Synthetic surfaces gaining traction

There is no shortage of detractors of synthetic surfaces, be it Polytrack, Cushion track or Tapeta. However, in a sport where change moves as fast as a glacier, the switch to synthetic surfaces is coming at warp speed.

I compare the work-in-progress nature of synthetic surfaces to that of pro sports using artificial playing fields. The first fake grass field was AstroTurf, installed in the Houston Astrodome in 1966. It's been 41 years since and research into artificial turf is ongoing. That learning curve will never end for synthetic racing surfaces either.

I saw a vote of confidence for synthetic surfaces in comparing three main track grade 1 stakes run the final week at Del Mar and Saratoga. Del Mar drew 37 runners in the Pacific Classic, Del Mar Debutante and Del Mar Futurity. Saratoga had only 21 horses in its equivalent races, the Woodward, Spinaway and Hopeful.

That's only one snapshot. But consider this: The 37 runners was the most ever for the three Del Mar stakes going back to 1991 when the Pacific Classic was first run. That's a 16-year comparison. I give credit also to the prior Cushion track meet at Hollywood Park.

• HEARTSWIDEOPEN -- Congratulations to Javier and Manny Rodriguez of Las Vegas who own Heartswideopen, winner of the $1.9 million All American Futurity. The rich quarter horse race was run at Ruidoso Downs on Labor Day. The brothers, who own Desert Plastering stucco company, bought the champion filly for only $60,000.

• SOUTH POINT -- The South Point has finished installing 160 more flat-screen monitors. That brings to 200 the number of individual seat monitors in their racebook. This continues a positive trend of local casinos upgrading their racebook amenities.

• HONG KONG -- The Nevada Parimutuel Association has turned down a contract proposal to offer betting on racing from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The NPMA cited the high takeout rate.

• JOCKEY'S GUILD -- Dwight Manley announced his resignation as the Jockey's Guild national manager. He'll be replaced by Terry Meyocks.

Give Manley credit. He saved the group after taking over in July 2006, replacing Wayne Gertmenian who had nearly bankrupted the guild during his reign.

Richard Eng's horse racing column is published Friday. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com.