learning something new about track surfaces - Pace and Cap

Tim Y · 12-15-2008, 11:51 AM

Over the years, I have always been impressed the way the grounds crew kept racing surfaces functioning in the dead of Winter at old Bowie, the many harness courses throughout the midwest and Canada, as well as Philly and Aqueduct.

We are in the middle of a "cold snap" here with snow the past several days and the temperature today around 22F or -6C. Over the weekend I was talking with our television director (who, at one time, was a harness driver/trainer) and he took me over to a bulletin board and after leafing through a bunch of yellowing papers, confirmed that lost racing days usually occurred at our harness track from December 15 to about January 20th. "It's not the cold that does it", he said, "but the warming up and varying temperatures after the cold blast. The moisture UNDER the frozen surface begins to rise and the top layer of the track starts to open up much like the top of a loaf of bread or cake would do when it rises during baking. Then the surface becomes dangerous and it takes about two days to get it back. If we have a warming trend too close to our next racing day (no two days to prepare it), we are going to have to cancel."

Cold and challenging isn't it?

Cincyhorseplayer · 12-18-2008, 02:55 AM

After the last few seasons of winters with typical 2-4 track biases in 3 consecutive racing days and the advent of polytrack at Turfway Park here in the Cincinnati area.I have taken the advice of Ducks,Geese,and other winged creatures.

I am migrating south for the winter this year!!!!!

With the advent(for me)of ADW's,streaming video,and my records since 2001 bearing out that I win more money and experience less losing streaks in temperate weather,Fair Grounds,Tampa Bay Downs,and to a lesser extent Gulfstream Park,Santa Anita will be the focus if my wagering winters.This venture excites me to no end!!!

12-15-2008, 11:51 AM	#1
Tim Y turf historian Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6,455	learning something new about track surfaces Over the years, I have always been impressed the way the grounds crew kept racing surfaces functioning in the dead of Winter at old Bowie, the many harness courses throughout the midwest and Canada, as well as Philly and Aqueduct. We are in the middle of a "cold snap" here with snow the past several days and the temperature today around 22F or -6C. Over the weekend I was talking with our television director (who, at one time, was a harness driver/trainer) and he took me over to a bulletin board and after leafing through a bunch of yellowing papers, confirmed that lost racing days usually occurred at our harness track from December 15 to about January 20th. "It's not the cold that does it", he said, "but the warming up and varying temperatures after the cold blast. The moisture UNDER the frozen surface begins to rise and the top layer of the track starts to open up much like the top of a loaf of bread or cake would do when it rises during baking. Then the surface becomes dangerous and it takes about two days to get it back. If we have a warming trend too close to our next racing day (no two days to prepare it), we are going to have to cancel." Cold and challenging isn't it? __________________ Albert Einstein:"The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind."

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12-18-2008, 02:55 AM	#2
Cincyhorseplayer AlwNW3X Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 45	After the last few seasons of winters with typical 2-4 track biases in 3 consecutive racing days and the advent of polytrack at Turfway Park here in the Cincinnati area.I have taken the advice of Ducks,Geese,and other winged creatures. I am migrating south for the winter this year!!!!! With the advent(for me)of ADW's,streaming video,and my records since 2001 bearing out that I win more money and experience less losing streaks in temperate weather,Fair Grounds,Tampa Bay Downs,and to a lesser extent Gulfstream Park,Santa Anita will be the focus if my wagering winters.This venture excites me to no end!!!