Santa Anita christens its $8 million synthetic training track

On a rainy Saturday when racing was postponed, Santa Anita opened its new, $8 million synthetic training surface.

The Tapeta inner track will complement the one-mile, natural-dirt main track and serve as a safe and viable component in the training of Thoroughbreds on a year-round basis.

Manufactured by Tapeta Footings of Maryland, Tapeta is in use at nine different racecourses and has proven to be the safest and best all-weather surface in the world.

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“At Tapeta our aim is to maintain the surface so that we have a soft cushion below and a slightly firmer finish on top,” Tapeta Footings’ Joan Wakefield said. “This helps to reduce kickback and provide stability without as much impact on the horse. For the training track at Santa Anita, we have used a high-temperature wax specially blended to suit the California climate.”

Santa Anita’s original training track, nicknamed Anita Chiquita, was eliminated in the early 1970s when construction began on what is now The Shops at Santa Anita Mall next to the racecourse off Baldwin Avenue. The current, inner training track was built at that time. At 4,200 feet, it is just 60 shy of 6 1/2 furlongs in circumference.

“We are delighted to have finished construction on this very important project, and I know our horsemen are anxious to begin utilizing it,” Santa Anita senior vice president and general manager Nate Newby said. “It’s been a major undertaking, and we are so fortunate to have the project headed up by Dennis and Rob Moore along with Jesse Martínez.

“The Tapeta surface has drawn rave reviews from horsemen in Florida, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and around the world.  The surface here has been designed specifically for our unique climate and conditions.

“We’d also like to thank our horsemen, owners and all Thoroughbred stakeholders for their patience throughout this process. We look forward to fully utilizing this asset during morning training and to presenting the best possible product for everyone in the afternoon.”

Gulfstream Park in Florida, Golden Gate Fields in Northern California, Turfway Park in Kentucky, Presque Isle Downs in Pennsylvania, Woodbine in Canada, Spreyton Park in Australia and United Kingdom courses Newcastle, Southwell and Wolverhampton have Tapeta tracks. Once Belmont Park is fully redeveloped, a Tapeta track will be available there, too.