The 4 fastest Derby paces of all-time

[Calzone Lord]

1981: Half Mile in 45 1/5

Here are the top 11 finishers that year:



Only Bold Ego was anywhere near the pace. He was 2nd after a half mile and finished up 10th beaten more than 11 lengths by winner Pleasant Colony.

In his next start, he finished 2nd to Pleasant Colony in the Preakness, and was beaten less than a length.

Splendid Spruce, positioned 9th out of 21 after a half mile, was the next closest to the pace. He had won the Santa Anita Derby in his previous start, and he won the Grade 2 Mervin Leroy at Hollywood Park three weeks later.