Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory

Race Track and Arena Surface Testing

Daily Monitoring

Weather Data

Real time monitoring of weather at the track is critical to understanding the response of the racing surface and the selection of track maintenance tools. For turf tracks the implementation of an evapotranspiration model can assist in irrigation.

Current efforts are focused on the development of an evaporation model for dirt surfaces which uses the weather station along with maintenance information to assist in the timing of water addition.

On Site Weather Station

Longchamp Penetrometer

Dirt

Cushion Depth (in.): Metal Ruler or Longchamp Penetrometer.

Moisture Content (VMC): Spectrum TDR 250, 300 (no longer sold), or 350.

Turf

Penetration Depth (in.): Longchamp Penetrometer

Moisture Content (VMC): Spectrum TDR 250, 300 (no longer sold), or 350.

Synthetic

Penetration Depth (in.): Longchamp Penetrometer.

Surface Temperature (Degrees F): Thermocouple Thermometer with Handheld Probe.

Longchamp Penetrometer; a device used to take Cushion Depth (on Dirt and Synthetic surfaces), and Penetration Depth (on Turf surfaces).

Volumetric Moisture Content

Volumetric Moisture Content (VMC) is the method used to measure the moisture content of both turf and dirt tracks. These are generally low cost tools that are used on a daily basis for management of the moisture content of the racing surface. The choice of moisture probes are based on extensive research done by the department of agriculture in the USA (USDA) where they compared moisture monitoring tools. A Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) probe for example, can be easily carried by hand, in a truck or on a 4-wheeler around the track to test the moisture and provide a standard map of the testing.

For racing we recommend the FieldScout TDR 250 Soil Moisture Meter. The unit should be specified with the 3 inch rods.

Once the unit has been received the values of moisture content can then be typed into the Maintenance Quality System database. The Maintenance Quality System is then used for the creation of temporal (see below) and spatial plots of the variation in moisture content.

Taking TDR moisture readings on the track.

Integrated Racetrack Surface Tester (IRST)

Approaching nearly two decades of data collection between Australia and New Zealand, the Longchamp Penetrometer, which features a 1 kg mass falling from 1 meter and striking a 1 sq cm rod into the surface, has shown links to racing times and horse injuries on the turf in academic literature. RSTL has expanded on the Longchamp Penetrometer design by adding electronics to simultaneously measure moisture content, surface temperature, salinity, penetration depth, and GPS coordinates to identify spatial differences on a given racing surface. This design, coined the Integrated Racetrack Surface Tester (IRST), is freely placed in the public domain for anyone’s use.

Literature supporting the use of the Longchamp penetrometer:

  • Murhpy, J. W., Field, T. R. O., and Thomas, V. J. (1996) Racetrack Traction Assessment by Penetrometer Part I. Application of the Model. Journal of Turfgrass Management, Vol 1(4) 1996 https://doi.org/10.1300/J099v01n04_04 
  • Murhpy, J. W., Field, T. R. O., and Thomas, V. J. (1996) Racetrack Traction Assessment by Penetrometer Part II. Application of the Model. Journal of Turfgrass Management, Vol 1(4) 1996 https://doi.org/10.1300/J099v01n04_05
  • Rogers, C.W., Bolwell, C.F., Gee, E. K., Peterson, M. L., and Mcllwraith, C. W. (2014) Profile and Surface Conditions of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racetracks. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2014.06.017
  • Gibson, M. J., Bolwell, C.F., Gee, E. K., Legg, K. A., and Rogers, C.W. (2022) Race-Level Reporting of Incidents during Two Seasons (2015/2016 to 2016/2017) of Thoroughbred Flat Racing in New Zealand. Animals https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12081033
  • Schmitt, P. R., Sanderson, W, Rogers III, T., Barzee, T. J., Peterson, M. L. (2023) A Comparison of Devices for Race Day Characterization of North American Turfgrass Thoroughbred Racing Surfaces. Animals https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14010038
RSTL's take on adding electronics to the original Longchamp Penetrometer design

Publications & Standards

Test NameApplicable Surface(s)International
Standard(s)		Standard
Operating
Procedure		Peer-Reviewed Literature
PenetrometerTurf Racetrack Traction Assessment by Penetrometer Part I. The Model -
J.W. Murphy, et.al., 1996
Racetrack Traction Assessment by Penetrometer Part II. Application of the Model - J.W. Murphy, et.al., 1996