So, do you all think that any of these races should determine who the horse of the year will be this year? Or since some of the studs from early in the year are out, will it have no effect. And who is this sprinter that has run 10 for 10??
I think if Lost In The Fog (the sprinter 
) can stay undefeated he probably deserves HOTY. Afleet Alex had no excuses in the Derby and two or three nice races isn’t enough to put him above an undefeated horse in my book. Don’t think any other single horse has been that hot this year. Maybe some of the west coast horses who weren’t nominated to BC, but I doubt you could win HOTY w/o going to the BC.
Lost in the Fog is a really nice horse, but no horse has ever won Horse of the Year who was limited to running in sprints. That could change if he wins the Sprint, but I’m not so sure I’d give him it with the win anyway. The BC races almost always define who is the divisional leader. And it is very difficult, if not impossible to win HOTY without running in the BC. Saint Liam could get a shot if he wins the Classic.
Well, Lost In The Fog is running in the BC, barring injury.
I’m not that impressed with the field for the Classic, now that Rock Hard Ten is out…seems a pretty lightweight field for a $4 million race.
Nothing like a race where all the big names are standing on the sidelines…
Well, for the most part the big names are injured and it’d be unsafe to run them. It’s not like owners are like “oh, I don’t want to risk my horse for 4.68 million dollars.” Afleet Alex’s leg didn’t heal and Rock Hard Ten just shed his frog this morning and came back to the barn bloody while some horses just weren’t nominated and can’t run (a lesson FF members should learn when entering their horses in the BC when ineligible ).
Of all the horses that should get the HOTY title, Lost In The Fog I believe is the most deserving. If he wins the sprint he should definately have a foot in the door.
Other than coming a neck behind Ghostzapper in the Woodward, Saint Liam hasn’t really done much. If he wins the Classic he might have a shot, I don’t know but he really doesn’t seem to ‘sparkle’ like some other horses out there. I could be wrong though, he has put in good performances every time except for the Santa Anita…who knows.
Though he is a two-year old First Samurai could have a shot at HOTY if he stays undefeated and wins the BC Juvenile.
Flower Alley looks like a good candidate for the HOTY title. Especially if he wins the Classic.
Ashado might even have a chance if she can win the BC Distaff again.