How Green is Our Grass?

Each year the turf course is transformed from its winter dormant stage to a lush, green summer turf.

The main track/dirt course, currently consisting of stone dust from the fall harness meet, is covered with 20,000 tons of dirt composite for Colonial's summer thoroughbred season. After the summer thoroughbred season and prior to the fall harness season, the 20,000 tons of dirt will be removed and a new cushion of stone dust will be added to the existing base. In order to lay the dirt, the paver (green machine pictured below used to pave highways) pushes the dump truck while laying down the dirt and leveling it to the desired depth. Each truck carries 25 tons of dirt requiring 800 loads to finish the track. Follow this page to watch the tracks prepare for the race season.

Click any of the photos for a larger view.

Dirt Placement

First turn close up:

May 6

April 30

April 27

April 24

Entire Track Panorama:

May 6

April 30

April 27

April 24