Jason I believe you are spot on in the Haskell.  Trappe Shot has a better chance of learning to fly then he does of winning this race.  He struggled at 1 1/16th.  Pass.  Jim Dandy Fly Down is just plain too tough. And Phola is my winner in the Diana.  I would go into more details but my fans are eager for me to get draynay.com up and running so bye for now.

I can't tell you how much I would love to bet these races, but I have had my wallet stolen several times in the past few months (many times just before the Derby).  I am sure there are many older men (Dr. Drunkinbum and Jason for example) who are vulnerable to this scam.

Women often receive warnings about protecting themselves at the mall and in

dark parking lots, etc. This is the first warning I have seen for men. I

wanted to pass it on in case you haven't heard about it.

A 'heads up' for those men who may be regular customers at Lowe's, Home Depot, Costco, or even Wal-Mart. This one caught me totally by surprise.

Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping.  Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends.

Here's how the scam works:

Two nice-looking, college-aged girls will come over to your car or truck as you are packing your purchases into your vehicle. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. (It's impossible not to look).

When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' but instead ask for a ride to McDonald's.

You agree and they climb into the vehicle. On the way, they start

undressing. Then one of them starts crawling all over you, while the other

one steals your wallet.

I had my wallet stolen Mar. 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th, 24th, & 29th. Also Apr. 1st & 4th, twice on the 8th, 16th, 23rd, 26th & 27th, and very likely again this upcoming weekend.

So tell your friends to be careful. What a horrible way to take advantage of us older men. Warn your friends to be vigilant.

Wal-Mart has wallets on sale for $2.99 each. I found even cheaper ones for $.99 at the dollar store and bought them out in three of their stores.

Also, you never get to eat at McDonald's. I've already lost 11 pounds just running back and forth from Lowe's, to Home Depot, to Costco, Etc.

So please, send this on to all the older men that you know and warn them to be on the lookout for this scam. (The best times are just before lunch and around 4:30 in the afternoon.)

Be careful out there.  Fly Down, Proviso, LAL would be the picks if I had any money left.

I think the big dude will moe 'em down, if he can get away with slow fractions, he could steal the race.  If he gets pressured, it could set up for Ice Box.  I'd box those two for an exacts.

Haskell:  I'll go with LDP here and hope for a Lookin at Lucky win.

Jim Dandy:  No idea who will win.  Rooting hard for Afleet Express.

Rachel committed to Personal Ensign.  Come on Mosses, do it!

Lisa I am with you First Dude is a beast in the making. Has a good post and is 4 lbs lighter than the big guns. I think First dude will win by a nose! Fly Down is too tough in the Jim Dandy but I will root for Afleet Express he is a star in the making!

It is impossible for me to go against the chalk in the Jim Dandy... Fly Down and Afleet Express taking the top two spots over the field for a trifecta.

The Diana may be the best field assembled for a race this year!  The top 4 horses all have legitimate cases and chances to win this race.  I would probably take the easy way out and box them all in the trifecta.

Even though Super Saver is the Derby winner, I think he may get overlooked in this race.  LAL and First Dude are definitely top class horses, but I would be willing to key SS over those two over the field in a tri bet.

Good luck to all!

2:24 : There's no way for Zenyatta to run in the PE with that 3 week gap if she runs in the Hirsch.  I'm hoping that the track at Delmar is not to Shireff's liking and train her up to the PE.

Haskell and Dandy Picks (from the previous blog):

Haskell picks :  Since there's a chance of rain and a sloppy track, I'll definitely stick with IceBox   with SS, FD and Trappe Shot and LAL.  I had LAL for 2nd in the other blog but with that draw, not sure if he can overcome it specially if the track comes up sloppy (almost like Kentucky Derby again.)

Jim Dandy : Fly Down/Afleet Express with Aikenite and Friend Or Foe.  DRF reports Winslow Homer will be running in the Curlin.

Enjoy your vacation Jason!

Jason enjoy a great 10 days off and mouthful of salt water and some sand in your shorts for me its the only thing I miss in Idaho about the east coast...

Im just really going to enjoy the Haskell whoever wins. I agree that Looking at Lucky will be interesting to watch close.  I dont think First Dude should be counted out.  4 lbs is alot to a colt and he looks to be maturing steadily. Ice box is a personal favorite so its just going to be fun to watch.

in the Jim Dandy I  like the price on the Irish horse Steinbeck with Gomez up.  the invaders seem to be doing well what the heck.  Fly down seems like the obvious choice I bet Miners Reserve hits the Curlin instead or I liked him as an outside or rather inside if Borel gets the chance shot.

Provisio smacked me last time out so I learned my lesson shes my pick in the Diana although my heart wants Forever Together to take it for the third time. She's a nice mare purty too.

Ahhh I hear the Ocean breeze .... I love the Jersey Shore...

Have Fun Jason!

Jason, I too like Shared Account, she has done the new owner of Sagamore Farm proud. I believe she is the first winner for Kevin Plank(under armor)& company. Her Lake Placid & All Along were nicely done. I was screaming at her in the QE and Garden City, but she didnt quite get there. I will be happy to see her hit the board.

Apparently one of Trappe Shot's owners ownes a steak house in the Baltimore area and if you call there today before 6 and make reservations for saturday night and Trappe Shot win's your dinner is on the house. I think I will grill my own steaks and stick with Lookin At Lucky.

