The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) of Ontario has reported that the installation of a new track surface at Woodbine Racetrack is going well, and on schedule.
On December 1st, workers began removing the former Polytrack surface and replacing it with the Tapeta™ (pronounced Ta-PETE-a). As of December 11th, it was estimated that the job would be complete by the end of the month, in part due to the unseasonably warm weather.
Woodbine selected the new surface in consultation with the HBPA. “At Woodbine, it’s in our mandate to act in the best interests of horse racing and a regular, thorough examination of our track surfaces is paramount in that pursuit,” said Jim Lawson, Chairman of the Board, Woodbine Entertainment Group. “We went through an exhaustive consultation exercise in our search for the new main track. It’s clear that Tapeta is the next generation of horse racing surfaces that we’ll be proud to unveil in April of 2016.”
The Tapeta™ website lists the benefits of using their product as:
• Safer for jockeys/reduced injuries to horses – fewer falls, no toe grabs, stickers or caulks
• More forgiving to forelegs
• Better stability for the hind end
• Horses run on 7-inch cushion
• Horses can run more often
• Reduced Kickback
• Ability to bank turns
• Vertical drainage system
• Eliminates muddy tracks
• Reduced maintenance (smaller tractors, light machines)
• Minimal water needed
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