Champion 3 Year Old Filly

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

I think on the merits this is close, but since one ran all year long and took on all comers POS has to win this.

I think both had 4 grade 1 wins if I recall.

OK Im not trying to be an ass and Im not POS fan.... But 4 of Beholders wins shouldnt even count. She is beating CA breds at 3-5 and that Baffert 4th stringer who POS destroyed in a historically important race.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

OK Im not trying to be an ass and Im not POS fan.... But 4 of Beholders wins shouldnt even count. She is beating CA breds at 3-5 and that Baffert 4th stringer who POS destroyed in a historically important race.

I can easily say the same thing about some of POS wins, those aqueduct wins were real class fields, and that was some field she destroyed in the Alabama.

I think both achieved a lot over the season.

[Frost King]

If you are only as good as the company you keep/beat, then this debate is a no contest. If you eliminate all common opponents, and the races that they faced each other, that would be the Breeder's Cup and the Kentucky Oaks. The common opponents would also include Fiftyshadesofhay, Authenticity and Unlimited Budget. Princess of Slymar has beaten the following stakes placed horses in 2013, Ruby Lips, Walkwithapurpose, My Happy Face, Marathon Lady, Cue The Moon, Carnival Court, And Why Not, and Centring. These horses have a lifetime combined record of Gr I(0-1-9), Gr II(0-3-2) and GrIII(1-4-2). Beholder has faced the following horses in 2013, Joyful Victory, Flashy American, More Chocolate, Viva Villagio, Include Me Out, Charlie Em, Iotapa, Scarlett Strike, Heir Kitty, Speedingthruthecity, Renee's Titan, Dawn's Charm and Switch The Leads. These horses have a lifetime stakes records of GrI(4-6-7), GrII(6-5-4), GrIII(0-5-6). The numbers speak for themselves. As much as everyone, thinks that Beholder has been racing against "Tomato Cans," and aided by a bias today, the resume speaks for itself. She just left no doubt today, who was racing the "Tomato Cans."

[Calzone Lord]

It was a game gesture by the owner of Princess of Sylmar, and you hate to see it backfire like it did, but Beholder has to be voted champion 3yo filly.

It seemed the only reason Princess of Sylmar was even entered, is because of some groundswell among some media, and fans on the Internet suggesting that she had some kind of case for Horse of the Year.

There should be three pieces of criteria to determine a champion -- and in the following order:

1.) Hypothetical handicap based on 2013 form.

2.) Quality of best performances throughout the season

3.) Overall season record, with emphasis placed on success at the Grade 1 level.


In a hypothetical handicap race on Jan 1st of 2014, based only on 2013 form, Beholder would be asked to carry a higher weight than Princess of Sylmar. The two head-to-head meetings in the Kentucky Oaks and Breeders Cup Distaff underline that fact.

Factors two and three are pretty close to a wash. Both of them own 4 Grade 1 wins in 2013 and possess a similar level of ability.

Objectively, Beholder is the champion 3-year-old filly.

Unfortunately, the gameness and good sportsmanship of Princess of Sylmar's owner allowed Beholder to 'steal it in the final 30 seconds of a round' to use a boxing analogy.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

It was a game gesture by the owner of Princess of Sylmar, and you hate to see it backfire like it did, but Beholder has to be voted champion 3yo filly.

It seemed the only reason Princess of Sylmar was even entered, is because of some groundswell among some media, and fans on the Internet suggesting that she had some kind of case for Horse of the Year.

There should be three pieces of criteria to determine a champion -- and in the following order:

1.) Hypothetical handicap based on 2013 form.

2.) Quality of best performances throughout the season

3.) Overall season record, with emphasis placed on success at the Grade 1 level.


In a hypothetical handicap race on Jan 1st of 2014, based only on 2013 form, Beholder would be asked to carry a higher weight than Princess of Sylmar. The two head-to-head meetings in the Kentucky Oaks and Breeders Cup Distaff underline that fact.

Factors two and three are pretty close to a wash. Both of them own 4 Grade 1 wins in 2013 and possess a similar level of ability.

Objectively, Beholder is the champion 3-year-old filly.

Unfortunately, the gameness and good sportsmanship of Princess of Sylmar's owner allowed Beholder to 'steal it in the final 30 seconds of a round' to use a boxing analogy.

WHile Im not sure I agree, its at least well said and fair.

[Calzone Lord]

A hypothetical handicap based on seasonal form, done by competent professional "handicappers" like Vosburgh, is what determined champions in the old days.

Nowadays, it's a bunch of writers and media people acting on whims, and their own personal ideas of what they feel determines a champion.

Only positive thing to say about it, is that consensus wins.

[randallscott35]

I have never believed that being sporting gets penalized. If POS doesn't run, she wins....They are both deserving...I think POS is more.