Who is the best race horse you ever saw in person

[Igeteven]

This thread is a little different.

Who is the best horse you saw in person at the race track.

Me. Big Z, and what a horse.


Please this is not on TV or on the radio.

[lamboguy]

FOREGO

[goforgin]

I was at the Breeder's Cup when Alysheba won. Many good horses that day. Saw the "Rock" at the Arlington Park Breeder's Cup, but was beaten by Domedrivor that day. Also, saw Cigar at Arlington Park. I guess Alysheba would be tops, but there were many good horses that day.

[Igeteven]

I was at the Breeder's Cup when Alysheba won. Many good horses that day. Saw the "Rock" at the Arlington Park Breeder's Cup, but was beaten by Domedrivor that day. Also, saw Cigar at Arlington Park. I guess Alysheba would be tops, but there were many good horses that day.

lucky person to see that. :)

[shhail2]

Bernardini, invasor, oujia board, or my personally favorite in Ventura... I am from the younger crowd obviously ha

[Overlay]

FOREGO
I'll second that, having been on hand to watch him beat Honest Pleasure in the 1976 Marlboro Cup, while carrying 137 pounds.

[Casino]

Without any doubt it was Easy Goer great looking chestnut,reddish,huge had the blaze.

But my favorie horse to watch run was Spectacular Bid.

[Brogan]

I had the fortune to see Secretariat in person both for his Preakness and Belmont.

I don't think I need to say anything more.

[Casino]

I had the fortune to see Secretariat in person both for his Preakness and Belmont.

I don't think I need to say anything more.

Big Red doesnt count.

[smartybadger]

Rachel Alexandra at the Haskell.

[Linny]

Easy Goer had a big star, no blaze.

For me it will always be Bid. I saw him win the Marlboro, lose the Gold Cup and run his walkover. I saw Forego too and was always a sucker for him with his closing charge. I saw his last stakes win, the Woodward over Silver Series.

I saw Secretariat train that was enough to get me hooked on the game.

[thaskalos]

Landaluce...Del Mar 1982.

[Casino]

Easy Goer had a big star, no blaze.

For me it will always be Bid. I saw him win the Marlboro, lose the Gold Cup and run his walkover. I saw Forego too and was always a sucker for him with his closing charge. I saw his last stakes win, the Woodward over Silver Series.

I saw Secretariat train that was enough to get me hooked on the game.


One can argue The Bid had one the best 4 year campaign ever of any horse.

[Casino]

Landaluce...Del Mar 1982.

One of my favorite horse of all time,(thats the horse in my avatar).What race did you see her run?

[thaskalos]

One of my favorite horse of all time,(thats the horse in my avatar).What race did you see her run?
The Debutante Stakes.

It was my first, and last, visit to California...went there for a wedding.

[classhandicapper]

Seattle Slew, but Bid is definitely in the conversation and Affirmed and Forego are also right there.

[craigbraddick]

Desert Orchid.

[sonnyp]

i was in college and saw him a lot. was at "his" derby and belmont. was lucky enough to be at saratoga the year before for "his" hopeful. watch this performance by a 2 yo:

no sound until top of stretch, but secretariat will be dead last after the break. look for the blur on the outside down the backstretch.

Ux87nv_dBOM

[Bruddah]

I've been fortunate to see several good horses over the years. I don't necessarily consider these the best but certainly among the best. (1980's) John Henry on grass twice in the Arlington Million. (1990's) Cigar Oaklawn Hdcp twice. (2000's) Smarty Jones Ark Dby (2010) Zenyatta

[lamboguy]

I'll second that, having been on hand to watch him beat Honest Pleasure in the 1976 Marlboro Cup, while carrying 137 pounds.thank you for that one, i couldn't remember the race because my brain has gone bad.

