Point Given's Travers though I would have to say it was more the build up in the saddling area.

Tiznow wins it for America!

In person - Hidden Lake win in the Go for Wand over her stablemate Flat Fleet Feet...she had lots of guts in that victory.

Live, Smarty Jones in the Arkansas Derby, he was awesome that day. Bellamy Road just blew me away in the Wood. Between those two.

whatever happened to good ol dixie doodle?

was he one of those premature retirements that people always are talking about? or was he run and run until he could run no more?

That Montjeu King George is simply unbelievable beating the likes of Fantastic Light like that. Ive many races but one of the best races I witnessed was High Chap beating Falbrav Islington et al at Leoparstown- cracking race!

I don't get to many great races live but the last MassCap with Funny Cide, Evening Attire and Offlee Wild in a near blanket finish was my best live race.

http://www.jockeysite.com/jphotos/fotos/masscap_lt.jpg

Someone said it already, but Tiznow and Sakhee in the '01 Classic was something else.

That day was the first time I saw live racing. Good race.

#1 would have to be the 1987 Haskell with Bet Twice holding off the oncoming Alysheba with Lost Code another half length back. In winning Bet Twice equaled the Stakes Record of 1:47.

#2 would have to be Rags to Riches winning the Belmont this year. That was an awesome stretch run by both her and Curlin.

#3 would have to be the thrilling stretch duel between Invasor and Sun King in the 2006 Whitney at Saratoga.

#4 2004 Belmont with Smarty Jones & Birdstone. When they hit the top of the Strecth I though I was going to see history being made. Moments later I was kicking my self for not betting on Birdstone. After all "he finished 8th not 18th in the derby."

This year's Belmont. Rags to Riches

I guess the best in terms of big performances combined with an exciting finish that I've seen live would have to be the Saint Liam/Commentator Whitney, the Invasor/Sun King Whitney, and the Preakness and Belmont from this year.

Seattle Slew vs. Affirmed - The atmosphere was electric, like it was the 7th game of the World Series.

Seattle Slew vs. Exceller when Slew came again to just miss.

Arazi taking the Breeder's Cup Juvenile. His move was breathtaking even if it came against a moderate group and he was only a 2YO.

Go for Wand in the Test.

Light Light vs. Meadow Star when Hammer made a massive wager on LL in the last few seconds and lost a thrilling stretch drive to MS.

There were plenty of other great ones I saw live, but these are the first I thought of.

I saw this race live also, the excitement as Smarty Jones took the lead and was still in front as they turned for home was unbelievable, 120,000 people screaming. When Birdstone passed him in the final 70 yards, you could hear a pin drop. Everyone around was in stark disbelief.

Of those that I've seen live, the ones that I remember most include the following top 10. Those that didn't have a photo finish certainly had a "wow" factor:

1987 Whitney (Java Gold)

1991 Breeders Cup Juvenile (Arazi)

1994 Travers (Holy Bull/"... but there's cause for Concern...")

1996 Test (Capote Belle)

1997 Belmont (Touch Gold)

1998 Belmont (Victory Gallop nails Real Quiet)

1999 Breeders Cup Turf (Daylami)

2004 Belmont (Birdstone beats Smarty Jones - without question the most electric atmosphere I've ever experienced at the racetrack)

2004 Vanderbilt (Speightstown)

4th race at Saratoga on September 2, 2004 (our filly Wateree wins at Saratoga).

you've witnessed MANY very good races.

Lucky you.


Seems to me you get much better queality finishes over in the states, especially of your big races. Over here we usually get one horse so much better than the rest. For good finishes, we are better off watching a maiden claimer.

1977 Grand National
Red Rum winning his 3rd Grand National. I went with my Grandpa, god rest his soul. He used to sneak me into the bookies with him, every Saturday afternoon.
:)

It was awesome. We were in the "Javier, don't fall off" mode!