Older Male
by
Murray West
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| Breeder's Cup Classic, Drosselmeyer in middle of track grabs lead from Game On Dude on rail |
We turn now to perhaps the most difficult, most contentious category, of this year, not because there have been so many outstanding candidates but, rather, for exactly the opposite reason. Throughout the 2011 season, just as with the 3 year old males, we waited for a star to emerge from this division, for that one horse to seize the opportunity, grasp the gold and distinguish himself from the pack. Wait as we did, no such star emerged to claim the crown vacated by last year’s most worthy champion, the very special and very under appreciated, Blame…but his is a story for another time. This is not to imply that there were no horses of quality competing this past season. The list of accomplished horses under consideration is lengthy, that in itself speaking to the lack of a true standout in this field.
Acclamation is a colt of unquestionable quality as his record of 5 graded stakes wins would suggest, his only 2 losses coming in his first 2 starts of the year. Following those outings, he has been nothing short of perfection, tallying Grade 1 wins in the Charlie Whittingham and Eddie Read on the lawn, and the Pacific Classic on synthetic. Two other Grade 2 wins on the turf complete his season resume, they being the Jim Murray and Clement Hirsch. Clearly, by any standards, his was a most exceptional campaign. The only issues here are his failure to leave the confines of California
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| Drosselmeyer, winner Classic |
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| Drosselmeyer, Mike Smith up |
Drosselmeyer, with a resume of 2 wins and 2 seconds in 7 outings, clearly finished his season with flourish, charging down the stretch to capture the big daddy of them all, the Breeder’s Cup Classic. Were it not for this longshot victory I believe it fair to say his name would not be mentioned in this conversation. Soundly defeated by Birdrun in the G2 Brooklyn, 7th defeated by 10 lengths in the Sword Dancer, and 2nd by 21/2 lengths to Flat Out in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, his only other victory came in the listed, $60,000 One Count stakes at Belmont in May. Primed masterfully for the race of his life by one of the all-time great trainers, Bill Mott, I tip my hat to Drosselmeyer’s victory but find it impossible to grant him the garland based upon a single outstanding race.
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| Drosselmeyer on way to Classic victory |
Hats off also to the connections of Flat Out who, recognizing a lack of a clear leader in this division following the Classic, went to the well one final time for money and glory in the G1 Clark late in November at Churchill. The gamble did not pay off for this nice colt, defeated soundly again in the Clark as he had been in the Classic twenty days earlier under the Churchill lights. A very nice colt, but not deserving of this title.
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| Flat Out |
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| Flat Out |
The look of anguish on Chantal Sutherland’s face aboard Game On Dude said it all as Mike Smith on Drosselmeyer swept by her in the shadow of the Classic finish line. One instant Chantal was sensing certain victory, with the glory, money and respect that would follow, in the next feeling the agony of heart wrenching defeat, at that very moment of awareness feeling near certainty that her world had collapsed. Most assuredly, in my opinion, such is not the case. She need not worry regarding any perceived loss of respect for her capabilities, for she has proven beyond a doubt that she is capable of riding with the best. The same may be said of Game On Dude, he losing nothing in this narrow defeat. I will always wonder how he might have responded had he known Drosselmeyer was closing in the middle of the track while being kept well off the rail and away from Game On Dude. I suspect to this day that Game On Dude wonders why he didn’t enter the winner’s enclosure after the race, for in his mind I’m sure he felt he was victorious…and so he was. Eight starts, 3 wins, 3 seconds, and 1 third, with earnings exceeding $1,900,000, a summary of an outstanding year by any criteria. In the months leading to the Classic venture he had proved victorious on the dirt in the storied G1 Santa Anita Handicap, getting the 1 ¼ miles in an excellent 1:59.2, and also in the G1 Goodwood Handicap on the Hollywood synthetic. Tough losses had been interspersed between these victories, and it was in one such defeat that Game On Dude became a man. Breaking sharply from the middle of the pack with Twirling Candy to his inside, Chantal was forced to use Game On Due early here, by so doing allowing him to drop over to the rail position with a short lead on Twirling Candy as they entered the first turn. Midway down the back side, Twirling Candy challenged and quickly was repulsed by Game On Dude as he again opened 1 ½ lengths an his adversary. Rounding the final turn, it was at the quarter pole that Twirling Candy again came, this time in earnest, and actually succeeded in grabbing the lead, announcer Trevor Denman calling to all that “we have a new leader, here!”. Having none of this, Game On Dude dug in and tenaciously fought back, regaining the lead from Twirling Candy and was inching away to open a good head advantage then, in the absolute shadow of the wire, was nailed by First Dude who closed outside of Twirling Candy. For the second time this year the big colt thought he had victory only to be nipped by one he never saw coming. Two bitter losses to unseen adversaries, victory in either quite possibly assuring him of an Eclipse.
