This is bound to set off some solid debate, so be it. That’s what horse racing is all about. Debate, but if I had a vote for the Eclipse award for top sprinter in the land, it would go to Discreet Cat. I know the knocks against him as he probably did not race enough to garner the award. Only one Grade I win and Grade II victory over a less than impressive field, but in this case I say quality over quantity is more deserving. He has delivered impressive efforts each and every time he has stepped on to the race track. He is undefeated in 6 starts. He has never been defeated as a race horse in his career. In my opinion he is the nation’s top sprinter of 2006.
Every race Discreet Cat has run this year has been awe inspiring. He started out his campaign in Dubai where he won both his starts. He won his first start of the year in the Areej Trophy at a mile. And a brilliant win in the UAE Derby. He was visually impressive in that victory at a mile and one eighth. His displayed a powerful long stride in delivering a dominating win. At that point he was considered a legitimate Kentucky Derby prospect. Both those wins came across the Atlantic. This is what makes this horse even more remarkable. He was still able to transfer his super form back the United States where his dominance continue to reign supreme.
His first start of the year was in an optional claiming race at Saratoga. The conditions of the race and quality of the field did not inspire anything great as far as competition goes. He hardly broke a sweat at Saratoga that day. He stopped the clock in 1:21.2 without really doing anything more than a leisurely gallop. His powerful stride was on display in an effort that showed he was in fact was getting better. That win also earned him a big speed figure. He was for real. He was a budding superstar.
His next start was another easy victory in the one mile Jerome Breeder's Cup at Belmont Park on October 1st. It was his first graded stakes win in the United States. The public sent him away as a huge1-9 favorite. He showed why. Once again he delivered another superb effort. The quality of that field could easily be questioned as nothing more than ordinary. The fact of the matter was he beat them with such ease; the performance had to considered a brilliant win in the way he did it. The DRF comment said “Ran away when asked”. He earned another huge figure in the process. He had at this point already stamped himself a superstar with brilliant speed.
Alas Discreet Cat saved his best effort to date in the Cigar Mile on November 25th where he faced the 2005 Breeder’s Cup Sprint Champion and Met Mile Champion Silver Train, and the fast classy Badge of Silver, who was coming off a game try in the Breeder's Cup mile. For the first time in Discreet Cats young career he was posed a stiff challenge from champion horses in the United States. Many wondered how he would handle his first class test. How was he going to handle legitimate speed horses? Some doubted this lightly raced, over hyped horse was legitimate. No cake walks today at he Big A.
Discreet Cat answered those questions and several others with a blockbuster win. He put together arguably the best performance of the year by any horse anywhere. In fact the effort was so brilliant; it might have been one of the best performances in years by any horse anywhere. In winning the Cigar Mile, he equaled a track record of 1:32.2 held by the great Easy Goer. The win was as magnificent as the time indicated. Not only did he deliver a dominant performance in winning, he is a three old who beat older horses while giving away weight to the rest of the field! He was simply awesome in winning.
He sat behind the speedball Sharp Humor who set the opening fraction of 22.4 Than he had to deal with the best speed horse he has faced in Silver Train through extremely fast fractions of 44.4 and 1:07.4. He rolled up under a hand ride at the top of the stretch to engage Silver Train who was in an all out drive. Silver Train spurted out to a 2 length lead, but Discreet Cat looked as strong as he ever did as he mounted his winning bid. He over took Silver Train at will. Not an easy task on a track that favored front runners most of the day. The question was to be, can he now hold the late challenge of Badge of Silver after the battling through wicked fractions? Some wondered if he would be able to. I’ll be honest, I wondered myself after seeing the mind bending fractions.
He did. He had plenty left for the final furlong. He even opened up a 3 length lead as he stopped the clock in a track equaling time. It was a brilliant win. There is little doubt that the track had a speed bias that day. However the track was as fair to every horse as it was to Discreet Cat. They all ran on it and Discreet Cat put together a huge effort in beating top quality race horses.
I feel his brilliance on the track is worthy of the top sprinter in the land. Some even question if a mile is considered a true sprint anyway. I do. Any race a mile or less to me is a sprint. He won every race in more impressive fashion than the race before it. For a horse that was as dominant as he was, it should not go unrewarded.
