On April 2, 2014 Keeneland announced that the current polytrack racing surface will be replaced by dirt. Industry figures and fans were quick to weigh in on the decision via Twitter.
ALERT: Keeneland to Replace Polytrack With Dirt http://t.co/Z0rkfNfRwp
— The Blood-Horse (@BloodHorse) April 2, 2014
Owner Ken Ramsey on Keeneland switch to dirt "From a handicapping standpoint, I'm all for replacing it. As an owner, I have mixed emotions."
— horseracinghl (@horseracinghl) April 2, 2014
It's complicated but the facts are polytrack has been safer & that's my disappointment. Lets hope the new dirt @keeneland is much improved.
— GrahamMotion (@GrahamMotion) April 2, 2014
As most know, i'm a fan of dirt, but quite sad to see Keeneland's polytrack go. Always big, competitive fields there.
— Mark Milligan (@markmill_73) April 3, 2014
Removal of polytrack at Keeneland probably means Nick Zito could stable more horses here.
— CC Broaddus (@drshillito) April 3, 2014
Ran into trainer Jonathan Sheppard this morning @keeneland. Says to put him in the camp of those who don't like the surface switch.
— horseracinghl (@horseracinghl) April 3, 2014
@keeneland Since 2009, 11,367 starts on Keeneland's polytrack surface with 11 deaths. Not a dirt track anywhere near that safe, anywhere!
— Greg Jones (@WOOKIE318) April 2, 2014
Now that Keeneland is transitioning back to dirt can we stop saying "real" dirt or "organic" dirt? It is "dirt" and exactly that.
— Paul Mazur (@heylaserbeam) April 2, 2014
@heylaserbeam Horse safety should come first. #PolyTrack
— Robert Jarman (@rpjarman11) April 3, 2014
#polytrack is in my news feed so much I think I got some caught in my throat.
— Michael Dempsey (@turfnsport) April 2, 2014
Flash poll of Ky college students: Is Keeneland right to abandon Polytrack? "What's Polytrack?" (92%), "Yes, if beer is cheaper" (8%)
— Dan Needham (@thorotrends) April 2, 2014
@keeneland ..... That's lovely, but we stable over a dozen with Kellyn Gorder on Rice Road.. A little warning would have been thoughtful..
— John Mulholland (@Ruffian1981) April 2, 2014
#RIPKeenelandPolytrack We had a great betting run, lets make this April count. #Keeneland #Polytrack
— Allison Everhart (@WovenWeb08) April 2, 2014
I really don't understand how anyone can bash #Keeneland move away from Poly. Their Derby and BC preps had became Grade 3 turf events.
— Jack Jenkins (@VOLJACK79) April 2, 2014
Add Wesley Ward to the list of trainers concerned about Keeneland ditching Polytrack.
— Nick Kling (@docfonda) April 3, 2014
Dirt to polytrack, back to dirt. I think I'll just be a turf guy lol. Straight turf races for me until we make a final decision.
— Scott Raymond (@onehorsestable) March 30, 2014
