Top Fifty Equibase Speed Figures for Three-Year-Olds – Final Round

Written by trackmasterplus on March 30, 2009 – 9:00 am -

Since this upcoming weekend marks the final future book wagering pool on this year’s Kentucky Derby, we are updating the list of the top fifty Equibase Speed Figures earned by the current crop of three-year-olds. The figures were earned either last year or this year and are for races that are at a distance of at least six furlongs. In each row, after the horse’s name is the Equibase Speed Figure (ESF) the horse earned, the Class Rating of the race, the track code, date, name if a stakes race, distance, and surface.

Horse ESF Class Track Date Race Name Distance Surface
The Pamplemousse 122 110 SA 2/28/09 Sham 1 1/8M All-weather
This Ones for Phil 121 107 GP 1/24/09 Sunshine Millions Dash 6F Dirt
Mia’s First 121 99 AQU 12/28/08 6F Inner Dirt
Notonthesamepage 120 106 GP 1/3/09 Spectacular Bid 6F Dirt
I Want Revenge 120 109 AQU 3/7/09 Gotham 1 1/16M Inner Dirt
Quality Road 119 120 GP 2/28/09 Fountain of Youth 1M Dirt
General Quarters 117 108 TAM 2/14/09 Sam F. Davis 1 1/16M Dirt
Mr. Fantasy 117 84 AQU 12/28/08 6F Inner Dirt
You Luckie Mann 116 107 GP 1/24/09 Sunshine Millions Dash 6F Dirt
Taqarub 116 99 AQU 1/19/09 Jimmy Winkfield 6F Inner Dirt
Rachel Alexandra 116 100 OP 2/15/09 Martha Washington 1M Dirt
Win Willy 116 109 OP 3/14/09 Rebel 1 1/16M Dirt
Big Drama 114 106 GP 3/28/09 Swale 7F Dirt
Rachel Alexandra 114 105 CD 11/29/08 Golden Rod 1 1/16M Dirt
Quality Road 114 87 AQU 11/29/08 6.5F Dirt
Not for Silver 114 107 AQU 2/15/09 Fred “Cappy” Capossela 6F Inner Dirt
Quality Road 114 114 GP 3/28/09 Florida Derby 1 1/8M Dirt
This Ones for Phil 113 106 GP 3/28/09 Swale 7F Dirt
Take the Points 113 110 SA 2/28/09 Sham 1 1/8M All-weather
Leavenworth 113 102 SA 3/7/09 6.5F All-weather
Hold Me Back 112 107 TP 3/21/09 Lane’s End 1 1/8M All-weather
Midshipman 112 110 OSA 10/25/08 BC Junvenile 1 1/16M All-weather
Friesan Fire 112 109 FG 3/14/09 Louisiana Derby 1 1/16M Dirt
Theregoesjojo 112 120 GP 2/28/09 Fountain of Youth 1M Dirt
Big Shot Syd 112 109 SA 3/13/09 1 1/8M Turf
Maram 112 105 OSA 10/24/08 BC Junvenile Fillies Turf 1M Turf
Old Fashioned 112 109 OP 3/14/09 Rebel 1 1/16M Dirt
Heart Shaped 112 105 OSA 10/24/08 BC Junvenile Fillies Turf 1M Turf
Zensational 112 101 SA 2/21/09 6F All-weather
Sumo 112 108 TAM 2/14/09 Sam F. Davis 1 1/16M Dirt
Egypt (GB) 111 109 SA 3/13/09 1 1/8M Turf
Rachel Alexandra 111 114 FG 3/14/09 Fair Grounds Oaks 1 1/16M Dirt
Mythical Power 111 106 SA 3/6/09 1M All-weather
Triumphant Flight 111 108 SA 3/28/09 San Miguel 6F All-weather
Supreme Summit 111 105 SA 3/11/09 6.5F All-weather
Wildcat Brief 111 107 AQU 2/15/09 Fred “Cappy” Capossela 6F Inner Dirt
Dunkirk 111 114 GP 3/28/09 Florida Derby 1 1/8M Dirt
Street Car 111 106 SA 3/6/09 1M All-weather
Perfect Song 111 91 LRL 3/14/09 1M Dirt
Carlsbad 111 105 SA 3/29/09 Santa Paula 6.5F All-weather
Heart Ashley 111 103 AQU 3/14/09 Cicada 6F Inner Dirt
She’s Our Annie 111 97 OP 3/22/09 Prima Donna 6F Dirt
Mr. Hot Stuff 111 108 SA 2/1/09 1M All-weather
Mr. Hot Stuff 110 110 SA 2/28/09 Sham 1 1/18M All-weather
Square Eddie 110 110 OSA 10/25/08 BC Junvenile 1 1/16M All-weather
The Pamplemousse 110 109 SA 1/17/09 San Rafael 1M All-weather
Laragh 110 105 OSA 10/24/08 BC Junvenile Fillies Turf 1M Turf
Vineyard Haven 110 101 BEL 10/4/08 Champagne 1M Dirt
Charlie’s Moment 110 108 SA 3/28/09 San Miguel 6F All-weather
Pioneerof the Nile 110 105 SA 2/7/09 Robert B. Lewis 1 1/16M All-weather

