Who do you think are the top ten geldings that have raced in America?

Question

We're fortunate here in Southern California to have two tough older geldings racing this weekend, Lava Man in the Gold Cup and The Tin Man in the American Handicap. Who do you think are the ten best geldings to have raced in America?

Answer 1

Kelso - 5 time HOTY, etc. easily #1.

Forego - 3 time HOTY

John Henry - 2 time HOTY

Fort Marcy - HOTY and multiple Eclipse winner.

Armed - HOTY, Hall of Famer

Native Diver - Hall of Famer

Kona Gold - Champion Sprinter 2000, ran in 5 consecutive BC Sprints.

Exterminator - 100 starts, 50 wins through age 9.

Old Rosebud - multiple champion, 40 wins in 80 starts.

Da Hoss - 2x Breeders' Cup Mile winner.

Honorable mention to

Phar Lap - one of the greatest raceshorses period.  Would be top 3 but his only North American start was in Mexico.

Lonesome Glory - amazing steeplechaser, perhaps the best American ever.

Answer 2

Lava Man, The Tin Man, John Henry, and Funny Cide are my favorites!!

Answer 3

Of the horses mentioned only John Henry and Native Diver can be rightfully included among the "top ten," presuming the questioner means "of all time," and not just currently. (Lava Man looks good, but must race sucessfully a few more years to prove his mettle.)

Kelso absolutely must be added to this list.  Possibly the greatest gelded thoroughbred of them all.

There was a horse that raced in the '20s and '30s - I forgot his name - who was a gelding, won a lot of big races, very famous and beloved in his time.  At age 15 he was still runinng - in bottom level claiming races.  A kind owner saw this and claimed him, and retired the old guy to his farm.

Horses are gelded to make them more manageable, to keep their minds on the business of racing.  It also removes those of lesser ability from the gene pool. Obviously, sometimes mistakes are made.

Answer 4

Cigar!   He won 16 in a row.  All stakes type races.  Kelso, John Henry  then the rest.

Answer 5

John Henry, Native Diver (who's record Lava Man is shooting to equal!), Fourstardave and Funny Cide come to mind. Fourstardave was an all time favorite at Saratoga. And I am truly in awe of The Tin Man! Just LOVE that guy!

Sorry that's only 7 but off the cuff that's all that really come to mind. I know as soon as I submit this someone else will come to mind.

** Addition; I left out one of my personal favorites of right now... 10 year old Evening Attire! He's running this week-end in the Suburban. He is an East Coast Favorite, I'd love to see him come in in the money this week-end...LOL!

Answer 6

John Henry, Kona Gold, Lava Man, Funny Cide, Exterminator, The Tin Man, Eveningattire, Da Hoss, Kelso,

By the way, Cigar is not a gelding, he's just infertile.

Answer 7

There is no dought that these horses are two of the greatest of all times.  I'm a big Lava Man fan!  There is nothing wrong with a gelding and for along time I thought there was, but after working on way to many rescues in the state of Texas where I live I realise there is way to many unwanted horses in this country.  It's sad I've even heard about champion blooded horses bound for death.  

So rock on Lava Man and tell the whole world a gelding can be a champion and life long companion to us all.  As a matter of fact I own a grandson of the immortal Secretariat that is a wonderful stallion but after seeing so many horses that we could not save in time I wonder does the world need another stallion.  Sometimes I wonder if the world deserves one, so I have a question of my own for you.  What do you think about me gelding my own superstar stallion when I think of the fun we would have with him a gelding I think it would be ok!