Keeneland is a one-third owner of Turfway, along with Harrah's Entertainment and GTECH Corp.Polytrack was installed last year at Keeneland. Officials said they wanted to observe its performance during the winter before making a decision on whether the Turfway surface should be replaced.Turfway, which races from early December through early April, loses racing programs due to weather-related track conditions in the winter. The surface is subject to a freeze/thaw process when temperatures fluctuate.
Keeneland and Turfway Park plan a joint press conference April 27 at Keeneland to discuss installation of the Polytrack surface, now used on Keeneland's five-eighths-mile training track, at Turfway.Details weren't available, though officials have floated the idea of installing the synthetic material on the one-mile track at the Northern Kentucky track. Turfway president Bob Elliston couldn't be immediately reached for comment.Officials expected to attend the 9:30 a.m. EDT press conference at Barn 43 at Keeneland are Elliston; Nick Nicholson, president of Keeneland; and Martin Collins, creator of Polytrack and president of Martin Collins International.