Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Davids — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 02:57:53 GMT

I believe Horse of the Year should be won 'mathematically,' not emotionally. Points for Grade 1 races, Grade 2 and so forth down, with the BC, TC races having a few extra points.

How Slew O'Gold was out voted by All Along and Devil's Bag is still beyond my understanding. Can someone explain?

Allow all the parochialism, oddball quirkiness, or 'feel good' voting be expatiated in the various divisions.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

CHIEF PICAWINNA — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 20:35:55 GMT

You are correct robinm,I think all of them should stay in their catagories.A horse is a horse and a filly and mare are just that.I dont pay much attention to this popularity contest(HOY).I do think when a mare has a 20-19-1-0 career mark she is very special in my mind, I dont care if she only runs at home and on one surface for almost all her races.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Karen in Texas — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:08:17 GMT

robinm---I very much agree that Paynter may be compromised by the same "stressors" should he be returned to racing.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

robinm — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 08:09:21 GMT

Steve started this blog with "How crazy is this year's HOY picture?". How true! No horse is a "lock" at this point.

Chief Picawinna's comment regarding "horse" vs "colt" makes me think he may not have noticed that Hoy the past 3 years was awarded to a filly and 2 mares. Technically a "horse" is an entire male of 4 or over, but besides the recent run of wins by the fairer sex, several 3-yr old colts have won, even a couple of 2-yr olds. At this point, if none of the older horses step up with a significant win before the Breeders Cup AND win a BC race, IAH has as good a chance as any. Particularly if a 3-yr old wins the BCC, as long as the "what have you done for me lately" mentality doesn't rear it's ugly head, because clearly IAH was superior to any of the other 3-yr olds still running. That said, with 3 months and several big races still up for grabs, no way do I feel IHA is a "lock".

It's great to hear all the positive comments about Paynter and his "team". He looks to be well on the way to beating the odds; they are even talking about returning him to the races if he recovers fully. If he were mine, I would be very reluctant to put him back into the same conditions that may have contributed to his original illness. Maybe he can't handle the stress of racing, shipping, etc. It's clear Mr Zayat loves this horse and I'm sure he will do what he feels is best for him. I certainly hope mention will be made at the year-end awards ceremony; maybe in the form of a special award as, no matter how heroic a battle Paynter is waging against his illness, the award for 3-yr old colt is won on the track, or at least it should be and there are a numer of 3-yr olds with better race records than Paynter.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Greg R — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 03:49:50 GMT

Just occurs to me, how come no sprinter ever gets respect as Horse of the Year? If the contenders in other categories have fairly undistinguished, checkered records and there is a brilliant sprinter who pretty much runs the table in major stakes, why not? One could think of a few whose records in given years were more consistent and dominant than the actual HOY's those years.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Carlos in Cali — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:28:42 GMT

Ranagulzion

It seems like they're pointing Wise Dan to the BC Mile. I don't think they want to face proven 10f horses like Game On Dude or Ron The Greek.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

GunBow — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 05:31:27 GMT

I want to second the thoughts of others and express my admiration for Paynter and the Zayats.

The horse is showing great fight and the Zayats are demonstrating great compassion and love.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Paseana — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 02:54:44 GMT

Crikett Hoffman, a point system is NEVER going to work in horse racing. Horses are too unpredictable, and the very nature of the game makes races too unpredictable. It's Tricky nearly fell on her face at the start of the GI Personal Ensign a couple weeks ago and she actually took the lead turning for home, only to fade to third at the wire as much the best. A point system would say only that she finished third in that GI race....end of story.

