Amid continued challenges with its turf course despite dry fall weather, Churchill Downs scrapped grass racing Nov. 15—the fourth consecutive racing day at least one scheduled turf race has been moved to the main track.
Since a horse named English Treasure fell in a Nov. 9 grass race there, Churchill has conducted just one turf race, the Nov. 11 River City Stakes (G3T), in which Smokin’ T defeated 11 rivals on a course rated as firm. Churchill moved an earlier race Saturday to its main track.
Darren Rogers, senior director of communications and media services for Churchill Downs, issued a statement about the course, saying: “We’ve decided it’s best to limit the number of turf races because we’re dissatisfied with the course’s current status. The preservation of fresh running lanes appears to provide better ground, but it’s a day-to-day decision. We’ve had good, open dialogue with the jockeys to get productive feedback, and we’ll continue to monitor the course one day at a time.”
Asked about the specific issue with the course, Rogers said the turf is deemed “loose.”
The track’s $10 million turf course, installed with sod in the fall of 2021, initially received positive reviews from riders and horsemen when introduced in the spring of 2022 but has not been able to sustain planned usage. Wear and tear became noticeable as the spring meet in 2022 continued, and the track began scaling back the number of races on the course. Churchill raced strictly on dirt during its September meet in 2022 and limited turf racing last fall.
Officials were hopeful for a more robust course this year with added maturity, but it has not met expectations.
Churchill Downs’ previous turf course also had a history of issues in the fall, with jockeys saying it could feel wet and deep despite dry conditions.
The latest off-the-turf changes have meant limited grass options for horsemen in the region. Fewer tracks conduct race meets in the fall than in the summer, and those still racing often scale back use of their turf when shorter days and cooler temperatures slow grass growth.
Off-turf races also tend to result in depleted fields, which can diminish betting. Wednesday’s fifth race had nine scratches, all due to the surface switch, from an oversubscribed field with 15 entrants, while the ninth race only had two scratches, taking the field size from eight to six.
The fall meet runs through Nov. 26. Three of the track’s remaining 10 stakes races are scheduled for turf—the Nov. 23 Cardinal Stakes (G3T), the Nov. 24 Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T), and the Nov. 26 Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3T).
Asked if those races would remain as scheduled on turf, Rogers reiterated the evaluation of the course is “day to day.”
“Nobody wants it fixed more than us,” Rogers added.
