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Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS
On March 27th 1996 he won the Dubai Duty Free in a 14 horse field by a mere 20 lengths. His final time of 2:03 3/5ths was a tick faster than Cigar's 2:03 4/5ths on the same day at the same distance ... meaning he would have got a higher Beyer than Cigar got that day. Those pesky detention barns at Pimlico probably cost him the Pimlico Special.
Here's Cigar's PP's again if you want to see the final time comparison for that day ...
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There is some validity in comparing times for certain races on the same day and they are interesting for comparative's sake, but in my opinion they are never conclusive when it comes to the actual racing part of the equation. Saying that admittidley The Dubai race probably wasn't Cigar's best(numbers wise), I think everyone knew at the time he had a stone bruise and missed some training leading up to that race, most owner's would have probably scratched a horse of this caliber at the slightest mishap, but not Allen Paulson. He made promises and he was a man to his word. Still I compare that race much to the Holy Bull Travers, or Seattle Slew losing to Exceller race as one that Cigar should have lost, 9/10 a big move like the one Soul of The Matter made in that race would have netted a win, but to me this just illustrated Cigar's determination to win with adversity, to me this race and his Hollywood Gold Cup were his 2 finest moments as a racehorse.
Edit: His last race was pretty good also, on a golden rail track he never saw the rail to only miss by a head. I know some will probably say Alphabet Soup was just 1 lane inside of him, but to truly appreciate how Cigar raced that day watch his entire trip and all of the dirt races that day and he really ran a hell of a race.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxpcfqakobY&feature=fvsr