So where does all this leave Barbaro?

Danzig · #1 11-05-2006, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betsy

There are plenty of Bernardini fans that will remember Bernardini - unless you are talking about the general public? I hardly think that they are thinking about Barbaro.

Why does every thread degenerate into a competition between these colts? I know you are not a fan of Bernardini, but he is an exceptional three year old and he is going to win the Eclipse as such. He won't be forgotten.

ok, first off i was never 'not a fan of bernardini'. i was not a hype machine for him either, but certainly enjoyed the horse.

and no, fans won't forget him--but in the grand scheme of things, barbaro is the much better known horse--considering the amound of attention he has gotten, and continues to get, since his preakness...and he is the derby winner, and will always be remembered for that.

Danzig · #2 11-05-2006, 09:45 AM

as for why it comes down to those two...human nature to compare the best two 3 yo colts out there, esp when it all comes down to speculation.

Zaf · #3 11-05-2006, 09:58 AM

It has to be Bernardini, the 2nd in the classic against older horses iced it.

Danzig · #4 11-05-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaf

It has to be Bernardini, the 2nd in the classic against older horses iced it.

i really don't think you'll get a serious dispute about that! i don't think the voting will be unanimous, but bernie will get the nod by a large margin.

#5 11-05-2006, 01:02 PM

I think Barbaro deserves it over Bernardini.

Betsy · #6 11-05-2006, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danzig188

as for why it comes down to those two...human nature to compare the best two 3 yo colts out there, esp when it all comes down to speculation.

And I have no problem with that if we are debating the relative merits of the horses on the track...........but I don't see the point in snide comments (not from you) about how Bernardini will be forgotten and Barbaro will always be remembered. Must there be a competition now between which horse will reside longest in fans' memories? I can't believe it's degenerated to this extent.

Danzig · #7 11-05-2006, 02:33 PM

i really don't think either will be forgotten by racing fans.

they were both good, both had a good year, it's just that bernardini did what they both (regrettably) couldn't, and that was run all year and be competitive all year. of course bernardini was a lot more than just competitive!! he deserves the award and will get top three year old.
no sense in woulda coulda as far as barbaro. he has his own place in history, there's plenty of room for both!! and hopefully they can compete in the shed (altho i doubt the one will be there next year, and hope the other isn't!) and have their offspring on the track to race each other in years to come.

much as i like barbaro, and as difficult it is to say he didn't do enough, well--he didn't. he didn't have the opportunity, and that's racing.
in a way, it's good that bernardini came out and had the year he did, otherwise barbaro would get top three yo--and once again we'd have a three year old who did enough by winning the derby, and we don't need to offer an more encouragement to those would think only the spring is enough!! obviously had barbaro remained race ready, he'd have been out there.

Rupert Pupkin · #8 11-05-2006, 06:12 PM

Most people will probably disagree with me but I honestly think it's a close call. If Bernardini would have won yesterday, then he would have been a slam-dunk to win top 3 year old, and rightfully so. But with his loss yesterday, I think people will start to think that his last few wins were not quite as good as they appeared to be. The fractions were really slow in those races and he got dream trips. The fields were small and not particularly strong. Don't get me wrong, I still think Bernardini is a terrific horse, but he may not be quite the freak that some of us thought he was.

Anyway, I think it's a close call between Bernie and Barbaro for top 3 year old. I think that Bernie will probably win it but I don't think it's a slam dunk.

Danzig · #9 11-05-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

Most people will probably disagree with me but I honestly think it's a close call. If Bernardini would have won yesterday, then he would have been a slam-dunk to win top 3 year old, and rightfully so. But with his loss yesterday, I think people will start to think that his last few wins were not quite as good as they appeared to be. The fractions were really slow in those races and he got dream trips. The fields were small and not particularly strong. Don't get me wrong, I still think Bernardini is a terrific horse, but he may not be quite the freak that some of us thought he was.

Anyway, I think it's a close call between Bernie and Barbaro for top 3 year old. I think that Bernie will probably win it but I don't think it's a slam dunk.

yeah, saw your post after mine just below yours....had he won, easily top 3 yo. but i don't think he lost much in defeat, other than the race. a lot of the hype will stop, or should, as to him being a freak. freaks win races like yesterdays. showed he was a mere mortal and probably put some of his other races in perspective for some.
i still think bernardini ends up with the vote. wonder if wanting the eclipse will influence their actions regarding bernardini and running next year. could face a backlash if he decides to retire bernardini, since he only ran one season, and eight starts. he's sound, he's healthy.....

Danzig · #10 11-05-2006, 06:13 PM

just left t'bred times...checking on the latest news. they had a poll, their latest, asking who for top 3 yo..bernardini or barbaro.
i voted for bern.

can't believe the numbers after i voted, obviously not scientific, and has no meaning towards year end voting...but still...

barbaro got roughly 48%
bernardini 52%

didn't think it would be that close.

ceejay · #11 11-05-2006, 06:13 PM

HOY: Invasor
3yo champion: Barbaro
(Horse who needed to face more quality competition over the 3rd quarter of the year plus a week: Bernardini)

Danzig · #12 11-05-2006, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceejay

HOY: Invasor
3yo champion: Barbaro
(Horse who needed to face more quality competition over the 3rd quarter of the year plus a week: Bernardini)

altho i agree bernardinis comp thru much of the fall was weak, he faced a top field yesterday, beating all but invasor. one length is the difference between top three yo and not??

lol
the irony of me being in this situation....