The leading candidate for top sprinter is Thors’s Echo. I also feel he will probably win the award, and I don’t want to take anything away from him. He has had a great 2006 campaign. His BC Sprint win and Defrancis Dash win are both Grade I’s and he got the job done. He also ran a strong 2nd is the Golden Shaheen in March to Proud Tower Too. Incidentally that was same day Discreet Cat won the UAE Derby. However he has only won 2 of the 6 races he was in this year. Henny Hughes is another candidate. He was an impressive winner in all his starts this year, but a dull last place finish in the BC Sprint, all but ended any hopes of that title. Bordonaro also had stellar 2006. He displayed his true speed on California strips as well as a win at Gulfstream to start the year. All three of these horses had rock solid 2006 campaigns, but none of them were as dominant and displayed the utter brilliance in each start as Discreet Cat has. He was perfect and impressive this year.
He had the type of the 2006 that in any other year might have gotten him some type of an Eclipse award. He was a super three old in a crop that is one of the best groups that has been assembled in years. They include Barbaro, Bernardini, Henny Hughes, Showing Up, Strong Contender and Bluegrass Cat, a strong group for sure. Three of them are no longer in training. It’s almost as if Discreet Cat’s accomplishments have gone unnoticed to some extent as he has been under the radar it seems. Overshadowed by stable mate Bernardini. He was as dominant on the track as any of the horses mentioned above, if quality of wins counts for anything to voters, he should garner attention in that respect over the quantity of races that the other candidates up for the top sprinter in the nation will get.
Discreet Cat did not dance every dance. He was not in the Breeder’s Cup either, but his wins were as dominant as any sprinter this year period. They were breathtakingly easy. If beating last years Breeder’s Cup Sprint Champ and this years Met Mile champ counts for anything, and equaling a 17 year old track record Discreet Cat is the top sprinter in the land, and he is also the fastest horse in training. The year is not over yet, and there still might be some other sprinters that will chalk up some wins, but they will be hard pressed to top Discreet Cats performances.
The odds are he will not get any Eclipse Awards, but there is no doubt he is threat to take some awards next year. A older, more seasoned Discreet Cat is a scary prospect for sure. Sprints will be a thing of the past next year, as he will attempt to conquer the classic distances. I have little doubt he will succeed in that endeavor as well.
An A Eclipse For The Cat
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Stevie Belmont
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Kudos for the Ode to Discreet Cat. Even if he comes away with nada it's good that people are recognizing him. Not the same thing but it's sort of an honorable mention. It'd be nice if he could swing a nomination at least but who knows.
I admit the 3/4 split on the Cigar Mile had my jaw drop. 1:07 and change. Smokin'....Now if he and some other promising horses can stay in one piece we're gonna have us a fun year in 2007 everybody.
I admit the 3/4 split on the Cigar Mile had my jaw drop. 1:07 and change. Smokin'....Now if he and some other promising horses can stay in one piece we're gonna have us a fun year in 2007 everybody.
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana"
He may be the best sprinter but I don't consider him a sprinter. He raced so infrequently and only has one grade 1 win and that is at 1 mile. I would guess he will get his Eclipse next year as Older Male and HOY. Long way to go but I think next year will be the year of the Cat.
First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.
-Epictetus
-Epictetus
hi Stevie Belmont
I hear ya. I offered some comment etc re the 2006 sprint eclipse, Discreet Cat etc on the RACING forum (the topic was titled: Discreet Cat Equals track record). Much was in response to a couple of CA Michael's posts.
I've attempted to duplicate that complete message (of mine) below...it seems to be relevant as it relates to your topic (re Discreet Cat) and the message which you posted above.
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Fair enough. Regardless...Discreet Cat is clearly a VERY fast horse whether or not the field that lined up to face him in the Cigar Mile are any longer (if they ever were at all) what I might describe as top horses.
Even if Thor's Echo did not win the DeFrancis (which he did), I could not give the sprint eclipse nod to Discreet Cat...but I can see how anything but a win (for Thor) in the DeFrancis might possibly have reopened the door for Henny Hughes.
