I think he makes a strong case for his horse for HOY.  She had to step up each time and beat the best and did.  

First I want to give my congrats on a great season to Mr. Shirreffs and co., you all did a wonderful job with Z and gave all the racing world a real treat. My fingers are crossed for next year. The Mosses seem to want to keep going and I hope it works out. I am saddened by your disinclination to run girls against boys though. I'm not sure why you think it's bad. It's done alot everywhere else in the world and I've never seen it cause a problem but I have been extra thrilled with some fillies performances...just a couple of days ago I watched the magnificent Vodka beat the boys in Japan, and Daiwa Scarlet(another filly) finished second. Look at Goldikova, I'm sure glad F Head disagrees or we would have missed the best performance on Sat. And even though it didn't have a good end Eight Belles certainly proved she belonged in the Derby. So I would really appreciate your insight as to why you don't like it. I think it's good for racing.

Horse racing hasn't had one this great in a long time. Nothing against Curlin but she should be horse of the year.

Great horses who have running styles like Zenyatta and Starbound are much less likely to be injured while racing.  They just lope along in the rear of the pack and then circle the field turning for home and away they go!  They stay out of trouble.  I hope Mr. Shirreffs and the Mosses consider that when making their decision to run the magnificent Zenyatta next year.

She has been great this year, but so has Curlin. My vote is for Curlin, sorry Zenny but he deserves it. Zenyatta has been amazing, she's tried in every race and overcome Ginger Punch, who happens to be my second favorite horse, but I really think Curlin gets this one.

I just hope Mr Shirreffs brings her east so the folk at Belmont or Monmouth can see her. I wouldn't be suprised if Monmouth made a race for her here like they did for Big Brown. She would surely bring in the crowds. I also love reading about her wonderful personality. She sounds like she is a blast to be around. Best of luck to her no matter which way the voting goes. She is a treasure!

Curlin all the way.  (-:  He's one in a million.

Shes amazing. I'm a die hard Curlin fan, but this filly is the Queen of racing and needs the H.O.Y. honors. What would be a sight to see is Zenyatta in a race against Curlin. Not a match race, but just to see if he runs at 5 and she does also, it would be one of the best things to happen to racing for a long time. She's undefeated and a marvel dare i say a Ruffian for this generation. (before i get reamed; both larger than average filly's around 17 hands, both undefeated, both dark bays & both crowd faves) I hope they do let her run against the boys, so she can silence the naysayers and show everyone she really is the best

it is extremely humble and honest men like the great John Sheriffs that make Rick Dutrow look like such a loser

I like and respect John Shireff's and I love Zenyatta.

However, I stopped reading this interview when he said, "Now, of course, she didn't have to run against any Wanderin' Boys..."  At that point, I was no longer interested in anything John Shireff had to say, as much as I like him.

I understand his point, but if Zenyatta had the courage, desire, and all around toughness of Wanderin Boy to go along with her tremendous size and talent, there would be no doubt as to her Horse of the Year possibilities, because she would have been racing against Big Brown, Curlin, Tiago, and yes, maybe even Wanderin' Boy.  

Zenyatta is a great horse, and should be considered for Horse of the Year, but belittling Wanderin Boy doesn't make her any better, nor does it detract from what Curlin has accomplished.  

Has Shireff begun to consult with Dutrow for his interviewing skills?

A couple of points John.

1.)Azeri was HOTY by default. There were no outstanding handicap horses or three year olds that year. Certainly no horses with the resume of Curlin.

2.)I think the Wanderin Boy quote was a jab at the competition Curlin faced this year, and the horses he ran against were nothing special. But Zenyatta beat nothing special herself. The Distaff was the only time for the year she faced anything close to any quality. If you look at her other six races you see the same California fillies behind her almost every race. Romance is Diane, Santa Terisita, Dawn After Dawn, Tough Tiz's Sis, Silver Swallow, Silver Z, etc. Curlin didn't go unbeaten but his campaign was a lot more ambitious and challenging than Zenyatta's. Let's face it Curlin would be undefeated for the year if he stayed within his comfort zone.

