>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? <

I would never even consider running over it. I would not want to lose my ability to evaluate his current form on dirt. How could I tell if he belonged in the Derby or not and what kind of traning he needed for the race unless he was equally good on both surfaces.

>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? <

I would forgive it, but I would still require some extra margin of safety in my required odds because you can't be 100% certain it was the surface.

>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?<

You can't really know. You can only look for clues in the WOs, pedigree, trainer method etc...

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

As in "C", case by case, but it's an obviously complicating issue. I would tend to disregard the race though.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2007 04:54PM by fkach.