The Decades Most Under Appreciated Race

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

There's a lot of different ways to rank them... the best way would probably be by race.

Haskin did it by best losing performance in a TC or BC race:

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/best-...rown-race.aspx

[The Indomitable DrugS]

* Belmont Stakes - Smarty Jones 2004. The figure in defeat wasn't nearly as good as Ten Most Wanted's - but his trip was light years harder - and he ran an incredible race for over 10 furlongs before hitting a brick wall in the final furlong.

* Breeders Cup Classic - You have four performances in defeat that totally stand out head and shoulders above the rest.

Giant's Causeway in 2000, Medaglia D' Oro in 2003, Pleasantly Perfect in 2004, and Bernardini in 2006.
I didn't bet a single one of those four horses in those races - but it was pretty obvious concluding that Giant's Causeway ran at least as good as the winner, Medaglia D' Oro ran better than the winner in '03, the '03 winner PP ran extremely well with a totally impossible trip in a race that unfolded totally to Ghostzapper's benefit in '04 and Bernardini clearly ran the best race in the '06 Classic. It's too tough to split those four performances.

* BC Juvenile - Point Given in 2000. Came with an absolutely explosive finish to blow past Street Cry and just miss nailing Macho Uno for the win.

* BC Juv Fillies - Only 3 candidates. Composure just missed to an awesome 2yo filly in Storm Flag Flying. Final time was a hair faster than the Boys went in Vindication's Juvie win the same day and distance. In case anyone forgets Composure - her racing career was over after back to back Gr 1 wins in the winter at Santa Anita a few months later.
Imperial Gesture and Bella Belluchi are the other two options - both from the amazing 2001 field that produced a wicked fast final time. IG had a good trip and ran a huge number. Bella Belluchi was a soundly beaten 3rd - just ahead of You and Take Charge Lady. BB had some minor trip trouble and was stuck on what many felt was a dead rail that day.

* Breeders Cup Sprint - Swept Overboard's 4th place finish in 2001. Everything was against him in a race loaded with awesome sprinters who had much more favorable circumstances. He was beaten only a length with a 116 Beyer in a wildly underappreciated performance. He returned to Belmont one more time the following year and won the Met Mile by 5 lengths at 11/1 odds with a 122 Beyer.

* Breeders Cup Mile - Rock of Gibraltor.

* Breeders Cup Turf - Precious Passion or Milan. Take your pick.

* Breeders Cup Distaff - Surprisingly probably Hystericalady

* Kentucky Derby - Congaree easily. Hard Spun, Medaglia D'Oro, and Empire Maker distantly round this one out.

* Preakness Stakes - Take your pick. Either Street Sense with a 111 Beyer in a perfect trip hanging performance - or Sweetnorthernsaint in a 105 Beyer performance after he grabbed a quarter coming out of the gate and pressed a solid pace.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Haskin did it by best losing performance in a TC or BC race:

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/best-...rown-race.aspx

Haskin's list wasn't terrible ... but I have no idea what he was thinking with Lookin at Lucky and Cloudy's Night.

Look at the trouble the winner had early on in the BC Juvie .. I realize LaL was a couple paths wider on the far turn ... but on that Pro-Ride it's almost an advantage to be wide on the far turn. It's certainly nothing like your typical dirt or turf track where you pay a price for going wide.

A wide closing running style is prefered if anything.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Wow - I just looked at Haskin's list again and saw his honorable mention ... The Cliff's Edge's 5th beaten 12.5 lengths in the Kentucky Derby was one of the 15 best performances in defeat?

I assume because he lost both of his shoes?? I bet TCE in that race .. go watch Medaglia D' Oro's race in the KY Derby .. that to me was easily the best performance by a horse who didn't finish in the top 3 in the Derby this decade.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Haskin's list wasn't terrible ... but I have no idea what he was thinking with Lookin at Lucky and Cloudy's Night.

Look at the trouble the winner had early on in the BC Juvie .. I realize LaL was a couple paths wider on the far turn ... but on that Pro-Ride it's almost an advantage to be wide on the far turn. It's certainly nothing like your typical dirt or turf track where you pay a price for going wide.

