Santa Anita to add natural sand to dirt track
June 24, 2011ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Santa Anita will add natural sand to its new dirt track during a 10-day maintenance project beginning July 11.
Santa Anita converted its troubled synthetic surface back to natural dirt last December. Immediately following the installation, the track was hit with near-record rainfall and the composition of the newly installed soils was altered, resulting in too much silt and clay.
Track officials said Friday that adding sand will remedy the imbalance and no further soil-related problems are expected. The inner training track will be available daily while the main track is closed.
Santa Anita will open its fall meeting in late September. The track is one of three finalists to host the Breeders' Cup next year.