#trakus

I'm not a huge stats person, but when one really wants to critique a race they do come in handy. Following the Kentucky Derby (I), just looking at the final winning time just doesn't cut it in a race that has been run for 138 years-- especially when it was run in such an unconventional manner with a top field.

Trakus, Brisnet, and Beyer figures have been released, revealing a little more about the Derby horses' performances while shedding some light on what we can expect from the ponies participating in the Preakness (I) and or Belmont (I):

Bodemeister lost by 1 1/2 length in the final jumps, but traveled 41 feet less than I'll Have Another being so close to the rail.

Union Rags ran the fastest final 1/16 in 6.37 seconds, ultimately finishing 7th after rallying from 18th. Fourth-place finisher Went the Day Well was a close runner-up with 6.4 seconds

Creative Cause was beaten only 3 lengths back in fifth, but traveled enough feet more than the winner that he could have won by about a half length had he been closer down to the rail! (He traveled 29 feet further total than I'll Have Another)

Brisnet figures rate I'll Have Another's win as the fastest (111) since War Emblem's wire-to-wire win in 2002 (113). Animal Kingdom sported a 105 last year.

Beyer figures rate I'll Have Another's win as the slowest (101) since Giacomo's in 2005 (100). Andrew Beyer was much impressed with Bodemeister's performance.

A nice jump in Beyer figures from the Spiral: Went the Day Well improved in the span of one troubled start from an 92 to a 98!

Brisnet rates I'll Have Another's win faster than Groupie Doll's in the Humana Distaff (I). Beyer figures crown Groupie Doll over the Derby winner.