The 5th fastest Derby half was Spanish Chestnut 45.38 the year Giacomo won.
The 6th fastest Derby half was Bodemeister in 45.39
I'll Have Another was just 8 lengths in back of that half...so he got a little taste of it.
Dullahan and Went The Day Well could only manage a 3rd and 4th place finish despite the big pace setup.
Dullahan was 12.5 lengths back after a half mile, he finished 3rd beaten less than 2 lengths. He was 7th in the Belmont Stakes as the 5/2 post time favorite next time out.
Went The Day Well was 18.5 lengths back after a half mile, he finished 4th beaten just 2.5 lengths in the Derby.
He was 10th beaten 30 lengths at 5/1 in the Preakness to I'll Have Another and Bodemeister.
Pleasant Colony, Ferdinand, Monarchos, Giacomo, and now Orb all capitalized on the setup.
But the record of deep closers who ran well in these Derby's, but didn't win, is downright gruesome.
|