Churchill Downs to Invest $5.6M in New Tapeta Synthetic Track at Turfway

[Wandering Eyes]

Churchill Downs Incorporated plans to invest $5.6 million to replace the existing track at Turfway Park with a new Tapeta synthetic track through an agreement with Tapeta Footings, Inc., CDI announced Tuesday. The removal of Turfway’s existing Polytrack and installation of the new Tapeta synthetic track will take place immediately following the close of Turfway’s Winter/Spring Meet Mar. 28 and is expected to be ready for the 2020 Holiday Meet beginning Dec. 2.

CDI owns and operates three of the four synthetic tracks in the United States and Turfway will become only the third track in America to use the Tapeta synthetic surface, joining CDI-owned Presque Isle Downs in Pennsylvania. Tapeta is comprised of a carefully selected mixture of silica sand, wax and fibers that simulate the root structure of turf and has been proven to perform well in heavy rainfall and winter weather consistent with Turfway’s racing conditions.

“The Tapeta team are all delighted to have been chosen to install a Tapeta surface at Turfway Park,” said Jan Wakefield, Vice President of Tapeta Footings, Inc. “We look forward to working with CDI and can only applaud them for a huge commitment in upgrading the entire facility. It is a huge boost for Northern Kentucky and comes at a welcome time for the racing industry.”

The Tapeta track installation is one component of CDI’s investment that will make way for development of Turfway Park Racing & Gaming, an up to $150 million state-of-the art live and historical Thoroughbred racing facility.

“The agreement with Tapeta is the first of many exciting initiatives to come for Turfway,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack and Turfway Park. “By partnering with Tapeta to provide the safest racing conditions for Turfway’s winter meets, we will be able to deliver one of the key elements supporting our goal of bringing a first-class racing product to Northern Kentucky.”

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