Go West, Steven Crist

*Grade 1 Pacific Classic, sorry but I just have to correct that as it is CA's only $1 million race, and very few $1 million races for older horses outside the BC. Regards to the Amazombie debate, ridiculous to even suggest he's not the clear choice. Sprints for me personally end at 7f. Mile doesn't constitute a sprint. Amazombie won 2 G1 sprints Ancient Title and BC, plus had a good year winning the Sunshine Million Sprint, G2 Potrero Grande, and Tiznow at 7.5f. And he won the L.A. Handicap, horrific DQ that one was. Plus there were more than enough G1 winners in the Sprint. Amazombie = 2011 Champ Sprinter. Now this whole Turf Male, ultimately I think it may very well go to Cape Blanco, but agreed he's certainly not a lock. Acclamation is definitely in the running, and will at the very least be a finalist. Its too bad they couldn't settle it at the BC. But if Acclamation doesn't get this, he's also in the running for Champ Older Male, that's where, in addition to his turf record, his Pacific Classic win earns him big points.

I will concede to you the point about diversity, but I still cannot agree with you about the mile.

Sorry, pressed enter too soon. I also get that this gives those horse that are best at a mile or 9f a home, however, while I'll recognize a horse as superior in one thing, that does not make them great. What makes a horse great is to be able to compete a little longer or shorter than they like. A mile is slightly longer than most want while 6f is slightly shorter. I think in order to be called a "great sprinter" you need to be good at the longer and shorter sprints. Caleb can mile, and went down to 6.5f and blasted that field too. He ran seven, and ran and won against some of the best there too. That is diversity that you don't see every day.

Thing with me is I wouldn't make it it's own division because it takes away from the Sprint. The Factor, Caleb, Trappe Shot all would have been in the sprint this year if not for the BC Mile. Both were equally as strong, but the Sprint could have featured more grade one winners and probably the best race on the program.

When just about all of the majore historical racing is East of the Mississippi, not to mention the majority of sports writers, those worthy of that name or not, where do you think biase would reside???

I fall into that category. Miles are not sprints in my book. But to each their own.

i've been following all major sports since 1957, and i know all about the east coast bias.

I think many people feel either one way or another on the sprint. If you feel that right now miles should be taken as sprints, then you feel Caleb leads, if not then you like Amazombie. Both beat good fields in the BC, CP faced some nice horses at Saratoga, but there will be those who say he didn't run in real sprints.

And to say that Amazombie is a lock on the sprint championship is ridiculous, too. Of course, I happen to agree with that statement, but DeadHeat and I spent a good deal of time debating the merits of Caleb's Posse and Amazombie for that particular title.

Ha! I just read the Facebook comments on my page ... yes, it would seem that ECB'ers have fuel for the fire.

Brian...I wonder where your inspiration came from! lol. I agree completely. You know, because you debated with me on one of our many P/CP, that I believe Acclamation is the top turf horse. I however would never say Cape Blanco doesn't deserve to be in the argument. He was easily the best in Cali, had a superb year, and should not be forgotten or discarded. Statements like Christs are the exact reason why those who do scream ECB do.