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| Game On Dude, Wednesday morning 11-2-2-11 |
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| Wednesday morning, 11-2-2011 |
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| A loving touch from Chantal |
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| Classic, first time past stands, Game On Dude leads, Incle Mo (12) second |
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| A little rough approaching the first turn |
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| Mid-stretch, Game On Dude alone on rail |
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| Drosselmeyer challenges from well off rail and away from Game On Dude...Chantal new he was there but did Game On Dude...and would it have mattered? |
A very abbreviated campaign plagued Tizway this season, he making but four starts before injury forced a premature retirement. Short, yes, but also sweet, for his two wins rank among the most brilliant of this season, and his speed figures in his two victories dwarf those of his competitors in this category. In the G1 Met Mile he closely stalked the leader through an opening quarter in 23.17, and much quicker half in 45.57. Grabbing the lead with a quarter to run, he got the six furlongs in 1:08.66, then accelerated away from his rival, getting his final quarter in 23.24 seconds, and stopping the clock in a brilliant 1:32.90 His final start, the G1 Whitney, saw him employ similar tactics, with the same result, his adversaries again finding they were no match for his brilliant stretch acceleration. Back to back Beyers of 113 and 111 cemented his position as leading older male on the East Coast, but the racing gods were again cruel, and injury sent another to the sidelines, the breeding shed his new destiny. He may well have been the most talented of this entire bunch, certainly appearing the fastest in his limited appearances, but longevity has definite value, and his campaign this year was likely too abbreviated to ultimately capture the Eclipse.
The only other consideration I think for the award would be Twirling Candy, but I find it difficult to make a case for this colt. In each of his last two starts, the G1 Hollywood Gold Cup and the Pacific Classic, victory was his for the taking. In both instances, however, he lacked the capability to accomplish this, on each occasion losing by narrow margins, such that the Racing Form commented after each race, “outgamed.” I dislike that term, for I think in most instances it is not a matter of effort or courage but, much more likely, an issue of fatigue, either inherent or from inadequate conditioning, or simply some miniscule difference in talent. Regardless, finishing is the hallmark of a champion, and in this department he has been found wanting.
So, six candidates, each with significant deficiencies in their respective resumes, all very nice horses but perhaps none with a race record we typically associate with the champion of this important division. The winner of this Eclipse will be perceived, I suspect, as “backing in” to the award, winning after a process of elimination rather than having gone out and grabbed the accolade! My choice for the Eclipse, after much hesitancy and doubtful consideration, is Game On Dude, though victory by Tizway would not be surprising and not without merit.
Older Female
by
Murray West
Ahh, the ladies! Where the older males often lacked brilliance, the ladies had it in spades! Where the older males lacked durability, the ladies were tough as nails. Where the older males seemed at times to ask “Why?” the older ladies appeared to consistently respond with “Why not?”. A grand group, one of whom in my opinion already has Hall of Fame credentials, another who will soon be knocking on that door, and several who need only soundness to push that envelop. When all is said and done, however, and in spite of the brilliance displayed by several who in another year might well deserve the Eclipse, this year’s vote figures to be rather straight forward and decisive, if not unanimous.
