Churchill Downs Putting in New Synthetic Turfway Track

Churchill Downs Inc. announced plans Feb. 18 to invest $5.6 million to replace the existing synthetic Polytrack surface at Turfway Park with a new Tapeta synthetic track. The conversion of the racing surface will take place immediately following the close of Turfway's Winter/Spring Meet March 28 and it is expected to be ready for the 2020 Holiday Meet that begins Dec. 2.

Turfway became the first racetrack in North America to install Polytrack on its main track in 2005. Initially advertised as being maintenance-free, it proved to require upkeep, as all racing surfaces do, and its materials, such as its wax, gradually degraded with time. 

CDI owns and operates three of the four synthetic tracks in the United States while Turfway will become only the third track in America to use the state-of-the-art Tapeta synthetic surface, joining CDI-owned Presque Isle Downs in Pennsylvania and The Stronach Group's Golden Gate Fields in Northern California. CDI's Arlington International Racecourse in Illinois has a Polytrack surface.

Woodbine Race Course in Canada also has a Tapeta main track, having replaced its Polytrack surface with it to positive reviews prior to the start of its 2016 meet.

The product is specifically designed as an all-weather surface for the safety of horses and riders in Thoroughbred racing. Tapeta is comprised of a carefully selected mixture of the finest silica sand, wax, and fibers that simulate the root structure of turf and has been proven to perform exceptionally well in heavy rainfall and winter weather consistent with Turfway's racing conditions.

"The Tapeta team are all delighted to have been chosen to install a Tapeta surface at Turfway Park," said Joan Wakefield, vice president of Tapeta Footings. "We look forward to working with CDI and can only applaud them for a huge commitment in upgrading the entire facility. It is a huge boost for Northern Kentucky and comes at a welcome time for the racing industry."

The Tapeta track installation is one component of CDI's investment that will make way for the development of Turfway Park Racing & Gaming, an up to $150 million state-of-the-art live and historical Thoroughbred racing facility.

"The agreement with Tapeta is the first of many exciting initiatives to come for Turfway," said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs and Turfway Park. "By partnering with Tapeta to provide the safest racing conditions for Turfway's winter meets, we will be able to deliver one of the key elements supporting our goal of bringing a first-class racing product to Northern Kentucky."

The redevelopment of Turfway is anticipated to support up to 400 direct full and part-time equivalent positions and create an estimated 800 direct construction jobs. The project will include a historical racing machine facility featuring up to 1,500 machines, a state-of-the-art clubhouse as well as food and beverage venues.