Poven early speed is very important.
16 of the 20 horses above raced within 2.5 lengths of the lead after 4 furlongs.
The 4 who didn't...
* Go For Gin was 4.5 lengths back after 4 furlongs. He, of course, eventually won the Ky Derby wire-to-wire. He was also a proven speed horse.
* Real Quiet was 5.5 lengths back in a non-effort. He had showed early speed as a maiden...here he is right on top of 22 opening quarters in sprints before fading in the stretch.
* Charismatic was 9 lengths off of a 43 and change half mile. Charismatic, like Real Quiet, had also showed excellent early speed in maiden races before always fading badly in the stretch. Here's Charismaic's early form..
* Street Sense was 11 lengths off of the early lead. Street Sense also showed sensational early speed in maiden sprints...here is his early form of it ..
Street Sense was only a half length back chasing Piratesonthelake through a 21.50 opening quarter mile. He was another who truly had strong sprint speed but was a much better race horse when held up early.