Is "Liking the Surface" At Churchill Overrated?

[parsixfarms]

[quote=Kasept]The claim that the strip horses work on leading up to the Derby isn't the same as Derby Day is nonsensical.

QUOTE]

I have to disagree. Yes, they are still working/running on the Churchill Downs main track. However, to suggest that the "souped-up" race track that typically rears its ugly head on Oaks/Derby Day is the same grade, etc., as the track that horses train over in the weeks prior to the Derby is ignoring the obvious. And the fact that Street Sense and few others are currently on the grounds suggests that the trainers (especially Barclay Tagg) give an awful lot of credence to this "claim."