I think It will be A Little Warm at the Jim Dandy on Saturday.

Finally TED ! You poor man....LOL

Thanks for your empathy, Criminal Type (ironic pseudonym considering the circumstances).

Rachel is off to the two biggest races for older females the Personal Ensign and Beldame and where is everyone to take her on?  I am sure they will all hide.  You wanted her at 1 1/4 ? You got her where is your horse ? You wanted her in G1's you got her where is your horse ?  Rachel could run the table and run off with HOY AGAIN!!!

Jim Dandy: Friend Or Foe

Diana: Maram

Haskell: Super Saver

Take it easy Jason.

JayJay,

Zenyatta is not committed to the Hirsch.  The problems with the Del Mar track might keep them from running there.  Why not go to the PE?

I hope Afleet Express wins for Graham Beck and Gainesway and I hope Afleet Again wins the Haskell for the loving hearts of his owners. And to the fans of Afleet Alex and Afleet Alex in Gainesway

GET   READY    TO   FLY ACROSS THE

FINISH LINE  HERE WE COME!!!!

GO ALEX,  GO ALEX,   GO ALEX  

I like Looking at Lucky in the Haskell but it depends upon the trip he gets. Trouble and bad posts seem to find him but I am hopeful. He has proven to me that he is the best 3year old colt in training.

I like Forever Together in the Diana............

Enjoy your vacation!

Our Dark Knight

Super Saver

LAL

Afleet Express

Forever Together, because I love her...

Jim Dandy: Afleet Express

Diana: Phola

Haskell: First Dude

Yes Monica, I know.  I'm hoping that the Delmar track doesn't play  well to Shireffs liking (as I said) and that they train up to the PE.  I don't like her running at Delmar at all and it doesn't make sense to shorten up her race when she's going to the Classic.  I'd prefer her to go to the PE then the JCGC then the Classic.

LOL Draynay, you go from QR to Rachel depending on who's on the news.  You have claimed QR as the HOY now it's Rachel will be HOY...it just shows how ridiculous you are LOL

Have a good vacation Jason

Zenyatta will not race in the PE. I dont know why some of you even get your hopes up. Shirreffs is so predictable. Wait and see. He will come up with some excuse: The timing isnt right, she doesnt like to ship, the Rockies are too big, etc. Save your energy people.

Thanks to everyone that wished me a nice vacation. I will be checking in from time to time and do my best to publish comments in a timely manner.

Have a great vacation, Jason.  Make sure you get to the Ugly Mug Bar and Restaurant on Washington Street.  You'll fit right in...  good food too.

Triple Crown horses are always vulnerable in the Haskell.  With that being said Baffert has won the Haskell 3 times in the last 9 runnings.   Lookin at Lucky for the win.

Team Zenyatta is a joke. No horse that races primarilly on synthetic tracks and fails to race back east will ever be considered one of the all-time greats. This is a joke that Zenyatta will not be running at Saratoga, the most storied racetrack in horse racing. Zenyatta will go down as the greatest synthetic horse we have ever seen, and apparently Jerry Moss and John Sherrifs are fine with that, which is a shame. There is no reason not to run her against Rachel in the Personal Ensign, especially with the race at 1 1/4 miles. Apparently Team Zenyatta does not have as much faith in their horse as they want us to think. Enjoy winning your third straight Clement Hirsch Handicap. Very prestigious!

Haskell:  Super Saver, Trappe Shot, Lucky

Jim Dandy:  Friend or Foe

Diana:  Proviso

Jason,  have a great time! (Saratoga or Del Mar?)

Zenyatta doesn't need to go in the PE if their goal is the BC Classic. Why ship twice?

I can't go against Fly Down in the Jim Dandy. Like Afleet Express also.

Diana, Proviso and Forever

Haskell, I love Jason's picks.

Btw, that darn Goldikova is going for a three-peat Sunday in the Group I Prix Rothschild for mares and fillies. Now that's just boring and wrong.

(Just picking at you Jason)

But Jason,

Mr. Moss said wherever Rachel was entered, they would enter too.

This is a grade 1 , not and ungraded stakes.

diana: maram

haskell: afleet again and super saver

jim dandy: akinenite ill give steinbeck a try.

i would go with miners reserve or winslow homer but they're both entered in the curlin on sunday so idk.

stupid move with the switch on first dude dominguez is a way better rider then desormeaux

Why did this turn into yet another RA/Zen battle?

Jim Dandy-Fly Down

Diana-Forever Together

Haskell-First Dude

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!!!

Shoot. No sarcasm and bad picks for a week. Oh well.

Jim Dandy looks like the perfect spot for Fly Down but its hard to pass up 15-1 on an improving unbeaten like Stormys Majesty.

In the Diana I have to like Forever Together and Shared Account both of which have had good success at the distance.

Lucky should be able to win the Haskel but to me the value play is Ice Box who should be an overlay since he is facing the Derby and Preakness winners and is coming off a non effort at the Belmont. There could be some hot fractions in this one which will set things up nicely for the closing rush of Ice Box.

Jason, You and yours have a nice vacation.  Please take Dray and leave him wherever you vacation at.

Ted from LA

   Thanks for the info. I stocked up on wallets today just in case I get taken to the cleaners by them. You must be exhausted from your ordeal. Frazzled and bedazzled. I guess you're not running anymore. Sounds like they sent you to stud. I've got a dime in my wallet from my last win on Rachel, but it's hidden in the secret compartment in case I have to make a call to the police from a phone booth after the girls take advantage of me and rob me blind. You are truly one of our top watch dogs and public servants. Keep up the good work.

