Originally Posted by todko

There is some debate here about "talented" versus "accomplished". To me, the two go hand in hand.

The two go hand in hand because "talented" horses "accomplish" wins in major races. Sure, there are other talented horses who don't accomplish much (Ghostzapper at 3). It's a lot of conjecture to say such and such horse is so "talented" if the horse never actually wins anything major.

In the case of Ghostzapper, he made his case as an older horse more so than as a 3 year old due to nagging minor injuries in his 3 year old season. He was clearly one of the fastest horses ever. Since the '70s and early '80s (I was a kid then), his race in the Breeders Cup Classic clearly stands out as the most stunning performance I've seen.

Smarty Jones was very talented. His Preakness, coming after a Kentucky Derby win, was more impressive to me than a rested Bernardini's Preakness this year.

I don't think we saw anything near what Barbaro's talent really was. Derby fractions of :46 and change, 1:10 and change, and the 2nd fastest final quarter (only Secretariat ran a faster final) in Derby history. Never asked, never touched. Wins on turf, dirt, slop, you name it. Late foal -- 4/29. He had a lot of talent to show.

I'm not too high on Bernardini. Every race his main competition was injured (Barbaro, Sunriver, Bluegrass Cat) and his fractions in the Travers were nothing to write home about. And he was definitely urged in the Travers -- hit and urged. He only beat a staggering SNS by 5 lengths or so in the Preakness after skipping the Derby. Skipped the Belmont. Ran against nothing (with Sunriver and BC injured during races) since. His races looked more visually impressive than they really are. Maybe he'll prove me wrong later -- but I doubt it.

This year, other than Barbaro, Bright One is intriguing. 1:33 and change at CD for a mile. Saw him in person the following race and he is the real deal. He's a little green but he can fly.

Discreet Cat looks to be a possible freak. Definitely would have won the Travers with ease. Maybe he's a Ghostzapper type -- freakishly fast but cant' run very often.

Most talented 3 year old since 1990 -- probably go with Barbaro. 13th fastest Derby of all time -- 2nd fastest closing quarter. Came back on his toes nipping at the pony. It was like he was saying, "you call that a Derby? . . when we gonna race? . . . let's go around again". I don't think there was any 3 year since 1990 who could have beaten Barbaro at a distance.