How do you.....

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

The word 'great' was tossed around with all of the following, how would you rank them?

Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Bernardini, Barbaro or Curlin?

Barbaro is sort of hard though in my heart I think he was the best because of his abilities on both surfaces. Seems pretty cut and dried after that......Curlin, Bernardini, Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex. I actually probably liked Afleet Alex but he is pretty clearly the last of that group. No disgrace, they're all pretty damn good.

I also wouldn't argue with anyone who put Bernardini ahead of Curlin. That seems arguable.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I also wouldn't argue with anyone who put Bernardini ahead of Curlin. That seems arguable.

Really? It just seems Curlin beat so much better.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Really? It just seems Curlin beat so much better.

I don't know about that. Bernardini lost a race to Invasor where he was best and Invasor was most likely better than anyone Curlin beat at 1 1/4. Hey, I'm a Street Sense fan but he's no world beater. Bernardini was a vastly superior horse to him.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I don't know about that. Bernardini lost a race to Invasor where he was best and Invasor was most likely better than anyone Curlin beat at 1 1/4. Hey, I'm a Street Sense fan but he's no world beater. Bernardini was a vastly superior horse to him.

You're a way better judge than I, but I think the performances Curlin put up in the JCGC & BCC were far superior to anything Bernardini did the year before. Lawyer Ron was pretty good in the Gold Cup too.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

You're a way better judge than I, but I think the performances Curlin put up in the JCGC & BCC were far superior to anything Bernardini did the year before. Lawyer Ron was pretty good in the Gold Cup too.

I think all things being equal, Bernardini's effort in the BC Classic would have given Curlin a very hard time. Plus, Bernardini's Preakness win extremely impressive.

I think the two are relative equals, and like I said, could argue either side. I rated Curlin ahead of Bernardini. It's close.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I think all things being equal, Bernardini's effort in the BC Classic would have given Curlin a very hard time. Plus, Bernardini's Preakness win extremely impressive.

I think the two are relative equals, and like I said, could argue either side. I rated Curlin ahead of Bernardini. It's close.

close for several of them. hard to compare horses who haven't faced off--or that did without both finishing.
hell, there are people who will argue that alydar was better than affirmed, and easy goer was better than sunday silence-even tho the record is pretty overwhelming to show otherwise.

[philcski]

I think it speaks volumes about the quintet that we all had Alex last.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Plus, Bernardini's Preakness win extremely impressive.

True, I'd have to agree with what Drugs said earlier in the thread about it being easier to rate individual performances over entire careers now. (although admittingly I thought this was going to be followed by an avalanche of Discreet Cat posts, but the day is still young and the next primary is a few days off )

That being said...was Bellamy Road's performance in the Wood great?

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

That being said...was Bellamy Road's performance in the Wood great?

Without question. But, I also believe he was one of the most talented horses I have ever seen. Unfortunately, he never got a fair chance to show it. Shocking that Ed Sexton wasn't able to prolong his career.