This isn't exactly on topic, but does anyone know what's up with Gozzip Girl going to Calder?  I can't figure out why she would head down there instead of staying in NY?  

Good stuff everyone.

Funny Ted. Ive been to the Ugly Mug many times and in my single days even have had some success there :)

Why send Zen to the Personal Ensign.  Winning that race means NOTHING to her.  The only race that matters is the last one.

That's a poor attitude Laz and its that same line of thinking that has tarnished her career. The BC is NOT the only race that matters. There are 12 months in a year. I dont care if she wins the BC again 9she wont BTW). In my mind, she's a horse that has won 1 big race. That's it. There is absoltely zero excuse for her connections not to send her East year. It's beyond lame.

I think that it is quite likely that Zenyatta could show up in the PE and set up a HOTY-deciding round two clash in the Breeder's Cup Distaff/Lady's Classic.  That is the best route to the HOTY title for both mares since Quality Road is proving to be a LOCK for the Breeder's Cup Classic (everyone will agree after the Whitney).  It will make no sense for Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta to head for the Breeder's Cup Classic where they would both run into the buzzsaw that is "His Royal Highness" Quality Road(King of the Dirt).  Such a scenario would totally wreck the much hyped and anticipated Zenyatta-Rachel clash and make the so-called Lady's Classic a misnomer.

I sincerely hope that wisdom prevails for all concerned, including the movers and shakers in the industry, to deliver a second half of the racing season to remember for all times.

Tired, tired, tired......

      Here are my picks for this weekend's stakes !

Jim Dandy - Fly Down

Diana- Forever Together

Haskell -Trappe Shot , Looking At Lucky

   Hey Draynay ! I'll bet you one of your T-Shirts , That Trappe Shot  takes the Haskell By at least a length ! By the way you were going to give me one anyways :)

 Jason have a nice vacation !! Your lucky !!

If anybody would read they alresdy said that the timing of the PE doesn't fit with their plans but they are considering the Beldame at Belmont as a possibility. Whether they go or not is debatable but at least everybody should inform themselves before they get into the same boring arguments as before.  Opinions are one thing, but if closed-mindedness and being uninformed is going to be the rule then it's even worse than before.  Research and inform yourselves before blogging please.

What plans? They have wavered about the Hirsch for weeks now. They have no definitive plan. They dont like the Del Mar surface. There is no detention barn in NY now. What's the excuse now? It's all right in front of them if they want it but they do not want to face the best. That has been obvious for the last two years. Heck, Shirreffs even came out and said it earlier in the year about Rail Trip. "We're not trying to climb that mountain right now."

It's not a poor attitude Jason, it's realism.  If she went in the PE and won it what would her detractors say?  They would say that she should have entered the Woodward instead.  Beatng Rachel isn't such a big deal anymore.....others have done it twice alrady this year.  The only way she's going to satisfy every one is by winning the BCC against the so called big boys.  She still has to have another race after next week, if she runs next week.  It's hard to definitively say at this point what race it'll be, but I can't see her having anymore than the Hirsh, another race (possibly boys) and the BCC.  I guess when she wins that you can say she won two big races in her career which would be two more big races than a lot of other big stars I see racing right now.

Why does anyone care what Zenyatta does? If she runs on synthetic, if she retires what the heck difference does it make to any of us?

She has nothing to run at in the PE. Rachel is yesterday's champion. Go somewhere and run against horses who are THIS years'

news. Go where the best of the best assemble, Churchill Downs the Breeders Cup.

Frankly I wish they would have just retired her then the mullygrubbers would have nothing to grub about.

I wonder just what it really means to any of us on here? Absolutely nothing one way or the other.

I also wonder what the connections did to anyone personally to turn them so against the connections. It's kind of pitiful frankly. Sounds spiteful and childish coming from ANYONE.

Ted, that joke is as old as I am, an antique

Now Jason, don't hold back man, tell us how you really feel.... ya know, for a guy on vacation you sure seem much too available to us cyber jockeys... me thinks you need libation. Drink up!

Footlick and Kit: What? Last time I checked the two fillies havent met yet. You might be the only two that dont want to see it. The rest of the racing world does.

Jason,

Are you trying to annoy the Zenyatta fans so that we don't miss you while you're on vacation? That's very nice of you... but we'll miss you anyway. Have a great vacation and I hope you're in a better mood when you come back.  {:)

Kit,

Not only RA is racing in the PE. The field is supposed to draw the top prospects for the older female championships. LAL is getting a whole ton of hype. If UB wins this weekend she'll enter as a Grade one winner. Funny Moon is no slouch. Those three are probably just as good or better than any horse Zen has faced this year.

Also, If RA is yesterday's news why do so many people care what is done with her? I mean if she is so bad and so outdated why even care?