3.)Again referring to the Wanderin Boy quote. If you think Curlin's competition was so weak this year why didn't you go run against him and take the HOTY title from him. Look at Zarkava and Goldikova. They were not content with being the best FILLY, their connections wanted to prove they were the best horse period and they went out and proved it on the track. They didn't sit back and try to politic their way to titles. They settled any debates on the racetrack. I for one believed Zenyatta would have been very tough to beat in The Classic. When you see the European fillies run against and dominate the top males it's really hard to accept anything less.

4.)In another interview you mentioned keeping Zenyatta with the fillies and mares was in the best interest of the horse. I respect that because you are the trainer and you would know what's best for your runners. However when you mentioned the breakdown of Eight Belles it was not only unfair to Eight Belles it was also unfair to her connections. It is an indirect way of questioning their judgment. Eight Belles didn't breakdown because she was a filly running against the boys. It was a racing accident plain and simple. You certainly wouldn't say Barbaro and George Washington broke down because they were not as masculine as their competition.

5.)You have done a great job with the filly and I would certainly congratulate you on the filly Championship. And if you are lucky enough to win HOTY, congrats as well.

Rarely do big amazon-sized mares drop quality foals. My vote is to race her until someone beats her. Oh, wait. That could be years.

Dray you are so hypocritical. Now that you see that BB isn't get the award you go and say that Zenyatta does have a strong case, and stepped up every time. Yet on previous blogs you mocked her, saying why do all you people want to give Zen the award, since she's only a poly specialist, and she'd only raced fillies. What your going to jump ship on BB so quickly i thought you loved him more than that. Just to let you know my fav is still is Curlin, but at least i've stated before i don't mind if either gets the award, I just feel Curlin deserves it more. My point is that why don't you pick a side and stay on it, instead of being a turncoat. O just incase you want to call me one too, i'll tell you one more time CURLIN FOR HOTY!!!!!

Jason is there any way you can tone these guys down? (Draynay and LDP). I was reading a nice interview that you do very well and then I read the remarks that should have stayed on another blog. It's just getting to be to much you know what I mean. Thanks and this is for your eyes only.

I think that the jab at Wanderin Boy was meant simply to prove a point. Curlin did face a relativly weak crop but in that case, lets all be honest and admit the the beloved Big Brown faced an even weaker field. Zenyatta faced and beat Ginger Punch and Hystericalady along with Tough Tiz's Sis (arguably her toughest competition) She dominated damn good mares. Curlin's only loss before the Classic came to another Classic winner (Red Rocks) and theres no shame is that. They're very evenly matched but Zenyatta's wins have been far more convincing and i think she's just getting better. I wish they'd keep the unbecomming trash talking and put Zen & Curlin on the field... on dirt so theres no questions left unanswered.

Ehh... Curlin should still get HOY (:

I mean, Zenyatta is absolutely outstanding!!!

Though, Curlin has proven himself WAY more and deserves HOY a little bit more then Zen does.

(:

What a masterfull job John Shirreffs has done with Zenyatta. Look at the versatility she has shown (on 4 different surfaces) and getting the jump on Cocoa Beach at the top of the stretch in the Breeders Cup just showed me another dimension. I hope she NEVER leaves California again so those of us in So Cal can treasure her just like we treasured Bayakoa and Paseanna.  I have a feeling that Zenyatta is about ready to go on her own 16 month reign of terror.  It was nice to see the crowd give her a standing ovation as she drove down the stretch.  She is exactly what horse racing needs.  She is perfect.  She's not some fantasy Curlin-Big Brown press hype or some Curlin should of, could of, would of...post Classic debate.  She is perfect.  

"(Zenyatta) went undefeated against a very tough group of fillies this year and had to overcome a lot of adversity. Now, of course, she didn't have run against any Wanderin Boy's..."

