Golden Gate freshens up racing surface

Golden Gate Fields completed scheduled maintenance work on its Tapeta track surface Monday in preparation for the opening of its summer-fall meet on Aug. 25.

New fibers and wax were added to the surface beginning after Sunday’s workouts. The additions, made under the supervision of track superintendant Juan Meza and a team from Tapeta Footings, are designed to rejuvenate the synthetic surface, which was first installed in the summer of 2007.

“We constantly strive to keep our racing surface in top condition for our horses, exercise riders, jockeys, trainers, owners and the betting public,” said Golden Gate’s general manager, Robert Hartman. “A safe, consistent racetrack obviously benefits everyone involved in horse racing, and we offer just such a surface here at Golden Gate Fields.”