Racing results

A synthetic racetrack surface is any kind of surface substance that replaces dirt or sand as the racing surface on a bet on horse racing track. In horse racing betting Synthetic surfaces are desirable over traditional surfaces for several reasons, most prominently the reduction of injuries and possible deaths to horses because of less wear and tear on their legs, and improved racing conditions in inclement weather. Manufacturers of synthetic racetrack surface materials usually promote the fact that synthetic tracks have drainage qualities superior to natural surfaces, which allows tracks to be rated as "fast" under circumstances that would normally result in "slow," "sloppy" or "muddy" conditions. In more extreme situations such as freezing weather, synthetic surfaces often allow racing to be conducted when it might otherwise be canceled due to a frozen track.

The first synthetic surface ever to be used for thoroughbred racing was not a replacement for dirt, but instead for turf (grass). Tropical Park's Tartan turf, a synthetic surface similar to Astroturf, was installed in 1966 and used as an alternate inside turf track for several seasons. Tartan turf was never a success with horsemen. Since then, there has been no known artificial turf track surface put into use at a public track.

The first synthetic surface to replace dirt was installed at Remington Park, Oklahoma in 1988. This surface, called Equitrack, was found to be unsatisfactory and removed and replaced with a traditional dirt surface in 1991 after maintenance difficulties and complaints from horsemen.

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