Best horse since 1995?

[Seattle Slew]

I agree with your analysis. Cigar was the best horse I've ever seen since I started watching racing in the early 1980s.

I don't put Mineshaft in his league because Mineshaft never raced in a BC Classic. His owners created a bogus injury to avoid shipping him to Santa Anita for the Classic after he won the JC Gold Cup at Belmont to secure Horse of the Year honors. They were more concerned with breeding rights than sportsmanship when the horse likely would have crushed the field anyways. But they didn't give him a chance.

My top 5:
Cigar
Skip Away
Curlin (I originally thought he was way overrated, not anymore).
Ghostzapper (just didn't race long enough)
Awesome Again (another horse who was screwed by his owners (Stronach) worrying about breeding rights and avoiding tough races until he won the BC Classic in his first tough race to cap a perfect season but Skip Away won Horse of the Year because he raced in all the big races across the country.)

Cigar was the last super horse were going to see. A racehorse doesnt start to hit there prime until at least 5 years old. Nowadays, if they show any promise as a 3 year old, they are retired and hit the stud shed by the time their 4 th birthday rolls around. Cigar won 16 races in a row, not to mention carrying the high weight in almost all those races. One of my greatest sports days as a spectator was watching him get beat at Del Mar for the Pacific Classic, and the ending of the win streak.

[fiveteamer]

that'd be a great 5 horse field. $100 to win on Ghostzapper

Ghostzapper vs. his daddy!

[Seattle Slew]

Was Ghostzapper by Awesome Again? Didn't even realize that when making the list.

[helicopter23]

I agree with your analysis. Cigar was the best horse I've ever seen since I started watching racing in the early 1980s.

I don't put Mineshaft in his league because Mineshaft never raced in a BC Classic. His owners created a bogus injury to avoid shipping him to Santa Anita for the Classic after he won the JC Gold Cup at Belmont to secure Horse of the Year honors. They were more concerned with breeding rights than sportsmanship when the horse likely would have crushed the field anyways. But they didn't give him a chance.

My top 5:
Cigar
Skip Away
Curlin (I originally thought he was way overrated, not anymore).
Ghostzapper (just didn't race long enough)
Awesome Again (another horse who was screwed by his owners (Stronach) worrying about breeding rights and avoiding tough races until he won the BC Classic in his first tough race to cap a perfect season but Skip Away won Horse of the Year because he raced in all the big races across the country.)

Not the horses fault. If you watch Mineshaft's races from the 2003 year when he won 7 out of 9, Albarado barely went to the whip. Watch the stephen foster handicapp that year on youtube he Albarado made a dumb 5 wide move at the 1/2 mile pole and Mineshaft also came back at a very good Perfect drift

[Panic]

Not the horses fault. If you watch Mineshaft's races from the 2003 year when he won 7 out of 9, Albarado barely went to the whip. Watch the stephen foster handicapp that year on youtube he Albarado made a dumb 5 wide move at the 1/2 mile pole and Mineshaft also came back at a very good Perfect drift

Why keep forcing your issue? Alot of us picked Cigar, but you seem like you want to force us to see your way of thinking. It was an opinion thread was it not? You asked a question and attack the asnwer of those that dont agree with you. Cigar was better than Mineshaft, but I wont force that down your throat. Its an opinion. Thats all.

[TodaysAction]

Not the horses fault. If you watch Mineshaft's races from the 2003 year when he won 7 out of 9, Albarado barely went to the whip. Watch the stephen foster handicapp that year on youtube he Albarado made a dumb 5 wide move at the 1/2 mile pole and Mineshaft also came back at a very good Perfect drift

Please don't make the mistake of thinking Perfect Drift was still "good" at that point in his racing career. For if you do, I'd counter you by telling you there was a horse a few years back that won 15 or more straight races in LA and most/all of them were less than 100k and when left LA got thumped big time. Next thing you'll try to tell me is that Lemon Drop Kid should make the top ten on your all-time list - when he wasn't in NY, he didn't fair as well. The passion you have for the sport is good but think some watching of "older" races might be in order.

[helicopter23]

Please don't make the mistake of thinking Perfect Drift was still "good" at that point in his racing career. For if you do, I'd counter you by telling you there was a horse a few years back that won 15 or more straight races in LA and most/all of them were less than 100k and when left LA got thumped big time. Next thing you'll try to tell me is that Lemon Drop Kid should make the top ten on your all-time list - when he wasn't in NY, he didn't fair as well. The passion you have for the sport is good but think some watching of "older" races might be in order.

What's your top 5 since 1995?

[TodaysAction]

What's your top 5 since 1995?

Have to check on their years but did list about a half dozen who were better earlier in the thread. Make sure to post your 5 too.

