Horses take first steps on Del Mar's Polytrack

Del Mar's newly installed Polytrack surface opened for training on Thursday,

six days before racing gets under way at the seaside track on July 18. Track

clockers officially timed only two horses for works, but estimated that as many

as 400 or so of the 600 runners on the grounds were out for a jog or gallop on

the $9 million surface.

Multiple stakes winner INDIAN BREEZE (Indian Charlie) was the more notable of

the duo posting works, taking a half-mile spin in :50 3/5 for trainer Adam

Kitchingman.

Joe Harper, president and general manager of the Del Mar Turf Club, was on

the scene to gauge the horsemen's reactions.

"They like it," Harper said. "I'm getting nothing but positive reactions. I

had one trainer tell me the only thing wrong with this track was me standing in

the middle of it asking everyone how it is."

"We galloped our horses over it this morning and it seemed to have a lot of

cushion to it, but firm," conditioner David Hofmans said. "It's a little

different than the Cushion Track (at Hollywood Park). This seems a little

firmer, not loose. The horses seem to go over the top of it, not into it. The

riders say the horses feel good and springy on it."

"So far, so good," said Jim Barnes, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert. "We

don't know yet what changes might take place as a day goes on -- days get

warmer. From what you can see, the horses are going over it well. They're not

leaving divots. As the horses train, it gives and then comes back. We're very

happy with it right now."

"It seemed like the horses really sensed it was a new track and they were

kind of cautious," horseman Bruce Headley said. "My riders said it felt very

good to them. They said the horses knew it was different but they bounced along,

and so we're hopeful that it's what everybody dreams it is."

Installation of the Polytrack began in January, with the major portion of the

project completed by the end of April, but more wax and fibers have been added

to the mix recently to help its consistency.

"We're cautiously optimistic," said Tom Robbins, vice president for racing

and racing secretary. "So far, so good. We'll continue to monitor the track on a

daily basis to make sure we have it where it is right. But we're off to a good

start, and that's a good thing."