Eclipse Voting, 2011, Horse of the Year

Horse of the Year

    

     It is often with some degree of confusion that I approach consideration for the ultimate year end award, the Eclipse for Horse of the Year (HOY).  At least a portion of my confusion stems from a lack of consensus and direction as to what qualifications a horse must display to be a legitimate candidate for this award.

     For some, the vote should go to that horse who is felt to be the best horse to race in America in a given year, that horse who, if all reasonable candidates lined up in the gate, would prove victorious on the majority of occasions.  This seems like a reasonable starting point, but it opens the door to many questions.  At what distance would such a mythical race be run?  Six furlong sprint?   Perhaps a flat mile but, if so, around one turn or two?  Most would likely support the classic distance of 1¼ miles even though the majority of our major dirt races are run at 1 1/8^th  miles.  On what surface would we contest this race.  Dirt?  Turf?  Perhaps, just to be accommodating and meet in the middle, a synthetic, but which synthetic should we choose?

     Others might hold that the award should rightfully be awarded to that horse who has generated the greatest excitement within the racing year.  Often this may well coincide with the “best” horse proposition as outlined above, but not always so.  Even this year there are proponents of giving the HOY to that very fine animal, Rapid Redux, even though fully understanding that his actual racing ability is surpassed by a huge number of horses competing this season.  His supporters would argue, with at least some degree of veracity, that his contribution to the welfare of racing may well have exceeded that of any other individual horse in this past calendar year, such proponents appearing to give more credence to popularity and press coverage than to actual racing quality and capability.  Surely, however, there can be no serious support for such a movement, and nor should there be.

     Another qualification held by many, overtly or covertly, is that pure turf horses are still accorded status as second class race horses, but this truth bears several caveats.  If the animal at some point has demonstrated excellent dirt form in the highest level of competition, then co=existing predominant turf form could be over looked.  Further, if that turf horse excels at 1 ¼ miles and shorter this will be much more acceptable than that turf horse, no matter how successful, who excels at 1 3/8^th miles and beyond.  For many American racing enthusiasts the combination of turf and extreme distance spells plodder, and this carries relatively little respect in the North American racing culture compared with middle to classic distance on the dirt.

     How much emphasis should be given to end of year form versus early season form?  Should a grade 1 victory in April be as meaningful as a similar victory in October?  How much emphasis should participation and success in Breeder’s Cup races be given?  Does a Breeder’s Cup victory over an adversary trump two earlier season losses to that foe?  What preference, if any, is given to that female who chooses to take on the boys in the Breeder’s Cup as opposed to that lady who stays with her own and proves victorious?  Is such a victory out done by, for instance, a good 4^th place finish against the opposite sex?

     Such confusion infiltrates the HOY decision on many occasions while, thankfully, in other years the answer appears relatively simple and quite straight forward.  Over the years I have incorporated, often rather loosely, many formulations to come to my decision.  In essence, however, I believe the award should, unless exceptional circumstance dictates otherwise, be given to that horse, male or female, who is singularly most outstanding within their respective division.  The lone exception to this dictum, and I believe it justified, is that there is almost no case for a two year old being given racing’s most prestigious award, for there are too many elements about two year old racing that mitigate against such a practice.  By the end of the Juvenile season, a large proportion of the most talented youngsters have yet to have their first outing or, if they have started, lack adequate maturity to be competitive at the highest level.  Further it is the nature of success in two year old racing to reward not only precocity but also those whose form and capabilities lean towards speed or, at best, middle distance.  Those tending towards classicism, and thus those who are most probable to challenge for the most prestigious races in their 3 year old and subsequent years, will frequently emerge late in their Juvenile season or only early in their Sophomore year, and thus are never recognized until later in their careers.  To give our highest award to a two year old, therefore, bodes likely to prove folly within a few short months.  For every Secretariat there will prove far too numerous disappointments to consider this path.

      With this preamble in mind, therefore, I have perused the numerous champions I have selected and will summarize my selections now:

    

          Two Year Old Male                    Hansen

          Two Year Old Female                 My Miss Aurelia

          Three Year Old Male                  Caleb’s Posse

          Three Year Old Female               Royal Delta

          Older Male                                  Game On Dude

          Older Female                               Havre de Grace

          Male Turf                                    Cape Blanco (IRE)

          Female Turf                                 Starcelita (FR)

          Male Sprinter                               Amazombie

          Female Sprinter                           Hilda’s Passion

      Of these, I felt there were three who stood apart from the others and deserved serious  consideration for our ultimate award, these three being Royal Delta, Cape Blanco (IRE), and Havre de Grace.

     In years past we have witnessed 3 year old fillies dominate by year end, often sending their older brethren to inglorious defeat in the season finale of the Breeder’s Cup.  On this occasion there can be little doubt about the dominance by Royal Delta within the sophomore filly class, and without question she is most worthy of the Eclipse in her division.  She however, along with all the competitors in the Ladies’ Classic, benefited greatly by the absence of Havre de Grace, this filly competing instead the following day in the Breeder’s Cup Classic where she confronted the males.  Although Royal Delta dominated her field in the Ladies’ Classic, having previously fallen to defeat by 8 widening lengths at the hands (or should we say, feet?) of Havre de Grace in the Beldame a mere one month earlier unfortunately made it illogical to consider Royal Delta as a legitimate candidate for the HOY honor.  She is an outstanding filly with tremendous natural stamina and she is in the best possible hands with Bill Mott.  She appears to have limitless potential and perhaps we shall be fortunate enough to see her again face Havre de Grace in this forthcoming racing season.

