I figured he needed that ONE big horse to get him in. Bud Delp got in because of Spectacular Bid, and his career was no more impressive than Leatherbury\'s excluding Spectacular Bid. Ah Day was his last big horse but couldn\'t cut it in terms of RHOF. Jeremy Rose has been quoted as saying Ben\'s Cat is the third best horse he has ever ridden, ahead of Big Brown and Toccet even. It\'s really a trade off for the 78 year old Trainer who wants to sustain his barn as long as he can--does he go in the easy spots that gets him a decent paycheck or try for those graded stakes that increases his RHOF chances?
I agree though, it is a popularity contest, and it seems he isn\'t that popular, the Cat is his last chance.