Why doesn't anyone ever give SHAM any credit as a great horse.?

Question

The d**n horse woulda won the triple crown any other year but had to go up against Secretariat (the greatest ever in my opinion). Sham's time in the Derby was a record itself, only Secretariat's time was better also...why doesnt Sham ever get any respect?

Answer 1

would Sham have been as good if he didn't have a great like Secretariat to chase?

I agree though.  I always keep him in mind, coupled with Secretariat.  It's like Alydar to Affirmed.  Presumably Alydar is remembered a bit more for the trilling stretch runs...  Secretariat stands alone because he shook Sham off as they rounded the far turn and Secretariat flew to the finish of the Belmont for an over 30 length win while Sham faded to finish last.  Still, he's not totally forgotten...  there is the Sham stakes and he holds the title for 2nd fastest Derby ever.  THe problem is that we don't know how good he'd be without Secretariat...  Sham may have been a Triple Crown winner himself...  or he could have been just another horse who was almost good enough.  Sham just was a little unlucky with the year he was born...  kinda like the rest of us...  if there was some small change it would make all the difference.