Older Male Eclipse Award

MDO · Postby **MDO** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 4:35 am

Any thoughts?

Ill-bred · Postby **Ill-bred** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:54 am

I'm starting to think Invasor might get some votes.

sunday_silence · Postby **sunday_silence** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:48 am

Ought to be English Channel, but probably will be Lawyer Ron. Invasor was better than Ron, but what can you do? Too bad he only got 1 race in NA this year.

RuffianT21 · Postby **RuffianT21** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:57 am

I was thinking about this today actually. I'm pretty sure Lawyer Ron will win, but I'm not a big fan, so I'd much rather see it go to English Channel or Invasor. I think a case could be made for either of them above Lawyer Ron. I agree it's a shame Invasor only had the Donn Handicap, although it was a heckuva race as I recall. I think a definite case can be made for English Channel, though. I love English Channel and he destroyed everyone in the Breeder's Cup. I don't think Dylan Thomas would've beaten him that day, even if he was on his A game.

In any case Lawyer Ron is just one of those horses I inherently dislike for no particular reason.

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 12:53 pm

With older horses being so weak/decimated in 2007, I could make a case for Midnite Lute being champion older horse. Forego won the Eclipse for champion sprinter and champion older horse in the same year. Invasor was clearly the best horse to run this year, but the key word is "run" - two starts shouldn't earn a title.

If you say to yourself, "Midnight Lute is a sprinter," then I could say, "English Channel is a turfer."

Lawyer Ron's two big efforts were at Saratoga. He was beaten in the Salvador Mile at Monmouth and he ran poorly in the BC Classic - he's a tough horse to give a championship to.

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 4:30 pm

regardless of what happens, someone will be mad at the end of the day

Midnight lute is probalby the best older horse in training this year outside of invasor, 2 grade 1 wins, TVG sprint win, highest buyer of the year

Lawyer ron is a dirt router with 2 grade 1's, albeit over 1 surface and he lost more races than he won this year

Invasor is just invasor, won the donn in what is probalby the most impressive race of the year as far as races a horse had every reason to loose and still won

English Channel, won the turf, and a couple of other important races as well

Lava man even won 2/3rds of the pacific triple crown lol, both grade 1's

I honestly...don't know..

I'm going to give it to english channel. First of all, no older horse has won MORE grade 1's then him this year. Also, he beat the Arc winner in his Turf. that says alot ot me. I know he's a turf horse, but if there ever was a year when a turf horse should get it, this is it.

Tesio · Postby **Tesio** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:05 pm

Invasor. The best of the division. I know he didn't accomplish as much as the rest in N America. He did win the Dubai World Cup as everyone knows. The voters should just vote for the best horse. The best horse was Invasor.

bean · Postby **bean** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:17 pm

I agree. It should be Invasor

bean · Postby **bean** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:17 pm

I agree. It should be Invasor

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:15 am

What about Corinthian?

Shergar · Postby **Shergar** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:26 am

Do we really have to have a best older horse champion?

Can we have a, "None of the above" vote"

I say this as I believe the horse of the year is Curlin. Really going out on a limb there. lol

And all through the year I was not a fan of Curlin

All the best,

Shergar

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:46 am

Rokeby Forever wrote:What about Corinthian?

it's so wide open you can make a strong case for flashy bull this year.

summerhorse · Postby **summerhorse** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:03 am

Invasor was the best but I don't see him out polling Lawyer Ron and I don't see anyone else seriously threatening him.

Tesio · Postby **Tesio** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:42 pm

Lawyer Ron ran Huge at Saratoga but lost to Gottcha Gold as big favorite at Monmouth. He had a good 2007 campaign that ended with a terrible run in the slop. His 2nd to Curlin in JCGC looks much better now on paper. Possible 'horse for course' could come into play in minds of voters.

This will be tough call. Mid Lute no chance after losing Cigar Mile. Corinthian won 2 big ones but was too inconsistent. I think it comes down to English Channel, Invasor and Lawyer Ron.

If the voters credit Invasor for his Dubai victory he will win the Eclipse.

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:50 pm

Horses have won an Eclipse Award by running only once in a season in this country, but it's always been by winning in the Fall in a Championship race. A horse that ran only one time in the US during the winter doesn't deserve an Eclipse, even if he was the best horse to run all year. Invasor didn't beat anywhere near the best dirt field assembled this year, so his one win doesn't get my vote.

I wouldn't shortchange Corinthian. In the Met mile, he defeated Political Force, who later won the Suburban Handicap, and Lawyer Ron, as well. He then destroyed the BC Mile field. Yes, he was inconsistent, but who put a consistent campaign together?

English Channel will win the Turf Eclipse, and won't win HOY but he'll be considered for it - and that's how it should be. Older Handicap horse should go to a dirt horse...the turf has its own Award. If that weren't the case, English Channel could be best Older Horse.