Odds-on choice Acclamation continued his dominance over the Southern California turf division when he held off a determined Champ Pegasus by three-quarters of a length to win the $150,000 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Oct. 2.
The late-developing 5-year-old California homebred son of Unusual Heat--the pride and joy of Bud and Judy Johnston's Old English Rancho--appears to be on a collision course with the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) after he ran his winning streak to five with a victory in the 1 1/4-mile Clement Hirsch.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65324/no-stopping-acclamation...
If Acclamation can bring home the Breeders' Cup Turf, I think he'll being home the Eclipse Award for Turf champion, and have a nomination as HOY. If they decide to run in the Classic, and he brings that home, I give him Horse of the Year, possibly Turf champion as well. He's not without a legit chance in either race, especially considering how he looks now, he looks terrific. Hand ridden to victory, and Champ Pegasus is no slouch. It'll be interesting to see how he does in the BC.
d9y8l7a6n5 4 months ago
Even with the news of Cape Blanco having to be retired from an injury he sustained in his G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic win. I still think his turf resume is more impressive than Acclamation's when it comes to deciding who will win the 2011 Eclipse Award for American Turf Champion. Frankly, the races that Acclamation has won have been soft G1-G2 races. All in California. Cape Blanco overcame 3 cross-Atlantic ship's from Ireland to the US, and won 3 of the biggest G1 turf stakes in America. TJMO.
GBeret83 4 months ago
thanks for adding your videos so quick after the race good job
footyunit 5 months ago
And again: You are fantastic Partymanners.
Acclamation: one heck of a horse !! Flawless ride by P Val.
watchingponies 5 months ago