Ranagulzion

The much hyped Zrenyatta-Rachel clash is SOOOO LAST YEAR.  That mystique ended when the challenger didn't show uyp for the Apple Blossom.  Now we're talking this year. In fact, why should the horses even race?  Why not go out and see who can work the fastest 5 or 6 furlongs.  Then we could crown the workout winner the King of the Track

Monica,

I agree. I also feel that, especially if Zen did show, this race would pre-determine the older and filly mare championships. The winner of this race, meaning if RA or Zen were to come out on top would have no excuse but to face the males in the Classic. If Zen doesn't show, this race will decide the top female in the east and most likely to give Zen a good run for her money. The thought that there is nothing to be gained by a win in this race is a poorly thought out statement. It already holds the promise of bringing all but one of the top older females togeather in one race, before the BC, which is extremely good for racing. Zenyatta showing up would add a whole new dimension to the race.

LDP,

Lookin At Lucky is going to the PE? WOW!!! I know, I know! Just teasing!

Jason : Come on man.  They mentioned after the Vanity that they are going to make the decision very late before committing to the Hirsch because it will depend on how the track is playing.  They have not made any excuses that weren't legitimate.  They're not wavering, you just refuse to acknowledge the facts.  This year, she's the only one that has gone over the rockies out of the top contenders.

Again if the track IS NOT playing well to Shireff's liking, I'm hoping that they train her up to the PE instead of running at Delmar.  If they run in the Hirsch, there is NO WAY for them to go to the PE with just 3 weeks, not to mention they would be shipping her.  I guess we'll find out early next week if they're staying or not.

Zookeeper,

My bad, I've been typing LAL for the longest time. I meant LAT.

Laz,

How long are you Zen fans going to hold that over her head? She went out of training for nearly five solid months, was rushed back to try and make the AB when it wasn't even on their early plans, as JJ said at the Eclipse Awards. However yet again he got sucked in by the media and fans, like he did with Curlin in 08 for the match up with BB that never happened.

When he realized he made a mistake he backed off. Really what good would a match where Zen was at her peak, since she had already been pointing towards that race, and RA was far below her peak? I want RA to win if the two meet, but I want both horses to be at their peak that way the other has no excuses and they can both provide us with one heck of a show.

RA was far from peak for, JJ knew it, Steve knew it, the Media and fans all knew it. What good would it have done for Zenyatta to beat RA when she was so clearly below her normal self. The answer is absolutely nothing. So, please, with respect drop the AB.

Cape May?  The best part of Cape May is getting on the ferrying and going to Delaware!  LOL..... Haskell: Super Saver, LAL, First Dude.  Dandy: Betting the house on Afleet Express....

I thought you always went to Saratoga?  That's right your a dad now.  How vacations change.

It’s obvious that there are a lot of Zen detractors out there and most of them still can't accept the fact that she won the BCC last year.  It’s one of those things that’s stuck in their craw and they’re choking on it.  They can all say what they want but the simple truth is.....there will be no excuses this year.  The BCC will be on dirt and all the so called contenders will be there and when the gate opens no one is going to give a dam about what happened earlier in the year.  If all the contenders show up the BCC this year will probably be as hyped as any BCC in history and when it is over HOY will take a back seat to the winner and hype created by this race.

You're right, no Toga for me Vin. Family time.

Their last chance to run her at the best, most historic racetrack in the world and they come up small again. Typical. And dont bank on her running in the BC. Remember, it rains in Louisville in November. Imagine that, a racehorse racing on a wet track. Ok, Im done.

Is there a poll out on how the RACING WORLD feels about it?

Personally I'm so tired of the putdowns and trash talking on both sides that I figure it'll just start a whole new round.

I seriously wonder what would happen if they did meet and what would be said? Like Laz says, some people will never be happy no matter what. The excuses will be two feet deep, not from the connections but from the 'fans'.

That's the way life is now days. Some people feel it enhances their life to take umbrage at things that really don't mean anything to them personally.

Some people apparently feel it has some major impact in their life. Some people apparently feel some type of slight from the connections of one or the other. I just don't understand it. It's not life and death and really means very little to any of us what they say, do or where they run Zenyatta.

There seems to be some real bitterness and it makes one wonder. Those who don't know them? Just childish. Those rare ones who do? Things that make me go hmmmm.

If it happens I'll be happy to watch, although it sure isn't as spine tingling and fraught with anticipation like last year or like the debacle it turned into in Hot Springs.

She went where they wanted to meet, they agreed to the time change, they showed up. So they should wait until everything is in line for Rachel and then go chase around after her? Rachel was 2009 HOY, deservedly so. She's nowhere close to that this year and is not on track for HOY so what will this prove exactly?

Personally as I said, I'd rather see what Zenyatta can do against some other horses.

LDP what does Lookin at Lucky have to do with anything? Unless you mean Life At Ten? Frankly, you have no objectivity.

You know what- I'm stupid for even making a comment on this subject.  I'm glad Rachel is finally ready to run in a gr 1 and that you think it is fair to expect Zenyatta's camp to scrap her schedule so that Rachel can stay on hers.  I just wanted to make sure that people knew that Mr Shirreffs said that the timing of the PE wasn't right for Zenyatta but that the Beldame in October was an option.  If that means I don't want to see them run, then that's the way you interpret it.

Again have a good vacation, Jason.

Winning the PE with all those so called top fillies from the east will still be about 4 lengths short of winning the BC Distaff.  In other words, if you're a two time BC winner WHO CARES.

LDP, how convenient. Drop the AB, play up the Lady's Secret, play up the FDL.

Truthfully I was a HUGE Rachel fan, as I've said before. Just some of her supporters have really made me not enjoy hearing about her. Zenyatta supporters who go to an extreme make me feel the same way. I think I just haven't seen as much bitterness from them.

