Justify's Santa Anita Derby Win is Fastest Kentucky Derby Points Performance Ever

One week after Audible nearly set the bar with his 107 Brisnet Speed Rating for winning the Florida Derby, Justify raised it several points with a Santa Anita Derby tour de force that earned a 114 Speed Rating—the highest in the six-season history of the Kentucky Derby points system.

The superlatives do not stop with his Speed Rating, however, as his gate-to-wire victory earned an E1 Pace Rating of 100, an E2 Pace Rating of 105, and a Late Pace Rating of 117 to make him just the 23^rd horse in the history of Brisnet figures (which date to 1990) to earn, respectively, at least a 100, 105, and 110 in those categories with at least a 110 Speed Rating.

Supporters of Bolt d’Oro need not be too discouraged by his Santa Antia Derby second-place finish, as his 110 Speed Rating still ranks second best among this group (and all time in points races). If he maintains that form while Justify regresses then he’s among the most likely winners of this year’s Kentucky Derby along with the aforementioned Audible. Interestingly, jockey Javier Castellano has opted to ride the latter instead of the former. 

Speaking of Audible, his trainer Todd Pletcher continued his winning ways in Part 2 of the championship series by winning the Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct with Vino Rosso—his third such 100-point win (Noble Indy in the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby the other). His 102 Speed and 121.6 Class Ratings fit the second tier of this group, and his late-running style could benefit from what appears to be a lot of pace in this year’s race.

Champion Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Good Magic won the Blue Grass Stakes. He earned a 98 Speed Rating, which is the slowest of the U.S. Part 2 races with only the Arkansas Derby on April 14 at Oaklawn Park remaining.

Brisnet.com Speed & Class Ratings are available in the Ultimate Past Performances that are free to TwinSpires.com players when they wager. Speed measures how fast a horse ran a particular race and is comparable across distance, surface, and location. Class measures competition within each race. For more information, CLICK HERE.