2024 Three Year Olds

[CoronadosQuest]

Society Man wins the Matt Winn. Who Dey was 2nd, Next Level 3rd, Rocketeer 4th, West Saratoga 5th

[Tessablue]

Society Man, the GOAT of all time

(He actually looked really good—Danny Gargan has surely had worse weekends than this one)

[Curtis]

Society Man, the GOAT of all time

(He actually looked really good—Danny Gargan has surely had worse weekends than this one)

Sounds redundant. I was once labeled the Goat for giving up a bases clearing double in a Jr. High game. If I knew then what I know now, I’d have it on my resume.

[CoronadosQuest]

Society Man, the GOAT of all time

(He actually looked really good—Danny Gargan has surely had worse weekends than this one)

I thought of you when he hit the front and wondered if you had bet him or were rooting him on

[Tessablue]

I thought of you when he hit the front and wondered if you had bet him or were rooting him on

LOL, what an honor. I meant to catch the race and was hoping he’d do well, but I thought it was going off later and missed watching it live. I suspect he’s the sort of horse whose performance is inversely proportional to the amount of money I have on him.

Sounds redundant. I was once labeled the Goat for giving up a bases clearing double in a Jr. High game. If I knew then what I know now, I’d have it on my resume.

I said what I said

[stark]

Ray Paulick
@raypaulick

Who is the best 3-year-old right now?

Dornoch 7.3%
Mystik Dan 4%
Seize the Grey 5.2%
Thorpedo Anna 83.6%


1,456 votes
·
1 hour left

[KatieK101]

Gotta think that with the 3YO male division being so open, that if Thorpedo Anna keeps winning, she could win HOTY. Especially if she does face the boys this year.

Who else is definitely in the running at this point? I know some people were calling Idiomatic before her loss to Randomized.

Looks like National Treasure might be the token older dirt male.

[CoronadosQuest]

Gotta think that with the 3YO male division being so open, that if Thorpedo Anna keeps winning, she could win HOTY. Especially if she does face the boys this year.

Who else is definitely in the running at this point? I know some people were calling Idiomatic before her loss to Randomized.

Looks like National Treasure might be the token older dirt male.

What about Senor Buscador? Though he hasn't run after his 3rd in the Dubai World Cup yet and just returned to training. National Treasure does have a jump on him though with the Pegasus World Cup (G1) and Met Mile (G1) as wins so far. I also assume Arabian Knight will eventually return to the races, he has been working forever.

[Curtis]

Gotta think that with the 3YO male division being so open, that if Thorpedo Anna keeps winning, she could win HOTY. Especially if she does face the boys this year.

Who else is definitely in the running at this point? I know some people were calling Idiomatic before her loss to Randomized.

Looks like National Treasure might be the token older dirt male.

If National Treasure can win the Whitney, he’s going to be a tough beat. My daughter is named Anna and I lettered in swimming in high school so that would be fun. She would almost assuredly have to win a G1 against males. Maybe two.

[Tessablue]

I think Met Mile/ Whitney isn't enough in an average year unless it's paired with a Classic, and Travers/ Classic by any one of the top colts (or fillies!) would probably do it. The older males are a pretty horrendous bunch at present, so this would seem like a good year for the 3yos to take down the Classic... if they can beat the Japanese contingency, that is

If nobody steps up and Thorpedo Anna sweeps three or four more G1s including the Distaff, I think she has a definite shot. Azeri managed a HOTY title without beating males, and sentiment would surely be on Anna's side as well. And as we've seen, sentiment is (not incorrectly!) often an important part of HOTY consideration.

[Curtis]

I think Met Mile/ Whitney isn't enough in an average year unless it's paired with a Classic, and Travers/ Classic by any one of the top colts (or fillies!) would probably do it. The older males are a pretty horrendous bunch at present, so this would seem like a good year for the 3yos to take down the Classic... if they can beat the Japanese contingency, that is

If nobody steps up and Thorpedo Anna sweeps three or four more G1s including the Distaff, I think she has a definite shot. Azeri managed a HOTY title without beating males, and sentiment would surely be on Anna's side as well. And as we've seen, sentiment is (not incorrectly!) often an important part of HOTY consideration.

National Treasure also won the Pegasus. Azeri wasn’t a 3yo. Other than Rachel Alexandria, who won the KY Oaks by 20 lengths, the Preakness and beat older males in the Woodward, how many 3yo fillies have been Horse of the Year. But then I honestly couldn’t even tell you who the Horse of the Year was last year so I’m probably not the best one to discuss this with. I argued that Seabiscuit should have won in 2003 and if not for that pesky, “Must have made one start during the year in North America” rule, I’da been right.

