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As Triple Crown winners go, Justify wasn't one of the more impressive ones, but I wouldn't hold his speed figures against him too much.
1. A few of his races had fast paces that no doubt impacted his figure and helped bottom out some of the horses chasing him.
2. The figures for Triple Crown horses have been declining in recent years. There may be a few reasons for that, but I think the Beyer team made a logical case that the horses are so much more lightly raced and unseasoned now, they develop later. (Of course if that's true it argues that giving horses more races at 2 and 3 to develop them quicker might be a better strategy). Justify was VERY lightly raced and probably had a lot of improving to do (just like American Pharoah)
As older horses go, Accelerate had a monster year. He was 6 for 7 with 5 Grade 1s in some of the biggest races of the entire year. His only loss was a big effort against City of Light who is now also a BC Winner.
SA Handicap
SA Gold Cup
Pacific Classic
Awesome Again
Breeder's Cup Classic
I don't think this was the best crop of older horses, but it was still a huge year for him.
In most years Accelerate would be a no brainer for HOTY, but I think a Triple Crown winner almost has to get it.
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