Most Underrated Performances

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Here is a list of what I believe to be the 20 most underrated winning performances in dirt stake races, over the last 12 years. It would have been more fun to do a most overrated list---but I didn't have the energy for that.


#1. Mazel Trick- 1999 Triple Bend Handicap. In one of the all-time great performances in history, this Bobby Frankel trained son of Phone Trick won this Grade 2 race, off a 7 1/2 month layoff, by five lengths, in the supersonic final time of 1:19 4/5ths. Breaking the track record by 3/5ths.

#2. Mariah's Storm- 1995 Turfway Park Breeders Cup Stakes. After being sidelined twice, and suffering a broken cannonbone in an ugly breakdown in the Alcibiaties Stakes at age 2, Mariah's Storm was lucky just to be alive. In her signature performance, she toyed with Hall of Famer Serena's Song in a 5 1/2 length victory with Bobby Lester up.

Her final time was 3 2/5th seconds faster than future Belmont Stakes winner Editor's Note needed to win Ky Cup Juvenile on the same card. Mariah's Storm earned a 120 Beyer, what I believe is the highest Beyer ever for a filly, since they started publishing them in the form. She's also the dam of Giant's Causeway. The movie 'Dreamer' was loosely based on her story.

#3. Gentlemen- 1996 Native Diver Handicap. Making his American Stakes debut on the dirt, this former Horse of the Year in Argentina was allowed to lead through an opening quarter in 23 4/5th seconds. That simple tactical edge led to one of the most stunning performances in horse racing history.

Gentleman won by 9 lengths, while in hand throughout and eased up late!, in the supersonic final time of 1:45 1/5th seconds. Breaking the track-record by a mind-boggling 1 2/5ths!! Many great horses have run 9 furlongs at Hollywood Park over the years. Gentlemen ran the final seven furlongs of that race in 1:21 2/5th! Something that almost certainly has never been equaled in horse racing history. The 2nd place finisher, Dramatic Gold, had scored back to back Graded Stakes wins over Formal Gold and Alphabet Soup, just a few months prior.

#4. Congaree- 2002 Cigar Mile. The Ragozin Sheet figures have been around since the 1960's, and the great Spectacular Bid had held the record for fastest figure, for over 22 years. That record fell when Congaree won this race with disdainful ease.

Congaree ran four times at "The Big A" in his career, and all four times he won with incredible performances. Making his stakes debut in the Wood Memorial, he toyed with soon to be Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos. He dominated two runnings of the Grade 1 Cigar Mile...and he dominated the 2003 Carter Handicap. He simply couldn't be touched at AQU.

#5. Formal Gold- 1997 Iselin Handicap. In a mind-boggling wire-to-wire performance, Formal Gold would win this race by 5 1/4 lengths, over Skip Away and Distorted Humor. His final time of 1:40 1/5th broke the track record by 4/5ths of a second. It was a giant performance.

#6. Unbridled's Song- 1996 Florida Derby. In a monster performance, Unbridled's Song took this race by 5 3/4 lengths. The 2nd place finisher would later win the Belmont Stakes, the 3rd place finisher was 3 time champion Skip Away, and the 4th place finisher would later win the Preakness Stakes in stakes record time.

In victory, UBS ran a strong final time of 1:47 4/5ths, which was a faster adjusted final time than older male Geri ran in his 5 lengths Graded Stakes score on the same card. Geri would capture the Oaklawn Park Hanidcap next out.

#7. Formal Gold- 1997 Woodward. In the final race of his life, Formal Gold would dominate this race by 5 1/4 lengths. The great champion Skip Away would finish 2nd. Travers and Whitney winner Will's Way would check in 3rd. The final time of 1:47 2/5ths was remarkable, when you consider the Grade 1 Beldame was run in 1:44 2/5ths, at the distance of 1 1/16th miles, on the same card.

#8. Ghostzapper- 2004 Iselin Handicap. In his first start around two-turns, Ghostzapper ran off-the-charts. His Beyer speed figure of 128 was the fastest ever published in the Daily Racing Form...and it was a no doubt about it figure. An arguement could be made that his Vosburgh was more underrated, however, he didn't beat the best of fields that day, and 6.5 furlongs was never his best distance.

#9. Mazel Trick- 1999 San Diego Handicap. Running for what would be the final time of his life, the freaky son of Phone Trick won this race by 6 lengths. Running the fastest time for the distance at any track in 1999. The 2nd place finisher would ship East and sweep the Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes. The 4th place finisher would run 2nd in that years Breeders Cup Classic. Mazel Trick would retire a perfect 4-for-4 on dirt, with 3 Graded Stakes wins. Perhaps the male version of Ruffian.

