Who wins Horse of the Year?

[Merlinsky]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...rt-no-problems

Looks like Flat Out could try the Clark.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Seattleallstar

as I recall he had 30 days to spend $30 million dollars. and it was for mayor of New York

Maybe so. The point remains.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

I think the BC itself has rendered it less than a championship day by spreading out all these races which has only served to weaken them to the point that winning it hardly merits it other than winning another race during the calender year.

I think the sprint yesterday is a good example, the horses who used to make the sprint more compelling are now dispersed into the dirt mile or turf sprint and you are left with nine decent runners rather than at least 12 with interesting puzzles to solve and a good winner.

the bc has gone for quantity over quality. they need to pare back down to one day, get rid of some of the bs races, and put that purse money into the big races. that would draw more competition from overseas as well. far too many races, which leads to subpar fields.
dirt mile, marathon, turf juvie, should be the first three on the chopping block.

[Sightseek]

In my eyes either Drosselmeyer or Afleet Again.


This year sucked, but at least if you had the right longshots in the big races throughout the year it paid out well.

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

I think the BC itself has rendered it less than a championship day by spreading out all these races which has only served to weaken them to the point that winning it hardly merits it other than winning another race during the calender year.

I think the sprint yesterday is a good example, the horses who used to make the sprint more compelling are now dispersed into the dirt mile or turf sprint and you are left with nine decent runners rather than at least 12 with interesting puzzles to solve and a good winner.

I agree. The Breeder's Cup used to be my favorite sports day of the year. This year there was nothing compelling me to spend the day watching on Friday, and even Saturday was not nearly as riveting as it used to be. Too many races. (I, unfortunately, sound like the Kaiser in "Amadeus"--"too many notes.")

--Dunbar

[Seattleallstar]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Maybe so. The point remains.

my favorite part is when he hires everyone in the beginning and spends the money

[RockHardTen1985]

The Dirt Mile is better then some of the new races, but it has a bad effect on the older ones. It needs to go.... Those horses should be stretching out in the Classic or cuting back for the sprint.

[smartbid09]

Anyone have any opinion on 2-y-o male eclipse?

I would say that Union Rags still wins it based on his resume.

[Seattleallstar]

If Baffert runs Secret Circle in the Futurity at Hollywood in December, then Secret Circle takes 2 yr old honors provided Rags doesnt run anymore and win. As of now Hansen regrettably would be 2 yr old of year

[cakes44]

Originally Posted by Seattleallstar

my favorite part is when he hires everyone in the beginning and spends the money

My favorite part is where he lights himself on fire while free-basing cocaine.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Seattleallstar

If Baffert runs Secret Circle in the Futurity at Hollywood in December, then Secret Circle takes 2 yr old honors provided Rags doesnt run anymore and win. As of now Hansen regrettably would be 2 yr old of year

100% agree. He feels like the best 2yr old out there. His episode in the stretch might not bode well for him stretching out though.

[jms62]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

100% agree. He feels like the best 2yr old out there. His episode in the stretch might not bode well for him stretching out though.

Dude he staggered home at 6 furlongs what makes you think he can go 8+

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by jms62

Dude he staggered home at 6 furlongs what makes you think he can go 8+

Read what I wrote. I think I was pretty clear that I feel it could be an issue. Ill give him a pass though because of the sub 21 opening quarter. If he runs like he did 2 back, 8.5-9f should be fine. It seemed like Bejarano was intent on gunning hard on Friday.

[trackrat59]

After last year I'm confused as to the criteria for winning HOY. Is it based on a popularity contest, winning the most money, winning the most races, being the most competitive? I'm lost, I have no idea.

Rapid Redux has been the most consistent winner all year by far. He now has the opportunity to break PP and Zen's record of 19 straight wins. Because of the level he competes at he could never win more money than most G1 winners. He's becoming more popular but not like the freight train of Zen's popularity.

Rapid Redux is too blue collar to win HOY. If he did win I imagine those 'ole Kentucky folks would have a coronary.