He said it all right there!  Curlin spent the year running against inferior horses to the ones that Zenyatta beat.  The one time he had to step up the competition he got beat.

Wanda, i'm sorry, i really did come on this blog so i could get away from all the other stuff. Then i see you know who, then i saw what he wrote after trashing Zen on previous blogs and just saw red. I couldn't believe it. I am sorry.

I am somewhat sad to hear JS say thats it for the year with Big Z as I wished he took on Curlin in Churchill

It's a very tight race between Curlin and Zenyatta; they are the most outstanding horses of their gender in America. But I think Zenyatta gets the nod here. She's run against quality competition and beaten them again and again; plus she prefers dirt but is an absolute monster on synthetics. I don't think you need to beat the boys to get HOY. I think you need a stellar campaign against tough competition to do it, and while Curlin was a world beater until his excellent effort in the Breeders' Cup Classic, I think Zenyatta will get it.

My $0.02.

No worrys LDP I hear what your saying about "he who we do not name". Yo I just looked out the window and it's snowing in cowtown!

Zenyatta's HOY and it won't be close! Those were the world's best fillies and this years Distaff would have been strong without her! She smoked them, and as Sherriffs said, she preferred dirt! I daresay in a race such as The Clark--Zenyatta would be heavily favored v Curlin, no? NOT that she needs to face off with him, but "what if" thoughts go like this--Curlin takes the lead at the 1/8 pole...Zenyatta lopes on by /wins by two...Heres hoping to see Zenyatta again in Ladies Classic! Or some kinda Classic....

Jason... correct me if I am wrong but it seems that John agrees with me that beating 7 year old Wanderin Boy twice should not get you HOY.  I think he was being nice not to expand on the thought. If its a two horse race Zenyatta wins by a long shot.

After all the ridiculous comments on the other blog for the last week how can anyone say anything about what John says? He is hyping Zenyatta for horse of the year.

Stuff has been said, far worse than that by people who have no stake in it.

John is a cool dude. Doesn't surprise me. The thing that's different between him and Dutrow is John doesnt' say stuff like that often so when he does it's funny. Dutrow is painful to listen to, fried brain IMHO.

So how do you know Z liked the dirt best if she ran mostly on the California stuff...and won on it?

On dirt I will take wanderin boy any day against zenyatta. I think she is so over hyped.let's see her on dirt against wanderin boy,If she was any good run her in the clark.sherrifs is to scared to run her against commentator!!!

is everything always about Curlin or who should be horse of the year argument? Does ANYONE ever miss a chance to take a swipe at Dutrow or Big Brown? there was a lot more to this article than that and a chance to just admire one really good story in horse racing this year. Thanks to Jason and to Shirreffs for doing this interview about a horse that has been magnificent to watch run. She has been in her own zone and it has been a thing of beauty to watch.

Yes and you also notice he didn't even give a moment of thought at all to your selection Draynay.

Like Jason said, Driftin Sage. He knows how the horse came back after the races, whether she seemed to run easier on the surface.

Dray, please go away! BB beat up on weaker competiton than both, since beating an 8 yr old in a made up turf race by 3/4 of a length doesn't get you HOY either.

Joyce, part of the story WAS about HOY. I thought John handled it well,  his laid back attitude, makes you wonder when he's serious and when he's just pulling your strings. Usually doesn't have much bad to say about anyone and when he does you almost wonder (like Jason) 'is he serious or just seeing what reaction he gets?'

all those comments on B.B.,curlin and zen. all have some merit.

however i for one would have loved

to have seen those three and

COMMENTATOR in the same race. talk about good for racing. to bad we

now have "synthetic" tracks.

I interpreted the comment about dirt to mean that Zenyatta was able to win on a surface she didn't prefer.  Purely politcal.  Nothing in the speed figure (at least) to indicate she preferred it (103).  

And Wandering Boy is hardly weak competition.  He just wasn't able to beat Bernadini, Invasor, Curlin.  He keeps good company.