A wide closing running style is prefered if anything.

Wow, I thought your fellate the Pats post was retarded, but wow.

Vale of York's trouble was only in your mind. You can't possibly think if those two horses switched trips, VOY still wins.

Almost an advantage going wide?!

It's almost an advantage to lose by nose or a head!

It's almost an advantage to miss a game winning field goal!

It's almost an advantage to get a speeding ticket when you weren't speeding!!

Come to think of it, your post is so ridiculous, I'm thinking you are just baiting me into this response!

Almost, that is.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Wow, I thought your fellate the Pats post was retarded, but wow.

Vale of York's trouble was only in your mind. You can't possibly think if those two horses switched trips, VOY still wins.

Almost an advantage going wide?!

It's almost an advantage to lose by nose or a head!

It's almost an advantage to miss a game winning field goal!

It's almost an advantage to get a speeding ticket when you weren't speeding!!

Come to think of it, your post is so ridiculous, I'm thinking you are just baiting me into this response!

Almost, that is.

You're being a douche here because you know Vale Of York's win was huge for me bankroll wise - and you have this stupid belief that I'm year in and year the worlds luckiest bettor.

Look - this years BC Juvenile was certainly not a strong field.

Vale of York steadied sharply early and was rushed from the gates way more than you ever should be on that track.

Lookin At Lucky didn't have a straw in his path - but he was wide on the turns. Almost every single Breeders Cup winner in the last two years over that track won with a wide closing move.

If I was racing at Santa Anita going a two-turn route on pro-ride ... yes, I'd rather race wide with a closer than get rushed from the gate, steady sharply, and than drop inside.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

You're being a douche here because you know Vale Of York's win was huge for me bankroll wise - and you have this stupid belief that I'm year in and year the worlds luckiest bettor.

Look - this years BC Juvenile was certainly not a strong field.

Vale of York steadied sharply early and was rushed from the gates way more than you ever should be on that track.

Lookin At Lucky didn't have a straw in his path - but he was wide on the turns. Almost every single Breeders Cup winner in the last two years over that track won with a wide closing move.

If I was racing at Santa Anita going a two-turn route on pro-ride ... yes, I'd rather race wide with a closer than get rushed from the gate, steady sharply, and than drop inside.

I would love for you to link me to a head on view of the first 1/4 mile, cause from where I keep seeing it, your horse had very little trouble at all. It's like calling a sneeze brain cancer.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

I would love for you to link me to a head on view of the first 1/4 mile, cause from where I keep seeing it, your horse had very little trouble at all. It's like calling a sneeze brain cancer.

This is what the chart says "steadied sharply first, rail move, angled out stretch"

I was extremely pissed that he was rushed from the gate and steadied like that - I basically gave up on him after that because horses simply don't often win races that way on that gimmicky surface.

They do win with wide closing moves at a MUCH higher rate than they do on dirt or turf.

I don't know what is more lame - that you so passionately think LaL has one of the top 5 losing performances of the decade in Breeders Cup and Triple Crown races ... or that someone who frequently asks for my thoughts on track trends in regard to running style - is now having a hissy fit because he seems to think Pro-Ride is the same as dirt and turf.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

This is what the chart says "steadied sharply first, rail move, angled out stretch"

Yeah, and we all know how accurate them chart makers are. Have you even watched the replay yet? Last time we discussed this, you hadn't.

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I was extremely pissed that he was rushed from the gate and steadied like that - I basically gave up on him after that because horses simply don't often win races that way on that gimmicky surface.

Yeah, you were pissed kinda like the Afleet Alex and Giacamo situations in the Kentucky Derby.

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I don't know what is more lame - that you so passionately think LaL has one of the top 5 losing performances of the decade in Breeders Cup and Triple Crown races

Eh? When did I change my name to Steve?

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

... or that someone who frequently asks for my thoughts on track trends in regard to running style - is now having a hissy fit because he seems to think Pro-Ride is the same as dirt and turf.

