Despite the Tour's length, margins of victory can be razor thin, and aerodynamic streamlining is playing an increasing factor in cycling, track and field, swimming, speed skating and skiing.
The six-length margin was impressive, but the manner of her victory was simply unforgettable.
In an open sprint to the line, Boonen held a bike-length margin over Pozzato for his first Tour of Flanders win since 2006.
There is no argument with an 11-length margin of victory, however, as the old record in the race's 59-year history was seven lengths, achieved by Generous in 1993.
Assault's chances for the Kentucky Derby notably dimmed, however, after he followed the Wood with a loss in the Derby Trial at Churchill Downs by a four-and-a-half-length margin.
Intrigue surrounding that race only redoubled over the weekend as the five-year-old mare Beholder became the first female to win the Pacific Classic on Saturday, running away by an eight-and-a-quarter-length margin and prompting buzz over a showdown in Lexington.
He won by six and a half lengths, a margin unmatched in 60 years.
In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown sweep, a blue-and-white striped pole was placed inside the main track to mark 31 lengths, the margin of his victory in the Belmont, from the finish line.
It took a stride or two for Skiffle to appreciate what was required as the favourite opened up a two-length lead inside the last two furlongs, but once she quickened, Skiffle and William Buick were alongside in moments and she was value for more than her one-length winning margin.
Like the 31-length winning margin of Secretariat's Belmont, it is one of the immutable truths of US Triple Crown racing that the last horse to win the Kentucky Derby without having raced as a two-year-old was Apollo in 1882.
