Randy's Rankings - Classic Division

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

One can make a case for MMM #1, over PM, due to him crushing PM last year in the same race at the same track. I don't agree with that, but there is sense to it.

No way I'd have Game on Dude anywhere near that high.

Shared Belief could easily be #1, or #10.

No, he absolutely cannot.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

No, he absolutely cannot.

You can't see a plausible scenario in which SB wins the Classic?

How about this one?

He isn't rushed through a grinding Triple Crown series and is able to maintain his sheer brilliance as a three year old. Being by a sire that does just fine with dirt progeny, out of a Storm Cat dam that has some really good dirt runners in her family, he somehow is able to overcome the theory that he's a synthetic only runner and manages to beat what is a quite mediocre group of older horses on dirt.

I have strong doubts he'll even be in training when the Classic is run, but is it really that hard to believe he's better than the older horses?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

You can't see a plausible scenario in which SB wins the Classic?

How about this one?

He isn't rushed through a grinding Triple Crown series and is able to maintain his sheer brilliance as a three year old. Being by a sire that does just fine with dirt progeny, out of a Storm Cat dam that has some really good dirt runners in her family, he somehow is able to overcome the theory that he's a synthetic only runner and manages to beat what is a quite mediocre group of older horses on dirt.

I have strong doubts he'll even be in training when the Classic is run, but is it really that hard to believe he's better than the older horses?

Yes, but I don't exactly see the older horses as being mediocre either. Historically brilliant? No.

There are still some decent 3 year olds out there as well that either were injured prior to the Derby or are late developing (like Bay of Plenty, Rock Fall etc.).

[my miss storm cat]

Game On Dude never seems to get the respect that other multiple G1 winners do... why is that?

[Port Conway Lane]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Game On Dude never seems to get the respect that other multiple G1 winners do... why is that?

What makes you think that? I can't think of another US runner who has been more "respected" on the tote board in the last 4 years.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Port Conway Lane

What makes you think that? I can't think of another US runner who has been more "respected" on the tote board in the last 4 years.

Just seems that way to me at times... maybe it's me.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Just seems that way to me at times... maybe it's me.

No, I agree with you and will admit that I've been guilty of it too. Compare him with a horse like Lava Man, who was absolutely beloved, perhaps in part because his career arc was highlighted by a bellowing announcer when he downed the true superstar AP Xcellent in 2007.

Between 2005 and 2007, Lava Man won the Californian, Hollywood Gold Cup (2x), Goodwood, Big Cap, and Whittingham. He lost the BC Classic in 2006, the JCGC in 2005, and ended his career on a 7-race losing streak.

Since 2011, Game on Dude has won the Santa Anita Handicap (3x), Hollywood Gold Cup (2x), Pacific Classic, Goodwood (2x), and San Antonio. Yes, he's lost 3 BC Classics in a row, but ran a winning race in 2011. His four failures in "big" spots have to be the reason, because he has had a damn fine career.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

You can't see a plausible scenario in which SB wins the Classic?

How about this one?

He isn't rushed through a grinding Triple Crown series and is able to maintain his sheer brilliance as a three year old. Being by a sire that does just fine with dirt progeny, out of a Storm Cat dam that has some really good dirt runners in her family, he somehow is able to overcome the theory that he's a synthetic only runner and manages to beat what is a quite mediocre group of older horses on dirt.

I have strong doubts he'll even be in training when the Classic is run, but is it really that hard to believe he's better than the older horses?

At this point, I can't see a horse with one ridiculous 6f race as a 3YO on the Tapeta winning the BC Classic. You obviously hold him in much higher regard than I do.

Your scenario is not ridiculous, but it is a tad far fetched. We don't really know how far he wants to go, we don't know how he's going to handle dirt, and we don't know if he's going to stay healthy. I wouldn't exactly be queuing up to get a BC Classic future on him. The fact that he's currently 12-1 at Wynn is laughable.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

At this point, I can't see a horse with one ridiculous 6f race as a 3YO on the Tapeta winning the BC Classic. You obviously hold him in much higher regard than I do.

Your scenario is not ridiculous, but it is a tad far fetched. We don't really know how far he wants to go, we don't know how he's going to handle dirt, and we don't know if he's going to stay healthy. I wouldn't exactly be queuing up to get a BC Classic future on him. The fact that he's currently 12-1 at Wynn is laughable.

12:1? AYFKM? That is insane.

Right now it's all about palace malice as the most likely winner at this point. I don't like his showing at the race last year, so it would not be a shock to see someone else win. The older males are pretty ordinary, and the three year old there really isn't anyone that is extraordinary. Except maybe Shared Belief. Someone mentioned the sidelines three year olds, but they won't be back in time.

[santana]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

You can't see a plausible scenario in which SB wins the Classic?

How about this one?

He isn't rushed through a grinding Triple Crown series and is able to maintain his sheer brilliance as a three year old. Being by a sire that does just fine with dirt progeny, out of a Storm Cat dam that has some really good dirt runners in her family, he somehow is able to overcome the theory that he's a synthetic only runner and manages to beat what is a quite mediocre group of older horses on dirt.

I have strong doubts he'll even be in training when the Classic is run, but is it really that hard to believe he's better than the older horses?

I agree with you...I think this is one special horse...Now he just has to go out and prove it.