Reality is though that Thor's Echo (carrying 126 pounds) not only won the G1-BC Sprint impressively (versus all comers including prohibitive favorite Henny Hughes who carried 124 pounds)...but also (just 21 days later) TE won the G1-DeFrancis Dash impressively. His performance in the DeFrancis was nothing short of an exclamation point, as far as I'm concerned. Not only was 21 days arguably a quick turn around time from a G1 to G1...but also Thor's Echo (carrying co-highweight 122 pounds in the DeFrancis) broke from the farthest outside post (number 9), raced 4 and 5 wide and (if that's not enough) gave up 4 to 6 pounds to all but one of the eight other runners in the field (that one being Nightmare Affair at 122, who finished 3rd in the BC Sprint and also ran 3rd in the DeFrancis).
That said...the two sprint champ candidates are (to my way of thinking) Henny Hughes and Thor's Echo. Each won two G1 sprints this year, but Thor's Echo's win in the BC Sprint over a stellar field which included Henny Hughes (who for whatever reason finished last) sealed the deal (as far as I'm concerned). That said...even though some might still "make a case for Discreet Cat as Champion Sprinter" (your words), or possibly Henny Hughes, I suggest that Thor's Echo's back-to-back G1 sprint wins in the BC Sprint (by 4 lengths no less, in a field which included HH) and the DeFrancis Dash...have clearly (from my perspective) earned him the nod for Sprint Eclipse.
Back to Discreet Cat...he won his first G1 level race in Saturday's one mile Cigar; but, although impressive, his VERY speedy final time for the mile does not affect my thinking re who has earned (to my way of thinking) the sprint eclipse.
Anyone can draw their own conclusions as to the quality and/or credentials of DC's four opponents in the Cigar. That said, I say there is NO way that a sprint eclipse should (by any stretch) be delivered to DC on the strength of his Cigar win. I suggest that would be nothing short of a slap in the face to two-time 2006 G1-sprint winner Henny Hughes and two-time 2006 G1-sprint winner Thor's Echo (my clear choice for sprint eclipse honors 2006).
That's not to say that I don't sense that Discreet Cat might not have the makings to become a future eclipse champion sprinter, but I'd have to first see him line up and defeat (at 6 and/or/to 7 furlongs on the dirt) the premier sprinters before I could consider it.
I see Discreet Cat's connections being extremely cautious with him. I sense that they did NOT believe he would have fared particularly well going in the one and one-quarter mile G1-BC Classic versus the likes of Bernardini and Invasor etc. The decision to NOT run DC in the BC Classic suggests to me that Discreet Cat was likely no higher than number three on the Maktoum/Darley list (of BC Classic possiblities), behind Invasor and Bernardini. Maybe next year.
For now though, the FACT is that DC's connections chose the one mile Cigar...a race which I sense they viewed as an easier spot and a friendlier distance for Discreet Cat.
I sense that team-Discreet Cat is dreaming of the BC Classic...but will continue to be very cautious re going in that direction with their colt, unless and until they are confident that he can get the job done going a mile and a quarter versus the probable competition. I am NOT convinced (at least not yet) that winning a G1 at a mile and a quarter on the dirt is within DC's grasp versus TOP mile and a quarter superstars (that are at the top of their game).
Not exactly...and maybe a bit misleading. Fact is that at the 6 furlong pole Discreet Cat was 2nd, a head behind Silver Train who set the fraction in 1:07.75. Regardless...VERY fast, and DC (carrying 124) gave 4 pounds to Silver Train (who carried 120).
For what it's worth (and for some perspective)...a $75k claimer (carrying 118) set a 6 furlong fraction of 1:08.74 in the third race (on G1 Cigar Mile-day at Aqueduct)...and won in 1:21.83 (for 7 furlongs). Is it fair to say that the track was very fast on Cigar Mile-day?
I give Thor's Echo a lot of credit, maybe more than you do. He ducked no one, and has proven with his impressive win in the G1-BC Sprint followed by his win in the G1-DeFrancis, that he is one heck of a proven multiple G1-winning sprinter.
The way I see it, Thor's Echo has earned his accolades and an eclipse. Again, he did win the G1-BC Sprint (by 4 lengths), then came back on a quick turnaround to run in and win the G1-DeFrancis. Discreet Cat could have run in the G1-BC Sprint and/or the G1-DeFrancis sprint etc, and attempted to stake a claim for a sprint eclipse. Fact is though...his connections chose not to.