The Pamplemousse – Toyed with his overmatched rivals in the Sham, earning a highly impressive 122 Equibase Speed Figure in the process. Now, just waiting for his expected heavyweight bout versus Pioneerof The Nile and the rest of the Santa Anita Derby cast this weekend. Won the San Rafael with a very respectable ESF of 110 and had previously garnered a 109 ESF as well. Would have to be my top pick at this moment. Has only raced on synthetic surfaces, but is a popular horse that keeps on improving and impressing with his unique way of going. Some experts believe the distance of the Kentucky Derby will prove to be too far for him, but don’t tell his connections that.

This Ones for Phil – Came back this most recent weekend to get a victory via the disqualification of Big Drama in the Swale Stakes. Earned a respectable ESF of 114. Showed good early speed before fading down the lane in the Fountain of Youth Stakes with an ESF of 102. This gelding exploded with an Equibase Speed Figure of 121 in his previous race, which was at the distance of six furlongs. His dramatic speed figure improvement in that start was a hot topic of debate on the internet (his previous best ESF was an 88 on the turf). It was the first race under the tutelage of trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. and new owner Paul Pompa Jr. According to Dutrow, a number of changes were made once he took over the training of This Ones for Phil, leading to the significant improvement. Appears that he will make a name for himself as a top-notch sprinter.

Mia’s First – Another Richard Dutrow Jr. trainee that has earned a big Equibase Speed Figure. This filly is owned by IEAH Stables, the majority owner of Big Brown and numerous other top horses. The switch to wearing blinkers was the trick to having this horse break her maiden in impressive fashion, drawing away with ease while earning an ESF of 121. Hasn’t been tested against top class yet, but the last start may be a sign of big things to come down the road. These connections have the knack for developing top horses.

Notonthesamepage – Faltered badly as a top contender in the Fountain of Youth. His connections have stated that he suffered from pulmonary bleeding during the race. Will be pointed for sprints and races up to a mile in the near future. Owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trained by Wesley Ward, this colt drew off impressively in the Spectacular Bid Stakes to earn an ESF of 120. Although now off the Derby trail, should be a factor in shorter races down the road.

I Want Revenge – Shipped across the country and dominated his foes in the Gotham. Scored an Equibase Speed Figure of 120 in the process. Shows that this year’s group of three-year-olds racing in California is a strong one. Will make his next jaunt on the East Coast in the Wood Memorial.

Quality Road – Used a workmanlike effort to pull away from Dunkirk in deep stretch in the Florida Derby earning another 114 Equibase Speed Figure. Sat in the garden spot and then opened up on the field down the lane with an ESF of 119 in the Fountain of Youth. Earned an impressive ESF of 114 in his debut last November as well. This colt has bounced back since an allowance race at Gulfstream Park when disappointing as the 3-5 favorite, finishing second. Appeared much fresher than Dunkirk after this last one and has the look of a top Derby contender.

General Quarters – Didn’t pass the test for class in the Tampa Bay Derby while getting an Equibase Speed Figure of 98. Was very close to the leisurely pace in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, before drawing off to earn an ESF of 117. Would have to step-up from previous efforts to beat top-notch competition.

