What do you think, Confederate horse of the year ?

[dinkadoo]

so after last weeks racing - what did we learn ?

Did we learn that Confederate was horse of the year because what he did against 3 year olds

or

That he - being 6 weeks away from being a 4 year old - was not very competitive against older horses that had he come back to race one more year maybe would've been a small snap shot of who this horse is   Perhaps the reason not to race as a 4yo and be exposed 

Just looking for chatter to see what people think --- in the thoroughbreds, usually around October, many condition books would write conditions for 3yo and up in what we would call overnight races. This years Breeders Cup Classic Champ was a 3yo.

[Harness Stats]

He'd been the unchallenged leader for weeks on the USTA poll with all 35 votes until last week. Now Jiggy Jog and Sylvia have one and Karl 2.   That's not enough change to make a difference.  Confederate will be horse of the year. 

[dinkadoo]

He'd been the unchallenged leader for weeks on the USTA poll with all 35 votes until last week. Now Jiggy Jog and Sylvia have one and Karl 2.   That's not enough change to make a difference.  Confederate will be horse of the year.

true  and I expect him to be horse of the Year

I totally feel that one race does not represent his whole ability -- I honestly think it was a real off day for him and while I didn't like his chances last Saturday -- he has to be better than leaving, falling into the four hole, coming first up on a middle half of 55.4 and not having any pace at the 3/4 pole.....

But then it's all we have to go with  === he's retired.

[Kirby's Ace]

Yes!

[Jackie Mo]

Confederate is 1-9 to win HOY

[dinkadoo]

Confederate is 1-9 to win HOY

agree that he is a huge favorite
and I guess probably so......

I'm not saying that this one race against older defines him, I do believe he is better than that performance. But then it's all we have to go on.
This is just a question
Should horse of the year be recognized if they are the 3rd, 4th, 5th best of their gate ? Trot or Pace.... Which brings into question then could a 2yo be considered HOY as obviusly their times will be much slower.

[Parked]

Give me the choice of one to race next year and I’ll take Karl..

[Generation XYZ]

Some will vote yes. But I say Noooo, Confederate is not horse of the year.

[Harness racer]

I'd like Karl to be horse of the year.  But I'm sure Confederate will be.

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

Give me the choice of one to race next year and I’ll take Karl..

I can't remember a better gaited trotter other than Sebastian K and he is only a 2 year old.

[Parked]

Who really cares ?? It will be blared all over the sales ring in 3 years and no one will listen. Just like them yelling about a 3 rd dam that won a fair in East Podunk.

[Generation XYZ]

Parked is right! This means little in the scheme of things and even less in the pedigree charts.

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

Who really cares ?? It will be blared all over the sales ring in 3 years and no one will listen. Just like them yelling about a 3 rd dam that won a fair in East Podunk.

I was leading trainer in East Podunk one year

[Generation XYZ]

HOW ABOUT WE CALL THE CATEGORY BIGGEST DEFEAT OF THE YEAR....CONFEDERA TE Gets my vote!  F U Bowden you Bitch!

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

HOW ABOUT WE CALL THE CATEGORY BIGGEST DEFEAT OF THE YEAR....CONFEDERA TE Gets my vote!  F U Bowden you Bitch!