     In my writing on the Male Turf category I expounded upon my great respect for the brilliant, but abbreviated, campaign of Ireland’s Cape Blanco.  His outstanding victories, particularly in the face of three separate trans-Atlantic flights, had initially placed him in the forefront of my mind when considering the HOY award.  With further review, however, I came to recognize that the Gio Ponti behind Cape Blanco (IRE) on two occasions this season was just not quite the same Gio Ponti of another year, for as wonderful as Gio was it appears near certain that he had lost a step or two from his previous championship form.  Further, Dean’s Kitten, narrowly defeated by Cape Blanco (IRE) in all three of the latter’s North American starts, could fare no better than a very soundly beaten (15 lengths) ninth and last in the Breeder’s Cup Turf.  Thus, while most deserving of the Turf title, those he defeated in his three grade 1 wins did not fare well in their final tests and this, unfortunately, most definitely takes some luster from his victories.

     My HOY Eclipse for 2011 (if I had a vote) would most definitely go to the outstanding filly, Havre de Grace, thereby making it three consecutive years that a female has won this coveted award.  I have heard it said that interest in the HOY Eclipse this year wanes in comparison to the two past years, and that the resume of this years winner, whoever that might be, is destined to pale in comparison to Zenyatta in 2010 and Rachel Alexandra in 2009.  First, lets be very clear on this…the resume’s of many HOY recipients will pale in comparison to those two very special fillies!  We should understand them for what they were…two of the greatest females to ever race in the entire history of the American turf.  To have a resume somewhat less than they is no disgrace at all.  That said, there is nothing at all shabby about the year’s work put in by Havre de Grace.  She was undefeated by any filly this year with the exception of a nose loss to last year’s champion sophomore filly, the great Blind Luck, this defeat coming in the taxing 1 ¼ mile Delaware Handicap.  Bear in mind that Havre de Grace was giving 2 pounds to her adversary on this occasion, this differential in most minds computing to a one or two length victory for Havre de Grace at even weights over the 1¼ mile distance.  Further, in her only meeting with this year’s probable champion sophomore filly, Royal Delta, she handily defeated that exceptional filly by a widening 8½ lengths while winning in hand.  She stepped up against the boys in the G1 Woodward at Saratoga and very handily defeated the likes of the very good Flat Out and Ice Box in that victory, winning comfortably by 1¼ lengths, in so doing becoming only the second female to win the Woodward, the other being of course the aforementioned Rachel Alexandra.  Finally, bypassing almost certain victory in the Ladies’ Classic, she stepped into the ring with the males in the Breeder’s Cup Classic.  While perhaps not at her very best that day, her fourth place finish, defeated by only 3 lengths, represented a wonderful effort, and she left in her wake that evening many highly accomplished males. 

     I see absolutely nothing deficient at all with this outstanding resume and, in fact, I am convinced that Havre de Grace is of such quality as to belong with the best females that have graced our racetracks in many years.   Could she defeat Rachel at 11/8^th miles, or Zenyatta at 1¼ miles?  I don’t know about that but suspect it unlikely, for such would be an extremely tall order for any horse, male or female, of this or any other generation.  I have absolutely no doubt, however, that when it was over they’d know they’d been in one hell of a horse race!  I have no understanding as to why we have been so blessed with such wonderful distaffers over these past several decades.  While it appears true that, on average, our colts have failed to consistently excel to the level of performance we witnessed throughout the seventies, eighties and nineties, the same most definitely cannot be said about the fillies and mares.  It seems we always have one or two, or even more, exceptionally talented, very consistent, females competing, and wonderful rivalries have emerged from this good fortune.

     Blessed are the Ladies!  Move over Rachel, move over Zenyatta!  Put on the coffee, pull another chair up to the table, and call a meeting of your most special club, “The Society of Ladies for Horse of the Year!”  There’s another pretty darned special lady joining your exclusive party, and they call her Havre de Grace!  Around here, I call her Horse of the Year!

by

Murray D. West

January 15, 2011

     

        

     The following photos of Havre de Grace were taken on the morning of 10-24-2011 at Keeneland, on the occasion of this filly working 5/8ths mile in 58.4.  On board was Gabriel Saez, the lady leading Havre de Grace in the pink sweater is Cindy Jones, and the man with the riding chaps on is trainer Larry Jones.  I do not know the names of the groom nor hotwalker.  All photos by Murray West.

    

        

                 

      

Cindy Jones, Gabriel Saez, and Larry Jones studying the monitor of the overhead cam used by Saez during the work

Havre de Grace checking Gabriel Saez's camera, up close and personal

     

Eclipse Voting, 2011, Male and Female Sprint

Male Sprinter

     In considering the three finalists for this category, it became clear that my concept of what type of horse qualified for this title may no longer be correct.  A review suggests that, depending upon which qualifications are emphasized, any of the three finalists could rightfully be anointed as champion. 

     If one is looking for the most outstanding sprinter competing exclusively upon turf, and at the classic turf sprinting distances of from 5 to 6 ½ furlongs, then there can be no doubt that Regally Ready is clearly the most outstanding horse in such a consideration.  With 9 starts at 5 different racing facilities, and an outstanding resume of 6 wins and 2 thirds including G1 wins in the Nearctic at Woodbine and the Breeder’s Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill, this 4 year old gelded son of More Than Ready stands unchallenged as the turf sprint champion…but is that what champion “Male Sprinter” has traditionally implied?

