Originally Posted by
str
Yes. I do agree. For me, what it shows is that going longer has been on the mind of the trainer and in the training schedule since probably the first timed workout. Relax, respond, finish, gallop out. It would be pretty much the same idea going 7/8ths or a mile with most horses IMO.
Not talking about the one trainer who never had a horse he didn't train to go to the front, but everybody else. And I'm not bashing that trainer for it, heck, it has been as successful as anything but that stance is a lot easier to take when you receive the babies he does.
So talking about most others, yes, I think I prefer that. That extra 1/8th of a mile starts early on in the training process. Relax, kick on doesn't just happen. It starts day one. That can be very beneficial down the road. We saw it with Kingsbarns up until his brain melted in the Derby. Too me, he looked totally different at Monmouth after that than he had leading up to early May.
Just seems in my mind that it HAS to help prep for the Derby distance and all the hoopla that comes with it.
Good question JBEX. I say use that as a plus for sure.