This will be the first year that this Grade I event will be contested over the
Keeneland Karpet. To me, lots of implications for trainers/owners and Derby
handicappers.

a) If you are an owner trainer who has a solid Derby contender who has not run
previously on synthetic, would you be inclined or disinclined to run over a
synthetic surface prepping for the Derby?

b) If you are a handicapper, would you forgive a poor run over a synthetic
surface for a Derby contender who had previously showed good dirt form?

c) What happens if an unheralded Derby contender (non stake winner, NW2LT,
NW3LT, etc) runs a huge race to win the Blue Grass. Is this an improving horse
or just a horse that loved the carpet, or both?

d) In general how to handle an absolute boom or bust performance in the BG.

e) Curious as to how many animals of all ages came out of a Keeneland race last
fall to win a dirt race at the fall Churchill meet. A miniscule sample, but if
the percentage of next out winners was high, I might be more likely to allow a
good or bad BG to enter my thinking.