#10. Inside Information- 1995 Shuvee Handicap. The only horse in racing history to ever win three or more Grade 1 races by double digit lengths, Inside Information was simply unbeatable when on her game. She won by 5 1/2 lengths under a Santos hand ride. The 2nd place finisher Sky Beauty, who Tom Durkin called "the invincible queen of Belmont Park" would be beat at Belmont Park for the first time. She was a perfect 12-for-12 at Belmont coming into the race. Undefeated Restored Hope, who brought a 6-for-6 record into the race, and exited a pair of 7 length Grade 3 stake wins, would finish 3rd in this race--beaten 21 1/2 lengths. Regal Solutions would finish 4th

#11. Indian Charlie- 1998 Santa Anita Derby. Making his stakes debut, this undefeated colt took the SA Derby in stakes record time of 1:47 flat. He earned the highest Beyer figure for this race, since they started being published in the form. Soundly beaten 2nd place finisher Real Queit would come within a nose of winning the Triple Crown. Artax was the 3rd place finisher, beaten over 9 lengths. He would be named champion sprinter the following year. The 4th place finisher, beaten over 15 lengths, won the Grade 2 San Rafeal in his prior start with a 108 Beyer, and would run 2nd with a 106 Beyer in the Illonios Derby in his following start. He gave the runner up 10lbs. The 5th place finisher of the '98 Santa Anita Derby (beaten 17 lengths) would ship east and upset the Lexington Stakes at 10/1 odds, and than run 3rd beaten just 3 lengths in the Preakness.

Indian Charlie only ran one more time, that being a 3rd place finish as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby. He came out of the race with an injury and was retired.

#12- Artax- 1999 Forest Hills Handicap. Making his 14th start of the season, Artax would dismantle this Grade 2 field by 6.5 lengths. His final time of 1:07 3/5ths was a Belmont Park track record. A pair of Graded Stakes for 2yo's at 6.5 furlongs, both went in 1:17 and change on the same card! This was a powerhouse performance. Artax would capture the Breeders Cup Sprint next out, beating Kona Gold, Big Jag, and Forestry among others.

#13- Riboletta- 2000 Beldame. In a gigantic performance, the South American star would dispose of champion Beautiful Pleasure and run 9 furlongs in a strong 1:46 flat. Just 3/5ths off of Secretariat's track record, and 1/5th off of Go For Wand's Stakes record.

#14- Candy Ride- 2003 Pacific Classic. In his American Stakes debut on the dirt, and what would be the final start of his life, this South American freak allowed Medaglia D' Oro to lead through easy early fractions. He disposed of him like he was a claimer on the far turn, and drew off to 3 1/4 length win in 1:59 flat, breaking Bertrando's track record by 2/5ths of a second.

2nd place finisher Medaglia D' Oro was a Grade 1 winner at ages 3, 4, and 5. The 3rd place finisher Fleetstreet Dancer is the only American based horse to ever win the Japan Cup Dirt. The 4th place finisher Milwaukee Brew, is the only horse in history to cross the wire first in back-to-back runnings of the Santa Anita Handicap.

#15- Afleet Alex- 2004 Sanford Stakes. This was a totally monster performance that many people underrated. Making his stakes debut, Afleet Alex unleashed a big move on the far turn, and exploded through a 23 and change final quarter to run a stakes record time in the Sanford Stakes. A race won by many a great horse. Afleet Alex might be the only Belmont Stakes winner in history, who was probably a better horse sprinting than routing.

#16- Discreet Cat- 2006 Cigar Mile. Everyone knows this story....he gave tough older horses a bunch of weight, and disposed of them in 1:32.46 seconds.

#17- Sharp Cat- 1998 Beldame Stakes. In what would be the final start of her sensational career, Sharp Cat left "no doubt who the best filly in the land!" was when she won this race by 11 lengths in 1:46 1/5th. Multiple Grade 1 winning millionaire Tomisue's Delight was a massacred 2nd.

#18- Kelly Kip- 1996 Sanford Stakes. Legendary trainer H. Allen Jerkens debuted this guy in a 35K MCL race at Belmont Park, he caught a sloppy track, and won with ease in track record time of 55 3/5ths. No one claimed him. Kelly Kip won the '96 Sanford by 10 1/2 lengths in the mud, running over two full seconds faster than the stakes division for girls on the same card. That year's 2yo champion Boston Harbor finished 2nd. That was his only defeat of the year. He won five straight stake races, including the Breeders Cup Juvenile afterwards. The popular Say Florida Sandy was 3rd in this race.

#19- Mossflower- 1998 Hempstead Handicap- Mossflower won this Grade 1 race by 12 lengths to run her record to a perfect 6-for-6. Her final time of 1:39 4/5ths was just 2/5ths off the track record. She beat a very accomplished group. The 2nd, 4th, and 6th place finishers were all Grade 1 stakes winners. The 3rd and 5th place finishers were multiple Grade 2 stakes winners.

#20- Capote Belle- 1996 Prioress Stakes- In career start #3, making her stakes debut, Capote Belle wins this Grade 2 by 6 impressive lengths, earning a huge 114 Beyer.