Perspective

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

You forgot to include that the beat the Jeff Ruby winners too.

The Spiral/Jeff Ruby winners from 2015 and 2018 didn't compete in the Kentucky Derby.

Back in the '90s, the Jim Beam was nothing to shake a stick at. Winners included Broad Brush, Summer Squall, Hansel, Lil E. Tee, and Prairie Bayou.

"Unbeaten" usually just means a horse hasn't consistently faced good competition and/or is lightly raced.

In the context of the Derby, 20-30 years ago, being unbeaten was the kiss of death. See Indian Charlie, Private Terms, Mister Frisky, Air Forbes Won.

I'd rather see horses with records like Forty Niner, Gulch, Bet Twice, Alysheba, Easy Goer, Snow Chief, Chief's Crown, Tank's Prospect, Swale, Summer Squall, Holy Bull, Thunder Gulch, Silver Charm, Best Pal, Fly So Free, Cryptoclearance, Came Home, Unbridled's Song, Regal Classic, Hansel, Pine Bluff, etc. heading into the Derby then some recent 7-furlong maiden winner who has his stud deal all worked out the evening before his first Grade 1 race.