Three trips multi-thousand mile trips across the Atlantic from Ireland to America for Cape Blanco, and three wins in three of the biggest G1 turf stakes in the US from 10 to 12f. Cape Blanco's ability to accomplish that feat speaks volumes about his ability at this level. I agree with Medlocke. With his win in Saturday's G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. I think Cape Blanco all but sewed up an Eclipse Award for 2011 American Turf Champion at the very least. Should Cape Blanco ship back a fourth time from Ireland to America for the G1 BC Turf, and end up winning that race, too? If that does happen, I think at that point a big and very valid argument could be made for Cape Blanco winning the Eclipse Award for 2011 American HOY, Outright!! Hypothetically speaking, assuming Cape Blanco did win the BC Turf, I can't even think of an American turf horse that's won the G1 Man O' War, Arlington Million, Joe Hirsch, and BC Turf in the same year? Much less one doing it that had to ship all the way from Ireland first to run in those four races.
They had the turf at Belmont today officially listed as "yielding". Which was exactly what the turf was officially listed as at Arlington last month for the G1 Arlington Million. Which I personally found a little ridiculous. Because it was blatantly obvious that both Cape Blanco and Dean's Kitten were dealing with much heavier ground at Belmont today than either of them dealt with at Arlington last month. I sure take my hat off to the race that Dean's Kitten ran in defeat today!! Especially being his first ever career attempt trying 1-1/2, and on such taxing ground besides. But I think it was the class of Cape Blanco that ultimately held on and won the day here. In my mind, there should be no question that with this win in today's G1 Joe Hirsch, Cape Blanco should've surpassed Acclamation in the mind's of the Eclipse voters that will be voting for American Turf HOY. Even if Acclamation wins the G2 Hirsch Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Sunday? I still believe Cape Blanco would have the upper hand in the voting for Turf Champion. Acclamation also has 3 G1 wins this season. But only 2 of his 3 G1 wins came on the turf. Acclamation's win in the G1 Pacific Classic on synthetics should have absolutely no bearing at all in the voting for Turf Champion. Only in the voting for American HOY outright. I think the only way Acclamation can take that away from Cape Blanco now would be to win the G1 BC Turf next month. Which isn't likely, because he's yet to prove that he can win outside of California. In all 3 of Acclamation's G1 win's this season, he's had to ship no further than locally in the state of California. Whereas, Cape Blanco has now shipped to America from Ireland 3 times this season, and is 3 for 3. Having won arguably 3 of the biggest G1 turf stakes in the country from 1-1/4 to 1-1/2. Should Cape Blanco ship back to America from Ireland for a fourth time, and win the G1 BC Turf at Churchill Downs next month? I think he would then have to be in the discussion for every Eclipse Award voter for American HOY outright. TJMO.