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California Garret Sparks Maple Leafs Jersey , the switch to synthetic surfaces for horse racing tracks is complete. The assessment of this change, however, is still underway.

In the words of author and handicapper Andrew Beyer, ?Polytrack is different profoundly different.? In his October 1, 2006 Washington Post article On New Artificial Surface, the Difference Is Real, Beyer warned: ?The people who have championed synthetic racing surfaces should ? decide if this bizarre Frederik Andersen Maple Leafs Jersey , go as slow as you can style of racing is what the sport really needs.?

The California Horse Racing Board Requires California Tracks To Install Engineered Surfaces

Those championing the use of engineered surfaces found a powerful ally in the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB). In May of 2006, the CHRB announced its mandate. In a press release, the board declared that by January 1 2008, ?No racing association that operates four weeks of continuous Thoroughbred racing in a calendar year shall be licensed to conduct a horse racing meeting at a facility that has not installed a polymer synthetic type racing surface.?

The purpose of this decree, which would require all of California?s major tracks to switch from dirt to engineered surfaces, was to reduce injuries.

Engineered racing surfaces typically include several layers ? a drainage system, then sometimes another layer of sand Felix Potvin Maple Leafs Jersey , and a mixture of fibers, sand, and wax on top. The top layer can include a variety of ingredients designed to absorb shock and to withstand the weather. The specifics of each mixture are carefully guarded secrets held by each racing surface manufacturer.

Faced with the threat of losing their licenses if they did not comply, the tracks made the transition.

Hollywood Park Selects Cushion Track

In June 2006, Hollywood Park selected Cushion Track, produced by Equestrian Surfaces International Limited, to replace its existing track. The company?s Web site describes Cushion Track as ?a combination of chopped Polypropylene fibers Doug Gilmour Maple Leafs Jersey , elastic fibers, felt, rubber and selected fine high grade multi washed industrial sand, which is carefully weighed and blended with the addition of a wax coating.? To complete the installation, sixteen thousand tons of Cushion Track were manufactured in the United Kingdom and shipped on a chartered vessel to Long Beach, California.

Like other synthetic surface projects, the installation included a drainage system covered with additional layers of barriers Dave Keon Maple Leafs Jersey , followed by the final layer of a blend of ingredients ? the Cushion Track itself.

Del Mar Picks Polytrack

Del Mar was the next track to fall in line with the selection and installation of a new Polytrack racing surface. A relative old timer in the engineered racetrack industry, Polytrack had been around since 1987 when the first Polytrack surface appeared in Wiltshire, England.

In July of 2007, some handicappers jumped in, some waited it out and some took a cautious approach. But regardless of its effect on handicappers, the new Del Mar installation was complete.

Golden Gate Fields Choses Tapeta Footings

Magna Entertainment Corp., the owner of Golden Gate Fields Darryl Sittler Maple Leafs Jersey , elected to entrust Tapeta Footings with the installation of its new track.

In discussing the various synthetic surface options, Golden Gate Fields General Manager Robert Hartman cited adaptability to climate as a consideration. According to a San Francisco Chronicle article, he reportedly said, There are a lot of similarities in these products, but for this climate, Tapeta was thought to suit us best.

Where climate is concerned, Tapeta Footings claims to have a history of providing