[fiveteamer]

I don't think Perfect Drift was ever good. This horse just would not win. No big deal out gaming him to the wire. I think he's still in training, why I have no idea.

[helicopter23]

Top 5 in random order

Mineshaft
Cigar
Ghostzapper
Point Given
Skip Away

[TodaysAction]

Here you go ...

1) CIGAR
Major Racing Wins
NYRA Mile (1994)
Oaklawn Handicap (1995)
Gulfstream Park Handicap (1995),
Hollywood Gold Cup (1995)
Jockey Club Gold Cup (1995)
Pimlico Special (1995)
Breeders' Cup Classic (1995)
Donn Handicap (1995 & 1996)
Massachusetts Handicap (1995 & 1996)
Woodward Stakes (1995 & 1996)
Dubai World Cup (1996)
Arlington Citation Challenge (1996)

Racing Awards
U.S. Outstanding Older Male Horse (1995 & 1996)
United States Horse of the Year (1995 & 1996)
Timeform rating: 138

2) SKIP AWAY
Major Racing Wins
Blue Grass Stakes (1996)
Woodbine Million (1996)
Haskell Invitational Handicap (1996)
Ohio Derby (1996)
Breeders' Cup Classic (1997)
Jockey Club Gold Cup (1996 & 1997)
Massachusetts Handicap (1997 & 1998)
Pimlico Special (1998)
Woodward Stakes (1998)
Hollywood Gold Cup (1998)
Gulfstream Park Handicap (1998)
Donn Handicap (1998)

Racing Awards
U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt (1996)
U.S. Champion Older Male Horse (1997 & 1998)
United States Horse of the Year (1998)

3) SILVER CHARM
Major Racing Wins
Del Mar Futurity (1996)
San Vicente Stakes (1997)
Kentucky Derby (1997)
Preakness Stakes (1997)
Clark Handicap (1998)
Dubai World Cup (1998)
Kentucky Cup Classic Handicap (1998)
San Pasqual Handicap (1999)

Racing Award
United States Champion 3-Year-Old Colt (1997)

4) TIZNOW
Major Racing Wins
Breeders' Cup Classic (2000 & 2001)
Super Derby (2000)
Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (2000)
Affirmed Handicap (2000)
Santa Anita Handicap (2001)
San Fernando Breeders' Cup Stakes (2001)

Racing Awards
American Champion 3-Year-Old Male Horse (2000)
American Horse of the Year (2000)
NTRA "Moment of the Year" (2000, 2001)
American Champion Older Male Horse (2001)

5) GIANT’S CAUSEWAY
Major Racing Wins
Futurity Stakes (Ireland) (1999)
Prix de la Salamandre (1999)
Gladness Stakes (2000)
St. James's Palace Stakes (2000)
Eclipse Stakes (2000)
Sussex Stakes(2000)
Juddmonte International Stakes (2000)
Irish Champion Stakes (2000)

Racing Award
European Horse of the Year (2000)

... there you go. As previously mentioned, I needed to check the dates for some confirmations.

[Seattle Slew]

He was a great money earner for sure. A horse owner's delight, despite not winning many big races. But he hit the board plenty of times. Nearly $4 million over 7 years of racing. His toughness to avoid injury was his best selling point.

Even though he didn't seem to want to win, he had two of the most brutal losses I've ever seen in $750,000 races. The Whitney, beaten by Roses in May, by a nose, and the Foster at Chuchill, beaten by a 90-1 shot on the wire who was practically in the grandstand at the wire while PD was in the middle of the track.

I don't think Perfect Drift was ever good. This horse just would not win. No big deal out gaming him to the wire. I think he's still in training, why I have no idea.

[Seattle Slew]

Perfect Drift loses two heart-breakers. In the second, he clearly hangs and doesn't want to win. The Foster was just bad luck after he swept by the whole field.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANyDHLAxZTk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1icgbKiZvQ&feature=related

[smitch124]

My Fav in that time period was Siphon...

[TodaysAction]

He was a great money earner for sure. A horse owner's delight, despite not winning many big races. But he hit the board plenty of times. Nearly $4 million over 7 years of racing. His toughness to avoid injury was his best selling point.

Even though he didn't seem to want to win, he had two of the most brutal losses I've ever seen in $750,000 races. The Whitney, beaten by Roses in May, by a nose, and the Foster at Chuchill, beaten by a 90-1 shot on the wire who was practically in the grandstand at the wire while PD was in the middle of the track.

One thing I always did was to include him on my triple and super tickets knowing he ought to be there at the wire. I'd love to have a horse like that - a steady money winner, maybe some day.

[fiveteamer]

Dynever would have out earned Perfect Drft if he was a gelding.