"its that same line of thinking that has tarnished her career."

That is purely a matter of opinion. You feel her career is tarnished because she doesn't ship East. Get over it! Did it ever occur to some of you brain trusts that Zen's connections just don't care to impress East coasters or win East coast races. It's not like John Shirreffs had a reputation for shipping his horses East previous to having Zenyatta in his barn. The "There's no excuse for her not coming to storied East coast tracks" is reminiscent of a popular pretty girl who can't comprehend that a sought after eligible bachelor has no interest in her so she mocks him because he won't validate her "specialness." That's what it boils down to really: How dare those West coasters snub us and our traditions. Cry me a river!

"No horse that races primarilly on synthetic tracks and fails to race back east will ever be considered one of the all-time greats."

Using your logic no horse that races primarily on grass and fails to ship to America to race on dirt will ever be considered one of the all-time greats. Guess Sea the Stars was a donkey. And the synthetic vs. dirt debate reveals nothing more than a reflection of your arbitrary prejudices.

JS is willing to concede that ZENYATTA had one big race? I hope the pain of doing so doesn't drive him to drinking the purple kool-aid.

Laz,

Everyone in racing who wants a halfway decent race to promote outside of the little secluded inner circles of racing does! Get it through your head. People outside racing don't know QR or Blame or Rail Trip. They know Rachel and Zenyatta right now and that is it. The match up between them would still be huge to the public outside of racing. They are the known superstars of racing and because both are females makes it even better. A race, even just one needs to happen between these two. The fact that it also includes LAT, UB, and FM will make it better to those of us in racing, who know what is actually going on. To those outside they care about RA and Zenyatta matching up.

Also if making you a two time BC winner is so fantastic that you don't have to race the best to still be considered the best, your just best by default then why the heck bring her back to begin with? To share her with her fans? Well that hasn't really happened, since people on the east have still yet to see her.

Right now, I'm pushing my mom and dad to take me to Saratoga to see the PE because I know it is that good. I know for darn certain that if Zen were to show up, since it is the last major race before I skip on up to college they might just go ahead and take me. That is how big the two of those horses are. That even my mom and dad, who really don't watch racing all that much, would more than likely give the go ahead to go to NY and watch them face off.

If you can't get that through all the pink and fluffy Zenyatta bias you seem to have I don't know what the heck will get through to you.

It's unreasonable to expect Zen to go without a race until the PE on 8/29.  That's too long a time.

And, it's unreasonable to expect Zen to run in the Hirsch on 8/07 and then in the PE on 8/29.  That's too short a time.

So to be reasonable, the PE doesn't fit Zen's schedule.  Simple as that.

Footlick, the Beldame would fit the schedule really nicely and I would dearly love to see the big mare run those sweeping turns at Belmont!

Just about every one of the greats  on the BloodHorse Top 100 Thoroughbreds have raced in NY at one time or another. Looks like Zenyatta is bucking history. Or perhaps she doesn't belong on that list!

In my opinion (shared by a lot of others) Zenyatta is the best route horse racing right now in N/A on dirt.  The only things that might possibly stop her are her age and/or infimities.  If she's 100% herself, I don't believe that any horse racing in N/A at this time will beat her on a fair track at 1 1/4M on dirt.

LOL Tiznowbaby, there's also Forever Together (Jason's pick) in the Diana to go 3peat.

RA doesn't stand a chance at the moment to win HOTY.  She won't be even close.  She's currently 5th on the F&M division with Zen, Blind Luck, DMC and LaT ahead of her.  Even if she wins the PE, she'll only have 1 G1 compared to 3 for Zen and 2 for DMC and 2 for Blind Luck.  The only way she'll win HOTY is if the east coast bias extended their bias beyond "east coast" and add bias towards Rachel and give it to her.  She needs the PE to add to the Classic if she stands a chance at HOTY.

Back to the topic, I'm hoping that LAL still gets the favoritism so that IceBox will be at a bigger price.  FD should also take a lot of the win pool.  He'll set it up nicely for IceBox in the slop!! :)

Kit,

UB, LAT, and FM are this years news. In Cali there is no champion other than Zenyatta. Every potential champion or champion has now set their sites on Saratoga. The race is over one of the safest tracks in the USA, Del Mar is quirky as all living get out. It had 12 fatalities last year within like the first week. Saratoga had like 2 all meet. The PE is against a true quality grade one field, better than anything RA or Zenyatta has faced this year. The Hirsch or Pacific Classic will provide what? Another weak field with a grade one lable for Zenyatta to beat up on? The PE is at 10 furlongs, Zenyatta's best distance where the Hirsch is at 8.5 furlongs. The only negative is shipping, other than that the race fits her to a T.

Sherpa,

The what are they planning? They keep making sure that we know they may just back out of the Hirsch because Del Mar may not play to their liking. If they are trying to pull a JJ they forgot to outline the other 3 or 4 races she is likely to go in.

Also, IMO, for Zenyatta, the 11 weeks should not be a problem. She has run well fresh off the bench many times. As long as she keeps in training, like she does on her other layoffs, an 11 week layoff shouldn't really be considered an issue.

