What is the difference on time for Barbaro vs Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby?

Question

What is the difference on time for Barbaro vs Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby?

Answer 1

Comparing winning times of Derbies over the years I don't think says really who the faster horse was. There are too many things to take into account such as track condition, weather, traffic, etc...

Nor do I  agree when they say such and such would have won....not when comparing times. There is no factual basis for that. Big Brown was not challenged, nor was Barbaro so either could easily shaved a couple of fractions off their times had they been driven harder in the stretch.

I don't remember Barbaro's stretch run as well but it seemed to me that Big Brown was being fanned and not actually pushed that hard by his jock.

Knowing the winning time is nice but I don't think it is an accurate comparison for the quality of the winners over the years.

Answer 2

I disagree with the 2 lengths conversion given by KMN, as it fails to take into account the other factors against Big Brown (the reason why his Sheet scores were so much better than the time or the Beyer suggested).

The times are correct. Both are fairly average times for the Derby.

Also: That 12 lengths conversion is also incorrect, as it also doesn't take into account the different circumstances of winning. I know most of you don't like figures but at least convert properly.

Answer 3

to put it into perspective Secretariats derby run would have beat Big Brown by 12 lengths.  when i heard that stat i was quite amazed

Answer 4

Big Brown ran in 2:01.82

Barbaro ran in 2:01.36

Barbaro would have won by a little over 2 lengths.

I was simply looking at the times and converting time into lengths.  1/5 of a second is 1 length.  Barbaro won in just under 2:01 and 2/5.  Big Brown won in just over 2:01 and 4/5.  4-2=2.  That's 2 lengths.  Had the 2 horses actually been in the same race, the result would likely have been very different, that's undeniable.

Answer 5

"Big Brown, on our figures, ran by far the best Derby of all time," said Jerry Brown, proprietor of Thorograph, a speed charting service widely used by owners, trainers and bettors. "The second best was Barbaro two years ago, but Big Brown ran about four lengths faster than Barbaro."

"His official winning margin was 4 3/4 lengths, which was deceivingly small. If you take into consideration ground lost, he won the Derby by 10 lengths. And that would move his Beyer up at least 8 points to 117."