The best race you have witnessed

[theiman]

A mare named All Along, trained by Bianconne, about 25 years ago. I think it was the Big A, maybe Belmont. Incredibly impressive and beat the boys if I remember. I think it was before the Big A had an inner dirt and had two turf courses.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

paint that canoe~~~~ 4 weeks prior ateamstupid...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtq652Uxlqc

then the bc off the hook great time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7TMXjyb6io

and this shut everyone up..jaws on ground..doh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qEsD...elated&search=

[_ed_]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P52NFHzAtGw
The 2007 NZ Stakes.

It had been a really disappointing Cup Week for me, with an average Aussie horse coming over and making my favourite race of every year look really low-quality when he won the Derby, then there was a ridiculous Miami Herald-esque "silver device" controversy about that race, then the weather was disgusting on Cup Day.

This race on the last day of the week made up for all of that.

[miraja2]

Given the enrgy in the crowd before and during the race, I would say that the '04 Belmont Stakes (Birdstone & Smarty Jones) was probably the most exciting one I've seen in person.

[gamblin4ever]

Affirmed/Alydar @ KY. Derby - 1st and only time i've been @ Churchill Downs.
I was a kid and My dad took me saying the derby was the top race to watch.

That race got me hooked on horse racing and i've been a fan ever since

[brianwspencer]

For me, the best race I've ever seen was also one that I saw live -- the 2002 Arlington Million. Forbidden Apple, Falcon Flight, Paolini, Beat Hollow -- amazing race.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uA7JB_V-8Bc

[Indian Charlie]

dixie doodle's 62 lifetime start!

[ateamstupid]

Both times I saw Ghostzapper run live ('06 Woodward, '07 Met).

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Both times I saw Ghostzapper run live ('06 Woodward, '07 Met).

Premium Tap and Corinthian won those races I think.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

dixie doodle's 62 lifetime start!

Now there's an honest to goodness race horse if I ever saw one!

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Now there's an honest to goodness race horse if I ever saw one!

whatever happened to good ol dixie doodle?

was he one of those premature retirements that people always are talking about? or was he run and run until he could run no more?

[Travis Stone]

Someone said it already, but Tiznow and Sakhee in the '01 Classic was something else.

[pointman]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I know that I have commented about this race before.

That was a day unlike any I've experienced at a racecourse. It was what I think it would be like at a Super Bowl. You could feel the enormity of the event in the air from 10:00 a.m.

The deflation after Smarty lost was, also, something I hadn't experienced.

I saw this race live also, the excitement as Smarty Jones took the lead and was still in front as they turned for home was unbelievable, 120,000 people screaming. When Birdstone passed him in the final 70 yards, you could hear a pin drop. Everyone around was in stark disbelief.

[parsixfarms]

Of those that I've seen live, the ones that I remember most include the following top 10. Those that didn't have a photo finish certainly had a "wow" factor:

1987 Whitney (Java Gold)

1991 Breeders Cup Juvenile (Arazi)

1994 Travers (Holy Bull/"... but there's cause for Concern...")

1996 Test (Capote Belle)

1997 Belmont (Touch Gold)

1998 Belmont (Victory Gallop nails Real Quiet)

1999 Breeders Cup Turf (Daylami)

2004 Belmont (Birdstone beats Smarty Jones - without question the most electric atmosphere I've ever experienced at the racetrack)

2004 Vanderbilt (Speightstown)

4th race at Saratoga on September 2, 2004 (our filly Wateree wins at Saratoga).

[NoChanceToDance]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

Of those that I've seen live, the ones that I remember most include the following top 10. Those that didn't have a photo finish certainly had a "wow" factor:

1987 Whitney (Java Gold)

1991 Breeders Cup Juvenile (Arazi)

1994 Travers (Holy Bull/"... but there's cause for Concern...")

1996 Test (Capote Belle)

1997 Belmont (Touch Gold)

1998 Belmont (Victory Gallop nails Real Quiet)

1999 Breeders Cup Turf (Daylami)

2004 Belmont (Birdstone beats Smarty Jones - without question the most electric atmosphere I've ever experienced at the racetrack)

2004 Vanderbilt (Speightstown)

4th race at Saratoga on September 2, 2004 (our filly Wateree wins at Saratoga).

you've witnessed MANY very good races.

Lucky you.


Seems to me you get much better queality finishes over in the states, especially of your big races. Over here we usually get one horse so much better than the rest. For good finishes, we are better off watching a maiden claimer.

[viscount26]

1977 Grand National
Red Rum winning his 3rd Grand National. I went with my Grandpa, god rest his soul. He used to sneak me into the bookies with him, every Saturday afternoon.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by NoChanceToDance

Seems to me you get much better queality finishes over in the states, especially of your big races. Over here we usually get one horse so much better than the rest. For good finishes, we are better off watching a maiden claimer.

Unfortunately, with the increasing narrowing of top horses into a relatively few barns, Grade I races with deep fields and close finishes are becoming rare here in the states as well.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Wateree romped at Saratoga that day. It must have been a thrill for your stable!

It was awesome. We were in the "Javier, don't fall off" mode!

[Slewbopper]

"2004 Belmont (Birdstone beats Smarty Jones - without question the most electric atmosphere I've ever experienced at the racetrack)"

Have to agree with you on that one.