Jess J.  pulled RA from the AB,   Why should J. Moss fly his horse all  over the country just to run in a grade 1 race when she  is already running in a grade 1 race at Delmar?   I dont blame them,  Just for the racing fans,  then what, IF Ra loses to Zen in the PE, well she wont be entered in the BCC then.  So it is better for RA to try out the mile and a quarter without Zenyatta,  so if she doesnt do good with that distanace then JJ and RA fans will have the pleasure of knowing  RA hadnt lost to Zneyatta yet.

They are both grade 1 races.  I dont blame the Mosses and J.Sherriffs for not shipping her,   RA wont game enough to show up for the Apple Blossom in April.

So let them meet in the BCC.  If Zen beats RA in the PE,  which she would, then they would still say Ra is only 85% back to her old self and JJ would retire her.   He would know then that RA is never going to be a match for Zen.

RA is last year news,  Zen is big time, she beats mares all the time, RA would be no exception , just another wounded soul,  Zen is bigger than that,  she is for the BCC and she is the only one for it too.  She has to play in the big leagues not the minor leagues,  Thats were RA plays.

Laz,

Then why not let her show it? The PE is at 10 furlongs on dirt. If she wanted to wait why not the JCGC instead of the Beldame. Both on dirt, but one against open company on dirt at 10 furlongs. Why is once, suddenly enough, especially if it is not even over a dirt track?

I have been hearing that the Diane is really a deep field and that its a big deal that Together Forever (I really love her) is up for her 3rd run at the win and it would be historic and quite a feat - I agree.  

After all, this is a grade 1 race with a bunch of tough tough turf females. It would be something special for that beautiful Gray Mare to take it a 3rd time right?

I wonder then, why is it "lame" for another 6 year old mare who just accomplished the same feat in another grade 1 race (winning an historic 3 in a row) to try for another 3-peat in Another Grade 1 race? Shouldn't it be considered at least worth a nod and eyebrow raise if a mare could pull off a 3 peat in 2 back to back grade 1 races?  Just saying....

LDP, the best females running in the east are 3 year olds.

You are parroting what you read on here from people who discussed the same exact subject last year during Del Mar and Saratoga, before the BC.

I'm not a synthetics fan. My local track is dirt and has an excellent record of safety as well, has a number of Derby winners come from the big races as well as having Rachel and Zenyatta perform well.  Suddenly because Rachel wasn't ready to run it's chopped liver.

Well there were actual real live race track horsemen on here, on the DRF and other places saying that if Rachel truly was aiming at the AB she WOULD NOT have had her trainer keeping her somewhere that he had an excuse to not work her.

You want people to drop anything that seems the least negative about Rachel. Yet you join in and attack what you feel is negative about Zenyatta.

The only negative  on the Personal Ensign isn't the shipping. The negative is the fact that the PE is a month away. The timing will cause issues for any race prior to the BC. Rachel is forgiven these issues but Zenyatta isn't? Remember this is a 6 year old mare.

When Azeri won the CH back to back she was the toast of the town and the EAST as well.

Running in a meaningless G1?  A G1 is a G1. If it doesn't deserve that status I believe there is a committee who downgrades it.

I dread to see what the Rachel fanatics will say if she gets beat this weekend, I think you're prepping for that. Just like the allowance horses she beat in an ungraded glorified allowance race are now the cats meow you're hyping these other horses to the max.

As I said you have no objectivity on the subject.  

I guess that St. Trinians winning 4 straight before losing the SA Handicap as the favorite against the boys and giving Zen a tussle doesn't mean squat.  Is this another east coast bias statement?

LDP,  You have so many suggestions for Zenyatta showing something, I have to ask you this?   Why arent you on Rachel A. and saying what she should be showing us,  Nevermind about Zenyatta, she has been showing us something, I think Rachel is the one that has a whole lot of showing to do.  

Lets see,  this will be Zenyatta'a fourth grade 1 race this year and its what one day shy of being August 1st.  August of 2010 will be Rachel's first grade 1 race this year, so far.  also at mile and a quarter,  I think we need to speculate on how we think she can hold up to that, Its a big difference to holding up to LAT than that to holding up to that lenght to the likes of Zenyata.

RA hasnt even showed us yet she can hold up to LAT at the distance yet..

Jason,

Did you really get lucky at the Ugly Mug in Cape May back when you were single?  Did she give you a big exacta or trifecta?  Have a great vacation.  Joe Pa is just north of you.  Go have a beer with him.  They should finish second in the Big Ten this year.

Ted: PSU might finish second in the standings, but there is no doubt they will lead the Big 10 in player arrests/violations/infractions. Joe Pa really runs a tight ship up there.

Zen's Auntie,

Threepeats only count when they are accomplished in the East. :)

I would really like to know what Zen has to show or prove.  The truth is, she doesn't have to show squat.  She doesn't have to JUSTIFY or try to VALIDATE her year last year and have her connections desperate to enter her in glorified allowance races......The fact is she's been top of the heap every year.  I know she won the MEANINGLESS BC Distaff two years ago, and she even won what to some is the MOST TARNISHED OVER-HYPED BCC ever, a BCC that our new wonder boy was scheduled to participate in until that unfortunate helicopter had to fly overhead (I wonder how they would gauge the race if he would have ran in it and won).  The truth is, she has won three G1 races this year, is planning in participating in G1 races whenever and wherever they will be through the balance of the year, and is scheduled to show up (not look for an excuse to duck) the BCC this year.

