Kelso was undoubtedly one of the best. However, an argument can be made for many horses and supported with data, facts, results, etc. So, in my 50 plus years of following the ponies 3 moments flash in my mind when you asked who is the best. One - Secretariat's 31 length victory in the Belmont, Damascus' 10 length victory over Buckpasser and Dr. Fager in the Woodward and Forego's improbable win the the 1976 Marlboro Cup. So thats how I'd rate them. I might juggle the order but those moments would be the top three. I like to hear your special moments that bonded you to a particuliar horse.
GregRiessland, its almost commical to consider that he is going for 3YO champ. His beyers are all low and he hasn't won a Grade 1 since the Champlain as a two year old. I am saddened by his lackluster performances, his alibi breakfasts, and the idea that time will play to his game. Sir Barton won the Preakness 4 days after the Derby. My point is that minimal races run impediated managements ability to judge his abilities. They don't run horses, they want stud fees. Avoid each other and everyone wins, 20 horse derby fields with at least 8-9 that do not belong but huge Grade 3 earnings open the door for horses that create traffic and the winner is the aniamal that gets the best trip. The way in the Derby must be altered, maybe only 8-12 horse belonged. The congestion of the field has been affecting the results in recent years.
I agree with Buckpasser, Also, Kelso won toting 136 lbs, the Brooklyn and Forego won the Vosburgh with 131. Todays horsemen would cry the blues and never run the horse.
Let me throw out a Geldings name, KELSO, 5 time Horse of the year. Just food for thought.
I have lost all respect for the trainer. Union Rags would be back if he won or finished in the money at Church Hill. This is a convenient excuse. All the others are facing the same challenge, 2 weeks rest. Another way for Michael Matz to avoid facing the best on even terms. If Rags won 2 of the 3 he would atone himself but he will not even be given the chance. All the talk about what is best for the horse, is he sound? If so, by God let him run. Many great horses lost the Derby but won the Preakness and Belmont. Matz’s decision making is questionable, all the way to selecting the jockey for the horse. Union Rags is the best 3 YO around and and team Matz have ruined his quest. Oh, I know your going to say the Belmont, Travers, and BC Classic will do it. Let me be clairvoyant, it will not. He can’t even win the Preakness much less the races I cited. You cannot win if you do not play.
Horse racing is a busniess and Elmer and Bugs, the owner and trainer of Mine that Bird, present little opportunity for Borel in the future. But Ahh!!!!! Jess Jackson, lots. Its as simeple as that. speed ratings, beyers are all trash items. Ali beat them all just looking into their eyes, so do animals.
Graded Earnings no longer put the best horses into the derby. Trainers get 2 YO in with large purses and grade 3's have huge purses. A Grade one race should count 100% of the purse towards the Derby, a grade 2 possible 75%, and a grade 3 50%. 2 YO graded monies should be little, somewhere around 25%. Thats why horses are able to avoid the best and still make the Derby. Make them challenge each other. With the need to have almost 250K to make the field is turning this process into a circus.
Jackson Bend!! Zito is really below the radar. The horse has never been worse than second. Has won 5 of 8 starts and has been right there in every race but the FOY where Eskendereya ran his best. JB needs graded earnings and either Zito knows something we don't and expects a solid performance against a tough Wood field or Zito has totally mismanaged the horse. There has numbersou opportunities with fields less skilled then the Wood. Since Zito has taken over training the horse he has almost evaporated from the trade journals. Lets expect Zito to surprise us all.