I rarely write more than one post per blog, but I can't seem to get beyond the "Wanderin' Boy" issue.

I completely understood Shireff's point -- that he believes Curlin ran against inferior competition.

That may be true.  But, then say something to the effect of, "Curlin didn't really run against the toughest competition."

But to single out a horse, especially one like Wanderin' Boy, who gives everything he has every time he races, is not the best way to make a point.  

Yes, the comment might have been funny, yes there was a point to be made.  But it was made at the expense of a dedicated, hard working, honest racehorse; one who tries every bit as hard as Zenyatta, and maybe even a little harder because he doesn't have her talent.

It was "trash talk," and, like I mentioned in the earlier post, it was the point where I stopped reading the interview because I no longer cared what Shireff had to say.  Just like I never read any quotes from Dutrow anymore.

These horses try too hard, and put too much on the line for us to use their lack of ability to make a point.

I like Zenyatta.  She is a great horse. I love to watch her run. I love to watch Curlin run.

And you know what else.  Every time I have seen Wanderin Boy run - in two Jockey Club Gold Cups and a Woodward -- I loved watching him try his hardest to beat those three monsters , Bernardini, Lawyer Ron, and Curlin.

Shireff is too classy of a guy, or at least what I have seen of him on television, for him to use his words so unwisely. Maybe he should send Zito a carrot or something to  give to Wanderin Boy -- who will run his heart out the next time he takes on the best horses in the world.  

The Wanderin Boy comment sure did sound like a slap to me -- at both Wanderin Boy and Curlin.  And, like Richard, I was taken by surprise and disappointed, as I though Shireffs was beyond talking smack.

Why single out Wanderin Boy?  Curlin also beat Asiatic Boy and

Well Armed in March in Dubai.  Was that weak competition as well?

SHIRREFS is a nice guy. He doesn't owe anything to Nick, and I'm sure Nick would be the first to say that. He didn't slam the horse like Dutrow did all the others during the TC. Tongue in cheek if you know him. He's in a cutthroat competitive business and that was pretty nice when you consider that.

Kat, first I know you're not our regular poster Katsan, because she and her husband are trainers etc and doubt she'd make that comment.

Maybe, just maybe, someone outside of John's organization aren't privvy to the reason behind the comment. Do YOU know that the horse didn't come back more tired from the synthetics? Del Mar took a lot out of the horses from what I heard. Do you also know whether her action was better on dirt, you can watch all you want but if you aren't around the horse 24/7 the rest is speculation.

John says he's thrilled she's a shoe-in for the Distaff. Just read that part only, get over this obsession with these other horses, wait and see who they choose then everyone can and will second guess them. Or not because the new crop of Derby horses will have started the preps by then.

Shirreffs is a master.  He had Tiago cranked up all year facing the "Best in the West"...Heatseeker, Go Between, Well Armed and had him in FRONT of Curlin when it mattered.  

Eclipse awards for divisional champions are intended for horses that are clearly superior in their division but the HOTY title should go to the overall star performer who has repeatedly won (not necessarily every single race) competing amongst the very best in the sport.  When the open competition is weak and lacklustre and a divisional champion is extraordinarily brilliant for example when 2yos Secretariat and Favoutite Trick won the HOTY and when Azeri(Distaff champion) won HOTY it is understandable.  But is that the case this year?

Not in every aspect, I don't think.  Zenyatta's brilliance and dominance of her division is only one consideration, let's be honest.

Sherreffs was NOT cheap-shotting anybody--Wanderin Boy is 99-1 in The Classic! Get over it and smell the meaning! He's pimping his ride/and THAT IS PART OF HIS JOB!

If we are comparing the two horses as equals.....switch the competition for the year. Would curlin have gone undefeated against her competition? Would she have gone undefeated in the races he ran? I think he cold have won the races that she won (if we are making them equal) I dont feel that she would have beaten the europeans in that classic race; it was to much of a turf race period. That horse ran 1 1/4 miles for the first team and didnt take a second breath I have never seen that on dirt. If he was so good on the dirt he would have stayed here and run in the triple crown. All to say that Curlin deserves HOY cant knock him for challenging others in their commfort zone

I have one question for everyone in regards to Curlin ...

