Pletcher's Polytrack Pair

Cowboy Cal and Monba, trainer Todd Pletcher's Blue Grass Stakes exacta, tested the Churchill Downs dirt surface for the first time this morning when exercise rider Patti Krotenko galloped them both a mile and a quarter over the Louisville track.

Both horses trained up to the Derby on Polytrack and did not arrive at Churchill Downs until yesterday.

"We've had some luck training on synthetics and then running on conventional dirt tracks. Last year out in California we did well with horses who trained on Hollywood Park's (Cushion) track, and then ran over on the dirt at Santa Anita."

Last year Pletcher trained four of his five Derby contenders at Keeneland, and Circular Quay 5th place finished was the best of that bunch. However, Kentucky Oaks winner Rags to Riches also followed the same training routine.