meeting) in order to get back on a normal racing schedule, presumably by Thursday, Jan. 24.

http://blog.bobikepicks.com/?p=411

The Sunshine Millions Classic is at Santa Anita and is to be shown on ESPN

That was what they were planning on doing. But now they have changed their minds because they realize that it's a much tougher job than they originally thought. They can't even find the proper dirt as of right now. So that is why they are pretty much back to square one and not sure what they are going to do.

No, I don't think so.