2021 Eclipse Award Ballot & Discussion

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by knickslions2

I don’t who should be there but at least the horse ran 8 times even though it was not all in US. To use basketball reference Jordan should have been mvp every year but if he only played half a season I wouldn’t vote for him. 3 races doesn’t deserve any award in my opinion.

I can understand this position but it goes against history. Many horses have been named champions off of only one race in this country. Many people forget that not only was Arazi named 2yo champion but he was also one of the three finalists for HOY in 1991 and that was with only one race in this country. People forget that Singspiel was voted champion turf horse in 1996 and never won a race in the United States. So with history to look back on, rewarding horses that only run here once is ok. I’ve always believed that the awards should come with more qualifying criteria, chief among them being number of starts in this country. But until that day comes, the ballots say that in order to be qualified, you only need one start in North America (unless it’s been changed and I’m unaware), and it makes it so subjective. Is it the “best” horse? Is it the most accomplished horse? Is it the horse that had the best and most complete season?

[knickslions2]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I can understand this position but it goes against history. Many horses have been named champions off of only one race in this country. Many people forget that not only was Arazi named 2yo champion but he was also one of the three finalists for HOY in 1991 and that was with only one race in this country. People forget that Singspiel was voted champion turf horse in 1996 and never won a race in the United States. So with history to look back on, rewarding horses that only run here once is ok. I’ve always believed that the awards should come with more qualifying criteria, chief among them being number of starts in this country. But until that day comes, the ballots say that in order to be qualified, you only need one start in North America (unless it’s been changed and I’m unaware), and it makes it so subjective. Is it the “best” horse? Is it the most accomplished horse? Is it the horse that had the best and most complete season?

All I know is I wouldn’t vote for a horse that only ran 3 times in a year only wining twice. I dont have a vote so it doesn’t matter.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by knickslions2

All I know is I wouldn’t vote for a horse that only ran 3 times in a year only wining twice. I dont have a vote so it doesn’t matter.

None of it matters but it’s a fun discussion. We used to have lots of discussions here.

You’ve said 3 starts is too few…had Domestic Spending not gotten injured and ran in the Breeders Cup and ran a troubled 2nd would that have been enough? Just trying to figure out how many starts is enough.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

You’ve said 3 starts is too few…had Domestic Spending not gotten injured and ran in the Breeders Cup and ran a troubled 2nd would that have been enough? Just trying to figure out how many starts is enough.

Ignoring number of 2021 starts, it seems reasonable to expect Domestic Spending, Colonel Liam, and Yibir as the 3 finalists (with United as an alternate, though CA no longer has any turf Grade 1s beyond a mile).

But with a minimum starts criteria the finalists should be:

Rockemperor, Gufo, and Two Emmys. Those 3 just beating out Japan and any English Channel horse of your choosing (Channel Maker, Bizzee Channel, or Spooky Channel).

Arklow would have made the cut if he had just one more also-ran performance...

[knickslions2]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

None of it matters but it’s a fun discussion. We used to have lots of discussions here.

You’ve said 3 starts is too few…had Domestic Spending not gotten injured and ran in the Breeders Cup and ran a troubled 2nd would that have been enough? Just trying to figure out how many starts is enough.

Good question. I would like to have seen 4 or 5 total. Its hard to judge. I know horses dont run like the used to but to me 3 races with 1 win, 1 tie and a 2nd doesnt seem like the horse should win the award. Say 4 races with 3 wins and another solid showing or 5 races with three wins and I would feel better. I think the horse is really good but not deserving of an eclipse.

[Dahoss]

I just looked at Ed Derosa’s eclipse ballot.

Didn’t think it was possible to think he was more of a clown than I already did…but he proved me wrong!

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

I just looked at Ed Derosa’s eclipse ballot.

Didn’t think it was possible to think he was more of a clown than I already did…but he proved me wrong!

While mostly Ed just likes to get attention, other than Loves Only You, and the irresponsible abstaining, was he way off anywhere? Did he have Smooth Like Strait in his top three?

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

While mostly Ed just likes to get attention, other than Loves Only You, and the irresponsible abstaining, was he way off anywhere? Did he have Smooth Like Strait in his top three?

No Jackie's Warrior?

[FATPIANO]

I can never forget Easy Goer/Sunday Silence 3yr old campaign. IMHO Easy Goer had the better body of work (just like EQ.) But SS beat EG more times. (just like Medina Spirit beat EQ, both times they raced against each other). And SS was voted champion. I would crown Medina Spirit Champion 3yr old.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by FATPIANO

I can never forget Easy Goer/Sunday Silence 3yr old campaign. IMHO Easy Goer had the better body of work (just like EQ.) But SS beat EG more times. (just like Medina Spirit beat EQ, both times they raced against each other). And SS was voted champion. I would crown Medina Spirit Champion 3yr old.

Good point Whittingham was a notorious juicer. lol