True, I have asked you for your thoughts on track trends, but:

1. Where is my hissy fit exactly?
2. You are making quite a leap in thinking that because I believe LaL lost the juvie because he had a less favorable trip than VOY I somehow have forgotten the differences between dirt and ProRide.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

You're being a douche here because you know Vale Of York's win was huge for me bankroll wise - and you have this stupid belief that I'm year in and year the worlds luckiest bettor.

Look - this years BC Juvenile was certainly not a strong field.

Vale of York steadied sharply early and was rushed from the gates way more than you ever should be on that track.

Lookin At Lucky didn't have a straw in his path - but he was wide on the turns. Almost every single Breeders Cup winner in the last two years over that track won with a wide closing move.

If I was racing at Santa Anita going a two-turn route on pro-ride ... yes, I'd rather race wide with a closer than get rushed from the gate, steady sharply, and than drop inside.

i had him also so your smart drugsy.vale is a pretty good horse

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Haskin did it by best losing performance in a TC or BC race:

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/best-...rown-race.aspx

By the way - Xtra Heat's defeat in the Test Stakes her 3yo season was absolutely one of the most impressive performances in defeat of this decade among races not involved in the BC or Triple Crown series.

I thought she had next to no chance against Victory Ride that day - and that Xtra Heat was wildly overrated ... that performance turned me from a mocker into a fan of hers.

I can't think of any bigtime horse over the last 10 years who my opinion shifted on so strongly after a single losing performance. She was amazing that day - and dueled two VERY fast good fillies into complete submission - both were just about eased ... and she surprisingly fought Victory Ride hard through the stretch after Victory Ride had one of the dreamiest trips a horse can possibly have.

People might not remember Victory Ride so well ... but she was an awesome filly. Won her debut by almost 15 lengths and ran a 108 Beyer for Rusty Arnold. The Test was only her 4th start - she was injured shortly after the race and didn't run again for almost a year.

Vol Jack will surely come around to point out that she also got a 7lbs weight break from Xtra Heat that day. Every little thing and every big thing went in her favor.

Victory Ride went off the 7/5 favorite and Xtra Heat was like 2/1 or 5/2 so it was no upset ... but I thought XH didn't have a prayer in the world and she was without a doubt much the best.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

By the way - Xtra Heat's defeat in the Test Stakes her 3yo season was absolutely one of the most impressive performances in defeat of this decade among races not involved in the BC or Triple Crown series.

I thought she had next to no chance against Victory Ride that day - and that Xtra Heat was wildly overrated ... that performance turned me from a mocker into a fan of hers.

I can't think of any bigtime horse over the last 10 years who my opinion shifted on so strongly after a single losing performance. She was amazing that day - and dueled two VERY fast good fillies into complete submission - both were just about eased ... and she surprisingly fought Victory Ride hard through the stretch after Victory Ride had one of the dreamiest trips a horse can possibly have.

People might not remember Victory Ride so well ... but she was an awesome filly. Won her debut by almost 15 lengths and ran a 108 Beyer for Rusty Arnold. The Test was only her 4th start - she was injured shortly after the race and didn't run again for almost a year.

Vol Jack will surely come around to point out that she also got a 7lbs weight break from Xtra Heat that day. Every little thing and every big thing went in her favor.

Victory Ride went off the 7/5 favorite and Xtra Heat was like 2/1 or 5/2 so it was no upset ... but I thought XH didn't have a prayer in the world and she was without a doubt much the best.

Do you think Lost Aptitude can overcome the 2lbs he is spotting the field in the Tropical Derby?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

By the way - Xtra Heat's defeat in the Test Stakes her 3yo season was absolutely one of the most impressive performances in defeat of this decade among races not involved in the BC or Triple Crown series.

I thought she had next to no chance against Victory Ride that day - and that Xtra Heat was wildly overrated ... that performance turned me from a mocker into a fan of hers.

I can't think of any bigtime horse over the last 10 years who my opinion shifted on so strongly after a single losing performance. She was amazing that day - and dueled two VERY fast good fillies into complete submission - both were just about eased ... and she surprisingly fought Victory Ride hard through the stretch after Victory Ride had one of the dreamiest trips a horse can possibly have.

