The track was a sea of slop and I don't think they used as much sand as they do now. That track was re-surfaced only a few years prior, using soil dug out of the infield to create the infield lake. Running on that mud would be like running in the thick mud you find in your garden or yard after a terrific downpour.
The lake, which has it's aesthetic qualities was intended as a water source in case of fire.
I think Jim Dandy had won in the slop at Saratoga the year before.
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RIP Monroe.
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