The data above, in its barest form, is not that impressive. A top speed figure of 41 mph was above the average figure recorded by a course and distance winner from our database, but ranked only 5th and that was the best of Title Role’s in-race metric rankings. He was well placed and that point is a key one to explaining this victory, but he had similar rankings for his earlier victories in Dubai and Germany. In the Jumeirah 2,000 Guineas in February, his speed metrics were surpassed by the 3rd placed Talk of New York and in the German 2,000 Guineas at Cologne in May his top speed figure of 41.9 mph ranked only 9th. He may not produce the eye catching numbers on our infographics, but Title Role does have one metric which makes him stand out. His average stride frequency figure of 2.52 strides per second was the highest in the field at Saratoga and in all 3 of his victories this year it has averaged above 2.5. He had the shortest stride length in the field on Saturday, recording an average of just 21.85 ft which was over a foot below the TPD average for winners over the course and distance and it was a very similar story in Meydan earlier in the year. He’s a very compact colt but he has a superb turn-of-foot and the ability to sprint, especially around the tighter turf tracks is the key to understanding why the Crisford’s 3-year-old has had such a productive year. I don’t think it is a coincidence that the only time he could have been perceived to have run below par was over the straight 7 furlongs in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury. The average stride length recorded by a winner over that course and distance is 23.7 ft compared to 23.1 ft at Saratoga and it simply didn’t play to his strengths when Alparslan stretched the field back in April. It’s a higher figure in Dubai too, but a finishing speed of over 105% that day helped to ensure that the race was more tactical. He got the first run on the field and only once, in the 6th furlong (11.81s) did he manage to run the fastest furlong split in the field, but when the opportunity came to sprint for home, Title Role responded for John Velazquez and it was enough of an advantage to see him home, just. West End Kid and in particular Remember Mamba were perhaps slightly unlucky not to get there and they both recorded faster run-out speed figures at 38.6 mph, but with average stride lengths that were nearly 3 feet longer, they were entitled to be running down the winner in the final 50 yards. The ever plucky Title Role knows where the winning line is and under a confident John Velazquez, he got the job done.