Unfortunately, with the increasing narrowing of top horses into a relatively few barns, Grade I races with deep fields and close finishes are becoming rare here in the states as well.

I guess you are just a little way behind with that process then. It's a shame because i thought America would manage to keep away from that problem. From what i have seen, your owners are far more stubborn to sell to bigger owners than they are over here.

Although i don't know much about all the good horses in the States, i love watching the good graded races you have, they seem to be much more competitive than many of our races, especially this year. We have such a weak 3yo crop it's pathetic.

You're so lucky to have been at Aintree for that day.

Haha, i know what you're talking about getting sneaked into the bookies on a saturday morning. That was me every weekend when i wasn't really old enough to go in them.

It's not so much that the smaller owners are less willing to sell, but that so many of the high-profile owners are utilizing many of the same trainers. For eaxmple, an outfit like Todd Pletcher's has hundreds of well-bred, well-connected horses. He manages the stable in such a way that his top horses rarely run against one another, save for a race like the Kentucky Derby (where he had five entries for different owners) and the Breeders' Cup. I'm not saying he is wrong for doing so, but the end result is that most Grade I stakes races in the US have small fields with a prohibitive favorite.

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

Have to agree with you on that one.

I have a few...
 

The 89 Classic...even though Easy Goer lost it was still a heck of a race.
The 88 Distaff...Personal Ensign, Winning Colors, Goodbye Halo...what can you say..13 for 13..AMAZING
The 05 Preakness & Belmont...Afleet Alex..Wow
Gorella in the Beverly D..." Gorella is being produced down the center of the track"..Gave me chills
95 Classic..Cigar...Great ride by Bailey..even greater call of the race!!!
91 Juvenile.."Arazi runs right by em"
Magnificence in her debut...hopefully we will see her again...

2004 Darley Alcibiades four horse photo finish.
Runway Model
Sharp Lisa
In the Gold
Dance Away Capote.

I still get teary-eyed when I even READ about this race! What a horse Rummy was!

I have been going to Santa Anita since 1973 and have seen alot of great racing including Spectacular Bids races. My favorites were Precisionist and Ack Ack. You always knew what game they would bring.

2004 Travers was surreal. The weather was like the Wizard of Oz just before the race. Felt like the a movie.

2005 Derby was a shocker.

2006 - Discreet Cat return in that ALW at Sar. I've never seen a horse do it that fast with no effort at all. Pretty cool.

I should have put that one on my list also. It was electric, but not on the same level as Slew vs. Affirmed.