"Fake Dust " Storms At Turfway

[asfufh]

I was watching the races on TVG last night and the amount of \"dust\" kicked up by the horses hoofs at Turfway was very noticable and hung in the air about \"horse eye\" tall like a fog. This has to be tough on both the horses and the jockeys that run consistantly near the back of the pack especially over a bunch of races. I watched a couple of dirt races at other tracks to see the amount of \"dust\" kicked up and it wasn\'t close to the TP clouds. Also, many of the TP jockeys appeared to be wearing surgical masks.

[bobphilo]

That is interesting since Poyturf is known for reducing both dusk and kick-back. Wonder if it\'s some quirk with Turfway.
As far as the jocks wearing the masks because of dust, the particles have to be be so microcopic as to be invisiible to get into the air sacs (alveoli) of of the lungs so it could be just a panic reaction or protection against the cold. I\'d like to see a study of the particular surface, however, just in case.

Bob

[richiebee]

I think the face masks have a nice effect. Now they need to mount a mechanical stagecoach on the inside rail for horses and riders to chase, give the place a real wild west feel.

As I have said before, night racing plus artificial surface plus Mike Battaglia equals not for me, thank you.

Next Wednesdays feature at the Big A features NY Breds. Conspicuous by their absence are my three finalists in the category of most mismanaged NYB of \'05 -- Funny Cide, Sort it Out, and Galloping Grocer.

Happy holidays to all fellow posters (Congaree once comically called us \"Board Members\") and to the TG crew, and thanks so much for the week of free product.

[NoCarolinaTony]

Bob,

I told you all about this weeks ago. It\'s going to be an issue going forward.
Thanks Asfuth for somebody finally cooberating my story from a few weeks back.

NC Tony

[bobphilo]

Poyturf has been in use at several tracks for a a few years and I haven\'t heard this issue about \"dust\" raised until now at Turfway. Maybe somebody screwed up when they installed it there?
In any case, I would think that some of the jockeys would have raised the issue with management or the press if thay thought something was putting them at risk.
The jockey community is pretty good at making it known when they feel that riding conditions are hazardous, and rightly so. So far, the only comments I\'ve heard from trainers, owners, exercise riders and jocks who\'ve actually ridden on the track, have been positive.

Bob

[bobphilo]

Tony and Asfuth

As for the dust issue at Turfway, I would like to add that, while I believe Polytrack is safe, I\'m not implying that you guys are hallucinating about seeing dust or the jockey's wearing masks.
I know Turfway is currently involved with a possible equine herpes outbreak with one filly dead and barns being quarantined, but I would hope that if the jocks are so concerned that they're wearing masks, they would raise the dust issue publicly.

Bob

[TGJB]

http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=tele&id=14935&style=red

Discussion includes one about the kickback.

[bobphilo]

Thanks for the link, Jerry. Some of the statements made by Elliston (Turfway Pres.) appear to back my assertation that problemse attributed to Polytrack are more related to installation and maintenance. He acknowledges reports of dust (really the lighter polypropylene fibers being kicked up), but confesses that they hadn't watered the track once. He said they finally watered it Sat. and that reduced the problem. Polytrack is low maintenance, but you gotta do SOME maintenance.
Another interesting point he raised was that they only have a 2 ½ degree banking on the turns. Elliston claims the better traction negates this but I recall reading somewhere that one of the advantages of Polytrack is that it allows for more banking on turns than traditional dirt tracks. Why not take advantage of this when planning the layout?
Anyway, it seems the interview explains what people are seeing at Turfway.

Bob