ATR Hall of Fame Debate: Gio Ponti?

[DaTruth]

When I think of a Hall of Fame horse, I think of a horse that has a career that is a step above what you see from your garden variety Eclipse winner. Except for four races spread over six months in 2009, Gio Ponti has not struck me as a dominant runner. He runs a big race here and there, but his PPs are peppered with a lot of second and third place finishes. Assuming each horse brought their "A" game, Gio Ponti would have had his hands full if he had faced the likes of Sunshine Forever, Steinlen, Star of Cozzene, Paradise Creek, and Kotashaan, and I don't consider any of those to be Hall of Fame horses.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

When I think of a Hall of Fame horse, I think of a horse that has a career that is a step above what you see from your garden variety Eclipse winner. Except for four races spread over six months in 2009, Gio Ponti has not struck me as a dominant runner. He runs a big race here and there, but his PPs are peppered with a lot of second and third place finishes. Assuming each horse brought their "A" game, Gio Ponti would have had his hands full if he had faced the likes of Sunshine Forever, Steinlen, Star of Cozzene, Paradise Creek, and Kotashaan, and I don't consider any of those to be Hall of Fame horses.

Every one of those horses you just named would have slaughtered GP, except for maybe Sunshine Forever.

Kotashaan probably should have been a HOF horse.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Every one of those horses you just named would have slaughtered GP, except for maybe Sunshine Forever.

Sunshine Forever's reputation is tarnished by his 4yo season. He was probably a spent horse. In just a 6 month period as a 3yo, he made 12 starts, most at the top level, most against older horses, winning 8 of those.

Next to Kotashaan, who outside of one race did all his winning at Santa Anita, Sunshine Forever would certainly be the choice in a race run at 12f.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Sunshine Forever's reputation is tarnished by his 4yo season. He was probably a spent horse. In just a 6 month period as a 3yo, he made 12 starts, most at the top level, most against older horses, winning 8 of those.

Next to Kotashaan, who outside of one race did all his winning at Santa Anita, Sunshine Forever would certainly be the choice in a race run at 12f.

I may have been fairly biased towards East Coast turf horses back then, but from what I recall, Sunshine Forever wasn't really beating much in the East.

But yeah, I take it back. I think he'd have handled GP.

[Revidere]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Sunshine Forever's reputation is tarnished by his 4yo season. He was probably a spent horse. In just a 6 month period as a 3yo, he made 12 starts, most at the top level, most against older horses, winning 8 of those.

Next to Kotashaan, who outside of one race did all his winning at Santa Anita, Sunshine Forever would certainly be the choice in a race run at 12f.

Sunshine Forever got hurt between his 3&4 yr old season. Vetch said he never really tried to run hard after the injury. He was a very game, talented runner.