The name "Polytrack" suggests a focus on track surfaces and geometry. This feature leans into that identity by making the track itself the most dynamic element of the gameplay. It rewards players who possess "track intelligence"—the ability to read the surface, remember where the grip is, and adapt their racing line lap after lap.
Polytrack: The Science of All-Weather Racing Polytrack is a proprietary synthetic horse racing surface engineered for safety and year-round consistency. Unlike traditional natural surfaces, Polytrack acts as an "all-weather" (AW) solution, designed to maintain its performance characteristics through heavy rain, frost, and extreme heat. Pegasus Training and Rehabilitation +3 Composition and Engineering Polytrack is a sophisticated blend of materials layered over a complex drainage system. Asphalt magazine The Mix: It primarily consists of silica sand mixed with recycled materials including carpet fibers, spandex, and rubber. The Coating: The entire mixture is coated in a specialized wax, which binds the materials together and prevents dust. Vertical Drainage: While dirt tracks rely on "crowning" to shed water sideways, Polytrack is designed for vertical drainage. Water flows through the porous surface into an asphalt or aggregate base and then out through drain pipes. Asphalt magazine +4 Safety and Performance Proponents of Polytrack highlight several benefits for both horses and trainers: Reduced Injury Rates: Statistics from the Equine Injury Database indicate that synthetic surfaces like Polytrack often have significantly lower fatal injury rates (approx. 0.41 per 1,000 starts) compared to turf (0.99) or dirt (1.44). Shock Absorption: The wax and fiber blend provides a cushioning effect that reduces impact on a horse's joints and tendons. No Kickback: Unlike dirt, which can spray back into the faces of trailing horses, Polytrack offers a "clean" run similar to turf, which can improve the confidence of young horses. Handicapping Dynamics: Polytrack races often favor horses with "turf" pedigrees and stamina, as the surface tends to reward rhythmic, closing running styles over the explosive early speed favored on dirt. TwinSpires +3 Global Polytrack Sites 11 sites Keeneland uses asphalt in horse racing track renovation Nov 16, 2007 — polytrack sites