Mine that Bird and Canonero II are commonly recognized as the biggest upsets in modern Derby history, with post time odds only surpassed by the 91-1 Doneraile, winner of the 1913 edition of this American classic. Bird went off at 51-1 and Canonero II wasn’t even deemed fit to be an entry, and since betting machines back then could only 12 entries – he was grouped in with 6 horses that year in the mutuel field.
Elite marathoners often live and train at high altitude in training camps. It’s also typical for some of the best ultra-runners to (individually) live and train at high altitude…although that’s partly because mountains have the best trails