Using Eddington and Rock Hard Ten to boost Smarty's TC campaign aren't really helping his case. They didn't come into their own until much later, the horses that Smarty faced weren't too good, w/the exception of Lion Heart who should not have been pushed past 1 1/8 miles (IMO).

Afleet Alex's crop was the weakest I've seen in a LONG time. Flower Alley was the best three year old that year, he just didn't come into his own until later in the year. If Alex had met him later on, I think the results would have been different.

And if I'm not mistaken, Charismatic broke down while he was being pulled up.... Though something could have been wrong in the running I suppose.... He was the best horse to run that year, and had accomplished the most. He got good at the right time.

Smarty didn't win HOY for a few reasons. One, many people were incredibly bitter over her early retirement. The year before Mineshaft retired before the BC and won HOY. I think it created many bitter feelings over horses retiring pre-BC. At the same time, Ghostzapper clearly was the best horse that year, though his campaign was, to put it lightly, pretty lame. 4 races? Very lame indeed. Charismatic's year he was the only horse who really stood out.

Bernardini and Barbaro are both VERY good horses, and it's a real shame we never got to see what could have happened in the Preakness had Barbaro remained healthy. I think it would have been a real race to the wire. They would have known they were in a fight, but I think Bernie may have had the edge, though Barbaro may have just been coming into his own...