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GN-1 Installed At Hollywood Park
By Steve Andersen
Daily Racing Form
November 16, 2005
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Hollywood Park has completed the installation of new
sod for its beleaguered turf course, which is not being used during the
current meeting after the course installed this summer failed to take root.
The new course is a Bermuda grass known as GN-1, according to racing
secretary Martin Panza, and was developed by professional golfer Greg
Norman. A similar Bermuda grass is used on the turf course at Del Mar.
The installation of the new sod was completed last weekend. "It was ripped
and replaced within a week," Panza said.
The new course will not be used until the last week of April, when
Hollywood Park opens its spring-summer meeting. Until then, the track will
take measures to ensure the course is growing, including the application of
a chemical that promotes growth, Panza said.
"Supposedly, it's the most tolerant to cool weather," he said of the new
Bermuda surface.
Panza said the track would not cover the grass with tarps to keep the
surface warm during the winter, because the tarps would interfere with
sunshine.
The absence of turf racing has hampered field sizes. On Wednesday, after
six horses withdrew in the morning, there were 54 horses scheduled to run
in eight races. In an effort to attract more horses, entries have been
drawn much later than during a normal meeting.
Panza was reluctant to comment on field sizes.
"This is unchartered ground," he said of a main track-only meeting. "I've
got some big stables that haven't had many runners yet."
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