Most Underrated of 2006

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Gander

Discreet Cat has looked like a machine but lets face it, hasnt he had one cupcake trip after another against short, not so super fields? Silver Train and Badge of Silver are credible animals but no superstars.

Discreet Cat has actually had four rather difficult trips in his six lifetime starts.

His debut win at Saratoga and the Jerome being the two races where you can say that he won with easy trips.

His trip was far from easy in the UAE Derby---his trip downright AWFUL in the 2nd start of his career, and in his Saratoga allowance win.

I wouldn't say he had a bad trip in the Cigar Mile...I would call it an unideal trip through. Having his hand forced early, getting caught in between horses briefly, while sparring for the lead through fast fractions. Badge of Silver had a dream stalk-no-go trip behind the pace that day...his trip was MUCH better than DC's.

Silver Train and Badge of Silver are both very talented older males when they are right. Not that I'm a weight guy or anything, but they both also were given a nice weight concession. I believe Discreet Cat became the first 3-year-old, since the 80's, to win a Grade 1 against older males, while GIVING the older males weight. Easy Goer's Whitney being the last such time that has happened I believe.

Steve Davidowitz, who is someone that belives weight is extrmely overrated, famously said in his popular book Betting Thoroughbreds that 'Any 3-year-old giving weight to older horses is an absolute bet against.' So, I think people are being way too critical of Discreet Cat for not looking a lot more impressive in the Cigar.

Over the years, many 3-year-olds have been humbled by older horses thought lesser. It was Onion and Prove Out for Secretariat in '73. He lost two of his three dirt races against older males.