     

Regally Ready, post parade for Breeder's Cup Turf Sprint

Regally Ready, Breeder's Cup Turf Sprint

Regally Ready, mid stretch, Breeder's Cup turf Sprint

     

Regally Ready

     If, on the other hand, one is searching for the most outstanding middle distance horse in America, that horse excelling at the challenging sprint distances of 6 ½ to 7 furlongs, with the capability of stretching that quality an extra furlong against the best company, then Caleb’s Posse would be the man.  With 5 victories in ten outings, he clearly showed his ability at the “longer” sprints in both the G2 Amsterdam and the G1 Kings Bishop at 6 ½ and 7 furlongs respectively, winning these contests with authority and in most impressive times.  He then concluded his season with a resounding and most emphatic victory in the G1 Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile against a star studded field of “middle distance” horses.  Interestingly, however, he never competed at the North American traditional sprint distance of 6 furlongs, and it is apparent that his connections made a conscious decision to stretch out to the mile rather than drop back to the ¾ mile distance and challenge the “pure” sprinters.  A very consistent colt of much quality, he too fails to fulfill the requirements of what has historically been accepted when contemplating our champion in this arena.  Had he contested and proved victorious in the Breeder’s Cup Sprint he would be champion without question.  That he did not so compete begs the question of whether even his connections had confidence that he was capable of defeating the best sprinters at the distance of their strength.  If we had an award for “Best Miler,” he’d likely be our boy…but we don’t.

    

Caleb's Posse

     

Caleb's Posse, Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile

Caleb's Posse

Caleb's Posse, authoratiative win in Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile

     This brings us now to Amazombie, a tough and gutty five year old whose stellar career defines “American sprinter.”  With 9 outings this season, he competed at distances from 6 to 7 furlongs, only once stretching to 7 ½ furlongs and that against state bred competition.  His aggressive running style resulted in his disqualification in the G3 Los Angeles Handicap when, boxed behind a wall of horses in mid-stretch, he created his own opening as he forged to victory.  While his antics indeed cost him the garland, they also demonstrated to all that this was a horse to be reckoned with.  Not only very fast, he demonstrated this day his great will to win and the heart of a champion.  A narrow loss to the excellent Euroears was followed by a decisive victory in the G1 Ancient Title, this in turn setting him up perfectly for his highly impressive victory in the G1 Breeder’s Cup Sprint.  Taking on the very best of the North American sprinters in that contest, he prevailed in a taxing stretch drive, in so doing authoritatively defeating all other serious contenders for the sprinting crown.

     

Amazombie, Breeder's Cup Sprint

Amazombie, winner Breeder's Cup Sprint

Amazombie in hard fought victory in Breeder's Cup Sprint

     All three finalists are outstanding horses, each is worthy of accolades in their area of dominance.  In my opinion, however, the horse who best fulfills the tradition of the American sprinter, raw speed on the dirt at 6 furlongs, and thus most deserving of the Eclipse, is California’s Amazombie.

Female Sprinter

     Our trio of finalists for this award is an accomplished group, of diverse background and running style, each of whom has a solid claim to this year’s Eclipse. 

     In one, Hilda’s Passion, we see the brilliance of that animal who, bursting from the gate, seeks to immediately grasp and control her race, throwing at her opposition blistering fractions with disdainful ease, blasting opening quarters in 22 flat, halves in 44 and change then, ears pinned flat to head, finishes with ferocity as she widens in the stretch, literally running her opposition to defeat with her exceptional cruising speed.  When she was a the top of her game she appeared untouchable, and her speed figures of 107 in the Vagrancy and 109 in the Inside Information topped those of any other sprinting female this year. 

     

Hilda's Passion, Keeneland, 10-23-2010, winning Lexus Raven run

Hilda's Passion, Keeneland

Hilda's Passion, Corey Lanerie up, after winning Keeneland's Lexus Raven Run

     

     After opening her 2011 campaign with a fast closing second at Gulfstream in January, she converted back to her front running style, in so doing rolling off two graded stakes wins at that Florida track in highly impressive fashion.  Next taking on a fellow Eclipse finalist, Sassy Image, in the G1 Humana Distaff, early fractions of 22.1 and 44.3 here took their toll, the latter filly running Hilda down in the long Churchill stretch.  Not to be forgotten nor ignored, however, is the fact that Sassy Image was in receipt of 4 pounds in this encounter, 122 to 118, and while perhaps not quite enough to explain a 3 length margin, equal weights could most certainly have found them sniffing noses at the wire. 

  

     In this regard I will take this opportunity to momentarily digress and cast opinion on the issue of weight differential in graded stakes.  If a horse lacks the quality and ability to win a Grade 1 race without benefit of a weight concession then that horse is not deserving of such accolade.  Grade 1 races should be contested, not as weighted handicaps, but at equal weights, for such races are our premier racing events, and as such should allow us the opportunity to witness those claiming to be “the best” competing as equals, with victory or defeat determined by the talent of the horse, the skill of the rider, and the vagaries of racing luck.  Such races should not influenced by undue advantage nor disadvantage imposed by the opinion of man. It is senseless to punish our most outstanding animals for previous success while heaping concessions upon those less accomplished.  Further, the weight carried by all contestants in such a contest should be such as to impose a challenge to all.  For males, 3 years and up, 126 pounds is a well established standard and would appear very acceptable, but for select races, if so desired, the impost for all could be increased to 130 or thereabouts to allow opportunity for today’s horses to prove themselves as one with the weight carriers of old.  For the ladies, when competing within their own sex group, I see no problem with a standard of 126 pounds, but would not argue about a lesser weight of 123 pounds, but in truth find no need for this (Weaker sex, indeed!  I don’t think so!).  Similarly, Grade 2 and 3 races should also have fixed upper weight limits and, if any weight differential is allowed, it must be minimal.  For consideration, perhaps a Grade 2 race might impose a top weight of 124 pounds with no runner receiving more than 2 pounds (ie 122) from the top weighted horses; for a Grade 3, consider top weight of 122 pounds and no weight concession greater than 3 pounds (ie 119).  The message here must become that being a graded stakes winner implies a very real accomplishment.  If you want to run with the big boys, you’re going to have to earn it!

