The Best turf/dirt horse in the last 50 years?

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Danzig

after seeing some of the horses mentioned, i guess just about any belong at this point. but better than john henry? no.

Vanlandingham actually was VERY good ( he is somewhat the horse that put Shug on the map ), though his big turf win was in the DC International over an extraordinarily boggy turf course. For some reason, I think his other big turf win was at Hollywood Park. But, make no mistake, he was very good.

[Soaring Softly]

Just for kicks, I'll throw in the name of Perrault. He finished first in the Big Cap, won the Hollywood Gold Cup, won the San Luis Rey (then GI Turf) defeating John Henry, and won the Arlington Million in 1:58 and change. He was pretty good on both surfaces.

It's tough to beat old John' though. He's still the only horse to win both the Santa Anita Handicap AND the Arlington Million twice. And in addition to his wins in the San Juan Capistrano, Oak Tree Invitational (3X), and NY's Turf Classic, he managed to throw in a victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup just for fun.

I don't know about 50 years, but it's hard to think of a horse that was better on both surfaces in the last 35 or 40 years than John Henry.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Vanlandingham actually was VERY good ( he is somewhat the horse that put Shug on the map ), though his big turf win was in the DC International over an extraordinarily boggy turf course. For some reason, I think his other big turf win was at Hollywood Park. But, make no mistake, he was very good.

oh, i know he was good. you'll get no argument from me on that score.