Horsemen Praise Keeneland's New Dirt Track

The second-wettest April on record in Lexington gave Keeneland's new dirt track a stiff test.

 

Nearly 11 inches of rain fell during the spring meet, including seven inches in a 24-hour period that covered opening day April 3. Despite the torrential rain, which caused standing water in the infield, the new track drained well.

 

"I've never seen a course drain like this one does," said trainer Larry Jones, who sent out Lovely Maria to win the Central Bank Ashland (gr. I) the day after the deluge. "Over that day's period of time, we had between seven and eight inches of rain, and the very next day—the day of the Ashland—(we had) a dry, fast track. It's like draining a bathtub, getting water off this thing. It's unreal how it does. It's fabulous."

 

Over the summer of 2014, Keeneland installed a new dirt track that uses a unique drainage system along the inside and outside rails, which works in tandem with the existing system beneath the track. The first of its kind in North America, the system is designed to collect and discharge water consistently away from the track.

 

"(The track has) held up really good," Keeneland track superintendent Javier Barajas said. "I'm really impressed with how it absorbs the water and goes right down to the inside (of the track) and then washes away pretty good. Even with all these rains, only one time has (the track) been sloppy.

 

"The composition of the race track, combined with the drainage and the hard work of the track crew, it really all goes together. It's not just one component. I'm really fortunate that I got handed a track with great composition. You can be the best or worst track (superintendent), but it all has to do with the composition of the dirt that makes you look good or bad."

 

The dirt surface, which is comprised of sand, silt, and clay native to Kentucky, has been well-received by trainers.

 

"I love the surface here," said trainer Todd Pletcher, who has kept Carpe Diem in training at Keeneland following his win in the Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) April 4 "(Keeneland) has done a tremendous job with the new surface here."

 

Barajas praised his team for their efforts this spring, which includes arriving at Keeneland at 3 a.m. and working on the track long after each day's final race. The crew has also spent significant time keeping the turf course, Polytrack training track, and horse paths in top-notch condition.

 

"You can always bet that if Keeneland does something they're going to do it right," Jones said. "They set the standard. Once again, they have done it. They hit it dead in the bull's-eye. I've never seen a dirt course like this ever."

 

Keeneland spring meet concludes April 24.