I Want Revenge Beyer Speed Figure of 113 Highest of the Year over 1-Mile

March 9, 2009
By Profitus Maximus

I Want Revenge was assigned the highest Beyer Speed Figure of the year for distances beyond a mile, outscoring even the best of the older horses, for his big Gotham Stakes win.

It was not the highest Beyer Speed Figure among 3-year-olds – that distinction belongs to This Ones For Phil who received a 116 off the strength of his Sunshine Millions Sprint win, but there is a big difference between a 6 furlong sprint and a 1-1/16 mile route race, especially when evaluating the chances of successfully handling the 1 ¼ mile distance of the Kentucky Derby.

The 113 Beyer Speed Figure matches the number Quality Road received for his Fountain of Youth win on February 28, but the Fountain of Youth was at 1-mile, which is usually considered a middle distance race rather than genuine route distance.

It should also be noted that the Fountain of Youth was a one turn mile but the Gotham Stakeswas a two turn 1- 1/16 mile race, and the latter requires more stamina not only because it is an extra 1/16 of a mile, but also because horses have to expend a little more energy going around a second turn.

The fact that not even the older horses have matched such a figure shows that I Want Revenge is now a major player on the Kentucky Derby scene.