One can only imagine how In Excess's future in KY as a stallion could have been affected had he been entered in that 1991 Breeders Cup Classic instead of the BC Mile.
In more contemporary Breeders Cups, decisions for dirt handicap standouts usually center around the Classic or Dirt Mile, as that is now an option. Recent Dirt Mile winners have earned their ticket to KY stud farms with decisive wins (Liam's Map, City of Light, Knicks Go, Life is Good, and Cody's Wish). But in 1991, this was not an option.
Let's face it: In Excess's victories in the Met Mile, Surburban (back then a G1), Woodward, and Whitney would lead any trainer to point to the Classic, until that infamous series of works over the Churchill Downs oval that did not find favor with Bruce Jackson. It was reasoned that his turf pedigree and previous turf form was good enough to make a season-ending run and claim for the HOTY title in the BC Mile.
The horse In Excess had demolished in the Met Mile, Black Tie Affair, wired that 1991 BC Classic field.
When Cozzene sired other handicap stars Running Stag and Alphabet Soup (BC Classic winner on WO dirt), one could only think of how unfair it was to pidgeonhole sons of Caro as sires of only top-level turf runners. At what point does one set aside pedigree and instead focus on what the athlete has accomplished on his own merits on a particular surface. In Excess showed us that it is very difficult to be dominant on G1s on dirt AND turf; one surface is usually preferred, regardless of pedigree.
Here was a good article on the subject with embedded youtube videos:
One can only imagine how In Excess's future in KY as a stallion could have been affected had he been entered in that 1991 Breeders Cup Classic instead of the BC Mile.
In more contemporary Breeders Cups, decisions for dirt handicap standouts usually center around the Classic or Dirt Mile, as that is now an option. Recent Dirt Mile winners have earned their ticket to KY stud farms with decisive wins (Liam's Map, City of Light, Knicks Go, Life is Good, and Cody's Wish). But in 1991, this was not an option.
Let's face it: In Excess's victories in the Met Mile, Surburban (back then a G1), Woodward, and Whitney would lead any trainer to point to the Classic, until that infamous series of works over the Churchill Downs oval that did not find favor with Bruce Jackson. It was reasoned that his turf pedigree and previous turf form was good enough to make a season-ending run and claim for the HOTY title in the BC Mile.
The horse In Excess had demolished in the Met Mile, Black Tie Affair, wired that 1991 BC Classic field.
When Cozzene sired other handicap stars Running Stag and Alphabet Soup (BC Classic winner on WO dirt), one could only think of how unfair it was to pidgeonhole sons of Caro as sires of only top-level turf runners. At what point does one set aside pedigree and instead focus on what the athlete has accomplished on his own merits on a particular surface. In Excess showed us that it is very difficult to be dominant on G1s on dirt AND turf; one surface is usually preferred, regardless of pedigree.
Here was a good article on the subject with embedded youtube videos:
https://www.brisnet.com/content/2019/10/in-excess-a-cautionary-tale-of-making-the-right-breeders-cup-race-choice/
Frances----thanks for this refresher and perspective----while not on board early I am now!
Thanks, Bill. You are a breath of fresh air!