Grayson-Jockey Club to fund track surface research

The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced Thursday that it is

providing $50,000 to fund an innovative research project designed to create a

state-of-the-art method of assessing racetrack surfaces. The project is being

conducted by Dr. Sue Stover, Dr. Mont Hubbard, Dr. Shrinivasa Upadhyaha and

Jacob Setterbo at the University of California-Davis.

The researchers seek to replicate synthetic and dirt racetrack surfaces in a

laboratory setting. Successful validation of the laboratory "track in a box"

will enable the study of factors that affect hoof impact, and thus propensity

for injury, on racetrack surfaces in a carefully controlled environment.

The track in a box is designed to gather data from simulated hoof impacts on

different surface materials. Subsequently, hoof impact data will be used in a

computer model of the equine forelimb to predict fetlock joint angle and

suspensory ligament and digital flexor tendon strains with different race

surface properties.

"We believe that, eventually, standard mechanical properties can be

determined, and racetrack surface manufacturers can engineer surface materials

that will minimize fetlock injuries in racehorses," Stover said.

The model and simulation can be used to determine these optimal, standard

mechanical properties.

"Conducting this research in a laboratory setting can simulate an infinite

number of race surfaces without having to build and test entire new

racecourses," Stover explained.

Additionally, the computer model can allow for testing of extremes, which

would not be appropriate if actual horses were being used. In reference to how

this project interfaces with existing science and other recently launched

efforts funded by industry organizations, Dr. Stover stressed: "This laboratory

study complements the efforts of Drs. Mick Peterson and C. Wayne McIlwraith, who

are conducting composition analysis and performance testing of existing race

surfaces to promote consistency and reduce injury rates. These efforts are

important for direct feedback to racetrack management teams, but are limited to

existing race surfaces under varying environmental conditions.

"In the laboratory, many new factors -- for example, new surfaces and

horseshoes -- can be studied that optimize traction while reducing injury risk.

Laboratory studies also control the environmental circumstances, thus avoiding

the confounding of the results incurred by the multiple environmental variants

in natural racetrack settings."

"Our board of directors was enthusiastic when Dr. Larry Bramlage, then head

of our Research Advisory Committee, explained the potential of this project,"

said Edward L. Bowen, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. "The

board authorized us to seek funds specifically for Dr. Stover's team's

imaginative idea. I am grateful that a donor has stepped up with an anonymous

contribution to support this project."

The recently launched project is being added to the 17 others that the

foundation earlier announced it would be funding in 2009. The total allocation

for all 18 will be $924,894 this year.