    

     Now back to Hilda.  Her 2^nd place finish in the Humana was followed by an outstanding victory in the Vagrancy at Belmont, where she received a 107 Beyer while blasting 6 ½ furlongs in 1:14.4.  This effort was followed with her only sub par performance of the year as she never really got involved in the Bed o’ Roses, finishing a very lack luster 6^th, her performance so out of character as to strongly suggest major issues were at play that day.  Regardless, like the best so often do, she bounced back off that effort to put on a dazzling performance in the G1 Ballerina at Saratoga.  Left in her wake that day was the aforementioned Sassy Image.  Like Hilda in her race before, Sassy Image’s performance was so poor that day as to require explanation.  This was soon forth coming with the announcement that she had come out of the race with ankle chips, this necessitating surgery and a conclusion to her 2011 campaign.  Hilda’s performance, however, stands on its own merit as one of the most brilliant races put in by any horse this season, and was so dominant as to leave one wondering if any filly, regardless of circumstance, was going to able to challenge her on this day.  Anticipating a great performance in the Breeder’s Cup Sprint, it was thus with much dismay that we soon became advised that Hilda too was finished for the year, having sustained a condylar fracture either during the running of the Ballerina or shortly thereafter.  Her retirement from racing was soon announced, and she was subsequently sold as a broodmare prospect at Keeneland November.

     

Hilda's Passion, G1 Humana Distaff, Churchill Downs, May 2011

G1 Humana distaff mid stretch, Sassy Image (#1) about to overtake Hilda's Passion (#7)

     Sassy Image came back from an 11 month lay off in January of this year with a good 2^nd place effort in a 100K optional claimer.  Her next start disappointed, but by her 3^rd outing she again had the game figured out, taking on and soundly defeating Hilda’s Passion in the G1 Humana Distaff as discussed previously.  Staying at Churchill, the G3 Wining Colors proved a hard fought victory, setting her up beautifully for the G1 Princess Rooney at Calder, where she put forth a devastating closing kick in the final furlong to run down Musical Romance and win going away, even while giving Musical Romance a weight concession of 7 pounds, 124 to 117, this making her victory all that more impressive.  Her final start was a much anticipated second meeting with Hilda’s Passion in the G1 Ballerina, on this occasion equally weighted with her adversary at 122 pounds.  As discussed, the gods of racing once again proved unkind to this outstanding filly as injury prevented her from being competitive in this outing.  An ankle chip, discovered after the race, was surgically removed and the hope is that she will return next season to again display her brilliance.  With only 2 starts in 2010, followed by an 11 month lay off, and only 6 outings this year, one wonders about the wisdom of again asking the question of this very talented but unfortunately injury prone filly.  With two grade 1 victories in her resume, and with a demonstrated unfortunate predilection to unsoundness, perhaps prudence might suggest enough is enough.  Carefully selecting her partner while considering her strengths and weaknesses, it follows that caution might recommend her next outing should be a date with some amorous young stud in the breeding shed!

     

Sassy Image, G1 Humana Distaff, Churchill Downs, May 2011

Sassy Image, G1 Humana Distaff

Sassy Image pulls off from Hilda's Passion while in receipt of 4 #, G1 Humana Distaff, May 2011

     While the first two candidates saw their seasons terminated by the wrath of unsoundness, Musical Romance proved just the opposite.  A pillar of strength, this newly turned 5 year old mare has faced the starter now 33 times in her outstanding career, with totals of 9 wins, 5 seconds and 7 thirds.  While always a very nice filly, it was not until the 2011 season, however, that she found her best stride and subsequently stepped out of the minors and into the “Majors.”  With 14 starts this year she exceeds by one the combined total of starts in 2011 of the other two candidates.  The first 8 of these starts followed her previous fashion of running in smaller stakes in southern Florida, always avoiding the more accomplished sprinters when they invaded to challenge for the more prestigious races.  However, after putting together back to back wins in such smaller stake races, the connections of this filly felt the time was ripe to challenge the “big girls,” and she thus made a quantum leap when she stepped to the plate for the G1 Princess Rooney.  Acquitting herself admirably, she missed narrowly to Sassy Image, just failing to hold that one off, although it must here be noted that she was in receipt of a rather large gift of 7 pounds from the winner.  With confidence surrounding this filly now at an all time high, two more starts at Calder were followed by her first excursion outside of Florida, when she went to Presque Isle Downs and narrowly won the G2 Masters in a driving finish.  Here she was again the beneficiary of weight concessions, receiving a minimal 1 pound from the 2^nd place finisher but an imposing 7 pounds from the 3^rd place finisher, the very good Shotgun Gulch, who in spite of this handicap was defeated by only 3/4^th of a length for all the money.  A trip to Keeneland for the G2 Thoroughbred Club of America proved that her recent form was very legitimate.  Here Musical Romance was narrowly defeated for the win while tenaciously holding off the outstanding Switch for 2^nd money.  While her form was clearly rapidly improving, and she had now demonstrated her ability against top class sprinters outside of Florida, she was nonetheless allowed to go off at 20:1 for the Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.  She rewarded her backers with an extraordinary effort, charging from just off the pace to grasp victory by a convincing 1½ lengths, the nose of Switch once again being tickled by her tail, and this time at equal weights with the entire field.  It took quite some doing, and the road was twisting, but Musical Romance ultimately proved victorious in the biggest, and arguably most prestigious, race of the season.

