How is it possible...

[Danzig]

timing is everything. ginger punch was lucky enough to be born and race at a time when there aren't any fast individuals. it's hard to say a horse is great, when so many horses who have come before-and possibly weren't able to enjoy the benefit of subpar competition-would easily defeat the supposed great horse of today.
it's not as tho time means everything, but slow times should mean something.