Interesting debate that has the turf writers scrambling for the right forecast. Racing Post has the BC RPR for Arrogate at 136 a lb up on CC and suggests a future legacy of greatness and high consideration for HOY. I am thinking Jay Hodvey has it right in his latest DRF article that despite a place in the classic CC’S year has been stellar and is racing’s hero.
https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/articles/chrome-or-arrogate-who-your-horse-year/
CC has more starts and did spot Arrogate a few pounds in his loss. AG would have to have done a little more this year, IMO. AG may prove to be a better horse in the long run but HOTY is about today, not tomorrow. And CC has been good for racing, put butts in the seats and money in the pool.
And how many times do we see incredible races from young, fresh horses that never run back to that form? Hot Horse du jour, if you will. Much as I disliked the former circus, CC is consistently in the money, usually on top and earned HOTY for this year. Hope memories of the sideshow and visions of what might be don’t derail the voters.
YMMV.
Even with the head-to-head loss, I think California Chrome takes Horse of the Year this year (but see Arrogate getting a nice chunk of votes). He was consistent all year, won nearly every dance fairly easily and Arrogate only has two graded stakes races overall on his resume.
Arrogate has every chance to win it next year (assuming we don’t have a Triple Crown winner) but I don’t think he has a chance this year.
[QUOTE=findeight;8938008]
CC has more starts and did spot Arrogate a few pounds in his loss. AG would have to have done a little more this year, IMO. AG may prove to be a better horse in the long run but HOTY is about today, not tomorrow. And CC has been good for racing, put butts in the seats and money in the pool.
And how many times do we see incredible races from young, fresh horses that never run back to that form? Hot Horse du jour, if you will. Much as I disliked the former circus, CC is consistently in the money, usually on top and earned HOTY for this year. Hope memories of the sideshow and visions of what might be don’t derail the voters.
YMMV.[/QUOTE]
As I have been reading the many articles on this year’s HOY, one thought comes to mind and that is writers are at a loss to find another horse that is worthy of comparison to CC. The human commotion around his derby year was disheartening, I agree. After Pegasus Cup, Steve Coburn will be a fleeting bad dream and the industry will begin the debate on Chrome’s stud career. That could be fun, as we actually have an idea of his true talent. For sure, we won’t be discussing CC in the same splash in the pan terms as Carry Back by Saggy, but that is a useless digression.
This was a year for the fillies and mares, which was quite exciting and maybe has more honest opportunities for columnists to disagree.
CC ran on many different tracks with different issues, saddle slipping back like a bucking strap for one, and he still went on to win. He deserves it in my book and I am sure a lot of others feel the same way.
One loss should not tarnish an otherwise brilliant year.
chrome won a lot this year and overcame a lot on a many different tracks. Did everyone forget his Dubai win this year? HOY and deserving of it. No taking anything away from Arrogates two stellar wins but he hasn’t checked off as many boxes in impressive form as chrome did this year.
I agree it should go to Chrome over Arrogate. Chrome’s had a heck of a year including the BCC, he was a very close 2nd in that race.
HOY is just that… Whichever horse is the best for that year. NOT for whatever the future may or may not prove.
Sorry but one race does not make (or break) a horse.
CC has proven himself to be the best THIS year. He deserves HOY without question.
Now next year maybe Arrogate will prove to be the best horse in 2017, but it’s just as likely he may be a complete flop.
Chrome!
I’ve never been a Chrome fan but I would agree he has earned HOY this year.
Arrogate would have a much stronger case with better starts. Even winning the Clark won’t be enough at this point unless they pack 128 or 130 on him (which would probably be fair but also won’t happen with a modern 3-year-old.) His MSWs were weak (particularly the one he won) and the majority of his starts were AOC. It’s just not enough to outweigh Chrome winning six of seven starts in all but one graded event (and in the one not, it was an overseas handicap where he gave weight.) Arrogate’s Travers was impressive and he managed to prevail in the Classic, but for Horse of the YEAR, he’d have had to do more.
Ladies Ahoy? Nautically speaking
http://www.twinspires.com/blog/2016/11/16/songbird-deserving-horse-year-consideration
Chrome for HOY
California Chrome.
Chrome. He danced every dance and finished strongly every time he ran.
If Arrogate trains on, he could easily be HOTY in 2017.
[QUOTE=Shammy Davis;8943464]
Ladies Ahoy? Nautically speaking
http://www.twinspires.com/blog/2016/11/16/songbird-deserving-horse-year-consideration[/QUOTE]
Why? Entirely sex-restricted, and in her one non-age-restricted (but still sex-restricted) start, she lost. By a nose, but still a loss. The article itself notes only RA won it as a 3yo female and she beat older males.
Beholder?
She had a heck of a season, winning many (and yes, loosing some but so did Chrome) and she ran her heart out in beating Songbird.
[QUOTE=Where’sMyWhite;8945431]
Beholder?
She had a heck of a season, winning many (and yes, loosing some but so did Chrome) and she ran her heart out in beating Songbird.[/QUOTE]
I’m sure she’ll garner a few votes, but she’s not really a strong contender. She ran 6 races this year, winning only 3 of them & finishing 2nd in 3.(even though they were all GOOD races). One of which she lost to CC.
While CC has raced 7 times, winning 6 of those & a close 2nd.
[QUOTE=Where’sMyWhite;8939995]
I’ve never been a Chrome fan but I would agree he has earned HOY this year.[/QUOTE]
I feel the same way
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