If he had skipped the BC Classic and run in Japan instead and won, which is what Jess Jackson wanted to do, would we even be having a debate between Curlin and Zenyatta for HOY?  

HOY should be about more than being undefeated, it should be about what the horse has done for racing.  In a year where racing took a major hit with the death of the wonderful filly Eight Belles, Curlin did more to restore faith in racing and to bolster the fans.  Zenyatta is fantastic, but she isn't another Ruffian, nor a Personal Ensign, nor Lady's Secret nor Rags to Riches, nor any other filly who deserves to be considered a truly great horse.  All around, the horses this year were not the best, with many of them taken of steriods.  Ginger Punch certainly was not the same horse she was a year ago and that is the "best" horse that Zenyatta beat.  

Brad, no that wasn't me. You're correct only the people involved with the horse really know what kind of track they prefer and sometimes it takes trial and error to figure it out.

This story was as much or more about Zenyatta's performance and the fact that John is thrilled that the filly is a shoe-in for distaff champ.

Just a Fan, the HOY is just a minor part of it. What a horse has done for racing, is that a part of the criteria for voting horse of the year? I believe it's based on performance more than anything. Those who vote and I've talked to a couple and Jason has expressed his opinion say that.  They also say a filly doesn't have to beat the males to win the award and they're the ones who vote.

It's not about the drama and the other stories like that because conversely you could say that Zenyatta did a lot to make people realize how great fillies and mares can be.

Also you can say Curlin didn't do much for horse racing because Steve got another positive, they showed that HBO special again and opened up all the questions around drugging horses.

If you're looking at storylines, the minority and original owners were disbarred, are in jail for bilking the people they were supposed to be helping, how much has THAT done for racing.

Face it Jess Jackson isn't as altruistic as we might think, it's difficult to syndicate the colt when there is a court ordered sale and you don't know who your partners are. I have a hunch the courts wouldn't have allowed him to sell to Lane's End, Three Chimmney's etc.

If you're talking about giving the award based on what the horse has done for racing, that theory would say give it to Eight Belle's. She had a fabulous race record, beat all the 'boys' but one and her death probably spurred as much change as this industry has seen in many years.

This all just proves that it's about the performance of the horse, they won when it counted.

IF means nothing because it would open up everything to pure speculation. IF Big Brown would have won the Triple Crown, IF Curlin would have run and won the ARC

IF Zenyatta would have run in the Classic and won.

As far as the Japan Cup, it's not run until December, Curlin could potentially still run in it, if he was nominated. IF he was to do so and was badly beaten, what then?

Like Jason said, it comes down to showing up and winning the races when they need to be won, winning them like a champion, not just at the Breeders Cup. The move that Zenyatta made, her style was perfectly suited to the track.

Plus where is it written that only the horses in the Classic division are eligible for Horse of the Year?  

Sorry Jason, I was composing my post before your's was posted and I think I stepped on your IF's

I think a lot of the talk is wishful thinking and like the saying goes IF wishes were wings pigs would fly.

Katsan, if I'm not mistaken, Curlin is nominated for the race in Japan.  I just don't know if Jackson is going to run Curlin again or give him a much deserved break.  Personally, I'd love to see him run again this season.

Let's be honest...Zenyatta could have won the Breeder's Cup Classic and the Culin camp would still be making a case for HIS HOY award (e.g., How could he loose to a Filly? He did not like the track, Was it an ill timed ride? Were the lack of fractions too much, he's gone to Dubai, he's won 10 million, etc. etc. etc).  Tiago finished in front of Curlin and everyone pretty much dismisses that act as some kind of fluke.  Call it better prep, better training, better spots...Tiago beat Curlin that day.  Shirreff's can add this to his list of accomplishments.  