Mr. Fantasy – Stepped up to face tougher competition in the Gotham, but was no match for I Want Revenge. Has decided to get off of the Derby trail. Now pointing for the Withers Stakes.

You Luckie Mann – Trained by Marty Wolfson, this colt earned his top ESF finishing second behind This Ones for Phil. Has earned two other triple digit Equibase Speed Figures, but has only sprinted thus far in his career.

Taqarub – Faced a strong test in the Fountain of Youth in his first route try, and came up wanting. Jostled at the start, but still faltered badly after chasing the pace. This one is trained by McLaughlin, and is owned by Shadwell Stables. Stumbled at the start, but was still able to garner and ESF of 116 in the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes as he won with ease.

Rachel Alexandra – The second filly to top our list. Loped along in a laugher as she dominated her foes with an ESF of 111 as she coasted home without exerting any undure effort. Garnered an Equibase Speed Figure of 116 at Oaklawn Park in the Martha Wasington after scoring impressively last November in the Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs with an ESF of 114. The top contender for the Kentucky Oaks at this juncture with the best route Equibase Speed Figures of any filly.

Win Willy – Earned an ESF of 116 while springing the upset in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The pace scenario seemed to set-up well for him as he was able to get by Old Fashioned down the lane.

Friesen Fire – Still looking for an explosive Equibase Speed Figure for this one. Has done nothing wrong in his starts at the Fair Grounds.

Old Fashioned – Still hasn’t garnered an eye-catching Equibase Speed Figure. Was too close to a fast pace in the last effort. Looking to rebound in the Arkansas Derby. Many experts question his ability to handle the Kentucky Derby distance.

Pioneerof the Nile – Bob Baffert says the last effort will gear him up for the Santa Anita Derby. Won with a mild Equibase Speed Figure of 104 in a gritty win against a softish field in the San Felipe. He’s going to have to step-up his game to beat The Pamplemousse. Previous try was a strong victory in his three-year-old debut in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Earned an ESF of 110, backing up the 108 he scored in the BC Juvenile. Owned by Zayat Stables, this colt will have to move forward in the Santa Anita Derby to be a top contender for the Kentucky Derby. Although well-traveled, he has only raced on the turf and synthetic surfaces.

Equibase Speed Figures are just one tool to help identify talented race horses and this close to the Kentucky Derby, any figures for sprints should be ignored for Derby purposes. The last major preps will be run this weekend. Good luck to all on the Derby trail and I hope that as many contenders as possible stay safe and sound in these last few weeks. Overall, this crop of three-year-olds looks like a very talented group.

The first Saturday in May is almost upon us, who is your pick for the Kentucky Derby? Let us hear about your choice and the reason why he or she is going to win.

Craig Walker
TrackMaster Senior Product Development Specialist

We want to hear from you! Leave a comment by clicking the “Comment” link directly below.

TrackMaster, an Equibase company, is your complete source for Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Harness Racing information. Products ranging from Thoroughbred Past Performances, Harness Racing Programs, and Thoroughbred Handicapping software to Horse Racing Picks from our experts, are provided for all levels of handicapping sophistication.

Comments (3) »
Posted in General Industry, Thoroughbred Racing

3 Comments to “Top Fifty Equibase Speed Figures for Three-Year-Olds – Final Round”

  1. TrackMaster Craig Walker Says:
    April 5th, 2009 at 7:43 am

    Just wanted to update the Equibase Speed Figures for the winners out of key races from yesterday.
    Pioneerof the Nile – 117
    I Want Revenge – 116
    Musket Man – 110

  2. Wrongly Says:
    April 17th, 2009 at 10:52 am

    I wonder what the Equibase figures were for:
    Papa Clem
    Chocolate Candy
    West Side Bernie
    Giant Oak
    Flying Private
    Mr. Hott Stuff

    Thank you in advance!

  3. trackmasterplus Says:
    April 17th, 2009 at 11:02 am

    Here are the Equibase Speed Figures for the most recent starts of the following horses:

    Papa Clem – 111
    Chocolate Candy – 116
    West Side Bernie – 114
    Giant Oak – 107
    Flying Private – 102
    Mr. Hot Stuff – 114

    TrackMaster Craig

Leave a Comment