     

Musiical Romance, Keeneland paddock, TCA 10-8-2011

Musical Romance, Keeneland 10-8-2011, Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes

Musical Romance, Churchill Downs, Wed AM, 11-2-2011

Musical Romance 11-2-2011 Churchill Downs

Musical Romance

Musical Romance, post parade, G1 Breeder's Cup Female Sprint

Musical Romance, winning G1 Breeder's Cup Female Sprint, 11-4-2-11

Musical Romance, winner G1 Breeder's Cup Female Sprint

     The toughest and most durable of these three is most certainly Musical Romance, and without doubt she did the win the big one.  However, while she was toiling in lesser arenas the other two were trading blows with the heavyweights of the division, clashing time after time with the best and doing so with predictable brilliance.  Further, while she did win the Sprint at equal weights, her other major victories occurred with significant weight concessions, sometimes as much as 7 pounds and, on the occasion of the G1 Princess Rooney, she was defeated by Sassy Image while in receipt of this weight, suggesting to me that the latter was clearly her superior.  Finally, through no fault of her own, it is a fact that neither Sassy Image nor Hilda’s Passion were physically able to contest the Breeder’s Cup Sprint, and Musical Romance was thus denied the opportunity to demonstrate that her improvement in form was such that she was now superior to her main adversaries.  I am of the opinion that it is unlikely she would have defeated either of them at their best.  For these reasons I find I cannot give her my support for the Eclipse based upon her one brilliant effort in the Sprint while the other two finalists showed sustained excellence throughout the season.

     Separating the remaining two is difficult.  Sassy Image had the better of Hilda in the G1 Humana, but did receive a 4 pound weight advantage.  In essence, from a talent perspective, such a weight differential makes that contest almost a draw.  In their only other head to head encounter this season Hilda prevailed in a breathtaking victory but, in truth, Sassy Image had no chance to compete, clearly having been injured during or prior to the running of the race and was effectively eased down the stretch.  At her best, Hilda’s Passion gave every impression that she was the fastest female sprinter in America this year, boasting the two highest Beyers among the ladies throughout this season.  Her victories in the Inside Information, the Vagrancy, and the Ballerina were spectacular, and I believe exceeded the best efforts of the other contenders this year.  With little to separate them, my Eclipse goes to Hilda’s Passion, a winner by the narrowest margin over the outstanding Sassy image.                       

    

        

                 

      

    

    

Eclipse Voting, 2011, Male and Female Turf Champion

Male Turf Horse

     It strikes me that coinciding with the stallion success of Medaglia d’Oro and Kitten’s Joy, both sons of the outstanding turf and stamina influence, El Prado, that considerably more interest is now being taken in turf racing.  Successful turf horses in the past were given little serious consideration as stallion prospects and, as such, there was less focus and interest in turf races, serving as outlets for horses who were deemed unsuited for dirt success or, perhaps as last options, for horses richly endowed with stamina but woefully lacking in inherent speed and turn of foot, horses less than affectionately referred to as “plodders.” In fact, one of my favorite old friends still delights in saying, “Ah, he’s running on the turf.  They must have given up on him!”  Not the case anymore, if ever.  With synthetic surfaces now a fixture at major racing venues around the country (synthetics…now that’s a topic for another time) and the demonstrated frequent successful transition from that surface to turf, along with the aforementioned stallion success of the El Prado line, interest in American turf racing has become widespread.  Without doubt we lag behind the rest of the world in our breeding and development of American Thoroughbreds who can compete at the highest level on the lawn, and similarly it is increasingly accepted that there exists a great need to introduce classic stamina back into our pedigrees.  Recognition and concern about these issues will, I hope, see increased popularity of, and stallion opportunity for, those colts who have indeed proved themselves more than capable of competing at the international level on the turf, particularly at the classic distances from 1¼ to 1½ miles.  Lest we forget, it was not all that long ago that such influences were imported from Europe, proved very successful here in America, and have made great contributions to our American Thoroughbred.  I recall the immensely important stallions, Nasrullah, Blenheim II, Mamhoud, and Ribot, just to name a few.  It is impossible to imagine our breed without these influences and they, to a horse, were European turf horses who demonstrated success at the classic distances.

     

El Prado at Aedena Springs, 2007

El Prado, 2007

     Turning attention now to this year’s Eclipse for Male Turf Horse, we find several legitimate candidates.  One who I fear is not, but who shall be briefly mentioned for his tremendous contributions, is the marvelous Gio Ponti.  Without doubt one of the finest runners to grace the North American racing scene, and such a worthy Eclipse recipient in the past, this season found him appearing to have lost a step or two, such loss at the highest level of competition making the difference between victory and defeat.  Indeed, with a single victory this year (G1 Shadwell Mile), he sustained narrow losses in the G1 Manhattan, Man o’ War, and Arlington Million Stakes, and just failed to sustain his bid in his career finale, the Breeder’s Cup Turf Mile, in which he finished a narrowly beaten 4^th.  Out of respect for what he has given to racing, I like to think that in a previous year those narrow defeats become victories and we would again be speaking of yet another Eclipse for this grand old man.  Not to be, I regret to say.  Surely, however, if any horse deserves to be supported in the stud this grand looking specimen, who retired sound, is such an individual.  For those who remain reluctant to favor a “grass horse,” you are reminded of his thrilling Breeder’s Cup Classic where he fell victim to the amazing Zenyatta.  So, it is clearly apparent, this old fellow wasn’t too shabby on the dirt as well!  All horses, I suspect, have their favorite surfaces and track conditions.  The very best, however, give their all on any surface, and  Gio Ponti was one of the very best!

