Peterson tests safety of Kentucky track after horse injuries, media report

The Lexington-Herald Leader reported Mick Peterson, a University of Maine professor of mechanical engineering and executive director of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, tested the safety of the Keeneland track in Lexington, Kentucky after three horses suffered fatal breakdowns. Peterson worked with officials to review testing and daily measuring procedures to ensure the safety of the dirt track, according to the article. According to a Keeneland news release, Peterson’s review found the dirt surface met all the pre-meet test criteria and all maintenance had been performed in accordance with protocols developed for the track. “Keeneland, along with a small group of industry leaders, has made a commitment to advancing knowledge and providing the most consistent surfaces in the industry,” Peterson said in the release. The Bangor Daily News carried the Lexington-Herald Leader article. KyForward, The Horse and Paulick Report also reported on Peterson’s assessment.