From 92 through 07, a dozen Derby champs earned or matched the highest speed figure in one of their final two preps. The longest streak ran from 96 through 04 when several of the top Beyers were posted: Silver Charm, 115 in Monarchos, 116 in and War Emblem, 114 in
This years speed figures in preps among the expected 20 Derby starters appear lower than usual.

Only five have cracked the triple-digit mark, including Big Black Jack, who posted the highest Beyer, 109, but that was winning at six furlongs in the Sunshine Millions Dash at Santa Anita on Jan. 26. Since then he averaged 94 running second and third in routes on the cushion track.

Big Brown ran 106 Beyers in both his preps and is the likely post-time favorite on Saturday. The son of Boundary, among a half-dozen horses with only two preps, likes to win on the front end. He ran the Florida Derbys 1 1/8 miles in 1:48 on March 31 winning by five lengths at Gulfstream Park.

Recapturetheglory, who posted a 102 Beyer winning the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne, also led at every call. The son of Cherokee Run ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.

Gayego recorded a 103 Beyer winning the Arkansas Derby on April 12, covering the 1 1/8 miles at Oaklawn Park in 1:49 3/5. The son of Gilded Time ran a 102 taking the San Pedro on Jan. 20, but that was at six furlongs at Santa Anita.
The only other triple-digit Beyer was 102 by Z Fortune, runner-up in the Arkansas Derby, who was just three-quarters of a length behind Gayego. The son of Siphon finished second to Pyro in the Blue Grass on April 12.

Pyro recorded 105 and 100 Beyers last year chasing War Pass in the Breeders Cup Juvenile and Champagne Stakes, respectively. War Pass posted 113 and 103 Beyers, respectively, in those races at Monmouth and Belmont, but was injured after failing to win two preps this year.

Eight Belles, a filly that will be entered in the Derby and Kentucky Oaks, posted the only other triple-digit Beyer. Whether she runs against the boys, her interests say, depends on Wednesdays draw.

The daughter of Unbridleds Song put up a 100 speed figure in the first of four victories against fillies in a Fair Grounds allowance contest last year. Then she reeled off three consecutives wins in stakes this year.

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