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Originally Posted by slotdirt
How does Congaree compare to Closing Argument in 2005? I always thought he ran by far the best Derby in another particularly quick early paced race.
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Closing Argument was 6th after a half and six furlongs in the '05 Derby .... and he did only run a 99 Beyer while finishing 2nd ... but yeah he ran the best race ... and just like Congaree and MDO before him .. his Preakness was no coronation.
Congaree got a statistical negative rider switch (on ROI numbers only) the year he ran in the Preakness. Though it was supposed to be a big positive rider swith if you listened to anything else.
His Derby jockey was Victor Espinoza - the strongest jockey in the game - and a guy who year after year would produce these big mind-boggling profitable ROI stats in dirt routes. His best ride was on speedy dirt routers.
Jerry Bailey took over Congaree for the Preakness and he was much less stronger but much more expierienced and clever.
Congaree stumbled badly at the start, and than got into a big wrestling match with Bailey in the Preakness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEZgronfOQ4 - he only lost to Point Given by 2.5 lengths.
He was freshened and did win a Grade 1 next out in lackluster fashion - but you didn't see the real Congaree again until late in his 4yo season.
Medaglia D' Oro ... who I thought was clearly best in the following years merry-go-round Kentucky Derby finished 8th beaten 17 lengths at 3/1 odds in the Preakness before losing to Sarava in the Belmont. Like Congaree - he later found great form.
Closing Argument was beaten 26 lengths in the Preakness and never ran again.