Top 25 Most Overrated Performances of '06

[cmorioles]

...and again, Ghostzapper is considered great for what he did at 4, not 3. You say yourself it is very unlikely he will make the big jump, so what is the point of the comparison?

This is like comparing Christian Laettner's Duke career to that of Michael Jordan at North Carolina. While both were outstanding at that reduced level, one was clearly overrated when the competition was stepped up. (Hint: It was the white guy)

I have some doubts that DC will be the great horse some make him out to be. I would not be shocked if he is though. But as a bettor, though I'll probably never get the chance, I'll take my shot against him at a ridiculously low price if he ever faces top class horses in the U.S. My main point is that due to the pathetic fields he lined up against, including the Cigar Mile, he performances almost have to be overrated.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

...and again, Ghostzapper is considered great for what he did at 4, not 3. You say yourself it is very unlikely he will make the big jump, so what is the point of the comparison?

This is like comparing Christian Laettner's Duke career to that of Michael Jordan at North Carolina. While both were outstanding at that reduced level, one was clearly overrated when the competition was stepped up. (Hint: It was the white guy)

I have some doubts that DC will be the great horse some make him out to be. I would not be shocked if he is though. But as a bettor, though I'll probably never get the chance, I'll take my shot against him at a ridiculously low price if he ever faces top class horses in the U.S. My main point is that due to the pathetic fields he lined up against, including the Cigar Mile, he performances almost have to be overrated.

Pre-NBA Laettner *sigh*

Any of the G1's won by Hollywood Story, Star Parade or Healthy Addiction.

What was the grade of the Oaklawn race Buzzard's Bay won?

[JJP]

I would have to say the Hollywood Starlet qualified as one of the weaker Grade 1s this year. That along with the Belmont race won by Sutra and the Prioress are among the weakest Gr. 1s this year. The Stephen Foster gets honorable mention.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Pre-NBA Laettner *sigh*

Any of the G1's won by Hollywood Story, Star Parade or Healthy Addiction.

What was the grade of the Oaklawn race Buzzard's Bay won?

if it's the oaklawn cap, it's a grade 2.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Danzig188

if it's the oaklawn cap, it's a grade 2.

Well in the G2 & G3 category, my nominees are:

Bandini
Buzzard's Bay

[Pointg5]

Bernardini:
1. Jim Dandy
2. Travers
3. Jockey Club Gold Cup
4. Preakness


All 3 are races that were overrated by the Bernmafia, in reality they were nice races, but nowhere near the Crowning Achievements that some made them to be...

[SniperSB23]

I'm now moving Strong Pretender's Dwyer up to #1 on my list and his Super Derby up to #2. I'd probably move the Peter Pan into my top ten as well. At least no one takes Sinister Minister seriously. People honestly believe that Strong Pretender is a very good horse though on the basis of beating Doc Cheney and a hammerlocked Lawyer Ron and ignore the fact that he lost to Praying for Cash in the Haskell and Sunriver and Lewis Michael in the Peter Pan. If I was to rank the top 3yo's on dirt I would place him right around High Cotton, Lewis Michael, and Deputy Glitters. Yet from the sounds of things people actually think this horse would have a shot in the Sunshine Millions. The most overrated horse of 2006 is Strong Contender.

[cmorioles]

I don't think that much of Strong Contender, though I think he is better than you give him credit for last year.

His Haskell, which has been mentioned a few times, is a total toss. The horse had virtually NO CHANCE on that outside biased racetrack from his post position. To make matters worse, every other jockey knew it by the time the Haskell rolled around, so there was just no way to work out any kind of decent trip. I bet SC very strong in the Super Derby on this knowledge.

I'm not sure why beating a "hammerlocked" Lawyer Ron is such a bad thing. I hate when jockeys do that, but who is to say he would have run any better if let loose? He sure didn't show it in his next start.

[JJP]

I almost forgot: With a City's "masterpiece" against basically a NW2X field that masquered as a Gr 2 worth around $500K.

[blackthroatedwind]

An argument could be made that Strong Contendor was, overall, the most overrated horse of 2006. Idiots like DrugS actually declared him an up and coming superstar after his Gulfstream debut and all things considered his year was extremely disappointing. On the other hand, he showed enough promise in his wins that the possibility exists that he could be a force going into 2007. Unfortunately, being that he's trained by John Ward, the likelihood of further disappointment is acute.

Now, Strong Contendor cannot be THE most overrated horse of 2007, because John " Einstein " Ward claimed midway through the year that Dr. Pleasure, a veritable bum, was actually the best of his 3YOs. So, he would clearly have to be more overrated than Strong Contendor.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

An argument could be made that Strong Contendor was, overall, the most overrated horse of 2006. Idiots like DrugS actually declared him an up and coming superstar after his Gulfstream debut and all things considered his year was extremely disappointing. On the other hand, he showed enough promise in his wins that the possibility exists that he could be a force going into 2007. Unfortunately, being that he's trained by John Ward, the likelihood of further disappointment is acute.

Now, Strong Contendor cannot be THE most overrated horse of 2007, because John " Einstein " Ward claimed midway through the year that Dr. Pleasure, a veritable bum, was actually the best of his 3YOs. So, he would clearly have to be more overrated than Strong Contendor.

Point Determined woud rank up there as well.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Point Determined woud rank up there as well.

True. The fact that he was bet down to 9-1 in the Derby still blows my mind.

[blackthroatedwind]

Well, you have to realize that the vast majority of horses on the TC will be overrated every year.

[Bystander]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Well, you have to realize that the vast majority of horses on the TC will be overrated every year.

That said, it would be unfair not to mention Music School (who's thrilling return yesterday does just that, marks him as another overrated TC contender.) I remember people getting excited last year after his optional claiming win at Oaklawn, followed by an excuse-heavy 3rd or 4th in the Southwest.
Most overrated? No. But he deserves a spot.

[JJP]

I agree that Dr. Pleasure would have to be among the most overrated. It seems that the better the bloodline, the more overrated a horse is. Its like people assume he's going to be as good as his mother (Beautiful Pleasure). Or the horse that got beat in a NW2X yesterday at the FG who's a full brother to Ghostzapper. It ain't all in the genes.

[Bystander]

Maybe I should retract my Music School post, he DID beat Aristocrat in the race you mention at Fair Grounds yesterday!

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Bystander

That said, it would be unfair not to mention Music School (who's thrilling return yesterday does just that, marks him as another overrated TC contender.) I remember people getting excited last year after his optional claiming win at Oaklawn, followed by an excuse-heavy 3rd or 4th in the Southwest.
Most overrated? No. But he deserves a spot.

He may be the most ridiculous of all. He won a slow maiden race, with phony trouble, and the whole world was going crazy. Then he had a slow return, followed by phony trouble, and people were still excited.

Now, one could say injuries have slowed him, just as one could also say he was always a bum.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Bystander

Maybe I should retract my Music School post, he DID beat Aristocrat in the race you mention at Fair Grounds yesterday!

Aristocrat, and I know your joking, got a curiously idiotic ride. What the hell was he doing on the pace? He is a closing sprinter!

Wait, I just figured it out, Dixie must have given the jockey his instructions!

[philcski]

Strong Contender: Overrated Horse of the Year. Should be a special Eclipse award for that one.

[JJP]

Music School was another who was hyped because he was a 1/2 to some GSW.

Here's a shortcut to finding out the most overrated, overhyped 3YOs for '07:

Find out who's out of Grade 1 winners or is a half or full to a Gr. 1 winner.

Simple but reliable.