Point Given

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

He faced very good 3yo competiton -- races like the Preakness, Belmont, Haskell, and Travers are among the most prized of the Grade 1's by owners.

I've done this before but here goes...

Crafty CT
I Love Silver
Palmiero
Cherokee Kim
Jamaican Rum
Bank Street
Indy Lead
Skip to the Stone
Silvertongue Fox
Gold Trader
Millennium Wind
Golden Ticket
Holiday Thunder
The Goo
AP Valentine
Congaree
Dollar Bill
Griffinite
Monarchos
Marciano
Bay Eagle
Percy Hope
Richly Blended
Mr. John
Invisible Ink
Buckle Down Ben
Thunder Blitz
Balto Star
Dr Greenfield
Touch Tone
Hero's Tribute
Burning Roma
E Dubai
Free of Love
Scorpion
Volponi
Hadrian's Wall
Harrisand

Quite the group. He was the best 3YO that year, but immortalized as one of the best all time, having faced them only at 3 (I included some of his 2YO competition too)...no thanks. I'll give you Congaree, Monarchos (just because of the Derby), Balto Star (for later turf success), and Volponi (for a race) as competition he faced when he won that would be considered "very good."

If turf racing is eschewed in this country for speed, fine, that's our own fault - but there are few horses racing in this decade that have been more successful and more consistent than Gio Ponti - consistency and success commensurate with a Hall of Fame, perhaps even one from an older era.