In a move to improve standardbred racetrack surfaces across the province, and establish standards to ensure safe track conditions
for participants and horses, the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has organized a seminar which will focus on best practices for surface maintenance.
The event, being held in cooperation with Kawartha Downs Raceway, will take place next week on April 15, 2009.
One of North America’s leading experts in the design, construction and maintenance of tracks – Daniel Coon of Charles E. Coon & Sons – will be a featured presenter. Topics vital to the effective maintenance of track surfaces will include: equipment needs; staffing; grading; weather issues; race surface base; and annual track maintenance plans.
David Mitchell of Larcom & Mitchell will also give a presentation on racetrack equipment. Gary McNamara from Drain Bros. Aggregate will be in attendance to speak to issues surrounding aggregate. Dr. Jeff Thomason from the University of Guelph and Equine Guelph will be available to speak to participants on the findings of his research on the impact of racetrack surfaces.
The event will be held at Kawartha Downs and will be attended by track superintendents, representatives from horsepeople’s associations and other industry associations.
This exchange of ideas and discussion of best practices will ensure that track maintenance people have the necessary skills to maintain safe and consistent track surfaces.
Under its commitment to the safety of horses and participants, the ORC has introduced a number of initiatives to improve racetrack surfaces over the last number of years, including recommendations from the Cowan Report and the Policy Directive 2-2007 on Standardbred Racetrack Surface Minimum Standards. Coordinating a track maintenance seminar for track personnel continues that commitment.
For more information, please contact Paul MacDonald, Facilities Officer at (416) 213-7823, or Bill Fines, Supervisor of Industry Support at (416) 213-7856.
(Ontario Racing Commission)