My Eclipse Ballot.. (Updated with Winners, Voting)

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Don't disagree. I typically have looked for alternative options, like Dale Romans 2 years ago, but the stats were tough to look past with Pletcher. I didn't have a mojo trainer that fit the bill. Here's a Stakes, Wins, Earnings standings page. What do you do? http://www1.drf.com/static/eclipseaw...seTrainers.htm

I give it to a lot of trainers before Todd. Numbers don't do it for me given his numbers going in.

If you look at the season as a whole, it's not pretty.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I give it to a lot of trainers before Todd. Numbers don't do it for me given his numbers going in.

If you look at the season as a whole, it's not pretty.

Believe me, I get it. I've taken that tack in each of the years I've voted. I thought he had a 'down' year going in to the results but was actually surprised his cumulatives were as good as they were.

Here's the GSW's..

2014 Metropolitan Handicap (Gr. 1) Palace Malice
2014 Arkansas Derby (Gr. 1) Danza
2014 Besilu Florida Derby (Gr. 1) Constitution
2014 Alabama Stakes (Gr. 1) Stopchargingmaria
2014 Champagne Stakes (Gr. 1) Daredevil
2014 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (Gr. 1) Carpe Diem
2014 Hopeful Stakes (Gr. 1) Competitive Edge
2014 Chandelier Stakes (Gr. 1) Angela Renee
2014 TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (Gr. 1) Stopchargingmaria
2014 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (Gr. 2) Stopchargingmaria
2014 Risen Star Stakes (Gr. 2) Intense Holiday
2014 New Orleans Handicap (Gr. 2) Palace Malice
2014 Gulfstream Oaks (Gr. 2) In Tune
2014 Gazelle Stakes (Gr. 2) My Miss Sophia
2014 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes (Gr. 2) Unitarian
2014 Nashua Stakes (Gr. 2) Blofeld
2014 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (Gr. 2) Red Rifle
2014 Gulfstream Park Handicap (Gr. 2) Palace Malice
2014 Molly Pitcher Stakes (Gr. 2) Majestic River
2014 Top Flight Handicap (Gr. 2) Teen Pauline
2014 Futurity Stakes (Gr. 2) Blofeld
2014 Davona Dale Stakes (Gr. 2) Onlyforyou
2014 Forward Gal Stakes (Gr. 2) Onlyforyou
2014 Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral Stakes (Gr. 3) We Miss Artie
2014 Poker Stakes (Gr. 3) Jack Milton
2014 Smarty Jones Stakes (Gr. 3) Protonico
2014 Pimlico Special Stakes (Gr. 3) Revolutionary
2014 Schuylerville Stakes (Gr. 3) Fashion Alert
2014 Sam F. Davis Stakes (Gr. 3) Vinceremos
2014 American Derby (Gr. 3) Divine Oath
2014 Turnback the Alarm Handicap (Gr. 3) Dame Dorothy
2014 Razorback Handicap (Gr. 3) Golden Lad
2014 Discovery Handicap (Gr. 3) Protonico
2014 Kent Stakes (Gr. 3) Divine Oath
2014 Palm Beach Stakes (Gr. 3) Gala Award
2014 Westchester Stakes (Gr. 3) Palace Malice
2014 Cliff Hanger Stakes (Gr. 3) Winning Cause
2014 W. L. McKnight Handicap (Gr. 3) Divine Oath
2014 Old Hat Stakes (Gr. 3) Sweet Whiskey
2014 Skip Away Stakes (Gr. 3) Micromanage

[blackthroatedwind]

The number of horses who never won again after the listed race is positively scary.

[cakes44]

Thanks for putting your list out there. Only one I really have issues with is Lady Eli over TCB.

[Kasept]

Here are the year end (thru 12/29) horse category PP's for everyone's enjoyment: http://static.drf.com/eclipse/pdf/eclipse-pps.pdf

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

The number of horses who never won again after the listed race is positively scary.

At least he is able to get them their ever elusive Graded win for their breeding resumes.

[Bogey]

Steve, your ballot is spot on. I hope others come up with similar selections.

[turf fan]

Steve,
Thanks for your support for Dayatthespa! It would be fantastic to win!
I'm rooting for Chad to get his Eclipse this year. Second in earnings plus three BC wins should give him a legitimate chance. Pletcher is so dominant, but based on percentages and his big day at Santa Anita, Chad should secure a lot of votes.

[bare it all]

Originally Posted by turf fan

Steve,
Thanks for your support for Dayatthespa! It would be fantastic to win!
I'm rooting for Chad to get his Eclipse this year. Second in earnings plus three BC wins should give him a legitimate chance. Pletcher is so dominant, but based on percentages and his big day at Santa Anita, Chad should secure a lot of votes.

Congrats to the big mare...very deserved!

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Bogey

Steve, your ballot is spot on. I hope others come up with similar selections.

THX Cookie.. Jon White wrote that he thinks California Chrome will carry the day for 3yo and HOY. Part of the HOY vote scenario that's intriguing is the Main Sequence block. Would think those leaning there are anti-Bayern voters and help California Chrome's chances. Very unusual year..

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Arletta

At least he is able to get them their ever elusive Graded win for their breeding resumes.

That's the point Andy is making because the GSW's aren't all that elusive when you're getting a phalanx of the most expensive, 'success-eligible' horses every crop. And it's the great conundrum with Pletcher as his 'program' may be good for a certain number of clients, but very bad for the game overall. I broached this a bit with Pletcher in his last visit of the year when we talked for 25 minutes and if you listen closely you hear exactly how he approaches each year with Gulfstream as the concentration for assaults on the Classics and Saratoga as a 2nd half focus to get the 2yo's going and relaunch any horses that took time after the spring.

The 80/20 rule is universal, but it's even worse in racing right now with 15% of trainers winning 85% of the stake money. It's a terrible construct.