The Travers is at a classic distance, 10f; the Haskell is at a miler distance, 9f. There are a lot of decent milers who can stretch to 9f and win, but very few of the class to stretch out to 10f against top stayers. With the preponderance of miler-breds in the breed today (and potential stallion managers afraid that their stallion will be tabbed a 'plodder' if they win too many longer races). the appeal of a 9f race for the same purse is clear.
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