Top 10 Performances of 2008

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

tvnewsbadge — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:51:26 GMT

"1. Big Brown, Kentucky Derby - ....It may be a long time before we see a 3-year-old do that again under those circumstances."

Well, since more and more tracks are banning steroids, you're probably right.

We should not forget that Big Brown had the advantages of the miracle of modern chemistry flowing through his veins when it comes to comparing him to future and past horses

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

Householder — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 04:42:08 GMT

5. Bob Black Jack stealing the Grade I Malibu. His time of 120 and 1/5th not far off Spectacular Bid's Stakes record of 1:20 flat.

Zenyatta did something that neither the New England Patriots, USC, Big Brown, or Curlin could do. She completed a perfect season capped off with a win against the best distaff horses in the world. She not only gets HOY but best sports story for 2008 and picture on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

draynot — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:01:11 GMT

The best performances aren't always winning performances but sometimes those that expose things for what they are. These are some of the greatest happenings whether you like them or not. They help keep things in perspective when some are blind to reality.

In the spirit of reality the #1 performance of 2008 goes to Guadacanal. A mere maiden when he appeared in the Belmont he did what everyone thought was impossible by whipping the Derby/Preakness winner after being taken out by that same horse at the start. In the process he exposed the weakness of the 3 yr olds who showed up for the Derby and Preakness allowing for a Derby win from the 20 hole that is vastly overrated and run against virtually no competition.

Guadacanal and the rest of the allowance horses who ran in the Belmont helped expose

what a weak group of 3 yr olds we had in america this year.

#2 on the list, Curlin's Dubai win. The best dirt horse to come along in many a year deserves that much.

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

Matthew W — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:30:22 GMT

Zenyatta is HOY....Atthebarn2 yes racing is suffering/so is everything else--and it is the fans of this Sport Of Kings that argue and debate who's best/fastest--the most! More than any sport, Horseracing Fans have the most opinions! ......Zenyatta is HOY--That's mine!

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

anygivensaturday — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:08:11 GMT

Curlin, Curlin, Curlin! He's a star who gave his all everytime he was asked. Curlin attacked races the same way on every surface. Making sweeping moves to the front in both of his defeats this year, which I believe is the subject of this blog, he ran on steadily like the long striding dirt horse that he is. A horse built like Curlin isn’t made to sprint down the stretch, and the surfaces he attempted worked against his grind it out style. Curlin lost the Classic, but he’s one classy animal for finishing near Europeans on a track that plays like turf. His fans certainly agreed, giving him a standing ovation despite his defeat. He went down in the Man O’ War, but it takes one good dirt horse to run with turf champions on their surface.

Curlin won four grade ones this year, as many as Zenyatta and Big Brown, and did it at four different tracks in two states and another continent. His frequent flier miles ought to count for something, especially without much of a break following his demanding three-year-old season.

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

bsinboots — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:00:01 GMT

Draynay...I may be the only one, but I agree with most of what you said. Curlin is a nice horse and I applaud Jess Jackson for his sportsmanship, and Curlin's popularity with fans is testament to the fact that this sport needs more horses running past their 3yo year. But, but he didn't beat much this year, and he finished out of the money in the biggest race of the year. If the powers that be decide to go ahead and hold racing's championships on synthetic surfaces, they can't then make excuses for horses for not running well on it. Can't have it both ways.

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

Monica V — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:40:25 GMT

Jason,

Great comment!

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

Householder — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:37:45 GMT

Curlin only raced in California once where he got headed by Tiago.

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

LDP — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:36:03 GMT

Jason, overall i too, have very much enjoyed this blog. It provides a good learning place, as well as a place to offer oppinions. Kinda like school, excepet on computer and we get to talk about my favorite subject, horseracing lol. Thx to all and a happy holidays, or which ever you celebrate.

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

Householder — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:32:58 GMT

4. Well Armed squeaking out a win in the San Antonio over Heat Seeker.

3. Heat Seeker and Go Between in the Santa Anita Big Cap.

2. Go Between besting Well Armed in the Pacific Classic.

1. Zenyatta in the Clemet C. Hirsh. "Simply Poetry in Motion."

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

Atthebarn2 — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:11:53 GMT

Jason I recall your article from March 1st (I believe) your blog on March 8 had a kinder gentler Draynay expressing his utter and total amazement, think he used the word WOW at least 3 times.