[Spiderman]

Toss-up: Forego and Kelso

[mistergee]

saw Seattle Slew run at Hialeah when I was a kid just seeing my first live races --I think at the time he broke the 7 fur track record and even I knew at the time he seemd to do it effortlessly

[Canarsie]

Ruffian when she broke her maiden only time I saw greatness in a first start.

Kelso a close second.

[PhantomOnTour]

Point Given
Rachel Alexandra
Invasor
Barbaro
Smarty Jones
Afleet Alex

[horses4courses]

Nijinsky, Grundy, Roberto, and Shergar......pretty much in that order.

[rastajenk]

I saw Spend A Buck win twice, the Cradle at RD and the Ky Derby.

I was at the '86 Breeders Cup where Lady's Secret and Manila were impressive winners. Dancing Brave may have been the among the best non-winners I've seen in person.

I was also at the 2000 BC when Tiznow beat Giant's Causeway in a good ol' good one. Kona Gold won that day, also.

And Point Given at Turfway as a two-year-old.

Among those, I'd say Spend A Buck would be my top choice.

[BlueShoe]

AFFIRMED. Last Triple Crown winner. Winner of the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup, Woodward, Jockey Club Gold Cup, all grade 1's, in the same year.

[Tom]

Our Mims in 1977 Alabama.
My first Toga.

Azeri, Groovy, Safely Kept
Niatross.
Howie Samuels.

[phattty]

saw dr fager.....secratariat,,,,,forego


THe good doctor electrified garden state that day , but was taken down


still first in my heart

[cj's dad]

Skip Away- Donn Handicap-Gulfstream, BC at Hollywood Park, and in the JCGC at belmont - my all time favorite

[gm10]

This thread is a little different.

Who is the best horse you saw in person at the race track.

Me. Big Z, and what a horse.


Please this is not on TV or on the radio.

I saw Curlin at Monmouth, Goldikova when she devastated the field at Deauville, and the incredibly tough looking Ouija Board at Goodwood, but nothing will ever come close to how Zenyatta looked when she won the Classic. I don't think that anyone who saw her in the paddock that day would disagree.

[mannyberrios]

Easy Goer

[GaryG]

Dr. Fager

[nijinski]

Spectacular Bid in Fla and NJ .

[forced89]

Carry Back. Seems like he ran every other week!

[toussaud]

ghostzapper

[Producer]

Skip Away and Pulpit. Both at the old Gulfstream.

Man, those were the days. I was in my young teens, my dad was still alive, and we spent almost every weekend at the track together. Some of the best memories of my life!

After spending most of the year at Calder, the old Gulfstream park was such a magical place for me. I looked forward to it every year.

[Striker]

Cigar at Arlington Park. Saw John Henry at Arlington also but I was only 5 years old.

[thespaah]

This thread is a little different.

Who is the best horse you saw in person at the race track.

Me. Big Z, and what a horse.


Please this is not on TV or on the radio.
The Living Legend.......John Henry....Close second....Forego.
I feel privileged to have been able to watch these great champions in person.

[Cratos]

This thread is a little different.

Who is the best horse you saw in person at the race track.

Me. Big Z, and what a horse.


Please this is not on TV or on the radio.


This a good question and to me it was first Buckpasser (maybe the most beautiful race horse ever). But that didn’t last for long because this big lighting fast stud called Dr. Fager rolled onto the scene and up until 1973 I thought I had seen the greatest ever in him and felt that way until Meadow Stables unleashed a horsse named Secretariat who was affectionately called Big Red by many.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t going to the KY Derby in 1973 and I missed what I think was his greatest race (the Belmont was more spectacular)

[Elliott Sidewater]

Spectacular Bid, in 1978 or 79 at Delaware Park.

[MickJ26]

All the greats come to Belmont, so I'm lucky in that respect. If I had to pick one horse since about 1990-on it'd be Holy Bull.

