Should Churchill Downs consider switching to a synthetic racing surface such as Polytrack?

Question

Churchill Downs has said they they are not currently considering switching to synthetic Polytrack, which has been shown to reduce horse injuries. In light of the injuries and euthanasia of Eight Belles after the 2008 Kentucky Derby, should Churchill Downs consider doing so and do you think there will be a widespread push for them to do so?

Answer 1

I think they should do so. Chelokee broke down yesterday at Churchill Downs (trained by Michael Matz and the winner of the innaugural Barbaro Stakes last year). He has a 50% chance of survival, unlike poor Eight Belles, who suffered two broken ankles, including a skin puncture.

Answer 2

It is not the track. Horses 2 and 3 years old do not have the bone growth to race without being subject to stress fractures. Stress fractures turn into broken bones in about 3 paces. Looking at pounds per inch that is a lot for a baby with legs that are not finished growing.

Answer 3

CDI - the parent company which owns Churchill Downs - is operated like a feudal baron would have operated a monopoly in the 19th Century. They will only take that step if forced to do so by the state regulatory agencies that license racing in Kentucky. There is an arrogance that permeates through the company and they will only make such a change with the threat of having its racing license revoked.

Answer 4

I don't know.  Churchill takes a lot of pride in their track.  It's a first rate surface.  It's the same surface that horses have run on since Churchill opened.  There's a lot of history there.  It's really not an unsafe surface... Eight Belles was the only horse to get hurt today.  I saw 2 horses break down in one day last fall at Keeneland on a synthetic surface, so the synthetic doesn't solve all problems either.

I don't think that Churchill needs to change immediately, but if synthetics prove to be really effective at preventing injuries, then Churchill should seriously consider it.

I'm writing a law school paper on this actually.  About California's legislation requiring synthetic tracks and the likelihood of other states adopting such legislation.

Answer 5

I agree completely that the synthetic polytracks have shown that they do reduce horse injuries.  Hopefully, the owners and trainers will put a push on to have all track switched from the regular dirt to the polytrack.

They spend a great deal of money of these absolutely gorgeous animals and yet, they let them run on tracks that are known for causing injuries to the horses.

Churchill Downs is a large track and has a wonderful history - however, the history is becoming marred by the fact that a horse had to be euthanized on Derby Day.  It's not a piece of history that I would want to be connected to.

They tried to push the polytrack after Barbaro's injuries and many of the tracks have changed over and are still in business.  Why, would Churchill Downs continue to remain stubborn about this? - you've got me and I can only hope and pray that those in power push to have this facility changed over.

Answer 6

"Just as she was coming to the [six-furlong] pole the second time, she broke both front ankles," Bramlage said on the track. "It was condylar fractures in both front ankles and both of them collapsed. She couldn't stand, there wasn't any possibility to even splint her or attempt to do anything with it."

Bramlage added that he had never seen an injury like that happen at the end of a race.                                                          I think i gave up on horse races  i used to love