Speaking during a Sept. 10 panel at Churchill Downs, three track superintendents described some of the challenges of maintaining synthetic tracks and improvements to their makeup and performance. Jeff ...

January 20, 2026 at 8:04 pm Sports Horse racing again considers synthetic surfaces to stem safety concerns After year of notable horse deaths, Santa Anita will consider replacing its dirt track with ...

Dirt flying as horses race around the track. Fans cheering as their favorite thunders down the stretch, hooves pounding toward the finish line. That sight and sound has disappeared from some North ...

Belmont Racetrack will represent “the gold standard for equine health and safety” when it reopens in 2026, the New York Racing Association said, because of the addition of a synthetic track and ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Santa Anita will replace its dirt training track with a synthetic surface as part of nearly $32 million in improvements planned as the venerable racetrack absorbs an influx of ...

Winter racing at Belmont Park will be exclusively run on a synthetic surface when the track reopens in 2026. The New York Racing Association announced that move Monday. The aim is to make racing safer ...

A major change coming to Santa Anita Park this winter is the transformation of its infield training track. As part of a larger $32 million improvement plan for Santa Anita announced this summer, Santa ...

Bob Elliston, president of Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., talks about the course's synthetic track with Steve Inskeep. It's designed to minimize wear and tear on horses. Over the last year, it has ...

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... By BETH HARRIS (AP Racing Writer) ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Santa Anita will replace its dirt training track with a synthetic surface as part of nearly $32 ...