Most of these Pro events play out through the afternoon and into the evening. Practice and qualifying normally begins around 2:00pm and the main event occurs around 10:00pm. With average lap times of about 30-40 seconds on a mile track, a 25-lap main event takes only about fifteen minutes to run. Track prep usually involves applying lots of water all through the week prior to the race so the moisture runs deep into the soil. Cars and trucks drive around for many laps to pack the soil down. On race day, the track will be watered in the morning and occasionally through the afternoon. The idea is to keep the surface tacky and not too dusty. Calcium chloride may be applied to help the soil retain moisture. As darkness falls and ambient air temperature falls, the moisture in the soil will rise slowly to the surface, keeping the racing line grippy, with fewer water truck visits needed between races. That's how it's supposed to work, anyhow.
The Arizona Mile on May 12 was challenging. Because the Turf Paradise horse track in Phoenix has no lights, the entire event had to be prosecuted in daylight hours. Although it was not as hot as when I was there a year ago, temps were still in the 90s all day and the track baked in the sunshine. There were frequent breaks to sweep off the dust and add water. For reasons I'm unsure of, the organizers were not allowed to apply calcium chloride. This put the whole event far off schedule and it finished just after sunset. The main event was shortened by five laps. Some riders complained that a lack of visibility caused by clouds of dust and growing darkness made it too unsafe. But people were careful, there were no bad crashes and everyone was happy just to get through the day.
The Arizona Mile on May 12 was challenging. Because the Turf Paradise horse track in Phoenix has no lights, the entire event had to be prosecuted in daylight hours. Although it was not as hot as when I was there a year ago, temps were still in the 90s all day and the track baked in the sunshine. There were frequent breaks to sweep off the dust and add water. For reasons I'm unsure of, the organizers were not allowed to apply calcium chloride. This put the whole event far off schedule and it finished just after sunset. The main event was shortened by five laps. Some riders complained that a lack of visibility caused by clouds of dust and growing darkness made it too unsafe. But people were careful, there were no bad crashes and everyone was happy just to get through the day.