Is "Liking the Surface" At Churchill Overrated?

[pointman]

Originally Posted by Kasept

No you're not. One problem has been however that taking to it or not taking to it has been random with those that make their first start at the Downs. It is frequently 'breakaway' cuppy and certain feet/action grab it and certain ones don't. But having experience over it, or at least having worked over it, is still a big plus to me in the Derby picture. The claim that the strip horses work on leading up to the Derby isn't the same as Derby Day is nonsensical.

When Mike Smith told me beore '05 that he expected a big try from Giacomo after his strong Santa Anita workout the Monday of Derby Week, one of the points he stressed was "all he needs to do is take to the surface"..

And hope that Bellamy Road gets injured and Afleet Alex has a bad trip. What I don't understand is why a trainer would not want to have at least one workout on the track before the Derby if his horse has never been on it just to familiarize the horse with the surface and see if the horse takes to it. What is your take on that Steve?