Preakness Build Up, Best Horses Ever
This is actually a post idea that I got from a comment on my Kentucky Derby review post of last week. Good ole Hyperion asked a darn fine question. Plus, I think I am going to cross post this post on the Monkey Barn, just to hear what Hyperion thinks.
Hyperion said...
I'm not a big horse racing guy, but I have been watching the Triple Crown religiously for 20 years. I'm curious what the best horse and horse races you have seen.
The best duels were with Easy Goer and Sunday Silence, late '80s I think. The best horse, hands-down, was Point Given. To this day I can't figure out why he lost the Derby (his only loss ever, I believe). Just didn't want to win that one. Man, did he dominate in the Preakness and Belmont
And of course, being Hyperion, he does bring up some great horses to look at. Though of course, me being the duck that I am, I am going to have to quibble just a little bit.
I have been watching races since the early 80s. I still remember winning my family Preakness pool when Forty Niner hit on the board. So, I have lots of races tucked away in my feathery brain.
The best horse ever of course is Secretariat. His Belmont performance was sheer and utter domination. But, Secratariat was even before my time.
The best horse I have ever seen in person was Smarty Jones, but that was not really in a race since it was his retirement workout at Philadelphia Park. By then, Smarty was ready to start shagging, not racing. So, best I have seen at the time would be a tough call, between Hyperion's Point Given and Afleet Alex. Both horses had inexplicable faults in the Kentucky Derby and then went out and won the last 2 parts of the Triple Crown races, stomping the pretenders that had managed to defeat them in the Derby. I would probably give the nod to Point Given, based on bloodlines and his price, but Afleet Alex was also damned special.
Best race ever? Even tougher call, probably because as I watch, I am so impressed by some performances. Afleet Alex stumbling at the start of the Preakness and then cruising to a win. Though the most crushing race in the Triple Crown races at least of my past, has to be Real Quiet losing to Victory Gallop by a nose at the Belmont. My heart just sunk.
And for uplifting, check out what Rags to Riches did in the Belmont last year. While the field was a tad overrated, a Filly winning like that against the Stallions is special.
Again, don't forget to look for a response at Monkey Barn.
5 comments:
you are absolutely right about Secretariat. and i DID see it. that was the most powerful animal i have ever seen and it was truly amazing...
smiles, bee
I'm old enough (egad) to remember Secretariat, and nothing comes close.
I also remember Seattle Slew and Affirmed, who won the Triple Crown in '77 and '78.
Spectacular Bid won the first two legs in '79, as did Funny Cide in 2003.
All great race horses.
Bee:It must have been something brilliant to witness
Anthony:I agree on all of those, except Funny Cide. A good horse, that was hyped by its great story
Never got into Horse racing much but I did get to ride a horse that was the grandson of Man O War when I was a kid. He went nice and slow :P
I watch the '73 Belmont at least once a month on You Tube. Secretariat just blows my mind. Did you know he still holds the record on two of the three Triple Crown tracks, and there is some indication he should hold it at the Preakness. (There is a dispute about the time there.)
Darky Spuck, you know way more than I do about horse racing, so I feel daunted in trying to craft an appropriate response, but I'll do my best.
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