Eclipse Awards...Sprinter

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

As much as Midnight Lute's 1 win this year bothers me (and normally I love me some ML) it would bother me more if Benny the Bull got it. Without his Dubai win he wouldn't be in this position with 2 G2s in the US and if we're considering outside the US wins for Eclipse awards, heck give Zarkava her due or at least Goldikova if you insist on a US win to bridge the relevancy. ML's BC Sprint win did face all comers that were still in one piece and he's the returning champ. He was too darn big for the gate in the Pat O'Brien and would've won the race if he hadn't stepped all over himself. He quite simply was the most magnificent US sprinter in terms of pure talent so the main argument against him is the number of wins, a perfectly valid concern. The only horse to actually beat Midnight Lute this year was Midnight Lute. He screwed himself up.

If ML doesn't get it, and Benny can't either (the Golden Shaheen doesn't count in the US sprint championships and since when is that the world championship of sprinting?) who do we go to... well off the top of my head--Street Boss had 2 G1s in the US so he's got Benny beat. Problem is, ML beat Street Boss in the Sprint. So now what? I'll try to think of another alternative. (ETA ok so having trouble finding anyone other than Street Boss as a viable alternative to ML and SB did finish 3rd in the BC Sprint so there ya go for now)

Well, I don't have a problem considering the Golden Shaheen for Eclipse awards since he is an American-based horse, so I have to reject your premise out of hand.

Though to play devil's advocate according to your logic, if you're going to excuse Midnight Lute's loss because he did it to himself, you also have to excuse Benny the Bull's failure to win the BC Sprint, because he did that to himself with that ankle injury. That logic then renders Midnight Lute's BC Sprint win as worthless as Benny's Golden Shaheen win and now we're arguing whether Street Boss should be champion sprinter, and that conversation's a non-starter as far as I'm concerned. Of course I'm taking your logic to the extreme and borderline irrational, but I think it doesn't hold up.

On the other hand, Zarkava doesn't count because she never started here, but knock yourself out if you want to make a case for Goldikova in any of the relevant categories, I certainly think it's possible and wouldn't even go out of my way to try to disagree with someone who wanted to make the case for her winning the 3yo filly award.

[letswastemoney]

It doesn't matter if ML beat Street Boss in one race. Street Boss had the better year overall.

[VOL JACK]

Benny had the best overall 2008.

[letswastemoney]

Originally Posted by VOL JACK

Benny had the best overall 2008.

2 G1's by Street Boss should beat that Dubai win

[Ogygian]

I will have to agree with numerous posts...I'm not sure how a horse can possibly win an award that is to cover the year with only 2 races, one of which was a none effort.That is just comical to me. The only reason I aked this original question is there is a saddle cloth up on ebay from his Strub and the lister states "soon to be 2 time eclipse champion".
Had Benny the Bull not gotten injured he may have a great case, two grade 2 doesn't seem like, but 4-4 is pretty decent. 5 in a row going back to last year. As for Intangaroo and Ventura they are both strong cases as well.
All in all Bustin Stones had a pretty decent year as well.
I am kinda partial to Benny, but I would be highly disappointed if Lute wins it off one race.

[Ogygian]

Also, pardon my ignorance, but what distance qualifies for an Eclipse in sprinting? The majority of Ventura's races were at a mile. Is it a mile and under or 7 furlongs and under?
Also Fatal Bullet had one heck of a year as well.