3 year old Champion

[King Glorious]

No, I don't believe that Life is Good had a championship campaign. But I do believe that he was by far the most talented and with no other candidate separating themselves in my book, I go with the most talented. If either Essential Quality or Medina's Spirit would have won the Classic, I would have picked that horse.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

No, I don't believe that Life is Good had a championship campaign. But I do believe that he was by far the most talented and with no other candidate separating themselves in my book, I go with the most talented. If either Essential Quality or Medina's Spirit would have won the Classic, I would have picked that horse.

In what way is Life is Good the most talented 3yo? Because he can run the fastest 6 furlongs (of course Jackie's Warrior was equally as fast if not faster)? Because he's an uncontrollable run-off that has trouble running straight down the stretch? Because he has had the most soundness issues? Because he failed to start in a classic or any route race of consequence?

You have all these grandiose and nitpicky theories of how a horse is trained and what races are most important and yet it all goes out the window because a horse won some second tier races in sensational fashion.

Shouldn't Flightline be your 3yo champion?

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

In what way is Life is Good the most talented 3yo? Because he can run the fastest 6 furlongs (of course Jackie's Warrior was equally as fast if not faster)? Because he's an uncontrollable run-off that has trouble running straight down the stretch? Because he has had the most soundness issues? Because he failed to start in a classic or any route race of consequence?

You have all these grandiose and nitpicky theories of how a horse is trained and what races are most important and yet it all goes out the window because a horse won some second tier races in sensational fashion.

Shouldn't Flightline be your 3yo champion?

That’s what it all boils down to. The flashier the win, the more credit he gives it. Competition doesn’t matter. Race dynamics don’t matter. Just win by open lengths and you’ve earned a spot in his signature.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Shouldn't Flightline be your 3yo champion?

I was about to ask the same question.

[Kitan]

St Mark's Basilica or Baaeed

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Kitan

St Mark's Basilica or Baaeed

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

In what way is Life is Good the most talented 3yo? Because he can run the fastest 6 furlongs (of course Jackie's Warrior was equally as fast if not faster)? Because he's an uncontrollable run-off that has trouble running straight down the stretch? Because he has had the most soundness issues? Because he failed to start in a classic or any route race of consequence?

You have all these grandiose and nitpicky theories of how a horse is trained and what races are most important and yet it all goes out the window because a horse won some second tier races in sensational fashion.

Shouldn't Flightline be your 3yo champion?

I don’t think Flightline should be the 3yo champion but I’d like to ask you if you think he is the best 3yo? Not best resume but best horse?

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I don’t think Flightline should be the 3yo champion but I’d like to ask you if you think he is the best 3yo? Not best resume but best horse?

Sprinters are always inferior to routers. Stamina is a key component of the classic Thoroughbred. That's why back in the days of logic and common sense there were no Grade 1 sprints except for maybe the Vosburgh.

That's not to say Flightline is a sprinter, but he has only run in sprints up to this point. And just because he is by Tapit or has won geared down in sprints that weren't even conducted like true sprints (more like team workouts) doesn't mean he is certain to stretch out with no problems.

On top of that his inexperience and lack of consistent racing makes him vulnerable in a route even if he is ultimately capable of it.

He might be no better than Rail Trip, who was a fine racehorse with a somewhat similar late-starting profile (until his career was needless de-Railed by his silly owner). I highly doubt he is as good as Formal Gold and certainly won't come close to emulating that one's 4yo campaign.

In this day and age, given the silly hype that has been showered on this horse and his connections, Flightline will be retired with a bullet if he happens to get beat like Formal Gold did in the 1996 Pennsylvania Derby or Rail Trip in the 2009 Mervyn LeRoy, even though it wasn't the end of the world for the latter two.

So let's hope he doesn't struggle in his next start if he happens to race before the Met Mile.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Sprinters are always inferior to routers. Stamina is a key component of the classic Thoroughbred. That's why back in the days of logic and common sense there were no Grade 1 sprints except for maybe the Vosburgh.

That's not to say Flightline is a sprinter, but he has only run in sprints up to this point. And just because he is by Tapit or has won geared down in sprints that weren't even conducted like true sprints (more like team workouts) doesn't mean he is certain to stretch out with no problems.

On top of that his inexperience and lack of consistent racing makes him vulnerable in a route even if he is ultimately capable of it.

He might be no better than Rail Trip, who was a fine racehorse with a somewhat similar late-starting profile (until his career was needless de-Railed by his silly owner). I highly doubt he is as good as Formal Gold and certainly won't come close to emulating that one's 4yo campaign.

In this day and age, given the silly hype that has been showered on this horse and his connections, Flightline will be retired with a bullet if he happens to get beat like Formal Gold did in the 1996 Pennsylvania Derby or Rail Trip in the 2009 Mervyn LeRoy, even though it wasn't the end of the world for the latter two.

So let's hope he doesn't struggle in his next start if he happens to race before the Met Mile.

So then you think Essential Quality is the best horse? Do you also think Hot Rod Charlie and Midnight Bourbon, Mandaloun, and Rombauer are all better horses than Life is Good and Flightline?

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

So then you think Essential Quality is the best horse? Do you also think Hot Rod Charlie and Midnight Bourbon, Mandaloun, and Rombauer are all better horses than Life is Good and Flightline?

Essential Quality was clearly the best 3yo in 2021 in terms of class, consistency, stamina, number of wins, and winning speed figures at classic distances. Also, one of only three top-rated dirt 3yos (the others: Medina Spirit and Hot Rod Charlie) that ran a full campaign.

Life is Good wasn't even the best 3yo sprinter of 2021.

Americanrevolution did more as a 3yo in 2021 than Flightline.

Hot Rod Charlie ran the fastest middle distance 3yo race in the PA Derby, but he tailed off miserably and is now being overraced and will probably be toast if he makes it to the summer especially if he ships internationally.

Midnight Bourbon was not a top 3yo; he might end up like stablemate Tenfold. Mandaloun is widely inconsistent; did not finish first in any race of consequence.

In a full field at a classic distance with both Flightline and Life is Good in the field (and none of that Ghostzapper-Roses in May gentlemen's BS agreement...), I would give an in-form Rombauer a close look...

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

In a full field at a classic distance with both Flightline and Life is Good in the field (and none of that Ghostzapper-Roses in May gentlemen's BS agreement...), I would give an in-form Rombauer a close look...

So Rombauer's retirement doesn't deter you?