The list of those very deserving of mention is lengthy. Ask The Moon got very good in mid-summer, winning the G1Ruffian and Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga
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| Ask The Moon, Wednesday morning 11-2-2011 |
Through June 18 there was not a more impressive filly in the land than the appropriately named Awesome Maria. Her brief but brilliant campaign included G3 wins in The Sabin and Rampart Stakes at Gulfstream, followed by a courageous victory in the G2 Shuvee, culminating in a dominating and most impressive win over top rivals in the G1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont
One has to go back to the prestigious G1 Santa Monica at Santa Anita in January of the year to find the lone victory this year for the very talented Switch. Following that seasonal debut this very fast filly stepped to the line on 6 other occasions, competing in five G1s and one G2 race, placing in 4 and getting the show money in the other 2 of these efforts. The combined distance for all six defeats, against the very best competition, was a mere 5 lengths. One win in seven efforts might make it appear a stretch of the imagination to include her in this list of Eclipse candidates, and I make no pretense that she should or will be seriously considered. There is not, however, a filly or mare in the country (and perhaps the same could be said of the males) who did not fear her in every start she made. She is a wonderful filly of the highest quality and courage, and I hope she returns to thrill us again next season…and all the others need be at their very best when they step upon the track to challenge this grand young lady.
Beginning the season in the early year beating up on over-matched state-bred competition, the wonderful California-bred Ultra Blend stepped out from this protective shield and challenged the best of the fillies and mares in her home state and did so with pizzaz! Her next four races, against open company while still in California
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| Ultra Blend in the dark of morning, Wednesday 11-2-2011 |
And now the big two, the heavyweights of the division, two fillies whose talent and accomplishments would stand them in fine stead in any generation of distaffers, past or future. Blind Luck has proven to be an absolute model of consistency, one who brought her best effort to each and every encounter, certain to stalk from well off the pace, move into closer contention approaching the stretch, then certain to fly down the middle of the stretch, her chestnut coat blazing, eyes set and determined, ears pinned flat against her head, as she propelled her lithe body at the wire, sometimes successful in thrusting her lovely blaze across the wire, other times just coming up short. Excluding her last effort in the Lady’s Secret in which she was inexplicably distanced and ultimately eased, the grand lady had never failed to hit the board, she sporting a resume reflecting the champion she is, with 21 starts, 12 victories, 7 seconds and 2 thirds, all accomplished while competing at the highest level. With 3 victories this season, including one G1 and two G2s, plus 2nd place finishes in 3 other graded stakes, this was again a successful season…were she not Blind Luck. Facing Havre de Grace in the G3 Azeri Stakes (talk about a tough G3!) and having the benefit of 2 prep races to her rivals none, her best effort that day found her unable to mount a serious threat as she was soundly defeated by 3 ½ lengths. Blind Luck rebounded off that defeat to record 3 consecutive victories including the G2 La Troienne defeating, among others, Unrivalled Belle, while in receipt of 4 pounds from last year’s Ladies’ Classic winner. From there she was able to run down Switch in the G1 Vanity, prevailing by ½ length while giving that excellent filly 3 pounds. Meanwhile, Havre de Grace was no less brilliant in her next encounters and, if speed figures are to be believed, was doing so in consistently faster times. Victories in the G1 Apple Blossom and G3 Obeah demonstrated she was at the top of her very considerable “game.”
