2013 Hall of Fame Inductees

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

Sprinters and turf horses almost never make it. You have a historical bias against them that is slowly giving way.

Invasor was 5-for-5 here -- all Grade 1 wins including an edition of the Breeders Cup Classic that has been more above par than most of the recent ones.

Also a Dubai World Cup win abroad.

The older males have been extraordinarily weak for the last several years. A horse like Blame would be considered one of the better ones, and he'd have no chance in hell with Invasor. Invasor and Curlin were both locks to make the Hall of Fame.

I'd give Lure, Housebuster, and Invasor all a B.

Jay Privman talked about it this morning. He's a voter and also on the nominating committee. He says that a lot of the times when discussing sprint and turf types as nominees he has to really stress and explain their merits to those that say, 'he was just a sprinter' or 'but he only ran on turf' as if dirt routers are the only horses that are supposed to be considered for induction.

I loved Invasor during his career but take a close look at who he beat in those domestic G1's. Not an august group. And arguably, had Castellano not been dizzy from the Distaff spill, Bernardini may well have beaten Invasor in the Classic. Heckuva nice horse but can't see him as a HOFer. Very fair point about what will qualify long term though.

(EDIT: Invasor victims: PIM Special (Wanderin Boy, West Virginia), Suburban (Wild Desert, Andromeda's Hero), Whitney (Sun King, West Virginia), Classic (Bernardini, Premium Tap), Donn (Hesanoldsalt, A.P. Arrow), World Cup (Premium Tap, Bullish Luck)..