Horse of The Year

[ct2346]

Kotashaan won 6 of 10 (would have been 7 of 10 had Desormoux not misjudged the finish in the Japan Cup) and set a course record. When winning the BC Turf he beat a top field. Main Sequence beat very mediocre horses by a nose in three of his four wins. Perhaps a closer comparison would be the filly All Along, but she won the Arc then came to America and absolutely destroyed the fields in three grade ones, all within 41 days!

Actually Main Sequence never won my a nose. But, hyperbole aside, I agree with the All Along comparison.

As to mediocrity - one need only look at California Chrome's opponents in his only winning race since the middle of May.

[Cree]

Wise Dan actually won 4 races this year. I'd love to see him repeat, but it's not going to happen.
Chrome will probably win based on all of the fanatics out there. I do think he deserves it over the other 3-year-olds. I think the best of that bunch is still Shared Belief though.

[Patuxet]

Here Kellie Reilly makes her case for Main Sequence as HOY.

http://www.twinspires.com/blog/2014/12/ ... her-chrome

My guess is that California Chrome, like Charismatic in 1999, will be named CH3YO and HOY more for sentimental reasons than rational ones.

[Patuxet]

Here Kellie Reilly makes her case for Main Sequence as HOY.

http://www.twinspires.com/blog/2014/12/ ... her-chrome

My guess is that California Chrome, like Charismatic in 1999, will be named CH3YO and HOY more for sentimental reasons than rational ones.

[oliverstoned]

Apologies for my hyberbole regarding Main Sequence's win margins, actually a 1/2 length, two necks and a head, not exactly All Along like. Most interesting will be who the three finalists for HOY will be.

Here is a tougher one, which candidate would you rather own NEXT year. Put aside breeding values for argument's sake. On this count my picks are as follows:
1) Main Sequence
2) Shared Belief
3) Tonalist
4) California Chrome
5) Bayern

[da hossman]

TONALIST - Tapit out of a Pleasant Colony mare (PC notorious for late maturing types) - once he matured out of blinkers (first start without was his victory in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup he was the man - did not run a bad race in BC Classic. Should be better this year and has Jimmy Jerkens running the show!

[ct2346]

TONALIST - Tapit out of a Pleasant Colony mare (PC notorious for late maturing types) - once he matured out of blinkers (first start without was his victory in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup he was the man - did not run a bad race in BC Classic. Should be better this year and has Jimmy Jerkens running the show!

When did he move out of Clement's barn? Did I miss something?

[da hossman]

woops my mistake Tonalist is trained by Clement! It's good to have Clement in your corner as well.

Thinking of too many horses at the same time, Jimmy does have a couple of good 3YO colts in Wicked Strong and VE Day.

[Patuxet]

Dick Jerardi states his case for Chrome in the DRF:

http://www.drf.com/news/jerardi-horse-year-choice-clear

[Patuxet]

Eclipse voter John Veitch considers six contenders for HOY:

http://www.saratogian.com/sports/201412 ... o-a-pick-6

[DDT]

Patuxet

The author cited in your post is not John Veitch but Michael Veitch, and his points are noted.

DDT

[Patuxet]

Oops! My age was showing.

[Jorge]

Horse of the Year = A horse whose victories are unquestionably well achieved and well earned through the year and through the ages.

[Georgerz]

Yes, Jorge, you are right. A race like the demolition Derby that the BC was, can't be considered for any kind of honors or awards. JMHO

[Jorge]

If I would have the privilege to vote for "Horse of the Year" I would
try to select a horse that would make me feel disembarrassed
and proud of having cast such a vote without having to put any
kind of prospective explanatory asterisk to my conscience.