Street Sense sharp in drill

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Well, he won two legs of the TC, FuPeg one. He also went on to take the Haskell, while FuPeg won the Jerome. War Emblem earned figures as good, actually better I think, then FuPeg.

As for the Belmont, the break is the most overlooked form of trouble in racing in my opinion. War Emblem had zero chance after that break.

I forgot one other horse that may have had the best chance to win the TC the last decade...Ghostzapper.

I respect your opinion. While I think to a great extent FuPeg was a beneficiary of circumstance in the Derby, I still think he was the best in that race. Undoubtedly the best horse born in 1997 was Tiznow, but unfortunately he was not around to contest the TC.

I completely agree on Ghostzapper though. The 2003 3YO bunch would have had a run for their money.

NT

[blackthroatedwind]

The FuPeg argument is a little like my argument that Bellamy Road was the superior horse of that crop. I can't back it up with facts particularly, and the other side can do a better job of that, but it's just my opinion. FuPeg was overrated, no doubt, but he was also pretty good. He was basically done in by physical issues, perhaps partly because he was excessively babied, and I happen to agree with Justin that he didn't handle the track at Pimlico at all in the Preakness. I am loathe to use that as an excuse but in watching that race it seems painfully obvious to me.

War Emblem's faster numbers were somewhat circumstantial, though I guess his Preakness win was totally legitimate, so I suppose the argument is at least fair. But, even though FuPeg ultimately was a disappointment, drowning El Corredor and Albert the Great ( who won the Jockey Club by 10 a few weeks later - he forgot to bounce ) in the Jerome off a four month layoff was pretty damn impressive.

To me, Silver Charm and Touch Gold could both have won the Triple Crown against some of the crops we have seen in recent years. I think a sound Touch Gold was better than Smarty Jones.