Someone said something about all the horses on the BloodHorse top 100 having had at least one race in New York.  I say, great for them.  If I owned Zen and I was shunned the way she was by so many east-coasters I would make sure the only thing they saw was her tail.

Soda,

She hasn't raced LAT at a distance yet, this will be the first time they have ever met, so on your last I really don't get.

Also I have been on RA. I thought The Foster should've been the race to go and was quite disappointed she didn't run in that. I was disappointed that she did not go in the Ruffian, however, due to the timing I understand why they chose it.

Zenyatta had her keep busy races and win for show races already. She showed for the AB and ran over dirt. She put on one heck of a display in the Santa Margurita. The Vanity would've given had it been a prep for something bigger, ie. the HGC. There was no real reason to skip that race. It would be a historic race at her home track and over her distance. IMO she would've won that going away and she would not be in the perdicament she is now. By that meaning the lack of options. What if Del Mar isn't playing the way her connections want? Then what are they going to do? Had she gone in the Gold Cup she wouldn't have had to worry about a lack of options, plus she would have a grade one win vs RT who was the best thing out west besides her. It was an opertune time and they bypassed it.

The Stephen Foster was an opertune time and RA's connections passed that up, but on their second shot they picked up the ball and are going for it in the PE. No matter what is said, as of now, the best older fillies running, besides RA or Zen are LAT, UB, and FM. MP and maybe even TT could show up if they perform well in the Ruffian. it will be the strongest field either one of them has faced yet.

If JJ decides to scratch, you can bet I'll be amoung the first to start the outcry. However, if RA goes for it all in the PE and wins, in the best field of older fillies and mares assembled this year and Zenyatta is not there, RA either pulls even or overhauls Zenyatta.

Why you may ask? Zenyatta has more grade ones. True, and she gave the horses the oppertunity to take her on. She even beat St. T, who probably gave her the competition edge over RA. However, take St. T out and RA and Zen have been beating up on relitively similar competition. The PE is the most accomplished field of older females this year. It is a grade one race that has horses to make it worthy of that status.

Now, in saying that, if RA did go on to win, before pushing her back into HOTY discussions, I would want her to show her dominace again in the JCGC. She would have nothing to gain by beating the same group in the Beldame that she beat in the PE. A win over the likes of Blame and RT would thrust her right back into the spotlight.

Kit,

Older females, those are what are going to show to the PE. If DMC wants to take it one step up in the PE against her elders fine, it will make the field even better. But as of now in the division RA and Zenyatta are currently in, LAT, FM, and UB are the best candiates other than Zenyatta for Champion older female. St.T is done and out of the running. She could've been in it, but is done racing w/o even a grade one win. Alibit she did beat grade one winners, but she herself this year, never won a grade one.

Laz- you know that since St Trinians is a synthetic horse she is worth nothing.  Only East Coast dirt horses count.  So Funny Moon, Unrivaled Belle, Life at Ten..... they are all better than any synthetic horse.  And since they are racing on the East Coast, they will qualify for the Blood Horse top 100, unlike Zenyatta.  European racing is really interesting this year... and pretty uniformily fair in what bloggers say about the horses.  They have their favorites, but don't go out of their way to diminish or make statements just to get knee-jerk reactions.  Just a thought.

Zen's Aunti

You answered your own question when you said you heard the field was deep. The Hirsch field will include only one star horse with a shot at a championship. Zenyatta. If there were others there, say if LIS was still racing and really on a roll as well as a St. T match up, I would consider the race to have a bit more deapth, but really when you line the Diana field and potenial Hirsch field up side by side, the Diana provides FT with a much stiffer challenge.

LDP suddenly thinks G1 is no longer just a label.  In the other blog, she talked about G1 is just a label when it pertains to Zenyatta's or anyone's race except Rachel's (yawn).  Suddenly she's all over this G1 PE race because Rachel's in the race.  She calls the Ruffian race a weak field as well, and tries to glorify Rachel's last UNGRADED race.  Ridiculous I say.

The only reason I don't want Zenyatta to run at Delmar is that track, I don't want risking her any injury and if she doesn't like that track, I wish they don't run her there.  I'd rather they pick a turf race instead of running at Delmar.

Losing a race is no longer a big deal, Zen's not avoiding anyone.  If JJ can make up races specifically for Rachel, then the Mosses can certainly do whatever they wish, and they only pick G1 races, can't say the same for JJ.

The Whitney field is going to be the race of the year, we'll find out who the real beast of the east is in this race.  Looking forward to it!

           Jason , I am a Penn State fan even though I live Among  OSU  And Purdue Fans !! I know your from Philly and I was born in Harrisburg ,but I now reside in Southeastern Indiana

Go Penn State !! I love Joe Paterno !!!

Footlick,

I never said St. T did mean anything. Why is that everything anyone says questioning is taken to the worst possible extreme. I like St. T. I wish she would've stuck around because I think she could've gotten that Grade one, god knows she got darn close and had already beaten a grade one winner.

However, now that she is out, name me one horse in the west besides Zen that has a shot at champ older filly? The answer is none. LAT is the leading older mare in the east with UB and FM not far behind. If UB wins this weekend, RA will be facing at least two grade one winners in the PE. It is a fact that right now, every older female, besides Zenyatta herself, that has a shot to win champ older mare, is racing in the east.

