1987 Awesome year of horse racing

[Split Rock]

There has been a lot of talk about the weak crop of 3 year olds this year and possibly the lack of interest in the older ranks other than Curlin. In my opinion, 1987 might rank as the very best year in the last 30 years.

1987 two year olds:
Forty Niner, Winning Colors, Seeking the Gold, Tejano, etc

1987 three year olds:
Alysheba, Bet Twice, Lost Code, Cryptoclearance, Broad Brush, Gulch, Java Gold, Gone West

1987 older runners:
Ferninand, Judge Angeluci, Skywalker, Groovy, Zany Tactics, Very Subtle, Snow Chief

1987 turfers:
Theatrical, Miesque, Trempolino

I'm sure I missed some great runners that were racing in 1987 but this is what I could remember. This year was so good and so stocked with great horses. The year was capped off by the best Breeder's Cup Classic ever (two Derby winners hitting the wire together, Ferninand over Alysheba).

Anyone else have a year that really stands out to them? Does '87 qualify for the best year in recent memory or am I just looking back favorably on the past?

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by Split Rock

There has been a lot of talk about the weak crop of 3 year olds this year and possibly the lack of interest in the older ranks other than Curlin. In my opinion, 1987 might rank as the very best year in the last 30 years.

1987 two year olds:
Forty Niner, Winning Colors, Seeking the Gold, Tejano, etc

1987 three year olds:
Alysheba, Bet Twice, Lost Code, Cryptoclearance, Broad Brush, Gulch, Java Gold, Gone West

1987 older runners:
Ferninand, Judge Angeluci, Skywalker, Groovy, Zany Tactics, Very Subtle, Snow Chief

1987 turfers:
Theatrical, Miesque, Trempolino

I'm sure I missed some great runners that were racing in 1987 but this is what I could remember. This year was so good and so stocked with great horses. The year was capped off by the best Breeder's Cup Classic ever (two Derby winners hitting the wire together, Ferninand over Alysheba).

Anyone else have a year that really stands out to them? Does '87 qualify for the best year in recent memory or am I just looking back favorably on the past?

I graduated from High School. Does that count as something good in 1987?

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by fpsoxfan

I graduated from High School. Does that count as something good in 1987?

If you lived in Fort Plain did I miss much with the "big" street fair last weekend?

[Port Conway Lane]

I'm pretty sure Broad Brush was a 4 yo in '87

[CSC]

I'm partial to 96 and 98

[miraja2]

Cutlass Reality was a pretty good older horse running in 1987, but I think his big year came in 1988.
Temperate Sil was another decent 3yo from that year too.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Split Rock

There has been a lot of talk about the weak crop of 3 year olds this year and possibly the lack of interest in the older ranks other than Curlin. In my opinion, 1987 might rank as the very best year in the last 30 years.

1987 two year olds:
Forty Niner, Winning Colors, Seeking the Gold, Tejano, etc

1987 three year olds:
Alysheba, Bet Twice, Lost Code, Cryptoclearance, Broad Brush, Gulch, Java Gold, Gone West

1987 older runners:
Ferninand, Judge Angeluci, Skywalker, Groovy, Zany Tactics, Very Subtle, Snow Chief

1987 turfers:
Theatrical, Miesque, Trempolino

I'm sure I missed some great runners that were racing in 1987 but this is what I could remember. This year was so good and so stocked with great horses. The year was capped off by the best Breeder's Cup Classic ever (two Derby winners hitting the wire together, Ferninand over Alysheba).

Anyone else have a year that really stands out to them? Does '87 qualify for the best year in recent memory or am I just looking back favorably on the past?

This was my favorite year of racing. There was also a lightly raced 3yo filly that returned from injury that year named Personal Ensign. Sacahuista was another pretty good 3yo filly.

[blackthroatedwind]

And don't leave out Manila and his electrifying destruction of Theatrical in the 1987 Arlington Million. Then take a look at the amazing year Theatrical compiled to put it into perspective.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

And don't leave out Manila and his electrifying destruction of Theatrical in the 1987 Arlington Million. Then take a look at the amazing year Theatrical compiled to put it into perspective.

His election to the HOF this year was long overdue. I'd argue that he was the top American grass horse of the past 20 years.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

His election to the HOF this year was long overdue. I'd argue that he was the top American grass horse of the past 20 years.

No argument from me. He was a wonderful horse.

Did you know he broke his maiden in an off the turf race at Hialeah?

