Santa Anita is switching back to a dirt surface – will others follow suit?

5 Comments

1. Vicki J says:

   September 2, 2010 at 11:14 pm

   Frank Stronach has never had a reputation for making good decisions. This new dirt will come from Argentina at a cost of $5 to $6 million dollars. In 2006 it was mandated to have synthetic tracks in California. This has long been a topic of conversations on AOL Horse Racing. Many say synthetic tracks are safer, and others like the dirt tracks. I suppose the jury will always be out on that one. The safety of horses should be of top concern. But I am not sure of the statistics of synthetic verses dirt. I think that the synthetic surfaces have not performed and been up to the standards they once thought it would be. I do know that synthetic surfaces have drainage problems, but good grief, I can’t imagine that dirt would be any better either.From what I read, when Stonach made this announcement, many people cheered who were in attendance. I guess we will have to wait and see. what the future holds for track surfaces.
   Source(s):
   Lifelong horse racing enthusiast
2. $Billy Ray$ Valentine says:

   September 2, 2010 at 11:14 pm

   Nope, not in California. All is well, except SA’s drainage problem from the 1/16 pole to the wire….

   ** Added Info: I will keep adding these links on this topic until people finally read it…The old days are over. Read and ye shall learn…….
   http://tapetafootings.com/
   http://tapetafootings.com/so-whats-wrong-with-dirt-tracks/so-whats-wrong-with-dirt-tracks.html

   …Billy Ray
3. old school - spuds to you says:

   September 2, 2010 at 11:14 pm

   we can only hope. but it is not likely.
4. jerry says:

   September 2, 2010 at 11:14 pm

   that is a good possibility
5. theguywhoreportedmeisamoron says:

   September 2, 2010 at 11:14 pm

   I HOPE SO.