[RockHardTen1985]

Please everyone stop with the Rapid Redux talk. Its a great story and he is admirable, but thats it. The Classic beyer was crap yesterday, no one will argue the race was fast..... But Rapid Redux still would have made no impact. He would have run last. He is a starter allowance/claiming horse, and thats it.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by trackrat59

After last year I'm confused as to the criteria for winning HOY. Is it based on a popularity contest, winning the most money, winning the most races, being the most competitive? I'm lost, I have no idea.

Rapid Redux has been the most consistent winner all year by far. He now has the opportunity to break PP and Zen's record of 19 straight wins. Because of the level he competes at he could never win more money than most G1 winners. He's becoming more popular but not like the freight train of Zen's popularity.

Rapid Redux is too blue collar to win HOY. If he did win I imagine those 'ole Kentucky folks would have a coronary.

i don't know if anyone knows the criteria. zenyatta's win last year was a pathetic joke, which makes me wonder if it can ever be taken seriously again.
apparently whatever owner does the most pr-wise will win hoy for his/her horse. i suggest lots of fan friendly photo ops in the coming weeks. or dancing lessons...

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

In my eyes either Drosselmeyer or Afleet Again.


This year sucked, but at least if you had the right longshots in the big races throughout the year it paid out well.

I agree on Drosselmeyer.

I think it comes down to Havre De Grace or Drosselmeyer. Drosselmeyer won the big one and came in second in the JCGC. In horse racing circa 2011, that is a decent resume.

I would understand if they gave it to the mare. Anyone else, I have a hard time seeing. I realize Game On Dude won a couple of awful stakes in So Cal but he lost to Drosselmeyer head to head. At least HDG beat a couple of compelling opponents in her prior stakes races.

[letswastemoney]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

I agree on Drosselmeyer.

I think it comes down to Havre De Grace or Drosselmeyer. Drosselmeyer won the big one and came in second in the JCGC. In horse racing circa 2011, that is a decent resume.

I would understand if they gave it to the mare. Anyone else, I have a hard time seeing. I realize Game On Dude won a couple of awful stakes in So Cal but he lost to Drosselmeyer head to head. At least HDG beat a couple of compelling opponents in her prior stakes races.

It would be a major upset if any horse but Havre de Grace won. If we use last year's standards, Havre de Grace has sparked interest in the sport with the pretty horse people, while winning some G1s on the side. I don't see how she can lose.

It's not necessarily right or wrong anymore. I accept the standards that have been set last year.

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

I agree on Drosselmeyer.

I think it comes down to Havre De Grace or Drosselmeyer. Drosselmeyer won the big one and came in second in the JCGC. In horse racing circa 2011, that is a decent resume.

I would understand if they gave it to the mare. Anyone else, I have a hard time seeing. I realize Game On Dude won a couple of awful stakes in So Cal but he lost to Drosselmeyer head to head. At least HDG beat a couple of compelling opponents in her prior stakes races.

If Game On Dude lost to Drosselmeyer head to head, what do you call how HDG finished in comparison? That's the problem. She wasn't disgraced, but giving the 4th place finisher of the Classic HOY? If she finished where Game On Dude finished (it's hard to abbreviate his name without it looking like you're shouting 'God'), it'd be close enough that folks might go for it a la Curlin and his BCC 3rd place. In his case though, he was trying synthetic and you could see the rest of his record as more than sufficient what with winning the Dubai World Cup. For all the 'ooh'ing over HDG's Woodward, a nice performance indeed, Rachel was a second faster and pushed from start to finish on the lead by every single horse in the field.

If HDG won it, I wouldn't cry myself to sleep because I have a lot of respect for her. It'd bug me less than last year's situation, honestly, but HOY shouldn't be like this. It's frustrating.

[jaripeo]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Drosselmeyer.

from the winner of the drugsders cup drugsselmeyer

to many horses were very active on drugs