In 1960, Bye Bye Byrd, Adios Butler and Bullet Hanover competed in what turned out to be a climactic three race series at Hollywood Park entitled the American Pacing Classics.  Of course only the fans on the West Coast actually saw it as that was long before simulcasting and replays were invented, though I’d imagine buried somewhere within the Hollywood rubble there must have been a patrol film or two. The key here is that Bye Bye Byrd (Poplar Byrd-Evalina Hanover) was the undisputed best 5-year-old pacer, Adios Butler (Adios-Debby Hanover) was by far the best 4-year-old pacer, and Bullet Hanover, (Adios-Barbara Direct) off the strength of his Little Brown Jug victory, was the best 3-year-old colt pacer. As it was, Bye Bye Byrd won the first leg.  Adios Butler swept the other two while 3-year-old Bullet Hanover was second in each of the three events. If nothing else it proved ‘Bullet’ could go with the big boys. That in itself was not unprecedented. The great Scott Frost did beat his elders in the Trotting Classic at age 3 in 1955 while Shadow Wave (in a race still viewable on You Tube) won his event at 3 in 1958. In 1966, the Harness World was clamoring for a Bret Hanover then age 4 vs. Romeo Hanover then 3 match-race which never came off. However, 3-year-old True Duane, unable to beat Romeo all that season, did indeed upset the mighty ‘Bret’ and Cardigan Bay in The American Classic. As recently as 1976, 3-year-old Oil Burner defeated the then aged leader Rambling Willie in that year’s edition of the Pacing Classic. Fast forward to the present day and as The Hambletonian day festivities suggest, we have the makings of what could be an all time “classic” event should the vehicle for such a race be available. Just think about it. A 3-year-old filly named Atlanta has established herself amongst the immortals by beating the boys in the Hambletonian final heat in 1:50 4/5. As good as Atlanta is, there are those who think she is yet to be established as best in her division due to the presence of 3-year-old filly rival Manchego, seeing as how she won the Oaks in faster time (1:50) than either of the Hambo heats.  And at Manchego’s flank were Phaetosive and the only sub 1:50 trotting female Plunge Blue Chip (1:49 4/5). While she failed to win on Hambletonian Day, 4-year-old Ariana G has compiled the enviable record of 24 wins in 32 starts during her three years of racing and at times has shown exceptional ability. This brings us to Hannelore Hanover. Unquestionably, this Swan For All-High Sobriety miss has established herself as one of the great trotting mares in history as evidenced by her Horse of the Year season at age 4. Now 5, Hannelore Hanover generally goes off as the odds-on favorite in whatever race she enters regardless of whether the competition is male or female. Thus theoretically, we could replicate that 1960 scenario in which the best aged mare Hannelore Hanover, the best 4-year-old mare Ariana G and Hambo and Oaks champions Atlanta and Manchego get together in  what would be a classic showdown, if such a vehicle could be found. I personally have long advocated that the Breeders Crown replicate the Thoroughbred Breeders Cup in which the late season classics are carded for age 3 and up, rather than separate races for 3-year-olds and the aged horses. While theoretically the 3-year-olds could enter the Breeders Crown aged races, most if not all tend to go one more “heat” versus their own age group. Another strong possibility could be the TVG series final as the eligibility rules state that winners of various races including 3-year-old classics could be invited as was the case with Captaintreacherous during his 3-year-old season when he finished sixth to 9-year-old Foiled Again in 2013.  Conversely, there could be an interesting situation developing in the pacing ranks if Lather Up continues to act as if he may be a special colt. You’ll recall Mr. Teague did indeed send his 3-year old filly champion Rainbow Blue against aged mares in what was basically a late season Mares Open at The Meadowlands in 2004 and if memory serves, ‘Rainbow’ was a handy winner. Thus if Lather Up continues his thus far potential dominance of his age group, that could easily set up an attractive showdown with the best of the aged group including the Down Under invader Lazarus N. The Thoroughbreds have been doing this forever as the Fall Classics tend to be weight for age affairs in which the “colts” get a weight advantage over the aged set. Who could forget Secretariat beating Riva Ridge and Cougar in that 1973 Marlboro Cup or those encounters between 4-year-old Seattle Slew and 3-year-old Affirmed?  The following year Affirmed then 4, did defeat the then 3-year-old champion Spectacular Bid.  In recent times, American Pharoah and Arrogate cemented their seasons with victories in the Breeders Cup Classic. While this year’s edition of the trotting distaff set seems competitively compelling, there will be years when the “males” are equally compelling. That said, it seems incumbent on harness racing to find a vehicle to get these competitors together as do our Thoroughbred counterparts.