[Shemp Howard]

I watched Dr. Fager win (lose) the 1967 Jersey Derby at Garden State and the following year win the UN Handicap on the grass. You can say what you will about Secretariat but the Doctor never lost to a plug like Onion.
After his grueling win in Atlantic City, Nerud gave Dr, Fager nearly two months off before entering him in the Vosburgh at Aqueduct. On November 2, 1968, in the final start of his career, Dr. Fager finished first under an astounding 139 pounds. He completed the 7 furlongs in 1:20 1/5 – breaking the track record and missing the world record by only a fifth of a second.

[BIG49010]

Cigar and Manila

[Tom]

Spectacular Bid, in 1978 or 79 at Delaware Park.

I drove to Baltimore to see his Preakness, and it took so long to get out of the track and the city Friday, I skipped going back Saturday and watched the race from my motel room - across the street from Penn National!

[fmhealth]

Dr Fager. I've never seen a horse with as much raw talent. He just didn't win, he thoroughly defeated his opponents. After 52 years in this sport, I'm still in awe of this majestic animal.

[Igeteven]

Skip Away and Pulpit. Both at the old Gulfstream.

Man, those were the days. I was in my young teens, my dad was still alive, and we spent almost every weekend at the track together. Some of the best memories of my life!

After spending most of the year at Calder, the old Gulfstream park was such a magical place for me. I looked forward to it every year.

Your Damn right, those are our best days of our life. :) there is nothing like it on the planet when one goes with his Dad, :) to the race track. :) :) :) :)

[KingChas]

Holy Bull

[toetoe]

1987 at Hollywood:

Miesque
Theatrical/Trempolino/Estrapade
Ferdinand/Alysheba



1973 at Golden Gate:

Linda's Chief

[dogkatcher]

Swaps
Native Diver
Silky Sullivan
Dr. Fager
Silver Spoon

[funnsss1]

makybe diva, secrateriat,cigar zenyatta

[Igeteven]

cigar

What a great horse. :)

Did anyone out there see Citation run?

[Dahoss2002]

I got to see Alysheba and Sunday Silence win Super Derbys at Louisiana Downs. Alysheba's next race I believe was 2nd to 49er in the BC and I think Sunday Silence got the best of Easy Goer once again in the BC in his next race. What a difference 20 years makes. I miss our million dollar purse.

[Robert Goren]

Native Diver

[The Judge]

John Henry , saw Cigar still a turf horse run 3rd.by a nk. on the at BM. Saw Brown Bess many times. Simply Majestic not great but set a world record of 1:45 for 9F.

Funny saw many great horses who ran at Golden Gate and Bay Meadows weren't great when they ran there. They were there because they hadn't shipped South yet or Southern Cal shipped them North so they could fine themselves in cheaper company. Many did gain their confidence and when on to become great horses.

[appistappis]

As a young man just starting out in this great world of horseracing I witnessed Secretariat's last race at woodbine. i still get the shivers remembering it.

[LA Racing Lady]

John Henry as a two year old is the best that I saw run, but I didn't know how good he was going to be.

In a stall, that I actually got to touch and feed? That would be Rachel Alexandra last summer at Saratoga! She is a beauty!

[Igeteven]

John Henry as a two year old is the best that I saw run, but I didn't know how good he was going to be.

In a stall, that I actually got to touch and feed? That would be Rachel Alexandra last summer at Saratoga! She is a beauty!

In a card room over at a friends house, there is only one picture of a horse on his wall, and guess what, It's John Henry.

[pondman]

John Henry

I third it-- John Henry at Santa Anita.

Although I must admit I had "Load the Cannon" to beat him.

[Igeteven]

I third it-- John Henry at Santa Anita.

Although I must admit I had "Load the Cannon" to beat him.

Do you all know, that there is a statute at SA of the horse around 200 yards from Seabiscuit.

[Cannon shell]

Spectacular Bid

[jognlope]

From my few times to the Spa, Lemon Drop Kid. Talk about a confident, no fuss, no muss get it done horse. I just fell in love with him as he walked by in the paddock.

