THOUGHTS ABOUT AMERICAN PHAROAH

[keithw84]

Curious to hear everyone's thoughts. I'll start and say Spectacular Bid

[Spalding No!]

Shared Belief

[handyman1968]

I have no doubt in my mind that AP is a great horse. Is he in the same league as past legends? I don't know...I'm not sure. I'd rate him the equal of Sea The Stars as both retired after their 3yr old campaign winning the biggest race of their short career. Legendary? Only time will tell...

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by keithw84

Curious to hear everyone's thoughts. I'll start and say Spectacular Bid

IMO...the Pharoah is the best horse since 1996. I can't rate him higher than Cigar.

[Kash$]

Originally Posted by zico20

I think you are letting your emotions get the better of you. Spectacular Bid would have dusted AP if he was in this race. SB ran 145.4 and 157.4 as a four year old. SB ran that 157.4 on 14 days rest. I am so happy AP won in convincing fashion and he should go down as a great race horse. However, AP never ran a time that fast. He may have if allowed to run as a four year old, but that is pure speculation, unfortunately.

Imo,Bid is a top 3 of all time..If he had won the Belmont may have been ranked one...
...He was incredible...

[nijinski]

I really don't like comparing horses today and beck when . Different breed these days . Different surfaces and steroids at one time were LEGAL.
Since its been well over 3 decades since we've seen a triple crown winner and since he"s done this and the classic as well ., he's a very special horse and a champion in my book .

[whodoyoulike]

Originally Posted by cbp

I don't see it. Where's this horse's against the grain race? Great horses can duel and hold off the likes of Keen Ice. Wiring the field, when you're lone, easy speed, and your chaser runs second, is not exactly something I'd get worked up about.

Is this AP's fault?

Can't you just appreciate his races if not re-watch his replays?

[EMD4ME]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

IMO...the Pharoah is the best horse since 1996. I can't rate him higher than Cigar.

If you were in NY right now, I'd hug you...

What next, you'll compliment Tom Durkin ?

[EMD4ME]

PA,

Who would you take in a match race?

Holy Bull or AP?

EMD4ME

[RacingFan1992]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

Didn't you hear? Red lost to a "Claimer".

Keen Ice was a maiden winner at Churchill Downs until he beat AP in the Travers and that is better than a claimer?

[ILovetheInner]

I think it is a struggle for those who have seen great horses in days gone by....and I have....to deal with how things tend to go in this newer game.

AP is a far better horse than I originally gave him credit for. I don't have a problem with him being called great, or coming up in conversations of the greats from days gone by. But I don't really think in the end we have a comprehensive understanding of who he is. It's not the fault of his connections. AP won the TC, had two G1 starts during the summer, and then freshened for the BCC. Not sure what else he could have done.

Still, watching this race. Odd for me. He certainly was commanding. Awesome effort. But Effinex finished clear of the rest of that "very good field." I have nothing against Effinex. Indeed, he was my get out horse for the day. I more thought it was because he would make a middle move, but whatever....a winning ticket is a winning ticket, lol But still can't fathom that he handled the rest of the field so easily. It's fine to say AP can make good horses look mediocre. But you can't say that here, for Effinex had the rest of the field sorted himself. From the turn for home, no doubt.

It would have been different of course if Beholder had moved on AP and he turned her back then Honor Code came flying and AP held him safe. But that is not what happened. Effinex was clearly second best, with the field well handled. Effin unreal. Another race that somehow didn't satiate.

So on one hand I feel fantastic that a TC winner, destined to have a short career, could go out so convincingly and deservedly on top. A very deserving TC winner indeed, who deserves his place in history. I still don't know what he beat, though. And now, I never will. So on the other hand, it all feels curiously empty.

[ultracapper]

Originally Posted by Redboard

What an amazing ending to an incredible year. I never thought I’d live to see another Triple Crown winner. So much can go wrong with these animals, and it usually does. Will probably never see another one like him again.

Triple Crown winners come in groups. Probably have 2 more in the next 5 years.

Mark this post.

[ultracapper]

AP wouldn't be ranked as high on this very thread if he'd lost the Belmont and won the Travers.

Greatness is all timing.

[Waquoit]

Any jibes or criticism of AP today is just trolling. As far as where he rates historically I cite Bum Phillips when he said, "I don't know if he's in a class by himself, but whatever class he’s in, it don’t take long to call the roll.”

[ultracapper]

And I'm not trolling.