     

Gio Ponti, Wednesday 11-2-2011, Churchill Downs

Gio Ponti, 2011, November 2011, Castleton Lyons Farm

Gio Ponti, November 2011

     

     With a victory in the Breeder’s Cup Turf Mile, Courageous Cat could have made a case for championship honors.  His form, although with limited starts, was of the highest quality.  Behind a wall of horses in the Mile as they turned into the stretch, and running just off the outside flank of Goldikova, the needed hole opened and he was gunned to that opening.  At the same instant, Olivier Peslier on Goldikova jerked that one off the rail and accelerated into the same hole, in so doing literally annihilating Courageous Cat, it being all he could do not to go down.  He was quickly struck again by another  from the inside, ricochetting like a billiard ball and, having lost all chance at a placing, was eased by jockey Patrick Valenzuela to finish a very distant last, this outcome in no way giving any indication of his effort nor talent.  It is entirely within the realm of possibility had he not been so violently impeded that he would have been at the forefront of the charge to the wire.  I am a great fan of Goldikova, but how she was not disqualified is beyond reasoning. Had she been any other horse there is no doubt in my mind that she would have been officially placed behind Courageous Cat.  Thus, through no fault of his own, this fine colt lost all chance in the Mile and at the Eclipse award.  He deserved better.

     

Courageous Cat

     

Courageous Cat

     In the aforementioned Breeder’s Cup Turf Mile, the unlikely Court Vision emerged victorious by the narrowest of noses, desperately holding on as Turallure swept by him one jump past the wire.  This win represented his only placing, never mind victory, in the 2011 season.  A wonderful time to run the race of your life, but not nearly enough for serious consideration for the ultimate turf award.

     

Court Vision, unlikely winner of Breeder's Cup Turf Mile

Court Vision after victory in Turf Mile

  

     The same could not be said for the steel grey Turallure, he coming into the Turf Mile with 3 wins and 2 second place finishes in 6 outings.  Victories included the G2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga over Get Stormy and the G1 Woodbine Mile over a grand field including both Courageous Cat and Court Vision.  The Breeders’s Cup Mile found him running last early, as is his norm, with Court Vision to his outside.  Approaching the far turn, and with the real running now getting under way, he had nowhere to go as the inside failed to open up.  Jockey Julien Leparoux was thus forced to patiently wait while Court Vision began his run on the outside and it was only after the latter had cleared him that he was safely able to swing the beautiful grey to the outside and mount his charge, precious distance having been sacrificed by this forced delay.  Following Court Vision down the middle of the track, and with all eyes appropriately on Goldikova as she attempted to win her 4^th consecutive Mile, Turallure relentlessly closed on Court Vision as both quickly closed the gap on the leaders.  Surging to the lead, the two struck the wire in tandem in a highly dramatic finish, with Leparoux immediately celebrating a victory that the camera proved not to be.  Thus, in a brilliant effort the colt came up a nose short, a nose that may well have cost him not only the Breeder’s Cup glory but quite possibly also the Turf Eclipse .

     

Turallure, Wednesday morning, 11-2-2011

Turallure

     

Turallure

Turallure

     The Breeder’s Cup Turf at 1½ miles has traditionally been dominated by our European friends, successes by our own being notable by their rarity.  This year’s running proved no exception, and the excitement surrounding the victory by St. Nicholas Abbey (IRE) was made all the more special as that one was brilliantly piloted by Joseph O’Brien, he then becoming the youngest rider to win a Breeder’s Cup race and, to add drama to the moment, also the son of the remarkable Irish conditioner, Aidan O’Brien.  His form this season had shown him competitive with the best of the Europeans, as close finishes with Canford Cliffs and Workforce would attest and a win in the G1 Coronation Cup over Midday would confirm.  His victory in the Breeder’s Cup Turf was compelling, leaving a field replete with G1 winners in his wake.  Time may well see this victory serve as a catalyst for this impressive looking colt to go on to even greater successes in the forth coming year if, indeed, it is determined to keep him in training.  This isolated victory, however, is not enough to grant him serious consideration for our ultimate turf award.

     

St. Nicholas Abbey (IRE)

St. Nicholas Abbey (IRE) after victory in Turf

St. Nicholas Abbey (IRE)

St. Nicholas Abbey (IRE)

In an earlier discussion pertaining to Older Male Horse, I documented my admiration for the wonderful season put in by Acclamation, and the reader is asked to review that commentary.  In now considering him as a candidate for champion turf horse, clearly my previous comments pertaining to lack of dirt form have no bearing in this current discussion.  His excellent turf resume this year is hindered only be his lack of racing outside his home state of California.  That granted, his form was nothing short of outstanding.  With 3 G1 victories, of which one was on synthetic, complemented by 2 compelling G2 victories, his is a very strong argument for championship honors.

     The final candidate to be considered in this category must of course be the remarkable Cape Blanco (IRE).  This chestnut son of the great Galileo (IRE) began this season with a hard fought one length loss in the G1 Dubai World Cup, and great expectations I’m sure surrounded this colt as the European season began.  One month later found him facing the starter at Longchamp in the G1 Prix Ganay, where he took command and led to the furlong marker and begrudgingly gave way in the final yards before the wire.  Returning six weeks later in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot, he failed to give his usual performance, leading to the 3 furlong marker whereupon he is reported to have readily given way while finishing well beaten.  At this point trainer Aidan O’Brien made the decision to bring this colt to America and it was at this time his season turned around dramatically.  In the G1 Man o’ War at Belmont he faced a stellar field.  Racing just off the lead, he assumed control in the stretch and prevailed by a comfortable 2½ lengths, with the American hope Gio Ponti a well beaten second.  Returning to Ireland between races, he again made the flight across the Atlantic, this time bedding down at Arlington park for the Arlington Million, where he once again bested Gio Ponti by 2½ lengths, with Dean’s Kitten missing place money by a neck.  Once more Cape Blanco was returned to Ireland, and once more he used his frequent flyer miles, returning for the third time in three months to North America, again to the now familiar confines of Belmont Park in New York, where he was called upon again to face a very fine field in the G1 Turf Classic.  Once again stalking the leader in the early going, he assumed the lead and again appeared on his way to a dominating victory. On this occasion, however, rather than accelerating and disposing of his competition, his lead began to narrow as the ever improving Dean’s Kitten made a strong run down the stretch.  While appearing to not be the same as in his two previous outings, he nevertheless fought back with great courage, in so doing managing to prevail by a diminishing nose.  It was only in the aftermath of this dramatic finish that it was determined that he had made his stretch run while competing with a fore limb fracture, assuredly sustained at some point during the running of the race.  Sadly, it was determined that the injury was career ending.  The silver lining to this tragedy, often sought and seldom found, was revealed when it was announced that Cape Blanco (IRE) would be retired to Ashford Stud in Kentucky, thereby for the first time making the gene pool of the fabulous Galileo (IRE) readily available to North American breeders.

