Officials with Keeneland Race Course have announced that the Kentucky thoroughbred raceway will be replacing its polytrack course with a ‘dirt’ track comprised of sand, clay and silt after its upcoming spring meet.
A report by The Courier-Journal has quoted Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason as saying, “We had hoped that the synthetic surface would become the prevalent and predominant racing surface in America and, for whatever reasons, it just hasn’t.”
Thomason went on to say, “So we have to acknowledge that, and in order for us to continue attracting the quality of horse at the highest level of racing — which is what’s expected of Keeneland — we have decided to change back.”
The article states that Keeneland’s decision follows the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s similar announcement that it is switching back to a dirt course.
(With files from The Courier-Journal)