hypothetical derby

[sham]

I would pick Barbaro. He broke alertly and showed very good early speed to get into position going into the first turn. He then showed a very high cruising speed down the backstretch using that big, long stride of his to stay 2-3 lengths off the leaders with minimal energy usage. As they started into the final turn, Prado just let him go on his own, and he easily distanced the field with a magnificent closing quarter in 24-1/5 (if I remember correctly). That ideal, textbook type of performance will win most Derbys or most route races for that matter.

If you watch Barbaro's Derby from the blimp cam which they showed during the live telecast this year, you will never see a more textbook example of how to run and win a race. A thing of beauty. Easy as pie. Of course you got to have the horse to do it.