Will This be the Final Kentucky Derby on Dirt?

The 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby may be the last of its kind. How so? More and more racetracks around the country are going to a synthetic track. This years Breeders Cup, held at Santa Anita Racetrack, will be the first on the new surface. And, no, this isn't like artificial turf were it is harmful to horses ligaments. Some actually say that the synthetic track is better for the Thoroughbred runners.

“There were absolutely no concerns in taking the Breeders’ Cup to an artificial surface,” Greg Avioli, president and CEO of Breeders’ Cup said in a recent interview.

So could this be the last Kentucky Derby on the dirt? Churchill Downs probably look at how the Breeders Cup goes and as long as there is no backlash maybe they will go for it. For a race as rich in tradition as the Kentucky Derby, it is always hard to make changes, but if it is better for the sport they should probably go for it.