     

Cape Blanco at Ashford Stud

Cape Blanco

     So, who to choose?  For me, it narrows to Acclamation and Cape Blanco (IRE), both multiple G1 winners, both outstanding in their endeavors.  One, however, was never allowed to test his talents against the other major turf horses in the country, his entire season being restricted to racing against local horses in Southern California.  No fault of the horse, quite obviously, but not faring well when compared with the globe trotting campaign of Cape Blanco (IRE), with outings in Dubai, France, and England, plus three separate trans-Atlantic excursions to take on all challengers in three of our greatest and most historic turf events and, in so doing, twice defeating our reigning turf champion, the marvelous Gio Ponti.  With great respect for Acclamation and all that he did with his opportunities, the Eclipse must clearly go to Ireland’s Cape Blanco!

Female Turf Horse

     Well, work has again interfered with pleasure, thereby forcing my computer to be idle while I toiled to earn my daily bread.  Meanwhile, the finalists for the Eclipse Awards have been announced, with 3 horses from each category remaining for consideration. 

     It had been my intent to give a brief discourse on several very fine ladies whom I fully realized were very unlikely Eclipse winners but, by virtue of their 2011 campaigns, deserved brief recognition.  Such deserving females included Aruna, Nahrain (GB), Together (IRE), Winter Memories, Midday (GB), and Sarafina (FR).  Each of these exceptional fillies or mares proved worthy of at least brief consideration for varying reason.

     Aruna came into the Filly and Mare Turf off an impressive win in the G1 Spinster, this following an excellent 2^nd to Zagora in the G1 Diana at Saratoga.  A troubled trip in the Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Turf found her behind a wall of horses in the stretch, having to take up when attempting her run, yet still finishing a fast closing 5^th while beaten only 1 length for all the money, in so doing finishing ahead of 2 of the announced finalists.  

     

Aruna, Wednesday 11-2-2011, gallop on Churchill turf

Aruna

Aruna

Aruna, post parade for Filly and Mare Turf

     Nahrain (GB) came from overseas sporting an undefeated record of 4 wins in as many efforts, including a G1 victory over Announce (GB), the highly regarded filly who was an unfortunate track (vet) scratch immediately before the race because of a minor accident behind the gate.  Nahrain (GB) proved her exceptional quality while finishing an excellent 2^nd in the Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Turf and, had she held on for the victory, she like Aruna would have been in contention for top honors. 

     

Nahrain (GB), brilliant 3 yr old filly with exceptional ability, F Dettori up...excellent 2nd in Filly and Mare Turf

Announce (GB), very highly regarded 4 yr old filly, late scratch at gate because of accident resulting in minor laceration

     Together (IRE) put together an exceptional pair of races at Keeneland this fall, finishing a closing 2^nd against older fillies and mares in the G1 First Lady, then swinging back one week later to post a most impressive victory against her own age group while winning the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.  These two closely timed races proved a testament not only to this filly’s very obvious talent but also to the training skills and acumen of her brilliant trainer, Aidan O’Brien.  

     

Together (IRE) in Keeneland paddock prior to victory in G1 QE II Stakes

Together (IRE)

Together (IRE), Colm O'Donaghue up, coming on to track immediately prior to  winning G1 QE II Stakes

     

Look closely...Colm O'Donaghue receiving LAST MINUTE instructions prior to QEII...any doubt that it isn't Aidan O'Brien?  Talk about cutting it close!

Instructions paid off.!  Together (IRE) with very comfortable civtory in G1 QE II...Winter Memories is the grey

    

     Winter Memories was the distaff toast of the American Turf earlier this year, her brilliant turn of foot nothing short of spectacular on numerous occasions.  Her rather lack luster performance in the aforementioned QE II Stakes, however, signaled perhaps a fatigued filly and she was put away for the year, but she was most definitely the sophomore queen for quite some spell.  

     

Winter Memories in Keeneland paddock prior to a rather flat effort in QE II

Winter Memories

Winter Memories coming on to track, Keeneland

     

     Midday (GB) is worthy of mention simply because she is Midday (GB)!  Coming off 3 consecutive G1 victories overseas last year, she was a fast closing, very narrowly defeated second to Shared Account in the Filly and Mare Turf while heavily favored at 90 cents on the dollar.  

     

The great, Midday

This year, instead of contesting the Turf against her own sex, she, along with the brilliant Sarafina (FR), chose to step outside the protection offered their gender, choosing instead to challenge the boys in the Breeder’s Cup Turf.  Finishing 4^th and 6^th respectively in this race, how can one not tip our hats to these ladies and their connections for this grand effort?  Thus we have a brief review of 6 exceptional fillies, each very capable on any given day of besting the best!

