Quote:
Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind
Ya know, college boy, that it isn't unique if it's happened before. Plus, 33 years not 23.
Did you really graduate?
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Love you too. Surprised you would agree it should go to Stevens. You are right though a typo and some poor word usage are all the more reason to question whether I actually got my degree. If I had said Castellano's rare accomplishment would you still of jumped at the chance to point out my age? I'm supposed to run away and hide now right? That's no fun.
I am not saying what Stevens has done this year should go without praise but there are more deserving candidates for the award. The year Mike Smith had at 48 years old was just as good if not better than Stevens.
All starts
Smith - 422 84 64 45 $13,797,517 $32,696 20%
Stevens - 383 69 59 58 $11,910,748 $31,099 18%
Stakes
Smith - 155 34 24 18 $11,309,528 $72,965 22%
Stevens - 132 24 19 15 $9,513,509 $72,072 18%
Graded Stakes
Smith - 116 28 16 12 $10,718,963 $92,405 24%
Stevens - 93 18 10 9 $8,856,303 $95,229 19%
Each won a Triple Crown race. Smith won three breeders cup albeit of lesser prestige than Stevens Distaff and Classic. Gary is not the only old guy still getting it done.
The sheer volume of Castellano's accomplishments this year in my mind surpasses a great story and comeback from an older rider. The fact a rider can lead the nation in wins based out of the toughest place to win races in the US is remarkable.