A point system in polls is probably OK, but using points in real performance evaluation is unfair, and probably irrelevant to boot.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Ranagulzion — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 22:40:33 GMT

Carlos in Cali,

Wise Dan's HOTY chances are as good as any. If he can capture the Woodbine Mile, Breeder's Cup Classic and do an encore in the Clarke he'd have copped it ...don't you think? He's also the type that can set track records on any surface.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Paula Higgins — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 22:40:28 GMT

Yes Karen in Texas, I would certainly vote for that. But I do think the Eclipse people should consider something for the vet. and owners. Their committment to their horse is amazing. Reminds me of Barbaro, the Jacksons and Penn Vet.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Crickett Hoffman — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 20:48:00 GMT

Does anyone pay attention to Horse of the Year anymore? First there is no real competition. A horse gets slightly good and is gone. Good horses get injured and are gone. There are no champions. The voting is so subjective as to resemble voting for Homecoming Queen (who is the most popular horse in the barn this year?). The point system suggested in one of the comments would be fantastic. Just like the points system for Indy and NASCAR it would give you a little bit more to root for and a real champion would emerge.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Paseana — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 16:01:27 GMT

Thanks Tiznowbaby, for that correction. I had forgotten about Tabasco Cat, and as nice a horse as he was, Holy Bull certainly was a deserving winner of the 3yo Eclipse Award that year.

It's funny that I actually thought for a minute that Tiznow was another 3yo Eclipse winner under those same circumstances until I managed to remember that Fusaichi Pegasus DID NOT win the Preakness! Sometimes there's no accounting for brain cramps! LOL!

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Karen in Texas — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 15:11:17 GMT

Paula H.----An appropriate award for Paynter might be the Vox Populi for this year?

casey----Thanks for the reminder concerning the DIC. That can be deadly in and of itself. Team Paynter is fighting a huge battle and, yes, they have been very open about his condition.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

casey — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 03:03:04 GMT

At this point, I'll Have Another gets my vote. He beat the best 3 year olds (who says the horse has to beat older horses to win HOY?) IHA had what it takes to win the TC, but the tendon tear took care of that. I think the criteria needs to be set- If a horse wins the Classic, it shouldn't be an automatic HOY. It should be based on the body of work the horse has accomplished in the year.

I also think that there should be a special award for Paynter- he has fought, and continues to fight colitis, DIC and laminitis. His owners and vets have kept the racing fans up to date on his condition, have done what is best for the horse, keeping his needs and comfort foremost.

I hope the powers that be remember that the Classic isn't the only criteria. Remember that Zenyatta was passed over twice before finally receiving it.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Paula Higgins — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 01:24:05 GMT

Karen In Texas, you are so right about the Zayats. A wondeful thing to see. Dr. Laura is also one impressive vet. Totally dedicated to Paynter's care. I really think all involved, including Paynter, deserve special recognition at the Eclipse Awards this year.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Racingfan — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 00:41:29 GMT

I definitely feel I'll Have Another is Horse of the Year and I don't think any other can do enough to take it away from him. That being said, how sad is it Steve that you had to write about the lack of any real criteria that the voters must follow? Another thing going on in this sport that shows how fractured it is!

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

CHIEF PICAWINNA — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 23:46:36 GMT

Lunar Spook Im going to call you looney tunes are you sure your not someone we all know using a different screen name.Your pick salty strike was nowhere near the front when the winners hit the wire.Of course I picked Groupie Doll.No inventes tanto viejo,on paper there was the 10 as the pacesetter and the 7 as the closer.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Ranagulzion — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 21:49:45 GMT

Gun Bow,

I agree fully with your post 08 Sep 2012 5:15 AM. Trainer Ritvo has been too conservative with MMM.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Carlos in Cali — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 21:19:24 GMT

If Ron The Greek wins the JCGC,he should be the leading contender for HOY heading to the BC,hands-down.

Dual Classic winner I'll Have Another should only get it by default if the top older handicap horses fail to win their respective next races,including the BC.Let's not forget he only raced 4-times this year,The May 19th Preakness being his last race....

Fort Larned needs to win another Gr.I along with a victory in the BC Classic in order to take HOY honors,IMO.Ditto with To Honor And Serve,MMM and Game On Dude.Dullahan has a chance if he goes to the JCGC and wins along w/a victory in the BC Classic,but I doubt he'll go that route.

The Clarke might be the deciding factor if said horses dissapoint from here on...

