NYRA Looking at Synthetic Track for Aqueduct

After years of discussion, New York Racing Association officials said they are planning a 2017 capital budget expense associated with installing a synthetic surface at Aqueduct Racetrack.

NYRA president Chris Kay told a state panel that oversees the corporation's finances that costs are still being negotiated, but the new track is expected to cost between $9 million and $12 million. Kay told the Financial Oversight Board that NYRA is looking to lure trainers from Woodbine—which recently replaced its Polytrack with a Tapeta surface—when that facility ends its racing season in late fall.

Aqueduct has two dirt tracks; the inner track is used for winter racing.

"We believe having a synthetic track at Aqueduct would be very helpful in bringing horses from other locales,'' Kay told the panel. He said NYRA is also examining a synthetic track at Belmont Park; it wasn't immediately known whether the training track there is being considered for a synthetic surface.

Kay said synthetic surfaces "have scored very well" in reducing catastrophic injuries and offer "a more stable surface" for horses.

Initial talks with some horsemen have been positive, according to Kay. Of a concern raised about moving horses from the synthetic track to the dirt track, he said: "We will certainly explore that with the trainers as we move forward.''

The Franchise Oversight Board also approved a request by NYRA to spend $2 million for creation of a new advance deposit wagering platform to accept wagers from out-of-state bettors. NYRA will own 91% of the new venture, with the remaining owned by Global Betting Exchange.

"We're very interested in entering this national market,'' Kay told the panel.

The state board also approved a document agreed to by NYRA and two state agencies to help provide historic preservation protections as NYRA continues with a plan for rehabilitation and expansion work at the Saratoga Race Course.