Keeneland Approves Polytrack
As expected, the Keeneland board of directors unanimously approved the installation of Polytrack in a meeting on Wednesday. Track president Nick Nicholson conceded there were some risks to switching from a dirt to a synthetic surface, particularly when it comes to horsemen using the Blue Grass and Lexington Stakes as Derby preps, but also suggested the benefits of Polytrack outweighed such concerns: "I don't know how horsemen are going to react to the Derby," he said. "But I do know that horses are going to be safer and healthier and have fewer problems, and I know fewer riders are going to get hurt." With Polytrack, Keeneland may lose its speed-favoring reputation, but bettors will have plenty of other angles to play when the fall meet opens: The surface change is only one part of a multi-million dollar renovation project to be completed over the summer that also includes wider turns and a longer stretch.
Related: Steven Crist calls Keeneland's decision "bold and innovative," but warns against "a rush to transform the game as we know it before more is known."
Posted by JC, Apr 20, 2006 08:55 PM