Something tells me that Discreet Cat's connections had doubts that he could outrun Invasor or Bernardini going a mile and a quarter in the G1-BC Classic...and might also have had doubts that DC could out-sprint yet another Maktoum family-owned connection...Henny Hughes.
It seemed clear to me that by skipping the Breeders' Cup day possibilities for DC, his connections were looking to enhance his chances to WIN a G1, NOW. The Cigar Mile seemed to be the perfect spot...a distance that seemed to be right up his alley and versus arguably lesser (maybe much lesser) competition than he would have faced on BC day.
I will find it interesting to see what Discreet Cat's connections actually do with him in 2007. Not what they say they'll do with him...but actually what they do with him. He is a VERY fast horse.
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Fair enough. I certainly appreciate your passion, and respect your opinion...but I cannot by any stretch, agree with your selection.
Respectfully
Stevie Belmont wrote:This is bound to set off some solid debate, so be it. That’s what horse racing is all about. Debate, but if I had a vote for the Eclipse award for top sprinter in the land, it would go to Discreet Cat.
I hear ya. I offered some comment etc re the 2006 sprint eclipse, Discreet Cat etc on the RACING forum (the topic was titled: Discreet Cat Equals track record). Much was in response to a couple of CA Michael's posts.
I've attempted to duplicate that complete message (of mine) below...it seems to be relevant as it relates to your topic (re Discreet Cat) and the message which you posted above.
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CA Michael wrote:Even though (Discreet Cat) beat older horses today, they were not of the caliber that Bernardini defeated in the Breeders Cup Classic, albeit defeated. Silver Train is a very nice horse, but he's no Invasor, Lava Man, etc. Ditto with Badge of Silver.
Fair enough. Regardless...Discreet Cat is clearly a VERY fast horse whether or not the field that lined up to face him in the Cigar Mile are any longer (if they ever were at all) what I might describe as top horses.
CA Michael wrote:I do think one can make a case for Discrete Cat as Champion Sprinter, especially if Thor's Echo is beaten in today's De Francis Dash.
Even if Thor's Echo did not win the DeFrancis (which he did), I could not give the sprint eclipse nod to Discreet Cat...but I can see how anything but a win (for Thor) in the DeFrancis might possibly have reopened the door for Henny Hughes.
Reality is though that Thor's Echo (carrying 126 pounds) not only won the G1-BC Sprint impressively (versus all comers including prohibitive favorite Henny Hughes who carried 124 pounds)...but also (just 21 days later) TE won the G1-DeFrancis Dash impressively. His performance in the DeFrancis was nothing short of an exclamation point, as far as I'm concerned. Not only was 21 days arguably a quick turn around time from a G1 to G1...but also Thor's Echo (carrying co-highweight 122 pounds in the DeFrancis) broke from the farthest outside post (number 9), raced 4 and 5 wide and (if that's not enough) gave up 4 to 6 pounds to all but one of the eight other runners in the field (that one being Nightmare Affair at 122, who finished 3rd in the BC Sprint and also ran 3rd in the DeFrancis).
That said...the two sprint champ candidates are (to my way of thinking) Henny Hughes and Thor's Echo. Each won two G1 sprints this year, but Thor's Echo's win in the BC Sprint over a stellar field which included Henny Hughes (who for whatever reason finished last) sealed the deal (as far as I'm concerned). That said...even though some might still "make a case for Discreet Cat as Champion Sprinter" (your words), or possibly Henny Hughes, I suggest that Thor's Echo's back-to-back G1 sprint wins in the BC Sprint (by 4 lengths no less, in a field which included HH) and the DeFrancis Dash...have clearly (from my perspective) earned him the nod for Sprint Eclipse.
Back to Discreet Cat...he won his first G1 level race in Saturday's one mile Cigar; but, although impressive, his VERY speedy final time for the mile does not affect my thinking re who has earned (to my way of thinking) the sprint eclipse.
Anyone can draw their own conclusions as to the quality and/or credentials of DC's four opponents in the Cigar. That said, I say there is NO way that a sprint eclipse should (by any stretch) be delivered to DC on the strength of his Cigar win. I suggest that would be nothing short of a slap in the face to two-time 2006 G1-sprint winner Henny Hughes and two-time 2006 G1-sprint winner Thor's Echo (my clear choice for sprint eclipse honors 2006).
