3 year old filly Eclipse?

[SniperSB23]

The BC is far from perfect but does anyone actually think we would have ever seen Bernardini, Invasor, and Lava Man face off a couple years ago if it wasn't for the BC? Bernardini would have been retired as HOY after the JCGC and all the Lava Man supporters would still be claiming he was best. Invasor would have gone on the shelf after the Whitney to rest up for his campaign in Dubai the following spring. If you have a top 3yo, and a top older horse on each coast they will find ways to duck each other without the BC, especially with all the superowners (and supertrainers) out there that will never run their horses against each other in anything but the BC.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

The BC is far from perfect but does anyone actually think we would have ever seen Bernardini, Invasor, and Lava Man face off a couple years ago if it wasn't for the BC? Bernardini would have been retired as HOY after the JCGC and all the Lava Man supporters would still be claiming he was best. Invasor would have gone on the shelf after the Whitney to rest up for his campaign in Dubai the following spring. If you have a top 3yo, and a top older horse on each coast they will find ways to duck each other without the BC, especially with all the superowners (and supertrainers) out there that will never run their horses against each other in anything but the BC.

Actually, back in the day, without the BC and with the Belmont Fall Championship meet being the lynchpin of the year, you might have seen those 3 horses hook up not only once, but possibly 3 times (in the Woodward, Marlboro Cup, and Jockey Club Gold Cup).

Then we might not have to speculate if Bernardini was truly a typical, gutless, overrated AP Indy.

We would have known for sure...with 3 straight, non-threatening 2nds.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Actually, back in the day, without the BC and with the Belmont Fall Championship meet being the lynchpin of the year, you might have seen those 3 horses hook up not only once, but possibly 3 times (in the Woodward, Marlboro Cup, and Jockey Club Gold Cup).

Then we might not have to speculate if Bernardini was truly a typical, gutless, overrated AP Indy.

We would have known for sure...with 3 straight, non-threatening 2nds.

Do you honestly believe that would still happen if there was no BC? I sure as hell don't.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Why not? Pretend the BC, after years of bad decisions decided to fold. I know it will never happen, but since we're all playing the what if game, bear with me. You don't think a greater emphasis would be placed on races like the Woodward and JCGC? Before we were born they were the championship races and now with the BC they are mere preps. I'm not saying the BC is all bad. But IMO it's importance is far too great. I think it should be the other way around. I understand what the point of it was, but I think it's outdated and it has grown into something it shouldn't.

Cause too many divisions have top horses with the same owners and/or same trainers. The BC is the only day where the purses are high enough that they'll actually run against each other. Plus with the Cali races, including the Goodwood, getting G1 status there is even less incentive for any horse there to come east. You would have years where the top 3yo and top older horses on both coasts never meet when they would have if there was a BC.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Plus with the Cali races, including the Goodwood, getting G1 status there is even less incentive for any horse there to come east. You would have years where the top 3yo and top older horses on both coasts never meet when they would have if there was a BC.

To be honest, the Goodwood is perhaps the only existing race that the BC "improved" from a graded ranking and purse perspective. Oak Tree bolstered the race (and also created the Lady's Secret for females) specifically to serve as BC preps. Back in the day, it was just a Grade 3 race, mainly because in fact, the top CA handicap horses did go east for those races at Belmont (eg John Henry, Lemhi Gold, Turkoman, Bates Motel, Exceller, Cougar II, Island Whirl, Precisionist, Crystal Water, Ancient Title, Jaklin Klugman, Gate Dancer, etc.).

It also probably helped that Del Mar had no marquee handicap at the time either, with just a Grade 3 (the Cabrillo) standing in place of what would become the Pacific Classic. CA Handicap horses didn't have much to do at home beyond the Hollywood Gold Cup in June.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Actually, back in the day, without the BC and with the Belmont Fall Championship meet being the lynchpin of the year, you might have seen those 3 horses hook up not only once, but possibly 3 times (in the Woodward, Marlboro Cup, and Jockey Club Gold Cup).

Then we might not have to speculate if Bernardini was truly a typical, gutless, overrated AP Indy.

We would have known for sure...with 3 straight, non-threatening 2nds.

You and Betsy should just cut the crap and screw already.