I think you have missed Racing Fan's point.  The second paragraph (after making the comment about if Curlin had won the Japan Cup)begins with the statement HOY is not just about being undefeated.

And I agree with the point above about Ginger Punch this year.  Interesting how Zenyatta is measured against Ginger Punch simply as last year's champion.  She also finished 3rd at Oaklawn, 2nd in Beldame, and SIXTH in the classic.  And look what finishing 4th in the BCC has done to Curlin's status (and face it, Tiago wouldn't have passed him if RA had ridden Curlin to the wire, but oh well).  Seems a slightly different "math" is being used.

If HOY is based on performance, better recheck past performances for beyer speed figures, etc.

That's more objective.  Unfortunately, there is no criteria for HOY and that's what all the back and forth is about.  It's a battle for hearts and minds.

Kat, thank you.  I did notice that Jason only addressed the first part of my post and not the second.  HOY should be about MORE than just the wins, although those should be taken into consideration obviously.  Curlin has done more for this sport than Zenyatta has.  He has been tested on more racing surfaces.  He has been to more states and different tracks than Zenyatta has.  After the death of Eight Belles, he has bolstered this sport and the morale of fans simply by running.  Should Curlin be penalized because he didn't face better caliber horses?  He ran in the Woodward and the JCGC, both races that normally attract much better horses than they did this year.  Should he be penalized because other trainers didn't want to run their horses against him?  

Whereas Zenyatta, the best she faced was Ginger Punch.  Yes, last season Ginger Punch was amazing.  This season, she was never the same.  

I'll be happy if either one wins, since they are both incredible, but in all fairness, I think Curlin deserves it more.  He's done more, shown more grit and was entered into races not necessarily in his comfort zone.  Zenyatta is a Cali horse, and left the state once.  She never faced the colts and other than Azeri, the two other fillies who won HOY faced and beat the boys.  

I'm not saying all of the voters are heartless. But some are and some base it strictly on how the horse performed in big races. Not necessarily Beyers etc, some that aren't handicappers don't even buy into that philosophy and even call it into question. That's their way of thinking. I just think hearts don't enter into it very much with the majority of voters (once again not ALL).

Now if your'e talking about politics, yes. Do they like the trainer? Have they had a run in with them etc.

The fans and the connections of the various horses are the ones whose heart strings are usually pulled by the horses.

NOt saying all writers are heartless cynics, but when you add into the equation that they are looking at so many horses each year it can become just about the hard facts and once again I've heard many of them dismiss speed figures etc.

Like Householder said, Zenyatta would probably have won the classic mostly because her patented move is perfect for the way the track was playing on Breeders Cup weekend.

Personally I think we should just be happy for John, the Moss's and of course my hometown boy Mikey Smith that Zenyatta ran so sensationally this year.

The HOY has been discussed, cussed and re-cussed to the point of redundancy on another blog.

Let's just celebrate the filly for all SHE did this year.

If there's a q&a with Curlin's connections within the next 2 months we can celebrate his acheivements then.

Just A Fan---who won when it counted MOST??

I love Zenyatta - I think she's awesome and I REALLY hope she races next year!  And from what I've read, her owners, trainer and jockey are all really terrific people so I'm very happy for them that they have gotten to go on this tremendous ride with this wonderful filly!  I would like to mention though to everyone who has changed the subject - this post was about Zenyatta.  Why can't it be left that way....?  All the debate about the others really belongs on a blog debating who is the best doesn't it?  We all have our favorites but can't we stay at least somewhat on the subject?

Katsan: great comments and how are you? Nice to see you on here again.

I can't see comparing races that way either. IF this or IF that. All you can do is look at who ran and where they finished. That's why I got out of showing horses and into racing 100 years ago. The better horse that day crosses the finish line first period.

Wanda, Thanks, great to be here. After the last month and all of our losses, the brother in law didn't make it after all. So right now I feel lucky and blessed to be anywhere.

