Arlington, Heights, IL, July 18, 2006--The Arlington Park's racetrack was not the cause of thoroughbreds injuries that have been responsible for 17 fatal breakdowns at the track this year.
The conclusion released by the Illinois Recing Board and was the results of study conducted by a independent consultant.
Marc Laino, executive director of the Racing Board said the report concludes that there is no indication that the track is unsafe, and shifts the focus toward other possible causes for the rash of, including whether some horses are running too often.
Last year, Turfway Park in Kentucky became the first track in the U.S. to race on Polytrack, an artificial surface made from wax-coated particles of recycled carpet fibers, rubber and sand.
An examination of the track included measurement of the depth of the cushion--the 3 1/2 to 3 3/4-inch top layer of dirt and the 3- to 3 1/2-inch compacted dirt pad underneath.
The examination purportedly is easier on horses' legs than dirt and after its installation Turfway's breakdowns over a full year of racing dropped from 24 to three, officials said.
The California Horse Racing Board, responding to injury concerns raised by owners and trainers, mandated that the state's major thoroughbred tracks switch to synthetic surfaces by the end of 2007, at an estimated cost of $5 million to $8 million per track.
