The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced Thursday that it is
providing $50,000 to fund an innovative research project designed to create a
state-of-the-art method of assessing racetrack surfaces. The project is being
conducted by Dr. Sue Stover, Dr. Mont Hubbard, Dr. Shrinivasa Upadhyaha and
Jacob Setterbo at the University of California-Davis.
The researchers seek to replicate synthetic and dirt racetrack surfaces in a
laboratory setting. Successful validation of the laboratory “track in a box”
will enable the study of factors that affect hoof impact, and thus propensity
for injury, on racetrack surfaces in a carefully controlled environment.
The track in a box is designed to gather data from simulated hoof impacts on
different surface materials. Subsequently, hoof impact data will be used in a
computer model of the equine forelimb to predict fetlock joint angle and
suspensory ligament and digital flexor tendon strains with different race
surface properties.
“We believe that, eventually, standard mechanical properties can be
determined, and racetrack surface manufacturers can engineer surface materials
that will minimize fetlock injuries in racehorses,” Stover said.
The model and simulation can be used to determine these optimal, standard
mechanical properties.
“Conducting this research in a laboratory setting can simulate an infinite
number of race surfaces without having to build and test entire new
racecourses,” Stover explained.
Additionally, the computer model can allow for testing of extremes, which
would not be appropriate if actual horses were being used. In reference to how
this project interfaces with existing science and other recently launched
efforts funded by industry organizations, Dr. Stover stressed: “This laboratory
study complements the efforts of Drs. Mick Peterson and C. Wayne McIlwraith, who
are conducting composition analysis and performance testing of existing race
surfaces to promote consistency and reduce injury rates. These efforts are
important for direct feedback to racetrack management teams, but are limited to
existing race surfaces under varying environmental conditions.
“In the laboratory, many new factors — for example, new surfaces and
horseshoes — can be studied that optimize traction while reducing injury risk.
Laboratory studies also control the environmental circumstances, thus avoiding
the confounding of the results incurred by the multiple environmental variants
in natural racetrack settings.”
“Our board of directors was enthusiastic when Dr. Larry Bramlage, then head
of our Research Advisory Committee, explained the potential of this project,”
said Edward L. Bowen, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. “The
board authorized us to seek funds specifically for Dr. Stover’s team’s
imaginative idea. I am grateful that a donor has stepped up with an anonymous
contribution to support this project.”
The recently launched project is being added to the 17 others that the
foundation earlier announced it would be funding in 2009. The total allocation
for all 18 will be $924,894 this year.