Keeneland, Turfway unite to ban toe grabs

On Thursday, Keeneland and Turfway Park officials announced a new shoe policy

banning the use of toe grabs. The policy is effective at both racetracks

beginning September 1. Rogers Beasley, Keeneland's director of racing, and Bob

Elliston, president of Turfway Park, issued a joint statement regarding the new

policy.

"We applaud the efforts of the Jockey Club Thoroughbred Safety Committee,

TOBA's Thoroughbred Action Committee and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to

address safety in racing," Beasley and Elliston said. "Their unanimous support

for a ban on the use of toe grabs is a significant step toward improving the

welfare of horses."

The policy, which will apply to all horses training and racing on Keeneland's

Polytrack and turf course, as well as Turfway's Polytrack, states, "No toe

grabs, caulks, stickers, inserts, blocks, turndowns, trailers or heel extensions

will be allowed on front or hind shoes. Only flat, Queen's Plate, Queen's Plate

XT or equivalent may be used on the Polytrack or turf."