Interesting points of view. Whether you agree or not is not important, the point is there will probably be some suspense in some of the Eclipse awards.
Would be interesting for DRF or someone else to conduct an online vote for the fans. The Eclipse voting system is a little wierd with three different groups, all well qualified, but it would nice to see how the fans opinions stack up.
http://espn.go.com/horse/breederscup04/s/2004/1031/1913470.html
Post Edited (11-01-04 20:41)
Silver Charm wrote:
> Interesting points of view. Whether you agree or not is not
> important, the point is there will probably be some suspense in
> some of the Eclipse awards.
>
> Would be interesting for DRF or someone else to conduct an
> online vote for the fans. The Eclipse voting system is a little
> wierd with three different groups, all well qualified, but it
> would nice to see how the fans opinions stack up.
>
> http://espn.go.com/horse/breederscup04/s/2004/1031/1913470.html
Silver Charm, one final time I want to address the Turf. In the article Finley said:
\"Kitten\'s Joy should have been placed first through disqualification. Better Talk Now banged around Kitten\'s Joy and Magistretti in a roughly run race. It was just a bad call, possibly from a trio of stewards who were afraid to take a horse down with $2 million on the line.\"
I\'ve watched enough races to know he\'s right.
Secondly, my condolences on Silver Charm going to Japan. I hate those guys.
Lastly, I hold the Classic in high regard and it counts big in Horse of the Year deliberations. However this year I\'m inclined to favor Smarty Jones. Ghostzapper won at 7, 9, 9 and 10 marks. Two grade I\'s. Smarty won at 8, 8.5, 9, 10 and 9.5 Two grade I\'s. Smarty ran early in the year. Ghostzapper late. Neither ran during the others campaign. Neither one ran all year. Smarty inspired me. Ghostzapper made me scratch my head. I agree with Finley. The title is Ghostzappers with one more win in a Grade I.
CtC
I cannot believe this guy is ragging on Velasquez in this article. I thought JR clearly showed in this BC that he (not Bailey) is the best rider in the US. His aggressive ride on Ashado bulling his way through traffic on the turn (reminded me of Cordero), his patient rail pressing trip on on the normally front-running Speighstown (reminded me of the Shoe), his perfect stalking trip on the normally lagging-back Film Maker (reminded me of McCarron or Stevens)- all big-time money rides in big-time money races. Showing real versatility - one a dirt route, one a dirt sprint and the other turf marathon and showing his ability to adapt to the likely race shape - tacking back in a hot-paced sprint or laying close in slow-paced marathon.
Sure Bailey would have given (his now all-too-common on a turf favorite) 4w/4w trip on Kitten\'s Joy to keep him out of trouble but right now, if I were Ramsey, I would definitely stick with JR.
Chris
Derby1592,
I think you are right on. Finley\'s comment is way out of line. Ashado, Speightstown and Film Maker all got SUPERIOR rides from Johnny V.
CtC wellcome back I\'m looking forward to many Fair and Balanced Debates with you.
Azeri did nothing wrong to damage her status as the deserving Eclipse winner as Finley wrote. Does anyone believe Sightseek could have duplicated Azeri\'s Classic effort.
End of that discussion.
This year has been a changing of the guard of sorts for NY jockeys. Bailey can still give three or four wide trip rides a day with the best of em but Johnny V has totally shoved him aside as of this BC. Bailey has always worried about his career ending from falling off a horse. Looks like it happened from falling off a ladder.
Ghostzapper vs. Smarty Jones: $20 Million Purse, Pay-per-View and a decent undercard.
Sign me up.
Silver Charm wrote:
> Azeri did nothing wrong to damage her status as the deserving
> Eclipse winner as Finley wrote. Does anyone believe Sightseek
> could have duplicated Azeri\'s Classic effort.
>
> End of that discussion.
Hate to be a contrarian but lets review that notion briefly. Firstly, I am aware of your regard for Lukas and I admit right off my anti-Lukas bias. However, I\'m no fan of Robert Frankel either.
What observation or optimistic quirk told DeeWayne that Azeri\'s Met Mile was a building block to take on the boys again? What did he see in that debacle to inspire him to forego the Distaff when she had ABSOLUTELY NO SHOT at the Classic? This is the type of horsemenship that I refer to when I state that DeeWayne doesn\'t have the slightest clue as to what he\'s doing and that he\'s succeeded in the past with LOTS of expendable horseflesh.
Azeri is 3 for 8 under Lukas. Granted those are 3 Grade I\'s. Sightseek won 3 Grade I\'s and a Grade II. They met twice. Azeri stole off in one meeting and Sightseek crushed her in the other meeting. Someone has to win older filly/mare, of the two it has to be Sightseek.
CtC
FINLEY has been a Bailey fan forever. Anyone who has a real feel for the game knows that Johnny V can send one, sit one and finish on one much better than Bailey at this time.