Polytrack tweaked to slow it down

DEL MAR, Calif. – Wax was added to the Polytrack synthetic surface at Del Mar on Tuesday in an effort to slow race and workout times, according to track superintendent Richard Tedesco.

Over the weekend, track records were set at four distances – five furlongs, one mile, 1 1/16 miles, and 1 1/8 miles.

Tuesday’s procedure was conducted along with a roto-tilling to a depth of four inches to loosen the top layer of material, Tedesco said.

“It was a light waxing,” he said. “I didn’t want a lot of stick. I wanted it a little slower. It was getting too fast.”

Tedesco said the course will be tilled each Monday to a depth of about three or four inches to avoid excessive compaction. The summer race meeting runs through Sept. 3.

The project was scheduled to be conducted July 22 but was postponed a week to gather the proper equipment, Tedesco said.

Tedesco said Tuesday’s procedure was the last time a wax coating will be added to the track this year. The Polytrack surface is scheduled to be replaced by a dirt track in early 2015. Del Mar will host a monthlong autumn meeting in November.