Bricks and Mortar is never going to earn a lot of style points, because he never wins by a lot. In fact, the 2 1/2 lengths by which he won the Pegasus World Cup Turf in his first start this year was easily the largest win margin of his career.

However, Bricks and Mortar is a stone-cold winner. He was along in time to win the just completed Turf Classic, and while he again didn't win by a lot, the important thing is this was his eighth victory in 10 career starts, and he ranks as clearly the best male turf horse in the country at this moment.

But i do have to say a word about Turf Classic runner up Qurbaan, who admittedly is a pet of mine. On the face of it, Qurbaan had an ideal inside-out trip and was simply caught by a better horse today. But it should be noted that many folks, including trainers and jockeys, have commented that the inside on the Churchill Downs turf course today is much softer than wider paths. Qurbaan raced inside to the stretch, on perhaps the deeper footing, while Bricks and Mortar was always positioned outside.

My point is, Qurbaan is a lot better than many think he is.