Who wins Horse of the Year?

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Curlin ran 4th in the BC Classic also.

I guess her case for HOY would be strengthened or weakened based on who is the frontrunner for champion older horse. Flat Out or Game On Dude?

Oops. I've made that mistake before, I just did it in my head where it's much less embarrassing. I forgot ol' Tiago got 3rd. Oh well. He still had more excuses and wins in the DWC, Stephen Foster, Woodward and JCGC. As much as I adore Havre de Grace, her record isn't quite the same.

If Game On Dude and Flat Out both show up for the Clark, that'd probablly be the older male championship right? How do you see that affecting her chances depending on the winner? (I love how I'm campaigning Baffert's horse for him. He technically hasn't said Game On Dude is done for the year, and he's a tad frustrated about the Classic loss so he might go for a shot at HOY if he thinks another race'll do it).

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

If Game On Dude and Flat Out both show up for the Clark, that'd probablly be the older male championship right? How do you see that affecting her chances depending on the winner? (I love how I'm campaigning Baffert's horse for him. He technically hasn't said Game On Dude is done for the year, and he's a tad frustrated about the Classic loss so he might go for a shot at HOY if he thinks another race'll do it).

I guess the Clark is a Grade 2 once again, so in strictly technical terms, I'm not sure that it's particularly important when discussing Horse of the Year. I don't think Game On Dude or Flat Out would suddenly become HOY contenders by winning the Clark. However, like you said, it would almost certainly decide the older horse Eclipse if both horses show up, therefore if Flat Out were to win it, Havre de Grace's position would be strengthened.

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I guess the Clark is a Grade 2 once again, so in strictly technical terms, I'm not sure that it's particularly important when discussing Horse of the Year. I don't think Game On Dude or Flat Out would suddenly become HOY contenders by winning the Clark. However, like you said, it would almost certainly decide the older horse Eclipse if both horses show up, therefore if Flat Out were to win it, Havre de Grace's position would be strengthened.

Churchill Downs' website calls it a Grade 1 worth $500,000. http://www.churchilldowns.com/calendar/grid/

ETA: http://www.toba.org/graded-stakes/races.aspx Yeah looks like it's G1 per the graded stakes committee.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

Churchill Downs' website calls it a Grade 1 worth $500,000. http://www.churchilldowns.com/calendar/grid/

I could have sworn I read in the post-BC comments that it was Grade 2, because Ruler On Ice and Flat Out were considering a start in there. Must have been a typo.

I guess, theoretically it could make a HOY contender out of the two older horses. And if Ruler On Ice wins, he might earn champion 3yo.

[Danzig]

they restored it to gr 1 status last year from gr 2, first time since 2006.