Shanghai Bobby’s trademark as a racer was his grit and tenacity down to the wire. The son of Harlan’s Holiday was not afraid to throw down the gauntlet and challenge his rivals to catch him or to withstand his brilliant kick. It did not matter if they were sprinting at 4.5 furlongs or they were running a mile and 1/16th; Shanghai Bobby was not going to relinquish his lead or the victory easily.
That mentality crowned him the 2012 Champion 2YO as voters preferred his culminated campaign over the colt who had come within a head of beating him at the Breeders’ Cup, He’s Had Enough. In a world that’s dominated by who’s in your pedigree, the latter grey colt had the upper hand in that department but could not beat the intangible part of his competitor, as Bobby’s heart just proved too much.
It’s a strange situation that racing finds itself in: we’re on the cusp of another potential Triple Crown, and compared to the Pharoah fever in 2015, the reception this year has been a bit lackluster. At times, it almost feels like we’re going into Belmont weekend without the storied three-race series on the line, and that there isn’t a stand-out among the sophomore class this year.