[hockey2315]

Brian's Time? He might've been a year later. . .

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Did you know he broke his maiden in an off the turf race at Hialeah?

I didn't know that. After touting him so much, my one lasting in-person memory of Manila's career was him getting beat by Talakeno in a 4-horse Bernard Baruch Handicap that year.

I'd like to suggest 1967 as a pretty darn good year.

4 yr olds: Buckpasser, Moccasin and Assagai.
3 yr olds: Dr. Fager, Damascus, Proud Clarion, Gamely, Fort Marcy and Cool Reception
2 yr olds: Forward Pass, Dancer's Image, Dark Mirage, Exclusive Native, Sir Ivor and Vaguely Noble.

Of course, 1968 saw the introduction of Shuvee, Arts & Letters, Reviewer, Majestic Prince, Ta Wee, Ack Ack and Gallant Bloom. Another great year.

[Split Rock]

Great replys from everyone. Thank you.

Agreed that Seeking the Gold and Winning Colors were non issues in '87 and in fact, the 2 year old crop of racers that year were so-so, other than Forty Niner. Also, Manila absolutely belonged on that list as well as Cutlas Reality and Afleet.

1967 looked good, too, but it was way before my time so I have no reference point.

The thing that was so cool about racing in '87 through '90 was how often the accomplished horses kept running. To think we had Easy Goer and Sunday Silence racing in 1990 and geared up for a head to head matchup at Arlington before they were injured is amazing. This whole retire before they lose or get injured is killing racing. Just killing it. The best horses rarely keep running (Curlin is an exception).

It's so odd to think that horses are bred to run and as soon as they run a good race or two, they are immediately sent to breed others that can run a handful of times. How many stallions does this country really need?

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Split Rock

1987 two year olds:
Forty Niner, Winning Colors, Seeking the Gold, Tejano, etc

This would be my primary quibble with the list. While Forty Niner was the champion 2YO that year, neither Seeking the Gold nor Winning Colors made an impact during their 2YO seasons (only breaking their respective maidens). The Breeders Cup races that year were won by relatively less-distinguished Epitome and Success Express.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

This would be my primary quibble with the list. While Forty Niner was the champion 2YO that year, neither Seeking the Gold nor Winning Colors made an impact during their 2YO seasons (only breaking their respective maidens). The Breeders Cup races that year were won by relatively less-distinguished Epitome and Success Express.

Seeking the Gold didn't even race in 1987. He broke his maiden in the last race at Hialeah in January....filling out the late double with Personal Flag when that Phipps runner won a three horse photo in the Widener.

For what it's worth, I believe Seeking the Gold won by 18 1/2 lengths.

His half brother, Stacked Pack, was a pretty nice below the radar 3YO in 1987.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Seeking the Gold didn't even race in 1987. He broke his maiden in the last race at Hialeah in January....filling out the late double with Personal Flag when that Phipps runner won a three horse photo in the Widener.

Just pulled his PPs. Seeking the Gold broke his maiden at Hialeah on December 26, 1987 (race 11). He won by 11 lengths, getting 6F in 1:09.4, not a bad debut!!

I'll never forget his effort in the 1988 Travers. Beaten a nose despite Pat Day putting up one of the silliest rides ever.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

Just pulled his PPs. Seeking the Gold broke his maiden at Hialeah on December 26, 1987 (race 11). He won by 11 lengths, getting 6F in 1:09.4, not a bad debut!!

I'll never forget his effort in the 1988 Travers. Beaten a nose despite Pat Day putting up one of the silliest rides ever.

Good call. I didn't realize Hialeah opened before the New Year. Thanks. I do know that I hit that late double.

Seeking the Gold was a terrific horse. He came damn close to beating Alysheba in the Classic. Looked for a second like he was going to go right by him.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Good call. I didn't realize Hialeah opened before the New Year. Thanks. I do know that I hit that late double.

Seeking the Gold was a terrific horse. He came damn close to beating Alysheba in the Classic. Looked for a second like he was going to go right by him.

I watched that race last night on HRTV. Aly never let a horse go by once he was in front. I actually think he wouldve won the TC if McCarron would have listened to JVB and put him on the lead in the Belmont. He was such a great balanced horse, a true athlete.

[philcski]

How good was that Haskell ('88 of course)... I was but a youngin' at that point but I remember it well. Mr. Prospector's two best both hit the wire at the same time.