Patrick Patten authors a uniquely titled US Thoroughbred blog
Pulling Hair and Betting Horses.
I received an email from Patrick this morning which refers me to an article he has written on a "standings" system for US horses. As Patrick says "Obviously I'm not the head of the NY Times or Sports Illustrated, so little to no one will notice my blog. However, I am persevering and was wondering if anyone else would like to carry the top 3 horses in Eclipse categories on their blog in the side column. I can update the code each week."
No fanfare or recognition indeed - but when you read Patrick's original blog post from June 21/2005 (reproduced in full below) then perhaps you too will identify with his desire to introduce a system that the "everyday" race follower can understand too.
... we liked the logic enough to run with it.
EVERY SPORT HAS STANDINGSStandings are there so you can knock the team on top or notice that your team is up and coming. The number one spot is not always the best team, and even the Devil Rays will beat the Yankees (like last night, ugh). Horse racing doesn't have standings. The fans leave it up to the talking heads at DRF, TVG, or Eclipse voters to decide the matter. Personally, I wouldn't trust those people to mow my lawn. So I came up with a score card. I talked about it earlier it's pretty easy. I give points to Graded events for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and also ran as long as they complete the race. I separate into 9 categories (2yo filly, 2yo colt, 3yo filly, 3yo colt, older horse, sprint, turf, filly & mare, filly & mare turf). Older horse is for 3&up or 4yo only and raced at a mile or longer. All races restricted to 3yo even if on the turf are in the 3yo category.
I created these categories based on the Eclipse awards. Handicap races get the same points because a grade I is a grade I. To qualify for my personal year end awards a horse has to win a grade I race. This would eliminate any trainer from entering a horse where he doesn't belong. "Ah-lukas-choo" excuse me, just couldn't control that sneeze. Currently Memorrette is the top 3yo filly, but she has never won a Gr I race so she is not eligible currently. If she wins a Gr I in any category she'd be fine. Also at the end of the year I compile all info into HOY where I weight some number for 3yo's taking on older and or girls taking on the boys. Overall the process isn't really that hard and I think many could benefit from it. God forbid our sport moves more towards the mainstream and make things easier for casual sports fans to get involved.
I list the top 5 in each category and their points, totals are in BOLD
F&M turf
mea domina 120 120
megahertz 50 50 100
honey ryder 20 50 10 80
sand springs 20 10 50 80
solar echo 80 80
Filly & Mare
dreamofsummer 80 120 200
tarlow 30 50 120 200
miss loren 120 60 180
ashado 35 10 120 165
star parade 35 80 10 30 155
Turf
sweet return 60 40 35 120 255
america alive 30 120 35 185
good reward 30 30 120 180
castledale 50 120 170
quest star 35 40 60 35 170
Sprint
forest danger 120 120
don six 40 60 10 110
harvard avenue 40 50 10 100
medallist 20 80 100
clock stopper 30 50 80
Older Horse
saint liam 120 35 120 275
eddington 60 50 30 120 260
rock hard ten 50 120 170
congrats 50 30 80 160
eurosilver 20 35 80 135
3yo Male
afleet alex 50 60 120 120 350
giacomo 40 35 120 60 35 290
high fly 5 50 120 35 35 245
high limit 50 80 35 35 200
bandini 40 120 35 195
3 yo Filly
memorette 80 80 60 35 40 295
in the gold 40 40 50 80 60 270
summerly 20 50 35 120 225
sis city 50 120 35 205
sharp lisa 50 120 10 180
Ok so where's Lost in the Fog? It's not his fault there aren't any Grade I sprint races for 3yo's and maybe this point system will show exactly where the Graded Stakes committee could add some races and spread the wealth. I only have 1 grade I stakes for F&M on the turf so far this year. Maybe I missed one, so let me know.
Here are the points
Grade1 Grade2 Grade3 Breeder's Cup
1st 120 50 20 240
2nd 80 40 10 160
3rd 60 30 5 120
alsoran 35 10 60"
