Midyear Reflections from the 2015 Racing Season
What a year it has been. We’re only half way through and 2015 has proven to be one of the most historically significant of the new millennium. Races from February seem like they occurred ages ago. Anticipation is building for the remaining summer season and the approach to the Breeders’ Cup. While I was watching a thrilling weekend of racing across the country, I found myself reflecting back on all that has occurred to date.
Shared Belief vs California Chrome
Long anticipated after the bumper car edition of the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic, the champions had their sights on the same return to racing in the San Antonio Stakes. Set as one of the most anticipated matchups in recent memory, the showdown came up a bit short when Bayern suffered an untimely abscess, which caused his defection. The race definitely played out to the sport’s favor as both horses fired and showed they are in a different class than the rest of the competitors. Hopes of a rematch in Dubai were quickly fizzled as Shared Belief stayed domestic while California Chrome set out on a hotly debated and very unique international campaign.
The Best 3-year Old Class in Years
2015 will be forever remembered for American Pharoah ending the drought and winning the Triple Crown. However, before the Run for the Roses, I remember the talk of the racing world being around the best class of sophomores in recent memory. Dortmund, Firing Line, Carpe Diem, Frosted, Materiality, Mubtaahij, International Star, Texas Red, Lord Nelson, and many others were establishing themselves as serious juggernauts throughout the division. Triple Crown history will remember many of them as “also rans”, but we know there’s many more quality races in their future, and with the emergence of new, budding talents like Kentuckian and Speightster, the second half of the year with America’s glamour division is sure to have its thrills.
Absence of a Turf Superstar
After a stellar 2014, Main Sequence was expected to carry to the American Flag on the grass heading into 2015. Winning his season debut in the Mac Diarmida, all signals were pointing toward a very strong chance in the spring’s marquee turf event in Dubai. However, he would come up empty in that race and the recent United Nations, which has cast doubt of his relevance on the world stage. Finnegans Wake was building up his impressive resume, but weak showings in the Manhattan Handicap and Santa Anita Gold Cup have brought his winter and spring run to halt. While the males are jostling for position for a division lead, Lady Eli has stormed by and established herself as a truly impressive turf runner and possibly the best turf router in North America.
Eye Popping International Racing
The world is definitely not void of racing talent these days. The flat season of Europe doesn’t heat up until spring, but the Southern Hemisphere, UAE, and Asia all have the meat of their seasons in the North American winter months. There have been some very impressive runners forging their paths through the world, and head on collisions of epic proportions have already taken place. The European sophomores Golden Horn and Gleneagles swept the majority of the overseas classics and are already receiving comparisons to some of the greatest Europe has ever seen. Solow showed the world he’s the best turf miler/middle distance in the world….twice. Treve is returning for an attempt at an unprecedented third win in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Let's not kid ourselves here, international horses are bringing their 'A' games on the world stage.
But as the saying goes, “Today’s history and tomorrow’s a mystery.” So, let's not dwell in the past, and rather let's look forward to the rest of the year!
American Pharoah Facing His Elders
Winning the Triple Crown is an astonishing feat, and even more so given the insurmountable hurdles associated with the modern age thoroughbred. The one milestone remaining that will finalize his place among the greatest in history will be how he handles his elders. If there’s any indication from the inconsistency of this year’s handicap division, American Pharoah should have little trouble dispatching any rivals brave enough to test him. However, until it takes place, there will always be a remaining question mark.
The Return of Wise Dan
Two-time Horse of the Year, Wise Dan, has recently been approved to resume full training for a fall campaign. The 8-year-old gelding has nothing left to prove in the USA, but he is still showing the propensity to want to run, and as long as he’s willing to do so safely, owner Morton Fink and trainer Charlie LoPresti are going to give him the opportunity. Returning from injury, no result can tarnish his wonderful career, however further displays of dominance will only cement his legacy as one of best milers to ever grace the turf.
Horse of the Year is Decided
Horse of the Year was likely decided on June 6th when American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown. Followed by a lack of consistency from many of the top handicap horses, no clear turf frontrunner (with the exception of Lady Eli), Shared Belief on the shelf with an injury, and Wise Dan running out of time to put together a Triple Crown competing resume, the decision seems all but evident. It is yet to be determined if this will have an effect on the future paths for top horses, but I hope this means that the sport’s best talent will face eachother several times this summer and fall, rather than strategically trying to play for end of year honors culminating in the Breeders’ Cup.
Beholder Racing in Kentucky
This mare is just so much fun to watch. She handles all comers and with a timeless constancy that hasn't been replicated anywhere else in the filly and mare division this year. Beholder has proven to be near unstoppable at Santa Anita, and after an uncharacteristic finish in last year's Ogden Phipps at Belmont, many question her ability to travel. I believe that every horse is allowed a bad day, and with this year's Breeders' Cup at Keeneland Race Course, Beholder will have to show her grit outside of the sunny skies of the Great Race Place. She's already proven that she doesn't mind the bluegrass with a second place finish in the Kentucky Oaks to very classy Princess of Sylmar, but that was a long time ago, and this trip east will also be a very different challenge.
2015 is far from over and there is still so much history to write. I cannot wait to continue to watch as these horses show us just how special this year really is.