Artificial Turf

Two more horses broke down and were euthanized over the weekend at Santa Anita, bringing the number of fatalities from racing or training to seven since the meet's traditional Dec. 26 opening. The issue has remained heated with the ongoing controversy over the introduction the last two years of mandated synthetic tracks at Santa Anita, Del Mar and Hollywood Park. Dr.

Another day, another debate rages about Santa Anita's Pro-Ride synthetic surface, which is producing lots of supporters and detractors after 39 days of winter racing. In the strangest twist yet, there already have been 17 pick-six carryovers, compared to 19 during the entire 85-day meeting of 2007, when the track had a dirt surface. Some are calling the string of pick-six carryovers a track conspiracy to generate bigger crowds. Others say it's a coincidence.

Racing is scheduled to resume at Santa Anita today for the first time in six days. The Arcadia track lost an unprecedented three straight race days, Saturday through Monday, because of heavy rains and the ongoing drainage problem with the facility's new synthetic surface. Ron Charles, Santa Anita president, said Wednesday that he had a very productive meeting with trainers and owners to discuss the situation and possible options.

The decision has been made. Santa Anita will replace its existing synthetic track with a new one this summer. Santa Anita President Ron Charles initially had said a decision on whether to replace the track or keep the revamped one now in place wouldn't be made until after the winter-spring meet ends April 20. But at the end of an all-day special California Horse Racing Board meeting Wednesday at Santa Anita, Charles made the surprise announcement.

Santa Anita officials announced Monday that its synthetic track will undergo a complete overhaul beginning July 14, the day after the current Hollywood Park meet ends. Ron Charles, Santa Anita president, said five to six weeks are being allotted for the project, although it could be finished in three weeks.

At the end of last summer's Del Mar thoroughbred racing meet, one somber statistic overshadowed all others: 19 horses were dead, victims of catastrophic injuries at the track. One veteran horseman described the seaside venue that season as "a killing field." But incidents of track fatalities were hardly unique to Del Mar.

HOMEOWNERS know that in one field of life, nothing less than perfection is acceptable. The rules of the lawn are very clear: no bare patches, Fido-induced brownouts, weeds, anemic blades or lusterless shades of green. The quest for perfect grass is grueling enough that some might sell their souls to get it. Deberoh Gruver did, and she couldn't be more delighted. The Riverside teacher's lawn is perfect 365 days a year.

A new era in California racing begins today with the start of Hollywood Park's autumn meet. Gone is the traditional dirt surface, replaced by a synthetic surface known as Cushion Track. All major thoroughbred venues in the state have been mandated by the California Horse Racing Board to switch to a synthetic surface of some kind by the start of 2008. The arrival of Cushion Track has prompted some optimism heading into the 36-day season in Inglewood.

The company that makes AstroTurf, a pioneering brand of artificial grass, has settled an environmental lawsuit with the state of California, agreeing to eliminate almost all lead from its product used on playing fields and residential backyards. Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown announced the agreement today in the 2008 suit against Dalton, Ga.-based AstroTurf and other makers of synthetic turf filed under California's Proposition 65 law. The proposition approved by voters in 1986 requires products to carry warning labels if they contain chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or birth defects.

Five things happening around the world: 1Steve Nash could walk into any Major League Soccer club today and make the starting lineup within a few weeks, but the soccer-loving NBA star's passion lies across the sea, like so many others. He might play basketball for the Phoenix Suns, but Nash's soccer heart is with Tottenham Hotspur, the English Premier League club better known simply as Spurs. Talking to England's Guardian newspaper, Nash predicted that he one day would have a role to play with the 126-year-old London club.