But, I must mention the now infamous headline:Take It To The Bank: Big Brown Wins The Belmont (Jason Shandler) Dennis Of Cork as your backup. You still had some doubt, despite your headline.

By then Draynay was totally on the bandwagon, even though he jumped on while it was still slow moving, he was running over anyone in sight and pushing off those who were on the horse for a long time.

You aren't obsessed, HE is.

Meanwhile you can tout him on the Derby prospects, he'll be so busy telling all of us how to run our stables he won't have time.

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

Jason Shandler — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:27:52 GMT

Dray: Dont ever forget who brought Big Brown to your attention. I look forward to helping you again in 2009. You need all the help you can get. lol

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

barb — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:25:41 GMT

Thanks to Jason for the lively topics and discussions. I have recently discovered how much I enjoy blogging on this site(bloodhorse, not just Jason's) with all of you. Even though some people aren't in agreement with me. I like the debates, though I do wish that some people didn't think that in order to look good they need to make others look bad. I hope that I have made my arguments without attacking anyone. But I have to say that it is fun when someone says something inflammatory because it brings out all of the other well thought out comments, of course it also generates muck which isn't so good. We are all entitled to our opinions but we should remember that EVERY horserace is a great race and that some horses may do better but NONE of them do worse.

LDP...I don't think Cocoa Beach should be HOY, I was just saying that by Whatever's logic she would be.

Happy holidays to all!

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

Monica V — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:32:40 GMT

As a Curlin fan, I am really looking forward to seeing his babies in about 3 years. I just know he will pass on his soundess and ability. He doesn't have bad feet or weak bones or was he prone to injury.

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

Draynay — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:27:09 GMT

Its been said that I have a hard time saying anything nice. Well that is not true. Jason I want to thank you for a well run board and wish you and your family a very happy Holiday Season. You have made this blog a interesting and fun place to offer our opinions and I want to thank you for letting us use this wonderful forum. However... when 2009 comes around you and others like you are going to go right back to knowing absolutely nothing about picking winners and all of you will have me to bow down to me... lol... I couldn't resist....sorry....

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

CURLINLOVER — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:48:24 GMT

Yes, there ARE a lot of CURLIN fans in this world! Accept it or don't read the blogs, Mike! You won't change the fact that we love CURLIN. You should have been at his retirement tribute! Oh ya! His fans love this magnificent horse. We always will, buddy, no matter what your opinion of that is. What right do you have to tell us that we're too many CURLIN fans? That's ludicrous. You can have your opinion; let us have ours and let's respect each others' favorites whether we personally like them or not. Aren't we all animal lovers? And horse lovers?

So to CURLIN!!!

And a happy new year to all the rest of you!

GO CURLIN!!!!!!!!

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

CURLINLOVER — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:46:28 GMT

I agree! Let's be kind to other people's favorites next year! There were great horses and great races this year together with sad moments. And exciting races. We're all race fans. Let's keep it that way! Happy holidays to all - even the contrary Dranay! Lighten up, buddy!

Thank you, jshandler!

GO CURLIN!!!!!

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

mike — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:34:30 GMT

They're way to many bandwagon Curlin fans in this world!!! Curlin was a great horse compared to competion. no better than Invasor who beat same type of competion but didn't lose 5 times in the process only once last time I checked. Invasor beat the best 3 year old either one faced in career in Berni. They both beat up on same type of horses and also had about the same speed numbers over there career. So anybody that wants to make Curlin into this Superhorse look at the horses that Cigar and Skip Away beat and look at their speed numbers their better than Curlin any day.

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

Jason Shandler — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:06:20 GMT

Thanks to everyone for contributing to this blog over the past year. It's been a lot of fun. I look forward to discussing the 3-year-olds on Triple Crown Talk beginning next month. I'll have one or two more posts on BC Chat before it switches over. Again, I appreciate everyone's comments, and like Melissa said, let's all try to be a little softer in 2009. You listening Dray??

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

Melissa — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:19:05 GMT

Dray,

I don't think it's some of us that have "no idea what we're talking about." I think it's a great difference in opinion, which is fine.

