Prepping for the Derby
No flashy big figs: That’s one conclusion I draw from these graphs, which show the speed figure pattern established by each 2003-2007 Kentucky Derby starter in their 3-year-old prep campaign and their finish in the Derby. (A chart at bottom contains data for 1998-2002.) Consistency is key, ascendant figures help, and any regression must be minor for a horse to succeed in the run for the roses. More in-depth notes on this data, and other factors I’m geekily analyzing in advance of Derby day, in the coming weeks …
Line color corresponds to finish in the Kentucky Derby
2007: Street Sense, 110
2006: Barbaro, 111
2005: Giacomo, 100
2004: Smarty Jones, 107
2003: Funny Cide, 109
Data for the graphs above, as well as the 1998-2002 fields:
Key: KD-B=Derby BSF, PR-B=previous race BSF, D+/-=difference between the two, 2ND=second previous race, 3RD=third previous race, X=no BSF
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