     

Sarafina (FR) feeling especially good this morning, Wednesday 11-2-2011

Sarafina (FR)

     So to the finalists.  Perfect Shirl, winless this year coming into the Filly and Mare Turf, chose the most opportune time to run the race of her career.  With only one 2^nd and 3 thirds and $101,000 in earnings to show for 6 outings, it was no surprise that she was let go at odds of 27/1.  What was surprising was the outstanding effort put forth this day, and while others were indeed rapidly closing on her at the wire, to her great credit she finished full of run, showed much courage, and was good value for her victory.  That said, an isolated success in 7 outings, with all other efforts against other than Grade 1 company, does not I think mount to a championship campaign, and I choose to await similar efforts over the coming year before anointing this fine filly a truly top of the line race mare.  Being in the exceptional hands of trainer Roger Attfield, however, I have full confidence that if she truly is a diamond, he shall shine her to pristine brilliance.

     

Perfect Shirl, winner Filly and Mare Turf, Wed 11-2-2011 morning

Perfect Shirl

Perfect Shirl, post parade

     

     The near black Stacelita (FR), winner of the 2009 French Oaks, came into this year’s Filly and Mare Turf heavily favored, a situation justified by her fine record of 2 wins and 2 thirds in 4 outings.  Her first start this year came in June and resulted in a 3^rd place finish against the colts at Longchamp, following which she was moved to America and transferred to the care of trainer Chad Brown.  She again took on the colts in the G1 United Nations at Monmouth, again finishing 3^rd on this occasion while gaining a brief advantage before being out finished.  Her next two efforts came against her own sex and it was here she found her best form, proving victorious in the G1 Beverly D at Arlington and the G1 Flower Bowl at Belmont.  The Eclipse title was thus hers for the taking with an excellent, if not winning, effort in the Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

     

STacelita (FR), Wed 11-2-2011

Stacelita (FR) aggressive in her gallop, Wed 11-2-2011

Stacelita (FR)...note inside cup on blinkers

Stacelita (FR)

Stacelita (FR)

Stacelita (FR), post parade

     Another coming into this race with championship aspirations was the outstanding Dubawi Heights (GB).  This filly entered the final race of the year off an excellent campaign, sporting 4 wins in 5 outings, counting victories in the G3 Wilshire, G1 Gamely, and G1 Yellow Ribbon in her impressive resume.  Her lone loss of the season came at the hands of Starlecita(FR) when she was out finished by that one in the G1 Beverly D at Arlington. 

    

Dubawi Heights (GB). Wed 11-2-2011

     

Dubawi Heights (GB), post parade

     Thus these two leading contenders for the Eclipse met on the Churchill turf to settle the issue where such things are rightly resolved…on the race track!  Unfortunately for these two, and also for the Eclipse voters, neither brought their A game on this occasion.  Dubawi Heights (GB) assumed the lead from her one post position and, after briefly wrestling for the lead with Dynaslew, assumed control and was allowed to settle without undue pressure from behind, leading by about one length while setting a moderate pace.  Challenged around the final turn, she initially responded and maintained her advantage to mid stretch.  Here, unfortunately, she had little to offer when finally asked the question and faded to a well beaten 6^th position while backing up throughout the stretch.  For Starcelita (FR) things did not go any better. Close up in 3^rd position along the inside early on, she appeared to have a perfect stalking trip while nicely covered along the rail behind the leading two.  Coming out of the final turn she appeared full of run.  Though the rail never opened up for her she was never forced to check while waiting her chance and, when that opportunity finally came, she failed to respond, fading instead to a soundly defeated tenth position, some 6 lengths off the winner.  Truth be told, it was Aruna who may have had the most difficult trip, having nowhere to go until the final 1/16^th  mile at which point she closed quickly, albeit belatedly, to finish narrowly beaten.

     

Filoly and Mare Turf, Perfect Shirl in front, the field closing in (sorry about the lighting)

Perfect Shirl desperately holding on for victory

     So which of these three is worthy to wear the mantle of Champion, to stand alongside the magnificent winners of bygone years?  The names of previous Eclipse winners for this category read like a “who’s who” of racing, the winners as outstanding or more so than the winners of perhaps any other category.  Two time winners include international super stars such as Goldikova, Ouija Board, and Miesque, as well as Pebbles, Royal Heroine and Horse of the Year, All Along.  American raced champions, to highlight a few, include such as Flawlessly, Forever Together, and Intercontinental.  Each of these ladies, by the mere mention of her name, conjures images of brilliance, consistency, of quality proven beyond doubt.  I fear that this year’s winner, at least at this stage in her racing career, will not be perceived in quite the same fashion as many of the previous victors.  We would hope that perhaps time will alter the perception of her worthiness to wear this esteemed garland.  This said and accepted, a decision must be made.

     Setting aside her out of character Breeder’s Cup performance, and considering her previous excellent form including her defeat of Dubawi Heights (GB) in  the Beverly D at equal weights, my choice for the Eclipse is Starcelita (FR).  A haunting consideration when considering her disappointing Breeder’s Cup effort (a concern which admittedly may be unfounded) relates to her transfer from a European training program to a traditional North American regime in the midst of her 5 year old campaign.  Differences in ideology and methodology between these programs are often very significant and may have negatively impacted her.  I cannot help but wonder if her sub par Cup performance might reflect her failure to thrive under her new program.  Change is always difficult, and to experience this so late in her career and in the immediate months preceding the Breeder’s Cup may have taken a toll and left her less than ideally prepared for this effort.  Mere speculation, of course, but of possible significance. 

     While without doubt an outstanding race mare with numerous very notable victories, Starlecita's career resume does include resounding defeats by Goldikova, Midday, Snow Fairy, and Announce, such defeats occurring while at the top of her considerable game.  With this in mind, I suspect this grand mare will historically be considered one of our less accomplished winners of this prestigious award.  In this year, however, I believe her the most worthy.