2011 Breeders Cup: Drosselmeyer's Victory Doesn't Make Him Elite

When Drosselmeyer won the Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday, it was obvious that he was going to be the next big thing in horse racing. This happens all the time: A no-name horse shocks the world and all of a sudden we have to make them better than they really are. 

Don't get me wrong, Drosselmeyer is a fine racehorse and his performance in the race was one of the most incredible moments that we will see in sports all year— but to think that it is a sign of greatness ahead is a little misleading. 

According to the Daily Racing Form, this was supposed to be Drosselmeyer's final race before his owners sent him to stud next year. The victory in this race is likely to change their minds, but how does one upset victory make you the horse to beat?

Drosselmeyer entered the race as a 14-1 underdog and had a pedestrian 5-3-2 record prior to winning the Classic. He did win the 2010 Belmont Stakes, but the field was so watered down and neither the Kentucky Derby winner (Super Saver) nor the Preakness winner (Lookin At Lucky) were in that race. 

In any other sport, if a team pulls off an upset win, we don't automatically declare them the best thing going. So why should horse racing be any different?

Nothing against Drosselmeyer, but he does not have the goods to win on a consistent basis. He was near the back of the pack for a majority of the race. To be fair, that could be a product of biding his time before making the big push. 

Still, Drosselmeyer has to show more consistency in his races in order to be thought of as one of the best horses in the sport and a favorite in all of his future events. 

The Breeders' Cup Classic was a great moment for Drosselmeyer, his jockey and his owners, but he has work to do in order to become an elite racehorse.