How much speed is needed to win the Florida Derby?

No Kentucky Derby prep has been more productive in the last 15 years than the Grade 1 Florida Derby. Barbaro, Big Brown, Orb, Nyquist, Always Dreaming and Maximum Security all crossed the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby after winning Gulfstream's most important 3-year-old race.

Greatest Honour is a deserving favorite in this year's edition after victories in the Holy Bull and Fountain of Youth. He has been visually impressive while blowing past subpar fields, but many have questioned whether he can run faster if he needs to.

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Fans might not find out the answer to that question until the first Saturday in May as this has the look of one of the slowest editions of the Florida Derby in recent history.

It took Spielberg eight starts to record his first Beyer Speed Figure of 90 over a wet track in the Southwest Stakes (G3).

Despite winning easily, Greatest Honour has paired up modest 89 Beyer Speed Figures in his last two efforts.

Todd Pletcher's Known Agenda won an allowance event at Gulfstream in his first start in blinkers by 11 lengths, but he netted only an 82 Beyer Speed Figure for his romping score.

This is why Collaborate is so interesting in this spot. His recent maiden-breaking effort earned him a 90 Beyer Speed Figure, which puts the inexperienced runner in a tie for the highest number in the field. Unlike Spielberg, Greatest Honour and Known Agenda, who seem like useful runners, Collaborate has an element of untapped potential and star power to him.

The winner of nine out of the past 15 editions of the Florida Derby has produced a Beyer Speed Figure of 99 or higher.

Collaborate seems to be the only runner capable of achieving a number in that range. He could prove to be have distance limitations and inexperience that could hinder him on Saturday, but he appears to be South Florida's best shot at winning the Kentucky Derby as he is an all-or-nothing candidate.

Greatest Honour likely will show up with his usual honest effort, and if Collaborate falters, the Shug McGaughey trainee should be able to get the job done with a speed figure in the low 90s. Nyquist's 92 Beyer Speed Figure in 2016 is the lowest number in the past 15 years, and that turned out just fine for him in the Kentucky Derby.

It is important to note that not everyone doubts the quality of competition that Greatest Honor has faced. TimeformUS rated his Fountain of Youth win a 115, which rates favorably to the likes of Scat Daddy, Orb, Constitution and Maximum Security. It will be interesting to see whether he runs closer to his low Beyer Speed Figures or high TimeformUS Ratings on Saturday.

Below is a closer look at the Beyer Speed Figures and TimeformUS Ratings for every Florida Derby winner since 2006 to get a better feel for what it takes to win this historic race.