Woodbine, which experienced problems with its Polytrack surface in cold weather last year and before the start of its meet in late March, hopes to address the issues during a two-step process that will begin in May.

On March 31, opening day, the surface produced slow times and kickback that appeared to hinder late runners. Rain that arrived the next day seemed to reduce the kickback.

Polytrack, which cost $10 million to install and was unveiled at the end of last summer, is billed as an all-weather surface. But cold temperatures have continued to cause the fibers and wax in the surface to separate.

“When we first put this track down and starting racing on it, it was an exceptional surface, but as we got into cold weather, it was hard to keep in great racing form,” said Jim Ormiston, executive vice president at Woodbine in Canada