I believe Shoemaker said that Spectacular Bid was the best he had ever ridden. Anyway, I agree with the posters who agree that it's very difficult, if not downright impossible to "prove" that 1 horse is better than another, unless they face the same horses. Even then, there are still fans who will argue for their favorite (like some Alydar fans might try to explain or excuse each of his loses to Affirmed). I think that we are lucky to see such great horses run. Whether Bernardini is going to be included in that select category depends on his connections. He seems to be special, but I would withhold annointing him until he wins against larger fields, meets and defeats opponents who challenge him, and sets records doing so.
By the way, my personal favorite is Secretariat.

Tom Fool's sensational 4YO campaign occurred in 1953 ... but nevertheless ...

... I agree with that assessment.

The only other comparable 4YO campaigns were Bold Ruler in 1958 and Dr. Fager in 1968.

a lot of horses have ability. doesn't mean they show it, or have a chance to. so how can they be great? colin and personal ensign (for instance) retired undefeated and get much respect for that feat. danzig retired undefeated. do you see much press for that? no, since he only ran three times. yes, all wins, but he only ran a few times--so it doesn't 'count'.
as for bernardini and withholding judgement. bernardini could conceivably stink up the track at churchill. not sure anyone really thinks that could happen, but it could happen. so you don't really know what this horse will be, as he's still showing us. when he's done, then you know. i mean, that would be like saying you know the ending of a movie, ,know that it's a classic, when you've only seen half or two thirds of it. you MIGHT know, but it would be speculation. so you watch to the end. sometimes at the end you say, hey that sucked. or sometimes the audience applauds! ah, you say, as you walk out with your shoes making sucking noises because some little brat spilled his coke and you walked thru it, i KNEW that was gonna happen!

even when two meet you won't get agreement. poll the group here, and you'll see....just ask 'who's better--sunday silence or easy goer?'..watch the fur fly.

Danzig, I'm sure that is true. But that's why I like this site: the opinions are interesting and for the most part from members who have a lot of inside knowledge.

One of the things that is always overlooked is what Secretariat did on the grass.The Man O War was against Tentam who was considred and rightfully so the best grass horse in the country.The way Secretariat won that race (and i was there) made Elliot Burch the trainer of Tentam say i've seen enough.His 2nd race which was a Woodbine in a deluge with Eddie Maple up was again freaky.To run on that course in only the 2nd time on grass was mind boggling.They never tried Bid on the grass.They both were great and an argument can be made for both,but i'll always put Secretariat at the top of my list.

yeah, i like it too! and of course it would be boring if we all agreed on everything. page after page of 'me too'. it does get a little heated in here at times, but strong opinions and egos will breed strong arguments. hopefully not too many hits below the belt....

Poor Tentam ... I always felt sorry for him ...

... he head a lock on the grass Eclipse ... and then they decided to try Secretariat on the turf.

What's worse ... Secretariat was then bred to Tentam's mom ... how's that for rubbing salt in the wound? ... and the result was Secrettame ... who produced Gone West and Lion Cavern.

Yup ... poor old Tentam.

1972 is when i started
 

I lived in Queens (still do) but went to school at Brooklyn Tech.My senior year i used to catch the Aqueduct special from Hoyt and Schermerhorn and enjoy those days at the races.

Ahh ... yes ... the Aqueduct special ...

... when the track first opened ... they couldn't run enough trains. They were packed like the midtown subway during rush hour ... and ... when the doors opened at the Aqueduct station ... the stampede to the admission gates was something out of a John Ford western.

And how many people ... do you think ... know how to correctly pronounce "Schermerhorn"?