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Originally Posted by CSC
First of all I think the 3 yr old crop of 2007 was one of the deepest crops we have seen in awhile, but I am curious do you really believe that Hard Spun's Gr.2 Kentucky Cup Stks win or Any Given Saturday's Gr. 2 Brooklyn Hdcp against older compares to Curlin's Gr.1 wins in the Gr.1 Jockey Gold Cup and Breeders Cup Classic?
Second point I would like to address, is yes Curlin is still racing. But it is not without risk of tarnishing his reputation. Horses that prematurely retire avoid the risk of exposure. We won't know this about the others, but Street Sense rode a 2 horse losing streak into retirement, Rags to Riches lost in the Gazelle before retiring. Though it can be argued that these horses had already peaked or caught favorable scenarios or not. One thing cannot be argued is Curlin continued to ascend in his performances. Aren't traits in consistency and durabilty in a racehorse a sign of superiority?
Finally we can nitpick over individual races at nauseum, however certain races carry more weight and whether we like it or not, The Breeders Cup Classic is the defining moment when comparing these horses. All of the horses had long campaigns, I'm sure if Street Sense had won the race we would not be arguing who was the best 3 yr old of 2007? Wouldn't we? But the fact is none of the others were in the same league of Curlin that day, objectively to ignore that, I believe one is not truly examining all the factors and accurately weighing them.
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i agree with you on the depth of the crop. my contention in this discussion is that curlin is not 'head and shoulders' above his peers.
also, the breeders cup is a defining moment, but i would disagree that it is THE defining moment. i would also take a moment to remind everyone that street sense was a top horse two years running, and now curlin has the chance to show the same thing. also a reminder that street sense did something no horse had done before, in winning the bcj and the derby. i would disagree that no horse was in the same league as curlin, with the second place finisher in the derby also the second place finisher in the bcc. discussing weaknesses in a horses rivals does not make a horse look better.
case in point- you mention rags' loss in the gazelle- that being the same rags who beat curlin at belmont. i would say that every horse showed some tenacity, and every horse also showed moments of weakness. i am taking nothing away from curlin by saying he was better-but not head and shoulders better.