My Eclipse Ballot.. (Updated with Winners, Voting)

[blackthroatedwind]

The number of horses who never won again after the listed race is positively scary.

[cakes44]

Thanks for putting your list out there. Only one I really have issues with is Lady Eli over TCB.

[Kasept]

Here are the year end (thru 12/29) horse category PP's for everyone's enjoyment: http://static.drf.com/eclipse/pdf/eclipse-pps.pdf

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

The number of horses who never won again after the listed race is positively scary.

At least he is able to get them their ever elusive Graded win for their breeding resumes.

[Bogey]

Steve, your ballot is spot on. I hope others come up with similar selections.

[turf fan]

Steve,
Thanks for your support for Dayatthespa! It would be fantastic to win!
I'm rooting for Chad to get his Eclipse this year. Second in earnings plus three BC wins should give him a legitimate chance. Pletcher is so dominant, but based on percentages and his big day at Santa Anita, Chad should secure a lot of votes.

[bare it all]

Originally Posted by turf fan

Steve,
Thanks for your support for Dayatthespa! It would be fantastic to win!
I'm rooting for Chad to get his Eclipse this year. Second in earnings plus three BC wins should give him a legitimate chance. Pletcher is so dominant, but based on percentages and his big day at Santa Anita, Chad should secure a lot of votes.

Congrats to the big mare...very deserved!

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Bogey

Steve, your ballot is spot on. I hope others come up with similar selections.

THX Cookie.. Jon White wrote that he thinks California Chrome will carry the day for 3yo and HOY. Part of the HOY vote scenario that's intriguing is the Main Sequence block. Would think those leaning there are anti-Bayern voters and help California Chrome's chances. Very unusual year..

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Arletta

At least he is able to get them their ever elusive Graded win for their breeding resumes.

That's the point Andy is making because the GSW's aren't all that elusive when you're getting a phalanx of the most expensive, 'success-eligible' horses every crop. And it's the great conundrum with Pletcher as his 'program' may be good for a certain number of clients, but very bad for the game overall. I broached this a bit with Pletcher in his last visit of the year when we talked for 25 minutes and if you listen closely you hear exactly how he approaches each year with Gulfstream as the concentration for assaults on the Classics and Saratoga as a 2nd half focus to get the 2yo's going and relaunch any horses that took time after the spring.

The 80/20 rule is universal, but it's even worse in racing right now with 15% of trainers winning 85% of the stake money. It's a terrible construct.