Best closing kick ever seen?

Scav · #1 06-12-2006, 10:08 PM

Just watched the 2002 Breeders Cup Mile again, Arlington Park.

I have NEVER seen a horse close like Rock of Gibrator, horse gets 2nd and it still gets me pumped.

jp96stang · #2 06-12-2006, 10:20 PM

Kitten's Joy before the chip. Just outstanding!!

1st_Saturday_in_May · #3 06-12-2006, 11:00 PM

I like the War Chant BC Mile from 2000 as much as Rock of Gibraltars from 02

packerbacker7964 · #4 06-12-2006, 11:10 PM

Chindi, He's retired now but look some of his old races up on calracing.com. Chindi was a sprinter in the midwest the last couple of years. He would spot the field 10 to 20 lengths then come running at the end. Very exciting to see him coming home with his all everytime on the track.

somerfrost · #5 06-12-2006, 11:11 PM

The best I ever saw was Silky Sullivan...when he fired, it was something to see! Actually, the most devastating kick belonged to Secretariat...it was just that he would use it at any point in the race (the move on the clubhouse turn in the Preakness still has folks gasping).

blackthroatedwind · #6 06-12-2006, 11:26 PM

Ghostzapper.

Take a look at the Vosburgh in 2003. He wasn't even in the picture as they are readying to turn for home and won by 6 1/2 lengths.

zippyneedsawin · #7 06-12-2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Ghostzapper.

Take a look at the Vosburgh in 2003. He wasn't even in the picture as they are readying to turn for home and won by 6 1/2 lengths.

LOL, I was just posting that!! great minds think alike!

#8 06-13-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Ghostzapper.

Take a look at the Vosburgh in 2003. He wasn't even in the picture as they are readying to turn for home and won by 6 1/2 lengths.

OK, I know this sounds weird but the race that made my hair stand on end was GZ in the King's Bishop.

He only rallied for 3rd that day but he slingshot around that field like they were suddenly thrown into reverse. Made my eyes fall out of my head and certainly put him on my radar map. AFter The Rock in the 2002 Mile (ironically another non-winning performance) that was my favorite close of all time.

zippyneedsawin · #9 06-12-2006, 11:26 PM

Ghostzapper in the Vosburgh(2003, I believe) comes to mind.. He an absolutely amazing finish in that race.

#10 06-13-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somerfrost

The best I ever saw was Silky Sullivan...when he fired, it was something to see! Actually, the most devastating kick belonged to Secretariat...it was just that he would use it at any point in the race (the move on the clubhouse turn in the Preakness still has folks gasping).

If we're talking about dramatic closing kicks, then this is it.....I really believe that when Afleet Alex was on his A-game that he had one of the most devastating turns of foot from the 3/8-pole to the wire...

jpops757 · #11 06-13-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cunningham Racing

If we're talking about dramatic closing kicks, then this is it.....I really believe that when Afleet Alex was on his A-game that he had one of the most devastating turns of foot from the 3/8-pole to the wire...

No doubt as far as suden acceleration and obtaining top speed he had to be the best I have seen. Most of the deep closers just roll into there top closing speed but he was the true push button speed horse. Two or three strides and he was there. Amazing turn of foot. The horse in training now that shows this push button trait is Surf Cat. If they would just show him off around the country. We may never realy be able to appreciate this horse f they want venture out of Cal.

paisjpq · #12 06-13-2006, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cunningham Racing

If we're talking about dramatic closing kicks, then this is it.....I really believe that when Afleet Alex was on his A-game that he had one of the most devastating turns of foot from the 3/8-pole to the wire...

AMEN JOEL. does anyone remember the arkanasas race from 2003 --think it was Sir Cherokee or something similar. I know the horse didn't go on but the effort was visually impressive on the day and sticks in my mind...

31lengths · #13 06-13-2006, 07:10 PM

Secretariat and Whirlaway's Preakness' was like -

!

packerbacker7964 · #14 06-13-2006, 09:30 PM

Grindstone's Derby when Bailey was talking to him down the back stretch still sides shivers down my spine. The call was awsome also did Cavinor hang on, did he lose by a nose the photo is worth a million. One of JB best rides I can ever remember. Poor Bob Baffert thought he won it.

#15 06-13-2006, 09:51 PM

Point Given in the 2000 BC Juvenile. I think he was still last at the top of the stretch and still almost caught Macho Uno. I love watching that replay. He became my Derby horse that day.

Bigsmc · #16 06-13-2006, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav

Just watched the 2002 Breeders Cup Mile again, Arlington Park.

I have NEVER seen a horse close like Rock of Gibrator, horse gets 2nd and it still gets me pumped.

I'm with Scav on this one. Still wear my "Rock" lid. The only bad thing, I had singled him.

Bigs

Seattleallstar · #17 06-13-2006, 05:02 AM

Two favorites of mine I cant seperate are Personal Ensign's BC win over Winning Colors, and Victory Gallop over Real Quiet in the Belmont

GPK · #18 06-13-2006, 07:31 AM

Loved to watch Megahertz come flying from way back.

miraja2 · #19 06-13-2006, 07:43 AM

I know my dad would agree with the post that said Silky Sullivan was the best ever.
Personally I would say Megahertz was (although probably not the best) my favorite in recent years.
Based on his races in the Arkansas Derby, Preakness, and Belmont I think Afleet Alex had the potential to be one of the great "closing kick" horses in recent memory. Unfortunately Rose gave him a strange ride in the Derby and then his career was cut short by injury.

#20 06-13-2006, 07:46 AM

War Chant, Personal Ensign and Rock all come to mind. However, AWAD is my favorite horse with a closing kick. He would be last with 100 yards to go and he would unleash his powerful closing stride to get up to win.

One race I will never forget is Silverbulletday's race in the Alabama. Go watch that race. The turn of foot is absolutely amazing.