Most Talented 3yo since the 90's?

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by Gander

Absolutely gorgeous, thanks for the pic!
War Front is a nice sprinter, the best one Allen has had since then. Lets hope he gets Allen a BC win this year

I also like War Front, Tim.
He should do well.
You're not too far from Delanson. If you give Doc O'Cain a call first, you can see KK in person. Also Millenium Wind, Best of Luck, Catienus and some other nice ones. Good folks!

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by oracle80

Smarty Jones ran numbers on the sheets that were unbelievable.
And his finest race ever was the Belmont where he got tag teamed by two future grade one winners, and put them away to the point where they stopped to a walk!!! while he continued to fight on and get beat by a perfect trip horse who came back and won the Travers.
He was by far the best three year old since Easy Goer/Sunday Silence, and probably better than those as well.
You take a look at his sheet numbers and you just can't believe how fast he was. I don't know that I will see a three year old like that again in my lifetime.

To me that was the most crushing defeat in horseracing. I sat on my couch stunned; the most courageous run I've ever seen by a horse but at the same time it was a loss...wobbly legged Smarty tried so hard to pass Birdstone...my friend texted messaged me with "Sorry Babe", but I just couldn't reply.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I was at the finishline that day, and you could have heard a pin drop after the race. When Smarty opened up, there was an energy in the crowd like I have never been a part of. But, just as soon as it was there, it was gone.

DaHoss,
I was there as well. I was in the clubhouse with some Jamaican folks.
They hit big on Fire Slam and were hitting fists into the wall in the sprint race.
When Smarty got passed, other than the silence everywhere else, I just heard "BLOODCLOT"!! about fifty-five times.
At least Board Elligible won the White Carnation that day. Made me some on that one.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I was at the finishline that day, and you could have heard a pin drop after the race. When Smarty opened up, there was an energy in the crowd like I have never been a part of. But, just as soon as it was there, it was gone.

I couldn't begin to imagine...I'm the most emotional fan of horseracing you'll ever see. (I was the girl practically doing cartwheels after the BCC and this years Belmont Stakes! )

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I was at the finishline that day, and you could have heard a pin drop after the race. When Smarty opened up, there was an energy in the crowd like I have never been a part of. But, just as soon as it was there, it was gone.

Yeah, when he opened it up as usual heading into the far turn I was jumping up and down in my living room...the TV had posted the first half mile split time and it seemed manageable...after the shock wore off I went to the computer and saw that second half and just shook my head...no horse except the great Secretariat could have continued on after that second half mile...the effect it had on the others who ran with Smarty was obvious...in any reasonably run 12f race against those horses, Smarty wins by 10 lengths...and that was not, as pointed out, a bad field!

[pmayjr]

To me- it's a tie between Point Given, Holy Bull, and Smarty.

The biggest "what coulda been": Barbaro. I'm not so sure he's better than Bernardini, but I woulda loved to have seen a rivalry blossom between those 2...

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

Yeah, when he opened it up as usual heading into the far turn I was jumping up and down in my living room...the TV had posted the first half mile split time and it seemed manageable...after the shock wore off I went to the computer and saw that second half and just shook my head...no horse except the great Secretariat could have continued on after that second half mile...the effect it had on the others who ran with Smarty was obvious...in any reasonably run 12f race against those horses, Smarty wins by 10 lengths...and that was not, as pointed out, a bad field!

Just a reminder, Smarty ran the following fractions in the Belmont:
24 2/5, 48 4/5, 1:11 3/5, 1:35 2/5, 2:00 2/5....before struggling home in 2:27 3/5.
That means his first half mile was in 48 4/5
The second suicidal half he ran in 46 3/5 including 22 4/5 for the two furlongs between 4-6f
so...2f splits: 24 2/5, 24 2/5, 22 4/5, 23 4/5, 25, 27....horses can't do that second half in a 12f race and survive!

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

Just a reminder, Smarty ran the following fractions in the Belmont:
24 2/5, 48 4/5, 1:11 3/5, 1:35 2/5, 2:00 2/5....before struggling home in 2:27 3/5.
That means his first half mile was in 48 4/5
The second suicidal half he ran in 46 3/5 including 22 4/5 for the two furlongs between 4-6f
so...2f splits: 24 2/5, 24 2/5, 22 4/5, 23 4/5, 25, 27....horses can't do that second half in a 12f race and survive!

The great Secretariat's half mile splits were...46 1/5, 48, 49 4/5.

I had Bridstone all over the place in the Belmont. But it wasnt any fun watching Smarty lose.

[King Glorious]

Glad to see Smarty being appreciated here. Most people just remember that he lost the race but to me, it was one of the most amazing performances I've ever seen on a track. I've long felt that u find out more about horses and athletes, people in general, when they are faced with adversity. Most that have it easy all the time will wilt under pressure. Smarty didn't. He didn't win but he didn't wilt. That was the day, more than any of his victories, that he proved he was one of the greats.

[pmayjr]

Would Lost in the Fog have any serious consideration in this? That was quite a streak he had last year. If you say "hell no... he doesn't belong"... what if he would've won the BC Sprint to end last year?