[arno]

1 Dr Fager
2 Easy Goer
3 Alydar

[sonnyp]

As a young man just starting out in this great world of horseracing I witnessed Secretariat's last race at woodbine. i still get the shivers remembering it.



here's a few more shivers for you. he looks like a dam steam engine with that "exhaust" blowing out of his nostrils :

J1xW9YqPKS8

[Wickel]

Seattle Slew and John Henry, both at Holly Park while on vacation. Around the New Mexico circuit, it had to be Pass the Tab. Was unbeatable in these parts.

[Igeteven]

here's a few more shivers for you. he looks like a dam steam engine with that "exhaust" blowing out of his nostrils :

J1xW9YqPKS8


Oh God, My heart still pounds when I see this.

[Cratos]

I watched Dr. Fager win (lose) the 1967 Jersey Derby at Garden State and the following year win the UN Handicap on the grass. You can say what you will about Secretariat but the Doctor never lost to a plug like Onion.
After his grueling win in Atlantic City, Nerud gave Dr, Fager nearly two months off before entering him in the Vosburgh at Aqueduct. On November 2, 1968, in the final start of his career, Dr. Fager finished first under an astounding 139 pounds. He completed the 7 furlongs in 1:20 1/5 – breaking the track record and missing the world record by only a fifth of a second.

You make an excellent point and I am a big Dr. Fager fan and he is my all-time favorite racehorse, but I give the edge to Secretariat because of the age difference. Dr. Fager did his accomplishments as a 4-year old and Secretariat did his as a 3-year old; only conjecture will tell what might have happened if Secretariat would have run as a 4-year old

[benzer]

John Henry, a cheap gelded claimer that went on to be a champion. His connections would bring him out for the Arlington Million ready to run his best.

[WPL]

Sunday Silence. Cigar. Go For Wand. Miesque. oh yeah...Personal Ensign ( edit )

[WPL]

The first time I ever went to the live races was years ago at Belmont Park for the Belmont stakes. Back in those beer-drinking days, I went out there just for a few laughs with my buddies. The track was muddy, we were all wet inside and out standing by the rail when those horses passed by. I looked up and saw Conquistador Cielo looking happy and chipper as a lark.
I didn't know what I was looking for but I knew it when I saw it.
Everybody had an opinion except for me until I saw that horse skipping over the mud in the post parade.

[Igeteven]

The first time I ever went to the live races was years ago at Belmont Park for the Belmont stakes. Back in those beer-drinking days, I went out there just for a few laughs with my buddies. The track was muddy, we were all wet inside and out standing by the rail when those horses passed by. I looked up and saw Conquistador Cielo looking happy and chipper as a lark.
I didn't know what I was looking for but I knew it when I saw it.
Everybody had an opinion except for me until I saw that horse skipping over the mud in the post parade.

We all have a our favorites, Snow Chief was great to, but Big Z, what a horse.

[Patrick333]

I'd have to say Smarty Jones is the best is the best horse I ever saw in person. When I saw him as a two year old at Philly Park I thought that he had a chance to be a real good horse. But I never dreamed he would come within a length of winning the Triple Crown.

[Igeteven]

I'd have to say Smarty Jones is the best is the best horse I ever saw in person. When I saw him as a two year old at Philly Park I thought that he had a chance to be a real good horse. But I never dreamed he would come within a length of winning the Triple Crown.

The horse was good enough, I blame the jockey.

[David-LV]

The great 5 times, (1960–1964) horse of the year - KELSO.

_________
David-LV

[Igeteven]

The great 5 times, (1960–1964) horse of the year - KELSO.

_________
David-LV

Number 3 on the list of all the great horses. Only Big Red and Seabiscuit beat him.

