We can eliminate one from the HOY converstion

[Masterp]

We can finally put to rest all those wishes by some folks that Einstein was worthy of HOY consideration. I have nothing against the horse, in fact I really love Helen Pitts - Blasi, but this horse in my opinion never was worthy of all the high acclaim he was getting.

If we are loking for a 3rd nominee... Gio Ponti anyone? Maybe this should be the year there are only two choices, but Gio Ponti in my opinion is worthy of the third spot.

Still a lot of racing to go though.

[Joel]

We can finally put to rest all those wishes by some folks that Einstein was worthy of HOY consideration. I have nothing against the horse, in fact I really love Helen Pitts - Blasi, but this horse in my opinion never was worthy of all the high acclaim he was getting.

If we are loking for a 3rd nominee... Gio Ponti anyone? Maybe this should be the year there are only two choices, but Gio Ponti in my opinion is worthy of the third spot.

Still a lot of racing to go though.

Who was the last turf horse to win HOY? Kotashaan in 1993?

Right now:

1. Gio Ponti
2. Zenyatta
3. Rachael

MOO..

[Vtexposfan]

Agreed 100% with Joel.

Winning four in a row against tough turf horses of all ages > winning four in a row against 3 year olds

[Joel]

Agreed 100% with Joel.

Winning four in a row against tough turf horses of all ages > winning four in a row against 3 year olds

If Rachael was beating up on a good crop of 3 year olds, like Rags to Riches did, then she would deserve a long look.

But this has turned out to be arguably the weakest 3 year old class in the past 15 years..with the lone exception of Quality Road..

[TheGoose]

good to see 105 using MY posts from the chat.....

[Risen Star]

With very few exceptions, it seems I've heard every year when a horse is racing up a storm, it's because he/she is among a weak crop. I heard it last year with Big Brown and I think I probably heard it with Bernardini as well. Now Rachel is supposedly running against a weak crop, despite all the grade 1 wins, the huge margins, the fast clockings, and her dominance against some of the best males. Maybe it's not the greatest crop in recent years, but it's the best she can face and she's beaten them, the last time by six lengths; and you can't dispute the way she's doing it.

I'm not necessarily endorsing Rachel as HOY, but I don't buy the weak crop argument either because I hear it almost every year.

[Joel]

With very few exceptions, it seems I've heard every year when a horse is racing up a storm, it's because he/she is among a weak crop. I heard it last year with Big Brown and I think I probably heard it with Bernardini as well. Now Rachel is supposedly running against a weak crop, despite all the grade 1 wins, the huge margins, the fast clockings, and her dominance against some of the best males. Maybe it's not the greatest crop in recent years, but it's the best she can face and she's beaten them, the last time by six lengths; and you can't dispute the way she's doing it.

I'm not necessarily endorsing Rachel as HOY, but I don't buy the weak crop argument either because I hear it almost every year.

You certainly didn't hear that about a "weak" crop in 2007.

Just out of curiousity, other than Rachael and Quality Road, tell me of another 3 yo, male or female, that you think will amount to anything better than a "useful" allowance-type horse?

[Risen Star]

Joel,

I did say at the beginning of my post "with few exceptions" and at the end I said "almost" every year, so that would take care of the 2007 crop.

Here are a few three-year-olds who are proving themselves or who could come back strong later or as four-year-olds:

Stardom Bound
Mine That Bird
Summer Bird
Battle of Hastings
Take the Points

I can't remember if Dunkirk is supposed to come back later or not, but if he does, he's obviously another one.

[Joel]

Joel,

I did say at the beginning of my post "with few exceptions" and at the end I said "almost" every year, so that would take care of the 2007 crop.

Here are a few three-year-olds who are proving themselves or who could come back strong later or as four-year-olds:

Stardom Bound
Mine That Bird
Summer Bird
Battle of Hastings
Take the Points

I can't remember if Dunkirk is supposed to come back later or not, but if he does, he's obviously another one.

Kensei is one that seems to be a late-comer..keep an eye out for him..

[Risen Star]

Yes, Kensei is certainly another one.