[stark]

Two words....

MINDFRAME.

[CoronadosQuest]

Parenting just won the Affirmed Stakes with ease. Pretty exciting (I own a tiny share in him through Commonwealth lol)

[Tessablue]

Oops, I completely forgot about the Pegasus. I guess that trio could do it, but honestly I'm just sort of working under the assumption that National Treasure will end up ambiguously but indefinitely on the bench at some point. Baffert has never won a Classic with an older horse, but he has lost it with, what, five or six favorites or near-favorites? I don't have time to check right now, but off the top of my head you have Game on Dude (however many times), McKinzie, Improbable, Arrogate, West Coast? He's at his best with 3yos, not older horses, and I can't see people voting for a Classic loser if there's an popular big-name filly with a pile of G1s on offer instead. Cody's Wish won at least partially based on popularity last year, and I don't think National Treasure is going to capture many hearts or minds between now and November.

Sure, a 3yo filly would be a bit unusual, but we've had turf milers and dirt horses in recent years. The older male division has been essentially demolished over the past couple of decades, so it's easier than ever for unconventional horses to grab the HOTY title.

(I still think a 3yo male is most likely)

[Squeaky]

Parenting by Justify very impressive winner of the Affirmed at SA in second start. Next up the Haskell as per Bob. Large ownership group of over 700 people. https://x.com/thetdn/status/1799960846761656767?s=46

[CoronadosQuest]

Parenting by Justify very impressive winner of the Affirmed at SA in second start. Next up the Haskell as per Bob. Large ownership group of over 700 people. https://x.com/thetdn/status/1799960846761656767?s=46

Yea you could buy shares in him through Commonwealth, which is the same group that offered shares in Mage. He sold out pretty fast, if I remember correct, I bought into him lightning fast

[Squeaky]

Parenting by Justify very impressive winner of the Affirmed at SA in second start. Next up the Haskell as per Bob. Large ownership group of over 700 people. https://x.com/thetdn/status/1799960846761656767?s=46

Yea you could buy shares in him through Commonwealth, which is the same group that offered shares in Mage. He sold out pretty fast, if I remember correct, I bought into him lightning fast

How exciting-congratulations! Isn’t Gandharvi involved as well-listed as owner…

[CoronadosQuest]

Parenting by Justify very impressive winner of the Affirmed at SA in second start. Next up the Haskell as per Bob. Large ownership group of over 700 people. https://x.com/thetdn/status/1799960846761656767?s=46

Yea you could buy shares in him through Commonwealth, which is the same group that offered shares in Mage. He sold out pretty fast, if I remember correct, I bought into him lightning fast

How exciting-congratulations! Isn’t Gandharvi involved as well-listed as owner…

I believe so! Gandharvi Racing tweeted out this: https://x.com/GandharviRacing/status/17 ... 7456721043

Gándharví
@GandharviRacing
We keep getting told how much talent this colt possesses!!!

Seeing is believing.

Parenting just a dominant winner of the Affirmed Stakes at just start 2.

Congratulations to our partners @joincmnwlth

Much thanks to @BobBaffert and @JJHernandezS19

Haskell here we come!!!

[Curtis]

Oops, I completely forgot about the Pegasus. I guess that trio could do it, but honestly I'm just sort of working under the assumption that National Treasure will end up ambiguously but indefinitely on the bench at some point. Baffert has never won a Classic with an older horse, but he has lost it with, what, five or six favorites or near-favorites? I don't have time to check right now, but off the top of my head you have Game on Dude (however many times), McKinzie, Improbable, Arrogate, West Coast? He's at his best with 3yos, not older horses, and I can't see people voting for a Classic loser if there's an popular big-name filly with a pile of G1s on offer instead. Cody's Wish won at least partially based on popularity last year, and I don't think National Treasure is going to capture many hearts or minds between now and November.

Sure, a 3yo filly would be a bit unusual, but we've had turf milers and dirt horses in recent years. The older male division has been essentially demolished over the past couple of decades, so it's easier than ever for unconventional horses to grab the HOTY title.

(I still think a 3yo male is most likely)

Yeah, no doubt Baffert’s wheelhouse is 2-3yo’s. I think National Treasure, if he wins the Whitney would be tough. He’s not inspiring by any means but he’ll check boxes. I’m even wondering if the ambiguous injury happens pre-Classic. These 3yo’s have talent but they’re too green for me. A Travers/Classic winner would get support. I just envision these horses beating each other a few more times.

[stark]

I think Baffert would like to train 4-5 year olds and he'd be good at it.

But he doesn't get a vote.