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| Blind Luck, Keeneland Novemeber Breeding Stock sale |
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| The great Blind Luck |
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| Look of a chmpion, Blind Luck |
Thus both wonderful fillies appeared to be at their best when they stepped on to the track in Delaware for what would prove to be their final encounter in a long and splendid rivalry, this final encounter in the 1 ¼ mile, G2 Delaware Handicap. Form had determined that Havre de Grace should carry 2 more pounds than her esteemed rival, 124 to 122, and Blind luck would need every ounce of this advantage to prevail in one of the most outstanding races of the season, with an historic stretch drive that will stand the test of time as one of the finest ever in a major race. These two hooked up entering the stretch and for 3/16th of a mile there was nothing to separate them, truly running stride for stride. So telling, I think, was the sparse use of the whip in this race, Dominguez with only an infrequent left hand to keep Havre de Grace off the rail, Gomez finding no need at all for his stick on Blind Luck, both riders fully understanding that each steed was giving absolutely everything they had in this epic stretch duel. That blind Luck prevailed by a scant nose said nothing at all about relative merit of these two horses, each acquitting herself as a true champion.
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| Blind Luck |
This effort proved to be the last great stand for Blind Luck, her final start in the Lady’s Secret was painful to witness, a grand champion being distanced by those of much lesser ability, eased at the wire, a brilliant career ended with an off the board finish for the only time in her career. Ironic, I think, for Lady's Secret, the "Iron Lady"for whom this race was named, ended her career in eerily similar fashion. Perhaps, sometimes, the body and soul finally rebels against the pain and anguish and, in a moment of desperation, cries out, “enough!” And indeed she has done enough, much more than enough, and she has earned her retirement away from the racing wars she at one time so dominated.
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| Blind Luck |
And so we turn again to she who remains, she who still felt the fire and the desire. In her next start Havre de Grace was called upon, as Rachel before her, to take on the boys in the G1 Woodward, and this she did with aplomb. Showing no signs of fatigue from her grueling race with Blind Luck, she used her tactical speed to stalk 3 to 4 lengths off the pace then, as the quarter pole silently cheered her on, she challenged for the lead, disposing of the pace setting Rule, then courageously thwarting the oncoming Flat Out to win by a decisive length…Rachel reincarnate!
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| Havre de Grace, with Larry Jones aboard and Cindy Jones with shank, Wednesday 11-2-2011 |
Her next start came in the G1 Beldame Stakes and here she faced a very fine field of females including the rapidly improving 3 year old Royal Delta. Though November 4th would find Royal Delta the toast of the American racing world with her resounding victory in the Ladies’ Classic at Churchill, October 1st at Belmont found her schooled by a great older filly, as Havre de Grace left no doubt as to the queen of the American Turf, responding with a widening 8 ½ length victory over the sophomore princess, with another 6 length span back to the 3rd place finisher.
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| Larry Jones and Havre de Grace |
With no further fields to conquer against her own sex, the connections of Havre de Grace chose to truly challenge her one more time. Thus, when entries were drawn for the Breeder’s Cup, the name of Havre de Grace was found in the $5,000,000 Breeder’s Cup Classic, where she attempted to duplicate the effort of the marvelous Zenyatta two years earlier. Her effort was indeed admirable, as she finished a very respectable 4th, defeated only 3 lengths on a very tiring, almost boggy surface. Perhaps the surface played a role, perhaps the 1 ¼ mile distance is just beyond her best, perhaps in mid-stretch she felt the weight of all those battles with her great nemesis, Blind Luck. Though not for lack of effort on this day, for whatever reason it was far from her best outing of the season, a fact attested to by her speed figure which fell a full 11 points short of her Woodward effort.
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| That's a BIG man on that filly! Not sure about the wisdom of this although he does not do any speed work on her and it's hard to knock his success |
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| Walk over for the Classic, Cindy with Havre de Grace |
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| Classic post parade, Havre de Grace with Ramon Dominguez aboard |
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| Ramon and Havre de Grace |
A grand group of ladies, to say the least. From many we have the promise of continuing participation next year, while others are now off to satisfy their nurturing instincts and enter the very special world of motherhood, to hopefully pass on their brilliance to a future generation. In this season, however, and with all respect to Blind Luck who I think stands alongside the greats of our time, the Eclipse this year can deservedly go to only one, the magnificent Havre de Grace!
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