15 Best BC Classics

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

The thing that really sticks out to me is how much better Durkin was at calling the big races than Denman.

You'd have to sprout wings to be as good as Trevah...

[GenuineRisk]

That was fun; thanks for sharing! I'm sure someone would have posted GZ's BC on YouTube. There's software available so you can download videos from YouTube if you decide to re-edit and put in footage from his race.

[Cannon Shell]

Hard to believe the 1st Classic didn't make the cut

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Hard to believe the 1st Classic didn't make the cut

It was more than a full second slower than Princess Rooney's BC Distaff win at the same 10f distance.

I tried to account highly for drama and excitement of the actual race -- but the '84 BC Classic (and last years) were sundial jobs.

[JJP]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

It was more than a full second slower than Princess Rooney's BC Distaff win at the same 10f distance.

I tried to account highly for drama and excitement of the actual race -- but the '84 BC Classic (and last years) were sundial jobs.

I have to agree with Cannon Shell. The first Classic put the Breeders Cup on the map. The final time may have been slower than Princess Rooney's win (a great mare, at that) but the internal fractions were much faster. That race was loaded with speed; Preicisionist and Slew O Gold's stablemate, Mugatea pushing Wild Again. Slew O Gold, a tremendous horse in his own right, trying to battle between horses, and the rogue Preakness winner, Gate Dancer surging on the outside in a 3 way photo. Pat Day has said that this race really propelled his career. One of the best races I've ever seen.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by JJP

I have to agree with Cannon Shell. The first Classic put the Breeders Cup on the map. The final time may have been slower than Princess Rooney's win (a great mare, at that) but the internal fractions were much faster. That race was loaded with speed; Preicisionist and Slew O Gold's stablemate, Mugatea pushing Wild Again. Slew O Gold, a tremendous horse in his own right, trying to battle between horses, and the rogue Preakness winner, Gate Dancer surging on the outside in a 3 way photo. Pat Day has said that this race really propelled his career. One of the best races I've ever seen.

I wouldn't put much stock in this list.

Not only did he leave off the initial BCC (a great race to watch as a fan, maybe not such a great race for all time greats) race, but he ranked the Zenyatta win better than AP Indy's win.

Clearly he relied too heavily on figures.

[Gate Dancer]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Hard to believe the 1st Classic didn't make the cut

Have to agree with that.............(see avatar) Also, forgot how Unbridled had to 'thread the needle' in his victory. Great stuff!!!!!

[slotdirt]

So lost somewhere in 1989 was that Blushing John could run a little.

[Revidere]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

So lost somewhere in 1989 was that Blushing John could run a little.

one of the best race calls of all time.

[OldDog]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

The thing that really sticks out to me is how much better Durkin was at calling the big races than Denman.

I like Denman, but Durkin blows me away. He has raised goosebumps on me more times than Stephen King and M. Night Shyamalan combined.

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Hard to believe the 1st Classic didn't make the cut

That’s a favorite of mine. But so much of choosing favorites can be subjective. I enjoyed the hell out of watching this video. Well done, CL.

By the way, note the camera work on #9 (2000, Tiznow & Giant’s Causeway). Instead of shooting from a fixed mount, the camera moved parallel to the stretch, showing much more dramatically the speed at which the horses are moving. I’d like to see more of that.