[levinmpa]

John Henry - 1984 Golden Gate Handicap at Golden Gate Fields
Cigar - 1996 Mass Cap at Suffolk Downs
Bates Motel - 1983 Big Cap at Santa Anita

[Igeteven]

Looks like John H rules here.

[alhattab]

Holy Bull winning the '94 Met Mile and Woodward.

[keithw84]

I was present for Big Brown's Kentucky Derby but didn't really get to see the race, so I'm not sure if that counts, so I will have to say Eskendereya

[rastajenk]

Looks like John H rules here.He certainly got around enough to give lots of folks the chance to see him. :ThmbUp:

[Igeteven]

He certainly got around enough to give lots of folks the chance to see him. :ThmbUp:

Your Darn Right :ThmbUp:

[PaceAdvantage]

Holy Bull winning the '94 Met Mile and Woodward.I think I would have to agree with this...he was a freakin' monster, and beat EVERYONE you could beat in 1994.

Champion sprinters, older horses...Derby winners...Preakness and Belmont Winners...BC Classic winners...you name it...I guess he never did beat the top turf horses in the land, but you can't have everything...

And he ran FAST while doing it...

[Igeteven]

I think I would have to agree with this...he was a freakin' monster, and beat EVERYONE you could beat in 1994.

Champion sprinters, older horses...Derby winners...Preakness and Belmont Winners...BC Classic winners...you name it...I guess he never did beat the top turf horses in the land, but you can't have everything...

And he ran FAST while doing it...


Only Big Red, and those come along once every 100 years or so.

Good Post. :)

[alhattab]

I think I would have to agree with this...he was a freakin' monster, and beat EVERYONE you could beat in 1994.

Champion sprinters, older horses...Derby winners...Preakness and Belmont Winners...BC Classic winners...you name it...I guess he never did beat the top turf horses in the land, but you can't have everything...

And he ran FAST while doing it...

I saw the Bull live a few times like the races I mentioned and a few others. Of course the Travers was very special (I wasn't there). The Met Mile is a day I will never forget. To your point the Bull's company lines are very impressive compared to some of the others from his era like Cigar and Skip Away. Too bad he never won the "big one" like KY Derby or BC Classic. Croll went to his grave convinced the Bull was sponged before the KY Derby.

[BPQJaguar]

I'm only 22, but I've been lucky to see some of the better horses of the past ten years. I saw a lot of them in the '07 and '10 Breeders' Cup's. I would include Ghostzapper, Zenyatta, Goldikova, Rachel Alexandra, Curlin, Midnight Lute, Mineshaft, and some others

[The Judge]

mentioned this little turf horse in post #55 as one of the best that I have seen. She was one tough little cookie sorry to her of here passing. Read on the PA home page.

[Igeteven]

John Henry winning the Big Cap , second time around.

what a race. :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTOl1KpesFc&feature=related

[Fingal]

You stick around long enough, there's bound to be a few that might qualify. And then there's great horses, & then great individual performances, & there's a difference.

But #1 has to be John Henry, one of the last 5 tool players of dirt, turf, short, long & that carried weight. When the only name used is John, there is no further explanation needed.

He was named for a legend, & then he also became one.

[classhandicapper]

I think I would have to agree with this...he was a freakin' monster, and beat EVERYONE you could beat in 1994.

Champion sprinters, older horses...Derby winners...Preakness and Belmont Winners...BC Classic winners...you name it...I guess he never did beat the top turf horses in the land, but you can't have everything...

And he ran FAST while doing it...

Holy Bull was great, but great horses always remind me of other great horses. I think Seattle Slew spoiled him a little for me even though I was a huge fan. It's probably the same for some people that saw Dr. Fager and then saw Seattle Slew later on. I never saw Dr. Fager, but you can tell by his PPs, competition, and replays he was an "all time all time" great.

To me, Seattle Slew was just totally awesome. I don't think I ever saw another horse with that much speed that could carry it that far no matter what the pace, trip etc... He was a freak combination of speed and stamina that was tested against other all time greats. I still find it amazing that some people didn't understand his greatness after his trip in the Derby (if it wasn't already obvious) and didn't give him any credit until he was 4.

