Concern over Poly at Keeneland

[Riot]

Martin Collins has sold this surface as a maitenance free racing surface

No, he didn't. He sold it as requires less maintenance than dirt. That's true.

They are not harrowing at all at Arlington or Keeneland. The Gallopmaster only hit the track once today at Kee mid-card (the machine that fluffs up the top 2 inches or so). Same as I've seen at Arlington. They pick up manure between races.

People have been working on various synthetic surfaces for at least 20 years. Do research and check. Look at the physics of why such surfaces were invented, and what they are supposed to do for 1100-lb animals galloping over them.

Is it safer? Sure appears that way intially, judging by the current usage in the US. Nobody who sold any of these have ever pubically called their various products, "no injury" surfaces.

What happens to various dirt tracks during a pouring thunderstorm? After three days of good rain? What happens to synthetic surfaces?