That's not to say that I don't sense that Discreet Cat might not have the makings to become a future eclipse champion sprinter, but I'd have to first see him line up and defeat (at 6 and/or/to 7 furlongs on the dirt) the premier sprinters before I could consider it.
I see Discreet Cat's connections being extremely cautious with him. I sense that they did NOT believe he would have fared particularly well going in the one and one-quarter mile G1-BC Classic versus the likes of Bernardini and Invasor etc. The decision to NOT run DC in the BC Classic suggests to me that Discreet Cat was likely no higher than number three on the Maktoum/Darley list (of BC Classic possiblities), behind Invasor and Bernardini. Maybe next year.
For now though, the FACT is that DC's connections chose the one mile Cigar...a race which I sense they viewed as an easier spot and a friendlier distance for Discreet Cat.
I sense that team-Discreet Cat is dreaming of the BC Classic...but will continue to be very cautious re going in that direction with their colt, unless and until they are confident that he can get the job done going a mile and a quarter versus the probable competition. I am NOT convinced (at least not yet) that winning a G1 at a mile and a quarter on the dirt is within DC's grasp versus TOP mile and a quarter superstars (that are at the top of their game).
CA Michael wrote:DC ran his first 6 furlongs today in 1:07 3/5, on his way to a mile in 1:32 2/5...
Not exactly...and maybe a bit misleading. Fact is that at the 6 furlong pole Discreet Cat was 2nd, a head behind Silver Train who set the fraction in 1:07.75. Regardless...VERY fast, and DC (carrying 124) gave 4 pounds to Silver Train (who carried 120).
For what it's worth (and for some perspective)...a $75k claimer (carrying 118) set a 6 furlong fraction of 1:08.74 in the third race (on G1 Cigar Mile-day at Aqueduct)...and won in 1:21.83 (for 7 furlongs). Is it fair to say that the track was very fast on Cigar Mile-day?
CA Michael wrote:...and I don't think Thor's Echo would have been anywhere near him.
I give Thor's Echo a lot of credit, maybe more than you do. He ducked no one, and has proven with his impressive win in the G1-BC Sprint followed by his win in the G1-DeFrancis, that he is one heck of a proven multiple G1-winning sprinter.
The way I see it, Thor's Echo has earned his accolades and an eclipse. Again, he did win the G1-BC Sprint (by 4 lengths), then came back on a quick turnaround to run in and win the G1-DeFrancis. Discreet Cat could have run in the G1-BC Sprint and/or the G1-DeFrancis sprint etc, and attempted to stake a claim for a sprint eclipse. Fact is though...his connections chose not to.
Something tells me that Discreet Cat's connections had doubts that he could outrun Invasor or Bernardini going a mile and a quarter in the G1-BC Classic...and might also have had doubts that DC could out-sprint yet another Maktoum family-owned connection...Henny Hughes.
It seemed clear to me that by skipping the Breeders' Cup day possibilities for DC, his connections were looking to enhance his chances to WIN a G1, NOW. The Cigar Mile seemed to be the perfect spot...a distance that seemed to be right up his alley and versus arguably lesser (maybe much lesser) competition than he would have faced on BC day.
I will find it interesting to see what Discreet Cat's connections actually do with him in 2007. Not what they say they'll do with him...but actually what they do with him. He is a VERY fast horse.
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Stevie Belmont wrote:...if I had a vote for the Eclipse award for top sprinter in the land, it would go to Discreet Cat.
Fair enough. I certainly appreciate your passion, and respect your opinion...but I cannot by any stretch, agree with your selection.
Respectfully
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Stevie Belmont
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Stevie Belmont wrote:Look I just thisk DC was impressive and deserves at leat consideration.
Maybe if there were a catagory for "most hype without actually having to do anything."
ONE impressive race should never be enough to garner consideration for a year end title. He has been coddled and his races cherry picked all year long. He had NO competition until the Cigar Mile (the Invasor he beat in March is clearly not the Invasor we saw two weeks ago and DC would have had his ass handed to him had they faced off again), and even then the horses he faced were shadows of what they were in their prime (though, still very good horses).
People who want to consider DC for a title are doing so out of emotion, not logic. He hasn't done enough to merit consideration.