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Tiznowbaby — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 20:34:11 GMT

Paseana,

Tabasco Cat won the 1994 Preakness and Belmont, but Holy Bull won the Eclipse for 3YO colt ()and HOY -- when he won Florida Derby, Blue Grass, Dwyer, Haskell, Travers, Woodward and Metro mile.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Sharon — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 18:43:27 GMT

No other horse has even come close to the accomplishments of I'll Have Another. Yes, he has been retired but even a Breeder's Cup win cannot outshine him. All of the best horses have been injured and retired with the exception of Paynter and he is ill. If HOY is based on a body of work for the year, it has to be I'll Have Another.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Karen in Texas — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 15:19:25 GMT

Thorn Song's story...

www.bloodhorse.com/.../thorn-song-gets-a-second-chance-at-life

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

Karen in Texas — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 15:14:38 GMT

HOY and 3y/o colt should be a lock for I'll Have Another, as Deacon says above, but lately the voters are doing some odd things. He is certainly deserving.

About Paynter...yes, he is showing a will to live and lots of fight, intangibles that all medical professionals can recognize and appreciate. Maybe this has already been mentioned, but the Zayats' commitment to their ill horses is on record. Remember Thorn Song? His laminitis was considered hopeless (although caused by injury) and the insurance company actually paid a claim for his loss/death, but he refused to die. The vets said Mr. Zayat called constantly, in tears, for updates. Thorn Song now stands at stud several years later.

PowerUpPaynter!

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

GunBow — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 09:48:53 GMT

In the era of Rachel, Zenyatta, and Havre de Grace, each of whom ran successfully against males, can Questing really be voted HoY without facing males?

Even if Questing wins out and takes the Beldame and BC Ladies Classic, would her resume be enough to overcome a dual classic winner who owns a total of 3 grade 1s and a grade 2?

Rachel, as a 3 year old filly, won the Kentucky Oaks by 20, the Mother Goose by 20, won the Haskell and Preakness over 3 year old males, and then beat older males in the Woodward. Questing's accomplishments would fall far short of that.

However, wins in the Beldame and BC Ladies Classic would at least put Questing in the ballpark of 02' HoY Azeri. Azeri was a 5-time grade 1 winner, and won her grade 1s in Cali, Arkansas, and Chicago. And there was a dual classic winner in 02, War Emblem, a horse that also won the gr.1 Haskell and the Illinois Derby(gr.2 or 3). But War Emblem also had bad losses in the Belmont, Pacific Classic, and BC Classic on his resume; IHA was a perfect 4 for 4.

re: Countdown to the Cup: Horse of the Year Follies

GunBow — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 09:28:59 GMT

Had I'll Have Another raced last year and accomplished the same things he did this year, he would have been HoY over Havre de Grace. And it wouldn't have been that close.

No disrespect, but Havre de Grace did some backing into the HoY last year. In early September of last year, Havre was coming off yet another loss to rival Blind Luck; for most writers, at that time Havre De Grace wasn't the #1 horse in North American, and she wasn't even the #1 older female.

However, because of that loss in the Del Cap, and with the realization that to even get the Older Female Eclipse over Blind Luck Havre would have to do something special, Porter and Jones threw caution to the wind and ran her in the Woodward. When she won it, it changed the debate vis-a-vis Blind Luck, because Blind Luck had never defeated males, and it thrust Havre squarely into the HoY debate.

A romp in the Beldame over star 3 year old filly, Royal Delta, consolidated Havre's position as pro-tem HoY, but Porter and Jones recognized that if any number of older males won the Classic, a win by Havre in the Ladies Classic might not be enough for HoY. And with the menory of Zenyatta going for HoY by running in the Classic fresh in everyone's minds, it was somewhat expected that for Havre to really seal the award she needed to face the best horses, not just female horses, in the Classic.

The irony is that if Drosselmeyer is not in the Classic field, Havre places with a 3rd, a rare achievement for a female in the Classic, but she probably loses HoY to Game on Dude(as winner of the Classic).