What is going on at Del Mar with the turf?

[Kasept]

Taking precautions today with races off turf to main track. Aerating the course in attempt to soften...

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...ter-breakdowns

Del Mar Shifting Turf Races After Breakdowns

Del Mar has moved two turf races scheduled for Sunday, July 27 to its main track in light of four breakdowns that have occurred on the course since the meeting began July 17.

"We feel that the best course of action is to cancel tomorrow's two turf races," Joe Harper, president and CEO of the Del Mar Turf Club said July 26. "That will give us more days coming up, with Monday and Tuesday, to do the maintenance we had scheduled for Monday."

Del Mar was already scheduled to move the rail out to 18 feet to use a new portion of the track. Harper said that they will also aerate the entire course, "which should slow it down a little bit and give it more bounce."

Harper said that Del Mar made the decision after talking with the jockeys, the Thoroughbred Owners of California, and the California Thoroughbred Trainers.

Del Mar installed a new turf course for the 2014 season, widening it to 80 feet and installing all new sod, a hybrid Bermuda strain invented by the golfer Greg Norman.

[Kasept]

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Statement Concerning Turf Course

Del Mar is deeply saddened by the loss of Thoroughbred lives we have experienced at the track since the start of our season. Four of those losses have come on our new turf course. Despite that, we continue to have the utmost confidence in the course, as do our partners in this race meet -- the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the California Thoroughbred Trainers, the Jockeys’ Guild and the California Horse Racing Board – all of whom have expressed that confidence to us today.

Nonetheless, as a precautionary measure, Del Mar will shift the two turf races scheduled for Sunday’s card off the course and run them instead on our main track. Additionally, we will move up scheduled maintenance on the turf course to Saturday evening instead of the Sunday evening schedule that had been planned. The entire course will be aerated and watered starting on Sunday. Track crews will work on it for the next three days and, in the end, reposition the inner rail at the 18-foot position.

Track officials feel that they are adjusting on the side of caution with these moves. They are meant to give all parties involved – riders, trainers, owners and fans – assurance that everything possible is being done to ensure the track’s first priority, which is safety of horses and riders. Those same officials feel strongly that when racing resumes on Wednesday, the turf course will perform in a positive fashion.

[Big Peps]

Thanks Steve, hopefully the maintenance can right the ship. What a shame for not only the horses, jockeys but for owners as well. Seems like they have taken the turf from the old vet stadium in Philly and reinstalled at del mar. But seriously, shouldn't their have been some more thought and design put into the turf course?

[Big Peps]

Tell shark to stick to producing bad chardonnay

[saratogadew]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Greg Norman is still choking.

Classic!

[asudevil]

Was there with the family. Kids were not happy that they had to watch the horse from the 5th race get put down 20 yards from the finish line.

Something is amiss. Harper and crew are doing the right thing. Have to evaluate it for a few days.

[10 pnt move up]

The sample size is way to small to draw conclusions. The first horse who broke down yesterday threw a fit at the gate and clearly was agitated before the start. Its a good move but statistically pretty hard to say that the turf course is the issue.

[Big Peps]

I don't know there are some pretty good early indicators and where there is smoke there is fire

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by Big Peps

I don't know there are some pretty good early indicators and where there is smoke there is fire

It's impossible to assume this based on the sample, but facts never came into play when they rushed to judgement and ripped out 3 perfectly good dirt courses either. So I see your point.

[pointman]

Unfortunately 4 year old filly Serious was euthanized after fracturing a sesamoid on the turf course in the 7th today.

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

The sample size is way to small to draw conclusions. The first horse who broke down yesterday threw a fit at the gate and clearly was agitated before the start. Its a good move but statistically pretty hard to say that the turf course is the issue.

Perhaps she knew something was wrong with her.

[casp0555]

I dont beleive this is related to the turf but another fatality this am as tweeted by Jay Privman

Jay Privman ‏@DRFPrivman 12m
Unraced P. Miller 2yo Chilled Mousse euthanized this morning, injured following 4f workout, final scheduled drill for debut Friday. #delmar

[tector]

Let's hope it is just a terrible coincidence. They don't need a crap turf surface to go along with their crap main track.

I'll stick with Saratoga, thanks.