You'll notice that the track will be a redder shade this weekend because they are dispursing pine bark shavings rigourously to improve the track.....I know that they are really miffed by the large number of horses breaking down and are trying to improve the conditions but are unsure what the cause may be...

They lifted the track from the 16th pole to the wire last week during the off days and found that the base was fine, and the weather in Chicago hasn't been unusual for this time of year......most of the 17 horses that broke down were cheaper horses and most of the break downs occurred at the top of the stretch where horses are swapping leads and being really set down....It may be more of an aboration - but that is an excuse that won't fly with the media and horsemen....I wouldn't be surpirsed to see Mr. D yell for Polytrack installation during this off season.....CDI currently has the position that the jury is still out with the Polytrack as far as the positives ad negatives it brings to the table and I agree with that position, although I am no longer a full-time employee of CDI....