There goes a couple of feet

Saratoga Springs, New York

Racing would be an industry led by sharpshooters if only its foot were the target.

Having already ruined its racing product with the installation of a Polytrack surface that resulted in steep betting declines during its spring meeting and promises more carnage in the fall meeting yet to come, the people who run Keeneland are considering an expansion of what is one of the few landmark racetracks in America.

Even as efforts gain momentum in Florida that would result in the restoration of Hialeah Park, a study to determine the feasibility of a massive expansion of Keeneland is underway. Hopefully, someone will nip this foolishness in the bud before it develops legs.

Shrines are not meant for expansion and two short meeting a year at Keeneland have always worked perfectly in Lexington. Under the if it’s not broken don’t fix it rule – violation of which is always punished – the only thing broken at Keeneland is the racing surface.

The frightening part of this is that Keeneland’s ship is steered by many of the same people who are influential in the Breeders’ Cup, which has made a grievous mistake by locating the next two at Santa Anita Park, where the synthetic surface will cost the event the presence of the defending and likely two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, among others. Keeneland proposes to host the Breeders’ Cup, perhaps permanently.

A restored Hialeah Park, known for the quality of both its dirt and turf surfaces, would be far more accommodating a permanent location for the Breeders’ Cup than Keeneland or any track at which racing is conducted on a synthetic track.

The chance that good judgment will prevail in Lexington is not yet beyond the realm of possibility, though the mere entertainment of such an idea is troubling. -PM