Racehorse Track Maintenance Procedures (for Dirt & Synthetic)

When horses run across racetracks, the surfaces become compacted under the weight of the horse. As the surfaces compact, they become harder, and the forces imposed on the horse limbs can increase dramatically. Racetrack maintenance personnel play a key part in ensuring the safety of the racetrack surfaces, mainly by harrowing, watering, and adjusting the surface composition. This video will detail many maintenance procedures commonly performed Thoroughbred racehorse racetrack surfaces. The procedures shown specifically relate to dirt and synthetic surfaces.
This video was developed and narrated by Jacob Setterbo, PhD, former graduate student at the JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory at UC Davis. Research was funded by grants from: Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, the Southern California Equine Foundation, and the Center for Equine Health with funds provided by the State of California pari-mutuel fund and contributions by private donors. Thanks for help from: Del Mar Racetrack management, Steve Wood, Steve Wood, Jr. and crew; Golden Gate Fields management, Juan Meza and crew; Alameda County Fairgrounds management, Jim Burns and crew; Jim Pendergest of Martin Collins Surfaces and Footings, makers of Polytrack; Akihiro (Hiro) Yamaguchi; Dr. Susan Stover, Dr. Mont Hubbard, & Dr. Shrini Upadhyaya (Jacob's research advisors).

[@taiditoysandgelblasters5119]

thanaks for this video, i run a hobby business with a small tractor and was asked to rotary till the track of a trainer, this has helped me understand his needs better, so i will do a deeper rip first them rotary till i think based on his input. rather than jsut taking the rotary tiller ill take rippers harrow and a box blade

[@JJSetterbo]

Great - I am glad it was helpful, and thanks for your feedback!

[@bmc06239]

Jacob..Santa Anita is at the forefront in implementing the methods for racing surface from the studies of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation project to reduce injuries. Are you aware of the problems there this year? Do you think it possible there is a flaw in the hoof-fall research used to develop the surface composition? I do. I have some information for you, it was ignored by Dr. Stover, but explains why these injuries are becoming prevalent again.

[@JJSetterbo]

I apologize for not responding earlier. I am not up-to-date in the field as I stopped working on this project in 2011. My research at UC Davis was partially supported by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, so I know they are at the forefront for supporting this type of research. For your question, I think every racetrack is unique with respect to how they decide what surface composition they use. Therefore, I doubt that all of them use any one research study to make decisions. I would suggest reaching out to the racetracks themselves to determine that.

[@sikkx69]

So on dirt which is best for the final step using a straight bar Harrow ? Or something like an arena Works roto tiller?

[@JJSetterbo]

Hello - I am afraid that is beyond my expertise, but I would suggest asking a manager of a track with a similar dirt composition for their tips.

[@fabian8813]

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[@JJSetterbo]

I have not heard of it, but my horse race betting experience is limited to a couple times during $1 beer night....