Zayat is Leaving; Baffert hates it

[Riot]

"I let them gallop and open up in the last part," he said, referring to a quicker finish during morning exercise. "I'm putting more miles in them. I'm training hard. I'm trying to adapt in how I train. It's been a long process.

A quote in the TB Times from Frank Kirby, ITHA president, "At first, it seemed some of my horses were getting a little tired, so I started training them a little harder. Now, I don't know if you have to train them a little harder. I'm training pretty much the way I always did. The horses who like it, like it; the ones who don't like it, that's another story."

From an exercise-physiology standpoint, btw, it's known that if too many miles are added to a horse in training, it can reduce it's speed.

I think this "new surface" challenge will showcase trainers who are more adept at identifying an individual animals assets and weaknesses, and training an individual animal to top potential. Some animals get by on innate ability, some are brought to new heights beyond expectation due to astute training.

As ArlJim said, someone is winning these races

Sherman is convinced that Mike's Trippin needs every advantage to win Friday. He fears the track is not conducive to front-runners, which will make it more difficult for Mike's Trippin to win despite the race's short distance.

"Needing every advantage" for a win implies to me a horse that isn't a good bet for that win in that race. I think that's less of a track problem (although a muddy track has waylaid many a race-day expectation), than a "horse for the course" or race selection problem.

A horse that could fly for 7 furlongs over a hard, fast track may only be able to reproduce a similar performance over 6 or 6 1/2 without the assistance of the faster track.

Dirt and turf tracks vary widely between different race tracks, all have their own reputations - and as handicappers, we all know that. Some tracks historically have favored front-runners, and allowed them to carry their speed farther than at other tracks, some tracks favor stalkers or even closers.

I think we all know what style California historically is known for That's why I'm very interested in seeing what CA horses get on the Derby prep race trail next year - how will they do?

So it doesn't surprise me that some trainers will have some horses that don't do as well on this surface as on another, or on cushion vs. poly, on Keeneland poly vs Arlington, etc. They may have to learn how to spot their horses a bit differently to give the horse the optimal chance to perform to it's best level.

Riot, u asked what others? Shirreffs and Sherman to name a couple who have come forward in the past day. As I said, if u know anyone that works around there or anyone that knows anyone, ask. U will come to realize there are others

That's why I'm asking who they are. I would indeed like to hear from other trainers that feel this way, details regarding how their horses are doing in training vs. race, etc. But I can't presume what they number.