Rags and Curlin in the Belmont
Ghostzapper and St. Liam in the Woodward

:tro:

:tro::tro:

who can argue with that? :D

I wasn't at the Belmont that year but I was at the Travers where Alydar and Affirmed dueled it out again...

Fraise nips Sky Classic at Gulfstream 1992

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU6zSaBRN4k

I was there for that one, too.

On the undercard, the Diana was an almost equally exciting race. Tates Creek and Voodoo Dancer finished in a tight bob.

Sardula and Lakeway in the 1994 Kentucky Oaks was also a great finish to an exciting race. I remember the '94 Oaks and the bad weather the following day, more than I do the Derby, and that was the first one I attended.

73 Belmont Stakes

Time for a Change in the Flamingo

1988 Big Cap at Santa Anita ~ Alysheba vs Ferdinand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz99ipc-KOw



Here's a few pictures of them coming out of the paddock.

Attachment 2309


Attachment 2311


The finish

Attachment 2312

That's nothing, Freddy's granddad was at Bowie for the great match-race between Seabiscuit and Man O' War.

.....Easy goer and Sunday S. Preakness was close.........

The first race I ever attended is still the best to me. 1989 Preakness. Head and head all the way through the stretch.
If you can get a copy of artist Michael Geraghty's artwork of this finish, it is fantastic!

tough question, but 1988 Travers Stakes

Forty Niner just lasting over Seeking The Gold...What a crowd and what a day !!!

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RSGq-JfMgc

A lot of the races mentioned are on my list. But this is my favorite. Great Durkin call. Great Stevens ride, very fast horses. I think the beyer was 120. I was right on the fence. Loved it and I believe Commentator was 5-2 and St. Liam was something like 3-5. So I made money on my favorite horse.
This was the race that made Dutrow throw a rabbit at Commentator when they met about a month later at Belmont.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABQglLKjFW8

I bet Munnings in that race, SMH.

1997 Preakness
 

Can't leave out 1997 Preakness with Silver Charm edging Free House and Captain Bodgit

You mean the race where Touch Gold was much the best?

OMG I was there also lol - great memories, good times! Thanks for posting those pics, 1988 was such a great year out there!

1986 Fair Grounds Oaks. Laz Barrera sent Aaron Jones's Tiffany Lass to his brother Angel at FG following her debut win in December at Hollywood. Tiffany Lass dominated the competition in a FG allowance, the Thelma, and the Davona Dale. The FG Oaks would be her first test against top competition. In from the West Coast for Lukas was Life At The Top, fresh off a win over Twilight Ridge in the Las Virgines. Patricia J.K shipped in from Gulfstream after defeating Family Style in the Bonnie Miss. Ricky Frazier was aboard Tiffany Lass. I believe the Mig rode Patricia J.K. Frazier and Migliore patiently waited as Life At The Top cut the early fractions, then both pounced nearing the top of the stretch. It was a battle down the stretch between Tiffany Lass and Patricia J.K. with Tiffany Lass prevailing in the end along the inside.

That's one of my favorites. Could not believe how close it was and the TV coverage of the stretch run was great. One of the best races I have seen.

That is drawing a distinction between "best race" and "the best individual performance put in by any horse" which I would say is obviously Secretariat's Belmont in 1973. There's a reason that Beyer said his speed rating was 139 - may never be topped.

:tro:

I was also there, and I would have probably used it except that it's already been used, and there were only four horses, albeit four great ones. Also, the bottom picture is actually of the '88 San Bernardino, another great race where Alysheba, Ferdinand and Good Taste dueled down to the wire. I was at our local NoCal satellite facility and had the $2 exacta, (I know it's a redboard but doesn't the statute of limitations run out after 25 years?) and certainly didn't think I would have to sweat it out so much. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZjyPzs0uTM

I think my other fave I was on-track for is the '93 Breeders Cup Distaff, where Paseana and Hollywood Wildcat dueled the length of the stretch, with 'Wildcat barely prevailing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXgvaE9MTE8

I know... it took me by surprise.

35 years ago
 

no mention of the 1978 Marlboro and JC Gold Cups

Affirmed
Alydar
Excellor
Seattle Slew

I suppose few here saw those races in person, plus I don't think Alydar ran in those two races.

Lots of great race calls tied to the various races mentioned here. As a track announcing homer, I'm hopeful that it's not just a coincidence. I think a good race call only adds to the excitement.

The weather was horrible but for the field and stakes, it was the 1987 Travers for me followed by the 1988 Big Cap and San Bernardino with Alysheba and Ferdinand.

Gave it everything she had and more... suffered from heat stroke after pulling up. A brave filly indeed.

Nice!

Gallop nipping Quiet was pretty damn exciting along with Durkin's stretch call, and closing with "A picture is worth a thousand words, this photo is worth five million dollars!"

And after that an "Oh no!"

He knew Desormeaux blew it... was pointing it out during the race too.. "and hes moving early with 6 furlongs to go" calls two other horses then pauses to find Victory Gallop and mentions he was 10 lengths off the lead followed by "Real quiet now makes a powerful move to the lead with 5 furlongs to go" Tom handicapped the race better than Kent did. Hurts to even think about that race.

There have been some exciting runnings of the Super Derby. Gate Dancer nailing Precisionist in the last strides. Wallenda getting up in the last jump in a four-horse finish. Soul of the Matter holding off Concern. Labred Free Spirit's Joy beating Best Pal and Lite Light.

How about the beherns victory gallop Whitney!!! Freaking epic.

I couldn't decide

#1a The 1984 Flamingo Stakes :tro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKP1nBlgAbc

Time for a Change and Devils Bag went around the track glued together running a 1:09 and change and after Time for a Change puts him away in the stretch he get hooked by Dr. Carter and hold him off. That race was the end for a very promising 3 year old, Time for Change.

#1b 1989 Preakness Stakes - Easy Goer -vs- Sunday Silence :tro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c48c26AJAXY

Was a big Easy Goer fan but was smart enough to respect Sunday Silence and though you could not separate the two that year...I think Pat Day moved to soon but .......that was some helluva stretch run.

#2 The 1987 Haskel Invitational:$:

Bet Twice/ Alysheba/ Lost Code in a blanket finish after being all over each other for most of the race.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKmnr13EYiw

Alabama 2010
 

Blind Luck from dead last! An explosive move on the far turn set this remarkable filly up for a win against the supposedly unbeatable Havre de Grace. I was there for Rachel's Woodward as well, but this little filly's effort in the Alabama will stand out in my memory!


http://youtu.be/UjPpwVdu2l4

I was there for this. Havre de grace was like 7-1 though. Devil May Care might have been 3-5. This is the race that HDG kinda broke out in. She beat Blind Luck about 6 weeks later at Philly park.