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Stevie Belmont
01-09-2008, 09:11 PM
Here is my 2007 tops

2-year-old Colt- Undefeated War Pass gets the nod after winning the Champagne and the BC Juvenile in front running style. Zitos colt has shown he has speed and likes to use it. Both were gate to wire victories. There is no telling how much he will develop as a 3 year old. As the distances get longer, he will have to show he can carry that speed. Pyro who ran second to War Pass earned consideration and will enjoy the increase in distances. He could very well close the gap as the year goes on with War Pass. However, War Pass was tops in the 2 year old division in 2006.

2-year-old Filly-Indian Blessing splashed home in the 2007 Breeder's Cup Filly Juvenile at Monmouth Park and by doing so nailed down the eclipse award for top 2-year-old filly. The Baffert trained filly out of Indian Charlie completed an undefeated season. She was a runaway winner in each of her first three races of here career. So far, she has shown she is fast filly and we look forward to seeing her run in 2008. Proud Spell was the runner up to Indian Blessing in Breeder's Cup Juvenile Filly. That was her only loss. The Larry Jones trained filly will look to improve on her 2007 campaign.

3 Year Old Colt- This was wide open for awhile with Street Sense the one to beat, but Curlin gets it with his resounding win in the BC Classic. Curlins resume, as a 3 year old was rock solid. He defeated Street Sense in the Preakness Stakes and did it again in the BC Classic. Curlin also sported two wins over older rivals in the Jockey Gold Cup at Belmont Park and in the BC Classic. Streets Sense's accomplishments were not overshadowed. He was the first horse to ever win the BC Juvenile and go on to win the Kentucky Derby. He also won the mid-summer derby the Travers Stakes at Saratoga in a gut wrenching battle over Grasshopper. He just missed nipping Curlin in the Preakness Stakes. This was one of the deepest 3-year-old crops in quite some time. Hard Spun in other years might have stolen the show. He danced every dance and flashed his brilliant speed each and every time. He led every race he was in until the final furlong and almost won the Kentucky Derby. We had him pegged as our number 1 horse in the ThoroughbredZones Derby top 12. Hard Spun eventually did get his GI win in the Kings Bishop over First Defense in race he refused to lose. Another great race in a year filled with super efforts. He was as game as a racehorse could be. Honorable mention also goes to Any Given Saturday. The little spark plug colt won the Jerome and Haskell at Monmouth Park each time with explosive moves. Daaher came on the scene late to win the GI Cigar mile holding off Midnight Lute in front running style.

3-Year-Old Filly- Rags To Riches nostril-to-nostril ding-dong battle with Curlin in the Belmont Stakes was a marvelous effort from Coolmores super talented filly. She was the first filly in over 100 years to capture the 1 ½ half Test Of A Champion, and she passed it with flying colors. She was also the runaway winner of the Santa Anita Oaks and Kentucky Oaks. Lear’s Princess had a solid 3-year-old campaign as well. She was edged out by Lady Joanne in the Alabama and defeated Rags to Riches in the GI Gazelle at Belmont Park. Rags to Riches compiled 4 GI victories in 2007 and almost had 5. She could have made a very strong case for the top 3 year old overall had Curlin not won the BC Classic. Octave had a solid year as well; she was the winner of the CCA Oaks at Belmont Park.

Fillies and Mares 4 and up- Ginger Punch had a superb 2007. She won 5 of her 8 starts and bagged 3 GI events, capped by winning the BC Distaff. She is the clear-cut winner here. Nashoba's Key had a big year out west. She took a 7 race-winning streak into the BC Distaff. Unbridled Belle was no slouch either sporting big wins in the Delaware Oaks and Beldame.

Turf Male- English Channel finally broke through and stamped himself the top grasser in North America after vying for the title the past few years. His romp in a bog in the Breeders Cup at Monmouth Park solidified his credentials, but his most impressive win of the year came at Belmont Park in September in the Turf Classic. His move inside along the rail was awe-inspiring. He looked like he was a beaten horse, but he exploded through and came home in smashing style. He might not have beaten the best field that day, but there is little doubt that move would have beaten just about anyone. He came home fast and strong. It was an awesome sight to see. English Channel retired as a multiple GI champion and one of the best turf horses we have seen in along time from the USA. Pletcher also gets kudos for a wonderful training job with him. Shakespeare came off a layoff to win and allowance race at Saratoga in route to winning the Woodbine mile super strong fashion over eventual BC Mile winner Kip Deville. Honorable mention goes the Arlington Million winner Jambalaya. After Market had a huge year as well, but the soft turf was not to his liking, thus skipping the BC Turf Mile.

Filly and Mare Turf- There were a few that garnered consideration, but the Shadwell owned Lahudood came on the scene late to bag top honors in this division. She was the long shot winner in the Flower Bowl at Belmont Park and showed it was no fluke as she backed that win up with a win in the Breeder's Cup filly and mare race at Monmouth Park. Honey Rider had a big year herself against the boys. She ran behind top turfer English Channel in the United Nations and the Arlington Million winner Jambalaya in the Gulfstream Park Breeders Cup.

Sprinter- Midnight Lute was a multiple GI winner this year. The huge son of Real Quiet stormed home to win the Forego at Saratoga with ease, earning a mammoth speed figure. He backed that effort up by coming out of the clouds to gallop past Idiot Proof and Talent Search to win the BC Sprint in the slop. However, the fastest horse in the division could very well be Fabulous Strike whose win in the Vosburgh at Belmont Park showed how good this one is. Unfortunately, he missed the BC due to an injury. Midnight Lute almost captured his third GI running 2nd to the late developing and talented Daaher in the Cigar mile at Aqueduct in November. Idiot Proof broke the track record at Monmouth Park at 6 furlongs on July 4, 2007.

