The brand-new Presque Isle Downs meet opens on Saturday, offering a whopping $500,000 per day in purse money. By way of comparison, Saratoga offers $770,000 per day.

In addition to the giant purse structure, Presque Isle Downs will feauture the debut of Tapeta Surface, a synthetic surface designed many years ago by the master horseman Michael Dickinson for use at his Tapeta Farm training center. I've been very surprised that several major racetracks around the country have opted for Polytrack, or Cushion Track, when Tapeta Surface has been in use @ Tapeta Farm for the better part of ten years. Seemingly, no one would give this surface a chance (until now). Considering Dickinson's reputation, that's very puzzling. Golden Gate is installing Tapeta Surface for their upcoming meet, but Presque Isle Downs will provide the first look. Here's an article about the new surface. Presque Isle Downs is located in Pennsylvania, btw...

New surface is right on track | Daily News | 08/30/2007

Sent you a PM.