Breeders Cup.....Championships?

What a weekend. There were upsets galore and I cant help but feel that the Breeders Cup didnt live up to its billing as the World Thoroughbred Championships. It may not even have been the American Championships. Lets look at the 8 winners.

Invasor will likely be the Horse of the Year and champion older horse. But he shouldnt be a cinch. Lava Man should get his fair share of consideration for the award as he is still the top ranked horse according to the TCR. I think the voters will stiff Lava Man badly. Bernardini should still get the 3yo championship ahead of Barbaro.

Red Rocks as top turf horse? I hope I never live to see the day. His campaign has only made him the 7th ranked turf horse in the TCR. And since he has only had 1 start in America he shouldnt even be eligable.

How do you give the older mare award to Round Pond? The TCR has her climbing up to fourth spot behind Fleet Indian, Healthy Addiction and Behaving Badly. I dont really think she deserves much better than second at this stage. Fleet Indian has had a much better year.

Miesque's Approval is a solid lovable horse who had a career year and is actually the 4th ranked turf horse and the 8th ranked horse overall. But there is no way he is recognized as a champion. In fact the horse he beat, Aragorn, is the leader of the Turf standings. It will be interesting to see how the voters sway. Aragorn, The Tin Man and English Channel all have a realistic shot. Perhaps that will entice them to become active at the Hollywood meet to put it beyond doubt. The Turf horses this year have been exceptionally strong which is why 7 of the top 10 TCR ranked horses are Turf horses.

The best post BC quote was from Doug O'Niell when he said "He came out of the race in great shape and our goal now is to try to bring home the Eclipse Award," Most trainers would come out and say: "He's being freshened for next year, I think we deserve the Eclipse". O'Niell surely hasnt seen the TCR rankings which see his horse in 2nd but he at least recognizes that a BC win doesnt wrap up anything. This division is as wide open as the Turf division and the De Francis Dash should be the superb.

Ouija Board will likely get the Eclipse and she is the #1 ranked horse in the filly turf division in the TCR. But without 3 starts stateside she cant be the TCR champion. That in my opinion leaves it to Wait A While who has been the best of the rest. In fact I'd take Wait A While for top 3yo filly as well. Pine Island's demise was the most unfortunate occurance of the day and she'll get her fair share of sentiment. However thier records stacked side by side show that Wait A While is the most worthy champion.

Street Sense is being put away for the year and Eclipse voters will lean on him heavily but his record before the BC really wasnt very good and he is still ranked #2 in the TCR standings. I personally dont believe that he is worthy of the Juvenile award off just that performance. There is a decent chance that Great Hunter may come back in the Hollywood Futurity and if he were to win there I would give him my backing. At this stage its wide open.

Dreaming of Anna was perhaps the only true undisputed champion to win on BC day. She was excellent and fully deserves both the championship and her top ranking in the division. I hope there is much more to come from this talented little filly.