Fillies and Mare Sprinter- Dream Rush the super quick West Point Stable filly won 4 of 7 starts during the 2007 season. She captured back-to-back GI's and the G2 Nassau County in New York. She led every step of the way in the GI Acorn but was outlasted by Cotton Blossom at a mile. Some might argue Maryfield is more deserving after winning the BC Filly and Mare sprint but we feel Dream Rush had a great year, for some reason that BC Race does not have GI status, but regardless we will go with Dream Rush. The super speedy La Traviata also earned honorable mention for her fine year.



Horse Of The Year-Curlin stamped himself as thee horse of the year with his resounding victory in the Breeder's Cup Classic. Curlin displayed utter brilliance early in his career; despite never having run as a two year old. He won the Preakness in a gusty effort over Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and nearly won the Belmont Stakes in a ding-dong battle with the top filly Rags to Riches. The big strong chestnut is the clear-cut choice for the HOY. He also defeated at the time the top handicap horse in the country Lawyer Ron in another stirring victory in the Jockey Gold Cup Classic. It would be wonderful for him to return as a 4 year old as there is no telling how good he can be. He is an ultra talented horse, but the stud value and insurance issues will be big factors if in fact he does return for his 4-year-old campaign. He worked recently giving indication he might return. Invasor started the year well on his way to winning back-to-back HOY awards winning the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park and the world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup, but had to be retired due to an injury. Only two starts in 2007 with his year ending in March is not enough. Lawyer Ron Captured 4 wins in his 8 starts in 2007 including 2 GI's

Older Male Horse- In a division that was left wide open after the retirement of the Super Marathon Monster Invasor and 2006 Horse Of The Year, there was not much of a stand out until Lawyer Ron's back to back wins in the Whitney and Woodward at Saratoga gave him enough to get the honor as the top older runner of the year. If the award considered grass horses and I do not any reason why it should not, English Channel deserves consideration for his big year having captured 2 of the biggest grass races of the year in North America.

Race of The Year- We cannot just pick one race this year. There were many great races that deserved consideration. Most of these races came out of New York this year. The first race was the thrilling stretch duel between Curlin and Rags To Riches in the Belmont Stakes. Rags to Riches outlasted the BC Classic and Preakness winner in an eyeball-to-eyeball battle down the long Belmont Park stretch. It was an epic battle between the two equines. Rags To Riches performance was brilliant. Belmont Park was electric with this exhilarating effort by the classy filly. The Preakness Stakes was another thriller as Curlin made a bold move to hook Street Sense and then outlasted him to the wire to win. Curlin looked beat, but would not be denied fending off The Kentucky Derby winner in battle of two dual classic winners. Hard Spun got in on the action as well. He engaged the fast First Defense in The Kings Bishop at Saratoga in search of his first G1 win. It looked like Hard Spun would once again be the runner up in a GI, but he showed guts and determination digging in and fighting off a stubborn foe in winning his first and only GI race. He showed he had the heart of a champion. Later in the day, the crowd at Saratoga in which the ThoroughbredZone was part of was treated to another epic stretch battle between the Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and the upstart Neil Howard trained Grasshopper. Grasshopper had the jump on Street Sense heading for home. Street Sense dug down and gave it all he had in a nose-to-nose battle to the wire. Street Sense outlasted his stubborn foe edging ahead in the final strides to get to the wire first. Last but certainly not least was English Channels break through along the Belmont Parks rail in the Turf Classic. Hopelessly boxed up, English Channel muscled his way through and stormed home is electrifying fashion to win in route to winning the BC Turf. These were the top races of 2006. Not bad.

Steeplechase- The great McDynamo has reined supreme over this division for a while but there is a new leader of the pack this year. Good Night Shirt won 3 GI events this year and earned the eclipse for top jumper in the USA.

Trainer- ThoroughbredZones top trainer award goes to Carl Nafzger. He did a marvelous job in guiding Street Sense to the Kentucky Derby and Travers victories. He had a plan in place well before his 3-year-old campaign started and stuck to it with the results he wanted. Carl's main objectives were these two races and he made sure Street Sense was prepared to run his best races in each of those races. Connections took heat for passing the Belmont Stakes, but the Belmont was never in the plans unless Street Sense had captured the Preakness. His planned worked to perfection. Other trainers may have won more races and compiled more in the earnings department, but more goes into this award then just those tangible figures. On that note, Carl Nafzger is the deserving winner of our top trainer. Bill Mott had a huge Saratoga meet.

Owner- Shadwell Stable had another huge year. Owner of Invasor, Lahudood and Daaher and they won tons of purse money again.

Breeder- Frank Stronachs Adena Farms had another big year...His homebreds have continue to produce winning offspring. Ginger Punch won the BC Distaff.

Jockey-We had Garret tops last year. And he is tops again this year Garret Gomez continued his hot riding as he captured several graded stakes during the year and breaking Jerry D Baileys single season win mark He amassed several millions in earnings along the way to a stellar 2007 campaign.

Apprentice- Joe Talamo came on the scene on the west coast and started winning race after race as an apprentice.

Sire of the Year- This is a new category by the ThoroughbredZone. It would be impossible not to make Smart Strike the smart choice. He sired multiple GI winners and three in one day at Belmont Park on different surfaces and distances. Curlin, English Channel and Fabulous Strike. He had a break out year.

46zilzal
01-09-2008, 09:17 PM
Smart Strike, the Canadian is starting to look a bit like the more famous Northern Dancer in throwing some big time offsrpring.