3YO of the Year?

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Obviously a pretty wide open year, and maybe we haven't even seen the best of this bunch quite yet unleash a late fury like Arrogate back in 2016, or even a late bloomer that ran a ton early but came on late like Will Take Charge?


Nearly August, who ya' got?

[Dream_Police]

The biggest question is Omaha Beach, if he comes back like he left he is your HOY if not and King For A Day wins again he will be near the top of the heap but to answer your question I will take Omaha Beach with the hope he returns and is in top form.

[GMB@BP]

Originally Posted by Dream_Police

The biggest question is Omaha Beach, if he comes back like he left he is your HOY if not and King For A Day wins again he will be near the top of the heap but to answer your question I will take Omaha Beach with the hope he returns and is in top form.

Omaha Beach is a ways away it sounds like, might get a prep in before the BC Classic, which seems like something that is likely not a good idea.

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Originally Posted by GMB@BP

Omaha Beach is a ways away it sounds like, might get a prep in before the BC Classic, which seems like something that is likely not a good idea.

Thinking they'll be going the Shared Belief/Pacific Classic/BC Classic route.


Not even close to any kind of normal route, but likely what they have left to get done in order to get there.

[Robert Fischer]

Personally? = No one. Wide open. I have my eye on Baffert, Mott, Sadler, Brown... Is it really Game Winner?


If I had to 'Vote' = War of Will or Max. Sec

[Afleet]

Think Maximum Security runs big in the Haskell and hopefully meets Game Winner in the Travers, but will probably go the PA Derby due to common ownership

[Lemon Drop Husker]

I want to think the Dandy and Haskell will have a large impact, but really think it comes down to the Travers and likely even the BC Classic.


This is a weak older group that is begging for a 3YO to win the Classic. We could see 5 to 7 3YOs in this year's BC Classic.

[Immortal6]

Originally Posted by Lemon Drop Husker

I want to think the Dandy and Haskell will have a large impact, but really think it comes down to the Travers and likely even the BC Classic.


This is a weak older group that is begging for a 3YO to win the Classic. We could see 5 to 7 3YOs in this year's BC Classic.

I don’t see a single 3 yo beating the likes of thunder snow, vino rosso, gift box, etc if the older horses are in good form. I’ve said it in a previous thread that Mr. Money could very well end up being the 3 yo of the year if he continues the run he is on.

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Originally Posted by Immortal6

I don’t see a single 3 yo beating the likes of thunder snow, vino rosso, gift box, etc if the older horses are in good form. I’ve said it in a previous thread that Mr. Money could very well end up being the 3 yo of the year if he continues the run he is on.

This is the time of year when 3YOs really start to get good, and can compete with the very best. I like Thunder Snow quite a bit for this year's BC, but this older bunch leaves quite a bit to be desired. Mr. Money has looked great recently, but I'm not sure he has beat much.



There is a lot of talent in this 3YO crop IMO. These next 3 months should be a lot of fun to watch. Tacitus is the one I'm watching. Has a lot of Mucho Macho Man/Will Take Charge in him in that he can wear others down.

[reckless]

Originally Posted by Afleet

Think Maximum Security runs big in the Haskell and hopefully meets Game Winner in the Travers, but will probably go the PA Derby due to common ownership

With both horses having the same owner I believe the two colts won't face each other until the BC Classic -- if they both make it that far, of course. Just my opinion, too. I agree with what you say about one going to the Travers and one the PA Derby.

[Robert Fischer]

The Haskell is tough for me.

You're supposed to bet against Maximum Security, by using Mucho and King in the Haskell, in spite of them being last-time-was-the-time horses.

Then you're supposed to say "King For a Day" probably can't bounce back with another full health effort, and thus single Mucho Gusto.

But , I'm too scared of the unknown factors like medication to bet against Servis (and/or Pletcher) here at a relatively short price.




Yea if I had to follow rules and 'vote'; Maximum Security would be a top 3yo.

But, I don't personally see him as one of the best 3yos.


Maximum Security is a Grade 2or3 horse who happens to have a special talent. He can get the lead under quick gate fractions, and then slow the pace down, and then re-start and finish strongly.

Huge surprise in the Derby, but would have been perfect for the Belmont.

He's 'supposed to' get badly exposed in the Haskell. He doesn't get the lead on paper. On paper he presses/stalks an honest pace and then has to beat two other good(also Grade 2or3) horses with a fair fight. However, that scenario may not play out that way.

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Max likely got the worst of it, but his trip wasn't really that bad.



Mucho Gusto had every reason to pass him by.



Good win by Max Security. Travers is gonna be amazing.

[Robert Fischer]

Originally Posted by Lemon Drop Husker

Max likely got the worst of it, but his trip wasn't really that bad.



Mucho Gusto had every reason to pass him by.



Good win by Max Security. Travers is gonna be amazing.

Have to put Maximum Security as #1 3yo after that effort.

He's been on the 'accolades' list, but I have him up there (probably first) as deserving of the top 3yo.

That was a legit pace, and Mucho Gusto ran a big one in defeat.

[GMB@BP]

Originally Posted by Lemon Drop Husker

Max likely got the worst of it, but his trip wasn't really that bad.



Mucho Gusto had every reason to pass him by.



Good win by Max Security. Travers is gonna be amazing.

owner sounded a tad iffy that they would make it back to the Travers.

[burnsy]

Originally Posted by GMB@BP

owner sounded a tad iffy that they would make it back to the Travers.

Shipping in, no decision on running yet. But if he recovers and is right I gotta think they’ll run. The one good thing about this whole thing is at least the horse will race. They are on a mission. If he takes another 3 yo major stakes. How can he be denied? There are only a few left. A 3 yo ( other than him) would have to win The Classic. It’s almost at that point because no one else is stringing victories like this horse has all year. Even if this horse places and lost the Travers he’s done better than this crop.

Every time he runs big..... it makes the Derby not look like some kind of fluke that he got DQ’ed for. He’s just better. It’s becoming pretty hard to diss this horse now. But some “genius “ will take a stab at it.....