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DEL MAR, Calif. -- The Polytrack synthetic surface at Del Mar will undergo renovation this weekend and will be heavily mixed on Monday, in an effort to avoid the circumstances that led to the cancellation of training on Thursday, track superintendent Richard Tedesco said on Friday.

Training was cancelled because of inconsistencies in the surface, primarily the result of separation of the sand and fiber that is part of the Polytrack material. Racing was held as scheduled on Thursday afternoon.

After training on Friday, Tedesco and a maintenance crew were busy preparing the surface for a late afternoon racing program by using a device called a cultivator to blend material.

"I'm trying to get a little better mix on the track," Tedesco said.

Tedesco said the issue of sand and fiber separating is not unique to Del Mar's Polytrack surface.

"I called Keeneland and they said they've had the same thing," he said. "I know what I'll have to do to combat it and I'll work on it more. I'm on a learning curve here."

Tedesco, who also oversees Santa Anita's main track, began working on Del Mar's Polytrack surface in early July. The race meeting began on Wednesday.

Monday, the track will be roto-tilled, or heavily mixed, to a depth of approximately six inches. The roto-tilling process is designed to avoid compaction in the top layers.

A missed day of training on Thursday led to a busy morning of workouts on Friday, with 182 works on the main track.

Trainer Peter Miller, who won Thursday's sixth race for maiden claimers with Comma to the Top, said the track was "a little tighter and faster" on Thursday. Miller said he thought the track was safe.

Trainer John Sadler, the president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, said he has heard a variety of opinions on the surface from the members of his organization.

"It seemed like everyone was fairly happy [Thursday afternoon]," he said. "You get every opinion."

Sadler himself did not work any horses on Friday, but expected to be busy on Saturday, having given his runners another day of galloping on Friday.

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