Thorograph numbers have clearly picked out Perfect Drift as a strong Derby contender since early spring. Neither rags or Beyer can say the same. Thorograph was clearly ahead of the rest when spotting this horses potential. Also, Thorograph has been right on with Saarland (as has Rags, with small differences), while Beyer and other speed figures would not have him as a top choice.
The Thorograph numbers also pointed out some weaknesses after Harlan's Holiday's and Came Home's wins, even when the public still had those two as the favorites. Clearly the sheets handicappers (I will include both Thorograph and Rags) have had an impact on the odds of derby 2002. I think more so than any derby so far. I am not assuming they are correct, just that the public seems to be paying more attention than ever before.