FINISHED IN 38 SECONDS OR LESS

We look at whether horses finished the final 3/8 mile in races going nine furlongs or longer in 38 seconds or less.

Many Kentucky Derby winners have hit this mark in their final prep race.

April 16 NOTE: Added Owen Almighty to "NO" list.

YES

Feb. 1 Withers: Captain Cook 38 flat after first six furlongs in 1:13.83. Nothing else in the race will be in the Kentucky Derby.

Feb. 15 Risen Star: Magnitude is off Derby Trail.

March 15 Virginia Derby: American Promise 38.02 after running the first six furlongs in 1:08.39.

March 22 Louisiana Derby (9 1/2 furlongs): Tiztastic's average 1/16-mile time in the final seven furlongs is 6.33857 seconds, which I interpolate to 38.03 seconds He was no doubt slowing the final 1/16, so at 1 1/8 mile he is a YES.

March 22 Jeff Ruby Steaks (synthetic track)
Final Gambit finished in 36.02 after running the first six furlongs in 1:13.89.
Flying Mohawk finished in 37.22 after six in 1:13.48.

March 29 Fukuryu Stakes
Luxor Cafe finished in 36.30 after going the first six furlongs in 1:15.80.

March 29 Florida Derby
Tappan Street finished in 37.06 after running the first six furlongs in 1:12.21.
Sovereignty finished in 37.12 after the first six furlongs in 1:12.36

April 5 Wood Memorial
Rodriguez finished in 36.90 after running the first six furlongs in 1:11.25.
Grande finished in 37.24 after the first six in 1:11.52.

April 5 Santa Anita Derby
Journalism 37.59 after the first six furlongs in 1:11.97.


NO

Feb. 15 Risen Star
Chunk of Gold finished in 38.95.
Built was slightly slower.
American Promise was nowhere near.
East Avenue was slower yet.

March 15 American Derby (one turn)
Second finisher Render Judgment finished in 38.97.
Third finisher Omaha Omaha 38.42.

March 22 Louisiana Derby (9 1/2 furlongs)
Chunk of Gold's average 1/16-mile time in the final seven furlongs is 6.46 seconds, which I interpolate to 38.76 seconds for six furlongs.
Built's time using the same math comes out to 39.83 seconds.

March 22 Jeff Ruby Steaks (synthetic)

California Burriot finished in 38.92 after running the first six furlongs 1:12.87

March 29 Florida Derby
Neoequos finished in 38.17 after running the first six in 1:11.76.
Madaket Road 38.56 after the first six in 1:11.61.
Disruptor 38.90 after the first six in 1:12.12.

March 29 Arkansas Derby
Sandman finished in 38.51 after six in 1:11.28.
Publisher 38.93 after six in 1:11.57.
Coal Battle 40.19 after running the first six in 1:11.07 -- and still finished third. Maybe the surface was a "drying out track" or an otherwise tiring track. After rainfall the track was rated good most of the day and upgraded to fast a couple of races before the Arkansas Derby.

April 5 Santa Anita Derby
Baeza 38.15 after the first six furlongs in 1:11.55.

Citizen Bull 39.91 after the first six in 1:11.42.

April 5 UAE Derby

Winner Admire Daytona interpolated to 38.34 after six furlongs in 1:14.40 based on my view of the teletimer as the race unfolded.

Second finisher Heart of Honor interpolated to 38.19 after six furlongs in 1:14.60.

As mentioned on the 12-Second Furlongs page, the fractional times for this race as I view the teletimer strongly conflict with fractions announced by on-air talent following the race. The talent had the initial fractions much faster than I am seeing on the teletimer.

April 8 Toyota Blue Grass
Burnham Square finished in 38.77 after running the first six furlongs in 1:12.56.
East Avenue finished in 39.38 after six in 1:11.96.
River Thames finished in 39.13 after six in 1:12.36.

Owen Almighty finished in 39.90 after six in 1:12.21.



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