Wednesday, June 28, 2006
HOLLYWOOD PARK - A NEW TRACK SURFACE
THERE IS NO RACING AT HOLLYWOOD PARK TODAY.
Hollywood Park has announced that the track will replace it's main track surface at the end of this meet (July 16) with a synthetic surface known as Cushion Track. It consists of silica sand mixed with synthetic fibers, elastic fiber, and granulated rubber. The entire material is coated with a blend of wax. The material is made by Equestrian surfaces of Burnley England.
The new surface will meet the California Horse Racing Board requirement that all tracks with more than four weeks of consecutive Thoroughbred racing have a synthetic surface installed by Dec. 31, 2007.
The Hollywood Park project will begin a few days after the end of the current meet and must be completed by the end of August. Hollywood park will be able to resume training when stables return from the Del Mar meet on Sept. 6, 2006. Hollywood Parks next meet is Nov. 1, 2006 and lasts for 36 days.
The track plans to remove the top 12 inches of it's current surface and install an extensive drainage system. This will include 4 1/2 miles of pipe, a porous rock base and nine inches of of Cushion Track. Work may be done in the evenings if necessary as Hollywood Park has a lighting system for it's night racing programs.
This type of surface has been used in England for more than ten years and is very popular there. Many believe synthetic surfaces are safer than conventional dirt surfaces and provide less concussion for horses and reducing injuries.
Hollywood Park has announced that the track will replace it's main track surface at the end of this meet (July 16) with a synthetic surface known as Cushion Track. It consists of silica sand mixed with synthetic fibers, elastic fiber, and granulated rubber. The entire material is coated with a blend of wax. The material is made by Equestrian surfaces of Burnley England.
The new surface will meet the California Horse Racing Board requirement that all tracks with more than four weeks of consecutive Thoroughbred racing have a synthetic surface installed by Dec. 31, 2007.
The Hollywood Park project will begin a few days after the end of the current meet and must be completed by the end of August. Hollywood park will be able to resume training when stables return from the Del Mar meet on Sept. 6, 2006. Hollywood Parks next meet is Nov. 1, 2006 and lasts for 36 days.
The track plans to remove the top 12 inches of it's current surface and install an extensive drainage system. This will include 4 1/2 miles of pipe, a porous rock base and nine inches of of Cushion Track. Work may be done in the evenings if necessary as Hollywood Park has a lighting system for it's night racing programs.
This type of surface has been used in England for more than ten years and is very popular there. Many believe synthetic surfaces are safer than conventional dirt surfaces and provide less concussion for horses and reducing injuries.