That's what makes me think even more that we just should appreciate the horses fow WHO they are and for what THEY have done on an individual basis.

I've been reading and laugh at you and the boys wanting to win the lottery. Actually I should have told you all that I was one of the small group that hit the 206 million here last month! I think they'll be fine, most of us out here are hardworking, pioneer spirit people who haven't had the easiest lives. But dang I wish I would've been part of the group. I could have bought Stardom Bound, kept her out of the evil clutches of .... Oh well, at least steroids have been banned.

It's all in how you read it folks.

I read the comment as Zenyatta didn't meet any as tough as Wanderin Boy. Shirreffs says she beat tough fillies but didn't have to go against any Wanderin Boys, to me he is conceding that Wanderin Boy was tougher than she met. Afterall Wanderin Boy was awarded a Beyer Fig of  112-114 for his last effort against Curlin. That's higher than any Big Brown ever ran so it ain't bad my friends. Wanderin Boy is no slouch and I think he was pointing that out.

schabelli, if he really did mean to say it like that, then fine, i don't really mind it, but he's trying to make a case for Zen to be HOY, so for me it's kinda hard to believe he'd be saying that curlin faced tougher than she did.

LDP, It's called diplomacy.

Contrary to the repuglican way of always demeaning, questioning, and running down an opponent it's a gentleman's way of conceding a point but not conceding the prize. Always being negative (see McBush campaign ) doesn't work so well anymore.

I'm quite sure he believes his filly is worthy of the award on her own merit and has no desire to bad mouth (nay nay) the competition.

schabelli, no he was hyping Zenyatta, Knowing John, he meant it as a subtle, tongue in cheek promotion of HIS horse, not the horse that actually ran against Wanderin Boy..... Why would he do that?

Also, please leave the politics off the racing board.

I'm glad they're keeping Zenyatta in training next year. I still don't think we've seen the best of her and racing really needs its stars on the track. So much emphasis has moved over to the breeding side of the ledger that it's no wonder horse racing is on the decline in the U.S. We need another long-tenured champion mare on the track, along the lines of Bayakoa (raced till 7), Paseana (raced till 8), Escena (raced through 5) Beautiful Pleasure (raced through 6) and Azeri (raced through 6). Some of my all-time faves are the ones who raced at least through age 5 - male or female. Racing needs its stars on the track and I'm hoping Zenyatta knocks 'em off their feet again in 2009. I'd also love it if her connections took a shot by taking on the boys. Based off of Beyers, she could have won the Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic in '08...

Well we all weren't there were we, but honestly from the way everyone does talk about Curlin, it's safe to assume that's what he meant. You know i'm not all that surprise Curlins being retired. JJ brings Curlin back for the fans, and all some people can do is harp on the horse no matter what he does. It gets annoying and JJ probably thinks that we don't want Curlin back, thanks to some of the negativity. Tell me what you'd do if somebody told you they really wanted you to do something, then when you did all people could do was point out how weak you are, what your doing wrong all the time. Would you do it again? NO. JJ probably feels the people don't appreciate what Curlin is, what he's done, so why bother bringing him back, maybe he'd be more appriciated in the breeding shed. Maybe if we had stopped harping on the horse and connections, and actually praised and enjoyed him, showing that we do appriciate him, JJ wouldn't be retiring him.

LDP

Not sure where this comment fits in??

However as far as Jess retiring the colt. He wanted the record, also the ownership was muddied and Jess put the bid in for the jailbirds share. Everyone involved in racing figured that was what would happen, those were the stories on the backside.

Do You REALLY think what fans on blogs say about the horses affects 50-100 million decisions?

Sorry but that's a little delusional.

I really don't think a business man of Jackson's wealth and stature would keep a horse in training based on the ladies and gents comments on here about the grueling year and the heroism of the colt. Not when 100 Million is staring you in the face and the colt could be injured if he kept running. Even if Jess is one of the richest guys in the world.