[Pine Tree Lane]

Colts/Horses/GeldingsForego

Seattle Slew
Bold Forbes
Holy Bull
Spend A Buck
Slew O'Gold
John Henry
Silver Charm
Skip Away
Cigar


Fillies/Mares

Zenyatta
Waya
Personal Ensign
Lady's Secret

[alhattab]

Holy Bull was great, but great horses always remind me of other great horses. I think Seattle Slew spoiled him a little for me even though I was a huge fan. It's probably the same for some people that saw Dr. Fager and then saw Seattle Slew later on. I never saw Dr. Fager, but you can tell by his PPs, competition, and replays he was an "all time all time" great.

To me, Seattle Slew was just totally awesome. I don't think I ever saw another horse with that much speed that could carry it that far no matter what the pace, trip etc... He was a freak combination of speed and stamina that was tested against other all time greats. I still find it amazing that some people didn't understand his greatness after his trip in the Derby (if it wasn't already obvious) and didn't give him any credit until he was 4.

No doubt you are right. I was 25 when the Bull went on his rampage in 1994. I had really loved a few truly good horses before him- Alysheba immediately comes to mind (my first KY Derby winner- I have his portrait hanging in my living room), but I never saw him live and run well (I saw him at the Belmont). So for me, everyone is compared to the Bull and for me at least the bar is very high, as it rightly is for you and Slew.

[1st time lasix]

last summer at Arlinton on Million Day --thw wonderfuMr D finally won the Beverly D with a horse he entered {race named after his deceased wife ) the crwd stood as one giving him a standing ovation in the winner circle Knowing how much it meant...it brought tears to the eyes of even the most cynical players

[Track Collector]

Secretariat in 1973 at CD.

[GatetoWire]

Thoroughbred:
Cigar
Holy Bull
Rachel Alexandra

Trotter:
Varenne
CR Kay Suzie

Pacer:
Jenna's Beach Boy
Cam Fella
Artsplace

[sonnyp]

Thoroughbred:
Cigar
Holy Bull
Rachel Alexandra

Trotter:
Varenne
CR Kay Suzie

Pacer:
Jenna's Beach Boy
Cam Fella
Artsplace



trotter - une de mai

pacer- niatross

[Igeteven]

trotter - une de mai

pacer- niatross

I enjoy harness racing and there are some great horse out there too!

[Pine Tree Lane]

I enjoy harness racing and there are some great horse out there too!

Nickawampus Leroy!!!

[grexxon]

Big Red, DR Fager and Kelso

[Igeteven]

Big Red, DR Fager and Kelso

Big Red, I only wish I could have seen him

[RXB]

Did any of you ever see Hoist The Flag? I've never been able to track down any videos of his races but I know that some people said he was as good a 2YO/early-season 3YO as they'd ever seen. The horse intrigues me because he possessed brilliant speed yet had a real stayer's pedigree-- makes me think he could've carried that speed a long way if misfortune hadn't struck as it did.

[Igeteven]

Did any of you ever see Hoist The Flag? I've never been able to track down any videos of his races but I know that some people said he was as good a 2YO/early-season 3YO as they'd ever seen. The horse intrigues me because he possessed brilliant speed yet had a real stayer's pedigree-- makes me think he could've carried that speed a long way if misfortune hadn't struck as it did.

What happen to him?

[sonnyp]

Did any of you ever see Hoist The Flag? I've never been able to track down any videos of his races but I know that some people said he was as good a 2YO/early-season 3YO as they'd ever seen. The horse intrigues me because he possessed brilliant speed yet had a real stayer's pedigree-- makes me think he could've carried that speed a long way if misfortune hadn't struck as it did.


absolute killer 2 yo.

then at 3






http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1084734/index.htm