Merry Christmas, and here's to a kinder 2009 on Jason's blog!

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

Draynay — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:24:45 GMT

Lol... I hope you all have a great holiday - even all of you that have no idea what they are talking about. I look forward to 2009 so I don't have to talk about 2008 anymore. The words that will be coming out of my mouth in 2009 are Vineyard Haven, Indygo Mountain, and Square Eddie.

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

Melissa — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:08:36 GMT

Just ran back over all the comments... I completely agree w/having Proud Spell's Alabama up there! What a race... She is such a good filly... I sure hope they bring her back next year!

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

LDP — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:43:35 GMT

Nicely stated Barb, the only thing i'd change is Cocoa Beach being in HOY contention, next year may be the year though. As for now it's Zen and Curlin. Next year may end up being a fillies year, even more so than it was this year, unless a three year old steps up and proves to be a challenge, it's too early to tell.

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

LDP — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:38:05 GMT

Dray

quit trying to start fights. Whatever didn't even address you or anybody about, Curlin. All he/she did was state their oppinion. O, and honestly, BB faced nothing this year either, and ran to the turf when challenged by Curlin. In the turf race he ran against second tier older horses, just to say he ran against them. Tell me something, why did everyone, and you can go back and check posts on other racing sites, say before the DWC that Curlin was up against it and the field line up was so tough, and now everyone said that it was weak? Kinda hypocritical. Notice that Curlin is the only American horse this year to go out of the country and win. All the others failed. The only other horses that didn't embarass theirselves were the ones in the Dubai. Also your little Dutrow rehash of well Curlin didn't win the Derby, and lost the Belmont to a girl. For one RtoR was one of the best fillies to come around in a long time and would've knocked BB socks off, so it's no shame to say he lost to her in one of the most memorable stretch duals in recent years. BB on the other hand finished dead last. O if you want to try and say he was pulled up well guess what, with the way horse were passing him as he plummeted he would've finished last anyway. If i had my pick i'd want to fininsh second by a head instead of dead last in a field of nobodys. In the Derby Curlin was up against a ton more, and if you asked me had an even worse post. In a field of twenty he had 16 other horses waiting to bolt inside sadwiching him. BB may have had the outside post, but he had smooth sailing all the way, which is better than the nightmare of a trip Curlin had. Plus tell me what horse at the time was at their prime in the Derby that BB derby. Also, it's not Curlin's fault that he didn't ever face great competition, even though Einstien did flatter him by beating commentator a couple weaks ago, on dirt. PP also did a good job coming in a close second his last race. The point is Curlin went in open G1 races every time he ran, all year long. That means anybody, no matter who it is could face him. BB, on the other had only face older horses once, on turf, in a ungraded race, that no other horse was prepared for. Also not only did Curlin face open company each time his connections announced what races he would compete in way in advance, giving anybody time to take him on, and did they no. BB in 7 of eight starts face only 3yr olds, and in his last two start he face what would qualify as good allowence horses or G3 horses, ducking any race where he had a chance to lose. Curlin ducked nobody, his connections even diviated from what they believe was best, and what they wished to do, by going out to face BB, who scratched form the BCC. BB was brilliant, but never lived up to his potential, kinda like Smarty or AA, only in my oppinion they were better. Curlin did more than any horse this year, and more than BB ever thought about doing. You need to get over whatever little pathetic thing you have against horses, and at least show some respect towards him. Most on here even me will admit that BB was extremely good and talented,and deserved respect. The only one on here that refuses to aknowledge what is right is you, all you want to do is instigate fights, and shove your oppinion down everyones throat. Maybe you should think about what other might feel, instead of it being all about you you you and BB.

re: Top 10 Performances of 2008

barb — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:07:11 GMT

Whatever...Cocoa Beach ran on all three surfaces and won on dirt and turf and ran a very good second to Zenyatta on synthetic, so Curlin is not the only horse to have done so. Maybe it should be Cocoa Beach vs Zenyatta vs Curlin for HOY. And as to Raven's Pass and Henry...when the Dubai WC was run in March they were where all of the other promising 3 y/os were, prepping for the Classic races in their home countries. Just like the american 3 y/os...why aren't you knocking Big Brown for not running in Dubai? I agree that Curlin is in contention for HOY but your reasoning is flawed.