Racing:Trainer Aidan O'Brien is hoping George Washington will reproduce his sparkling turf form when the Irish invader makes his first start on dirt in the Breeders' Cup Classic tomorrow.
"We'll find out if he's going to handle the dirt or be bothered by the dirt in his face," O'Brien told reporters.
George Washington has six wins in nine career starts on turf and has never finished out of the money.
The three-year-old cantered a mile on a chilly morning at Churchill Downs today as the bay colt prepared for the 13-runner, mile-and-a-quarter race.
Exercise rider Pat Lillis was impressed with the light workout.
"Pat was on him today and he's happy with him," said O'Brien, who chose to race George Washington in the Classic instead of the $2 million Mile on turf.
When told the track announcer had said George Washington was "hating the dirt" as he galloped, the 37-year-old O'Brien quipped: "I hope he's wrong".
On his previous outing, George Washington won the Grade I Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in September.
The colt, who has never raced beyond a mile, will be ridden by triple Breeders' Cup winner Michael Kinane.
English challenger David Junior, a four-year-old chestnut colt, will also be making his dirt debut.
The Classic favourite is Preakness and Travers Stakes winner Bernardini, who opened at evens, while George Washington and David Junior were 10-1 shots.