JC / Railbird

Close Call

… not just between Curlin and Zenyatta for Horse of the Year, but for 3-year-old filly division honors. Will the champion be Proud Spell or Music Note [or Indian Blessing*]? Consider:

– Proud Spell went 4-for-8 in 2008, with two Grade 1 wins in the Kentucky Oaks and Alabama Stakes. In those races, she beat 13 rivals, including Music Note (by a head in the Alabama) and Indian Blessing. After finishing second in the Cotillion in September, trainer Larry Jones declared Proud Spell done for the year and the filly didn’t start in the Breeders’ Cup.

– Music Note wrapped up the year 4-for-6, with three Grade 1 wins in the Mother Goose, Coaching Club American Oaks, and Gazelle Stakes. All were at Belmont Park, in short fields; she beat 10 others in those races, including Proud Spell (by 3 1/2 lengths in the Mother Goose, a perhaps misleading margin due to traffic problems suffered by ‘Spell) and Little Belle. Unlike Proud Spell, Music Note did run in the Breeders’ Cup, finishing a very game third behind Zenyatta and stablemate Cocoa Beach in the Filly & Mare Classic.

If I had a vote, I’d lean toward Music Note, but Proud Spell has a strong claim.


3 Comments

Whither Indian Blessing?

Posted by John S. on October 30, 2008 @ 3:46 pm

Yeah, just about to add that. My vote would go to Indian Blessing. I realize that a sprinter is not typically considered for these awards (though there are no rules saying so), Indian Blessing has the ‘style’ points to get my vote. Her victories are of the impressive variety that make her just a tad more special than the other two. I believe it should go to that kind of talent.

Posted by o_crunk on October 30, 2008 @ 5:20 pm

*I admit, I overlooked Indian Blessing due to a bias against sprinters, but there is a great case to be made for her getting the nod … she raced exclusively in graded company this year, went 5-for-8, won two G1s, beat Proud Spell in February, finished second to Ventura in the Filly & Mare Sprint (and there’s a sound argument the surface influenced that result). The 3YO filly race is even more interesting than I thought.

Posted by Jessica on October 30, 2008 @ 5:34 pm