There was a timne when 7f was the standard distance to start a potential classic colt. Haskin wrote about it last week. Many of the greats started at 7f in races like the Hutcheson, the Bay Shore and San Vicente.
Trainers liked the idea of a hard sharpening race to start a young horse on a tough road. Of course that was when 4 or more races before the Derby were standard and racing every 2 weeks was the norm.
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RIP Monroe.
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