People might not remember Victory Ride so well ... but she was an awesome filly. Won her debut by almost 15 lengths and ran a 108 Beyer for Rusty Arnold. The Test was only her 4th start - she was injured shortly after the race and didn't run again for almost a year.

Vol Jack will surely come around to point out that she also got a 7lbs weight break from Xtra Heat that day. Every little thing and every big thing went in her favor.

Victory Ride went off the 7/5 favorite and Xtra Heat was like 2/1 or 5/2 so it was no upset ... but I thought XH didn't have a prayer in the world and she was without a doubt much the best.

How is this race not on Youtube?!


Surely this race must make your list...

Aqueduct April 8, 2006 - It's cold, bitterly cold. The sleet falling down makes it barely bareable to be outside. It's the kind of day that has you dreaming of August at Saratoga. The stakes are high and the only way into the Derby is with a first or second finish, but even that may not be enough. The field breaks, the tiny bay colt trails the field. The pace is honest up front. The bay colt bides his time waiting to unleash his furious run. At the 3/4 mark he is still last until his little legs start moving - faster and faster. He starts passing horses leaping through the giant puddles of slop. Only the bright star on his forehead remains mud free. As the chart would later read he's "coming fast outside" with only one more horse to catch, but the wire comes much too soon and he finishes second.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

How is this race not on Youtube?!


Surely this race must make your list...

Aqueduct April 8, 2006 - It's cold, bitterly cold. The sleet falling down makes it barely bareable to be outside. It's the kind of day that has you dreaming of August at Saratoga. The stakes are high and the only way into the Derby is with a first or second finish, but even that may not be enough. The field breaks, the tiny bay colt trails the field. The pace is honest up front. The bay colt bides his time waiting to unleash his furious run. At the 3/4 mark he is still last until his little legs start moving - faster and faster. He starts passing horses leaping through the giant puddles of slop. Only the bright star on his forehead remains mud free. As the chart would later read he's "coming fast outside" with only one more horse to catch, but the wire comes much too soon and he finishes second.

If you were in foal to DrugS the pending foal would be on Abe's list immediately as a Derby contender.. Can I be the G-d father?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by freddymo

If you were in foal to DrugS the pending foal would be on Abe's list immediately as a Derby contender.. Can I be the G-d father?

HA! HA!

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

HA! HA!

Don't laugh Nick I am trying to earn. Imagine the interest in a Sightseek DrugS Nick?

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

How is this race not on Youtube?!


Surely this race must make your list...

Aqueduct April 8, 2006 - It's cold, bitterly cold. The sleet falling down makes it barely bareable to be outside. It's the kind of day that has you dreaming of August at Saratoga. The stakes are high and the only way into the Derby is with a first or second finish, but even that may not be enough. The field breaks, the tiny bay colt trails the field. The pace is honest up front. The bay colt bides his time waiting to unleash his furious run. At the 3/4 mark he is still last until his little legs start moving - faster and faster. He starts passing horses leaping through the giant puddles of slop. Only the bright star on his forehead remains mud free. As the chart would later read he's "coming fast outside" with only one more horse to catch, but the wire comes much too soon and he finishes second.

Go back and watch the First Saturday in May segment during this race- there's one lonely soul in a yellow rain jacket and a green cap braving the rain and sleet, unbeknownst to him they are filming McLaughlin close by.

You know that guy.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by philcski

Go back and watch the First Saturday in May segment during this race- there's one lonely soul in a yellow rain jacket and a green cap braving the rain and sleet, unbeknownst to him they are filming McLaughlin close by.

You know that guy.

Did we know you yet? We're in this photo:

http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xc/814...FD13ED7B73D4BC

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Did we know you yet? We're in this photo:

http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xc/814...FD13ED7B73D4BC

No- we met at the Belmont that year. That photo link doesn't work though?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by philcski

No- we met at the Belmont that year. That photo link doesn't work though?

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/81...ts-Illustrated