Easily the best article written on synthetic surfaces
 

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/48696.htm

Duh?

The prose was really inspired.

it is NOT the same as what's used on dirt tracks, at least it's not at Arlington.

Very different...

Seems the issue to me is climate, as Keeneland seems to be doing well (which 95% of the time has temperate, mild & relatively dry climates during their two meets- in fact, similar to the UK where synthetics have been generally successful), whereas Turfway and Santa Anita have been HORRIBLE in extreme climates.

Rip them all out and go back to dirt.

from the SA pro ride thread ...

according to tbredtimes 1,500 train over the main SA track every morning.

"Some of you must have a case of amnesia," said trainer David Hoffmans, an advocate of synthetic surfaces, referring to all the fatalities and injuries on dirt.

http://thoroughbredtimes.com/nationa...c-surface.aspx

I'm sure you know this but like to conveniently forget, but, uh, these fake tracks were supposed to greatly reduce injuries and fatalities. Not only have they failed to do so, but in some instances, they've gotten worse.

That's just about fatalities too. From what I'm reading, the nature of commonly occurring injuries has changed, but overall there are just as many, if not more.

If you want to talk about the practicality of the stuff, then forget it. Synthetic loses hands down to dirt.

Turfway is really the only track that needs to be synthetic. They just had too many cancellations previously with their old regular dirt track. But California was foolish to mandate synthetic surfaces. Arlington did it in response to media criticism over breakdowns, and Kee is partners with Martin Collins. Woodbine is probably in a similar situation to TP, in regards to weather.....but I think it will be awhile before you see any other tracks going synthetic.

Turfway needs to be closed, along with about 50 other "B" level tracks.

The part that kills me is when the article says that Vienna said they are guinea pigs out there and Pearse agreed with him. Vienna said there are still injuries, just different types now. I think this paragraph here sums it up best for most of the people that were initially sold on the stuff:

Vienna, who was at one time supportive of synthetic surfaces “based on what I thought could happen,” stated, “They’re no good. The promises at the beginning were they were safe, consistent, maintenance-free, and all-weather. They are not safe, they’re not maintenance-free, they’re not consistent, and they can’t take water. None of it is true.”

The article also talks about how Golden Gate had to close for training earlier this week because of horsemen concern over their track and how Turfway had eight fatalities in 21 days of racing.

The investment at this point has surpassed the "it's not working, pull it and put the dirt back in" phase. Only when their handle is notably affected by the surface will they consider it. I haven't bet the "River of Poo" (credit Coach Pants with the term) since it was installed and won't. Not that my measly investment will make a difference, but personally I don't support knee-jerk, reactionary, myopic resolutions that affect the sport I enjoy.

Just take SA's Breeder's Cup away from them and rotate between Churchill and Belmont and 'Jimmy Crack Corn and I Don't Care!'