Brian, I see what you mean. I guess that argument isn't a very sound one. I just feel Hansen grabbed it in the BC Juvenile, but I didn't put it into words well. For example, Blind Luck as a 2 year old had a really nice campaign winning the G1 Oak Leaf and coming in second in the G1 Del Mar Debutante, however had a pretty tough trip in the BC Juvenile Fillies and ended up third to She Be Wild, who had a ground saving trip. I know these aren't the same situations at all, but I feel the sentiment is similar. However, I understand how many feel Union Rags should still be entitled to the award as he lost by a scant head. I think it will be a close one for sure, and I respect your opinion.
I think it's a bit different actually. Zenyatta and Blame were to be retired the following year, meaning they'd never again have the chance to meet up again. This left a little bit more thinking to do as it couldn't be said..."oh well, there's always next year." IMO, Hansen did the impossible, he deserves the impossible. Next year Union Rags and him can meet up again, and then Rags can grab the next Eclipse if he can.
Inglorious has run on dirt. If I'm not mistaken she made two starts at the Fair Grounds, where she was 2nd in a G3 and 4th in a G2.
I had a lot of thinking to do, but probably Pan Zareta. She's always seemed like a real fighter, humble but fierce (cue in idealism). But in all seriousness, what a way to be introduced to racing that would have been...
My apologies. Didn't mean to post this twice. Anyway a comment can be deleted?
If HdG beats BL people will herald her all the more for carrying two lbs extra.IMO, if you really think the 2 lbs is going to make or break HdG, then you must not have much faith in her. I didn't hear Twirling Candy's owner attributing his loss in the HGC to the 6 lb weight allowance he gave First Dude. May the best horse win
Agreed. I think that more was expected of RA due to her campaign of the previous year, whereas for BL it's not surprising for her to win or lose by a length, people were upset the RA wasn't the same horse. There was a lot of misdirected frustration and unwarranted comparative battles between RA and Zenyatta that got people riled up too. BL and Havre De Grace have a relatively friendly rivalry in comparison, and they've actually met!