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by pmayjr

Would Lost in the Fog have any serious consideration in this? That was quite a streak he had last year. If you say "hell no... he doesn't belong"... what if he would've won the BC Sprint to end last year?

im not going to knock a dead horse. I will just say that his resume doesnt quite measure up to the others listed. Rest his soul.

To answer your last question, he didnt win and he didnt come close and even if he did win, its hard really to compare a sprinter to a router.

[repent]

Most Talented?
thats a lot different than asking who was the best or most accomplshed.

Talented?
Discreet Cat/Ghostzapper-yeah, even his 3YO runs were pretty freakish

Best?
Dalakhani/Dubai Millenium

Most Accomplished?
Tiznow/Holy Bull/Lammtarra/after Nov 4-Bernardini

hope everyone is appreciating what they are watching this year.
I dont ever expect to see 3 US dirt 3YO horses running at the same like we saw with Barbaro, Bernardini, and Discreet Cat.
any of the 3 were "triple crown caliber" or whatever types of horses.


Repent

[repent]

oh, and when lucky jones beats Birdstone on a dry track,
let me know.

until then,
he is about as significant as that queer War Emblem.


Repent

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by repent

oh, and when lucky jones beats Birdstone on a dry track,
let me know.

until then,
he is about as significant as that queer War Emblem.


Repent

I must say I disagree with this one....

But to each his own.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by repent

oh, and when lucky jones beats Birdstone on a dry track,
let me know.

until then,
he is about as significant as that queer War Emblem.


Repent

I'll never understand your point of view on this, repent.

Smarty was brilliant. I sobbed and sobbed after the Belmont and again when he was reitred.

He was breathtaking..... a national treasure, a cultural hero. Smarty got me hooked.

I just don't get how anyone could find fault with him.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by repent

Most Talented?
thats a lot different than asking who was the best or most accomplshed.
Talented?
Discreet Cat/Ghostzapper-yeah, even his 3YO runs were pretty freakish

Best?
Dalakhani/Dubai Millenium

Most Accomplished?
Tiznow/Holy Bull/Lammtarra/after Nov 4-Bernardini

hope everyone is appreciating what they are watching this year.
I dont ever expect to see 3 US dirt 3YO horses running at the same like we saw with Barbaro, Bernardini, and Discreet Cat.
any of the 3 were "triple crown caliber" or whatever types of horses.


Repent

Nice post, and that was exactly what I was getting at.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Dixie Porter

Most overated horse in the history of the game. Best PR campaign in the history of the game.

You'd be amazed at the people that bought into those fairy tales after every loss (5 in all).

That is one horse I really wished would have kept on racing. Nice job by Penny with IRS BS.

As u know, I agree with u to an extent. Now most people will say I'm knocking Sec and that's not true. I do believe that he was one of the all-time greats just nowhere near the best ever. Probably not even top 10. I think it's just mostly mystique nowdays that make people want to list him in their top two or three ever. That Belmont race was a freak effort. He was NOT a 2:24 horse. Look at his Woodward and the turf race to get a better idea of how he was at 12f. Still good but not otherwordly. And just imagine if there had been a horse in the Belmont capable of going in 2:27. Then Sec's margin of victory would have been "only" 15. While still dominant, the perception wouldn't be the way it is today because it was 31 lengths. And who knows what he would have done as a 4yo? It's not a guarantee that they automatically improve. The way he ran as a 3yo could suggest that he was already at his peak. If u are going to say he would have improved, would we then have expected 1:57 10f races, 2:23 12f races, or 1:31 miles? Doubtful. And I think it's a mistake to overlook the fact that he lost two of three races when facing older horses on dirt and although he did run 1:45 2/5 in the Marlboro, remember it's Belmont and one-turn and good horses run fast times there. I have seen Go for Wand and Dispersal run 1:45 4/5 there. Secretariat was great. There is no doubt about that. But still overrated.

[Assttodixie]

Originally Posted by Dixie Porter

Most overated horse in the history of the game. Best PR campaign in the history of the game.

You'd be amazed at the people that bought into those fairy tales after every loss (5 in all).

That is one horse I really wished would have kept on racing. Nice job by Penny with IRS BS.

Boss-

Once again, your uncanny knack for horses will dumbfound and confuse these MORONS.

They have no idea like you do that Big Red was on Roids. You have firsthand knowledge that Victor Conte's grandpa was sending the "clear" and the "cream" to Penny and the gang when Barry Bonds was still in diapers. Heck, "red beans" were named in honor of the big horse.

The time in the belmont that still stands today? Mirage!

Derby record that still stands today? Mirage as well!

Unofficial preakness record? Phony!

Marlboro cup? bad day by all the other horses!

Yes, just a great media campaign for an overrated horse.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Dixie Porter

I really wonder if anyone on here but me actually understands that.

Actually, I called it before you.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kentuckyrosesinmay
I agree with that first part. Sunday Silence beat him in the Derby, Preakness, and BCC, so I'll take him any day of the week over Easy Goer...

IMO, Easy Goer had more talent than Sunday Silence. Whether he utilized it or not was another story...