It's that time for the third annual Winners and Losers Post Breeders Cup!
Loser- Santa Anita's dirt surface: two horses suffered injuries (one catastrophic) and another was eased. For a while speed was winning, but on the last TB race in Friday and many of the races Saturday it did even out.
Winner- Females: Although only one for the two fillies entered in open races won (Mizdirection), the other finished second (The Fugue). Two female trainers also won races England based Jo Hughes (Marathon) and Kathy Ritvo (Classic)
Winner- Old guys: In perticlar, Mike Smith and Gary Stevens. Mike won 3 races and Gary (off a 7 year retirement!) won both the Distaff and Classic, he would have had a third if he didn't have just the the second dq in Breeders Cup history. D. Wayne Lukas who is having a career renaissance was 2nd in the Classic.
Winner- Unbridled's Song: His sons Dunkirk and First Defence sired the runner up in the Juvenile and Distaff, while one of his most popular sons the late great Rockport Harbor (who without I prob wouldn't be on social media as much) sired to the beneficiary of the DQ in the Juvenile Fillies. Also his son Will Take Charge finished second in the Classic. Love him or hate him, he was an important part of the American Thoroughbred and will greatly be missed.
Loser- American turf horses: If it wheren't for the defending HOY we would have been shut out this year. Not good at all.
Loser- Todd Pletcher: Had the favorite for both the Distaff and Juvenile both lost. As did his Classic and Mile contenders.
Winner- Europe: Won both of the Juvenile Turf, plus the turf distance races and the Marathon. The only two turf races they didn't win where the Turf Sprint and the Mile.
Winner- Miracle horses: Most people had heard about Paynter and his fight for life going into the race, but not that many people know that 5 years ago Mucho Macho Man was basically born dead. Both have never give up attitudes.
Winner and Loser- Joseph O'Brien: So young and so talented, for someone who doesn't ride dirt races due to being in Europe that 3rd place finish on Declaration of War was impressive. Sadly it looks like his height and weight are starting to catch up on him, so this might have been his Breeders' Cup as a flat jockey.
Winner- Wise Dan: He came into this year's Breeders' Cup with longshot chance to being Horse of the Year again. He leaves with him as the favorite.
Loser- Game On Dude: Two years in a row the favorite, up track both times. We'll see what happens next year.
Winner- Younger brothers: All eyes in the Classic where on Game On Dude and Paynter both sons of Awesome Again, Moreno is by Ghostzapper who is a son of AA. However, MMM a son of Awesome Again's little brother Macho Uno got the job done instead.
Finally here are my early predictions for the 2013 Eclipse winners.
2yo Male: Not sure if New Year's Day will get it off two starts, but he's in the drivers seat.
2yo Female: I love that Ria Antonia got the win, but that was via Dq and she has only crossed the wire first once. She's a Tiger should get it though.
3yo Male: Will Take Charge is this year's Flower Alley, blossomed the 2nd half of the year, don't be suprised though if Orb wins the Cigar he gets it instead. Goldencents might have made his way in the conversation thanks to his Dirt Mile win.
3yo Female: Beholder and Princess of Sylmar's wins against effectively cancel each other out, but the former should get it based on that she has 2 wins over older vs 1 for the latter.
Older Male: I have no clue, but Wise Dan prob will not defend this title.
Older Female: It won't be a slam dunk as it was last year, but Royal Delta should add another Eclipse to go with her 3yo and Older Female trophys from the past two years.
Male Sprinter: I have no clue
Female Sprinter: This is going to be a tight vote between Mizdirection and Groupie Doll. Both deserve it, but I think the latter has the slight edge.
Turf Male: Wise Dan lone loss this year was on the poly.
Turf Female: Dank 2 for 2 in the US just smashing the Americans both times.
Owner: Ken and Sarah Ramsey even though they got shut out in the Breeders' Cup, their horses may have done enough for them to get another Eclipse. Not sure who the two other finaliests will be.
Trainer: Todd Pletcher yeah even though another one who got shut out, the former Lukas asst. did pick up a Belmont winner along with wins in the Jim Dandy, Alabama, Haskell, KY Oaks and many more. Wayne Lukas should be another finalist with possibly Bob Baffert as the third.
Jockey: In June I would have said Joel Rosario, in August I would have said Mike Smith, now I think Gary Stevens gets it done. I think that Luis Saez had a great second half, but those three just have too much cloat behind them.
Breeder: I have no clue
HOY: Wise Dan
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