hypothetical derby

Originally Posted by avance2000

ok guys im new to the site - a friend referred me to it - but i wanted to post this question to you. i was having a debate with a friend of mine about a hypothetical race between the triple crown horses of this decade - 2000 + - and who would win. so here is the criteria we came up with.
taking into consideration only how the horses were in may and june of their 3yo year we came up with our field of 20. horses like flower alley that got good later on in their 3yo year were not included.
so if this was the field - post position included - going 1.25 miles at churchill downs on a fast track, who would you take?

pp

1] giacomo
2] rock hard ten
3] congaree
4] aptitude
5] peace rules
6] birdstone
7] point given
8] barbaro
9] afleet alex
10] smarty jones
11] fusaichi pegasus
12] empire maker
13] war emblem
14] funny cide
15] bernardini
16] red bullet
17] monarchos
18] perfect drift
19] ten most wanted
20] proud citizen

Giacomo - throw out 20th
Rock Hard Ten - throw out 16th
Congaree - throw out (eary pace setter) 13th
Aptitude - throw out 15th
Peace Rules - Fades to 11th
Birdstone - finishes strong but comes of short of the money 7th
Point Given - if healthy and get a good ride--possibly 2nd
Barbaro - The most likely winner 1st
Afleet Alex - gets a piece of the money 3rd
Smarty Jones - makes a move but runs out of gas 8th
Fu Peg - Takes tons of money and finishes 17th
Empire Maker - trouble trip, finishes 4th
War Emblem - gets caught up in speed duel with Congaree, 19th
Funny Cide - makes middle move, finishes 5th
Bernardini - Intriguing play, lack of experience is a negative, finishes 9th
Red Bullet - Not a bad horse, finishes 6th
Monarchos - Trouble trip from the 17 hole, finishes 10th
Perfect Drift - others pass him, 14th
Ten Most Wanted - yeah right, 18th
Proud Citizen - good closer, finishes 12th