TVG

[Calzone Lord]

They are showing quarter horses races from AJAX Downs - and someone named Ramon Dominguez was on a 3/5 shot in the 1st race (run a few seconds ago)

They show his picture in the post parade as the jockey. Horse won despite drifting out badly with an obviously different Ramon Dominguez almost falling off.

Sh!t thread? You bet. But it's not like there's anything better to talk about right now.

[Indian Charlie]

How about the most overrated horses of the last 11 years?

[shanej974]

1. Bernardini
2. Rachel Alexandra

These 2 lead the overrated pack by a mile (or 8 furlongs if you prefer).

[Calzone Lord]

No, they don't.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

No, they don't.

He's a very big fan of Zenyatta and Smarty Jones.

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by shanej974

1. Bernardini
2. Rachel Alexandra

These 2 lead the overrated pack by a mile (or 8 furlongs if you prefer).

And just how was Rachel Alexandra overrated?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by shanej974

1. Bernardini
2. Rachel Alexandra

These 2 lead the overrated pack by a mile (or 8 furlongs if you prefer).

you've got to be kidding. that list contains two of the best horses we've seen in some time. bernardini was a top 3 yo colt, it took invasor to beat him. as for rachel, her 3 yo season was phenomenal.

[dagolfer33]

Fairmount has an excellent card this afternoon, maybe we can get Alan to report on any gate malfunctions.

[Indian Charlie]

I think Bern was certainly overrated.

I'm not saying he sucked, mind you, but the hype on him was overboard.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

I think Bern was certainly overrated.

Yes, but the immortal Barbaro, and his one good dirt race, wasn't.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

And just how was Rachel Alexandra overrated?

She was merely very fortunate she didn't run into that buzzsaw Pioneerof The Nile when he was on top of his game.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

She was merely very fortunate she didn't run into that buzzsaw Pioneerof The Nile when he was on top of his game.

She caughly him on the downslide.

[slotdirt]

I'm pretty sure Pioneerof the Nile won the Triple Crown.

[miraja2]

My take:

Top 5 overrated since 2000

1) Zenyatta (no-brainer here)
2) Lost in the Fog (clearly held top spot until 2 strong years of Z-nation pushed her over the top)
3) Bernardini (very talented and a productive 3yo....but people talked about him as if he had actually beaten somebody).
4) Pepper's Pride (People talked about her. Some even liked her. She didn't deserve any of it.)
5) Smarty Jones (I was a fan too....but people got carried away).

Top 5 underrated since 2000

1) Invasor - Undisputedly better than others who have received way more hype and praise.
2) Birdstone - The 2004 Belmont wasn't just some bizarre fluke. On a dry surface he was a good colt.
3) Medaglia Doro - Tended to come in second in the "big" races....but aren't the Travers, Whitney, Donn etc, also pretty big races?
4) Perfect Drift - Became an internet punch line late in his career, but he was a very good 4yo who continued to be competitive at the top level for the next 2-3 years.
5) English Channel - It will probably be awhile before another American turf horse puts together a 3-year run of that quality. Despite GPK's best efforts....I still think he's underrated.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

Yes, but the immortal Barbaro, and his one good dirt race, wasn't.

His turf races all sucked too.

[slotdirt]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

His turf races all sucked too.

I do take issue with that statement.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

His turf races all sucked too.

For a 2-year-old, they were absolutely great 2yo turf performances.

Before anyone can attempt lists like miraja2's ... you'd need to first outline and define some things.

For instance, would 'most overrated' mean most overrated at a certain point in their racing career - or 'most overrated' for a career as a whole?

And - most overrated by who? Overrated by pretty horsey tards and slapdick handicappers on the Internet? Or, overrated by solid and respect worthy racing people like Jon White, who just don't have the most complete set of handicaping skills out there? Or, overrated by the most skilled type of players who simply should have known better?

A cool and rare case was Xtra Heat - who was massively overrated through the first half of her 3yo season - but she developed into a sprinting beast in the second half of her 3yo season and had a sensational career for a female sprinter.

[wild barry]

I thought Mineshaft was overated during his horse of the year season. He loved Belmont winning the Suburban, Woodward, and Jockey Club Gold Cup. He beat alot of horses that had less than stellar records. Although Evening Attire and Volponi were quality horses. I think he retired sound after Jockey Club and chose not to run in BC Classic.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by wild barry

I thought Mineshaft was overated during his horse of the year season. He loved Belmont winning the Suburban, Woodward, and Jockey Club Gold Cup. He beat alot of horses that had less than stellar records. Although Evening Attire and Volponi were quality horses. I think he retired sound after Jockey Club and chose not to run in BC Classic.

There is all truth to what you say other than what is in bold - but - imagine Mineshaft in the handicap division climate of the last few years?

He would have been Cigar v2.0 - and with Neil Howard training him no less.

[slotdirt]

I always thought Artie Schiller was a bit overrated, though I doubt many agree with me here. Nobiz like Shobiz also comes to mind.