Laz,

You constantly call RA overrated always want her to prove herself, even after she did three times what Zenyatta did once. IMO, as long as a horse is racing there is always something to prove. RA has to prove she is the same horse that gave us one heck of a year in 09. Zenyatta has to prove she can step it up against grade one winners over dirt. I'm not even saying male, just grade one winners. She did in 08 against Ginger Punch, but she has yet to doit again. That is my main and pretty much only problem with her, or her connections. After they do something once it's like they refuse to do it again. Greats proved their greatness by doing things out of their comfort zone over and over and over. The only thing Zen has been allowed to do over and over and over is beat overmatched fillies in the same races year after year. In 08 she stepped out once to beat Ginger Punch, a grade on winner over dirt. In the Classic she stepped out to beat males. This year it, and this goes for RA and Zen, has been very hohum. RA is stepping it up. I would like to see Zen do it too.

Jason,  Do you have any guest moderators/bloggers for us  while you are on vacation?   Remember, they have to be diehard Zen fans.  Nothing else is acceptable.

Well, all I know is that Zenyatta is ready to run now, if her 23 and change gallop out is any indication.  6 furlong work 1:13.60, galloped out 7 furlongs in 1:27.19.  

Jason,

Enjoy your vacation and bring me back a Cape May diamond (quartz crystal tumbled by the sea).

Can you believe that Lookin At Lucky drew the 1 hole again.  I was going to Del Mar to see a fellow owner's filly run in the  Fleet Treat.  She drew the 1 hole and has been scratched because she's been learning to rate and would have to go to the lead to clear the field.

Poor LAL, maybe he should run where LDP said.

Of course every racing fan would love to see a race between Zenyatta

and Rachel and it will happen.Have

a good vacation Jason and now that you are no longer single it,s best just to have good memories about the Ugly Mug.

You make a good point Footlick.

We on the other hand have a handful of overzealous fanatics. Who won't let it drop, will do anything and everything they can do to champion their favorite. Say what you will but the Rachelites are the worst. Poor Rachel.

Okay LDP, don't make me pull out the quotes of what you said in January.

Why should ANY horse East or West be fearful of a horse who is being held up as the standardbearer based on what she did last year? Why should they chase around to run against that same horse?

LDP : Here's who I think are the contenders for the F&M division this year :

Zenyatta : 3 for 3 this year.  ALL G1 races.

Life At Ten : 4 for 4 this year, 1 win in each G3,G1 and G2 (G2 at 10F)

Devil May Care : 2 G1 and 1 G2 wins this year.

Blind Luck : 2 G1s, 2 G2 wins this year

Turf Horses :

Tuscan Evening : 1 G3 win, 3 G2s and 2 G1s

Proviso : 2 G1 wins (1 against males)

Wasted Tears : 4 for 4 this year (2 G2 and 2 G3 wins)

Evening Jewel : 1 G1 on dirt, 2 G2 wins on turf

Goldikova, she'll be running in the BC so she will get some votes but I don't know her record this year.

Then you have your favorite :

Rachel Alexandra : 1 G2 win and 1 ungraded stakes win (2nd in ungraded and 2nd in G2 to Unrivaled Belle)

Note : I had to mention Rachel's ungraded stakes win because otherwise it will only show 1 win.  I didn't include the ungraded stakes wins for the others.

Now, look at that list and tell me how in the world did you come up with RA being up there with Zenyatta and that if she wins the PE, she'll be tied or overtake Zenyatta for the F&M division lead ??  I guess the other horses G1 wins doesn't mean anything eh ?  It's just a label unless Rachel wins it.  You talk about being obsessed, all the pink and fluffy bias ??  Take a break and re-focus because your posts here lately have become nonsense and seriously an obsession trying to justify Rachel.  You can like her but be realistic, you're disregarding other horses that have performed far better than her this year.  Stop being a Draynay!! At least Draynay jumps off her wagon until she wins but he at least jumps into other horses' wagon when they win.  He's not as obsessed as you are.

I have really enjoyed all of the dumb comments from RA and Z fans. NOT! I personally love RA but I do not like her connections.  I am neutral on Z but I likewise do not like her connections.  I really do not like all of the Zen worship however.  As a fan of racing for about 40 years now I have never seen a horse so hyped so far past his/her actual ability as the Zen fans have hyped their goddess.  Folks, she really isn't a great horse.  If she were, we would have seen her run in many of the well-respected races like great champions of the past have done.  Z is not good enough and her people know it.  She has been promoted to god-like status by the kings of hype in L.A.  Isn't Hollywood near there? Yes, I think it is.

Simple fact...Z is terrific but not in the league with the likes of Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Spectacular Bid.  No disgrace there.  She is a filly after all.

Simple fact...RA is a terrific filly who really did overachieve in 2009 and deserved HOTY.  I have watched her 8 races many times and I still have to wonder how a 3-year-old filly was able to do what she did.

One last fact...2009 was the Year of the Ladies.  These two excellent fillies were 13-0 with 9 Grade 1 winds.  Amazing.  2010 however sees the return of quality in the flesh of Quality Road.  QR is a real race horse in the traditional sense.  The ladies need to back off now and fight amongst themselves because the males rule once again. Order has been restored.  Neither filly should tangle with Quality Road in 2010.  It would make no sense.  A very good male horse will be too tough for any female.

Z has been ducking RT in her own backyard.  They know what they're doing.  RA ducked QR last year.  They knew what they were doing also.

Quality Road will be HOTY this year unless the best female in the world wins it - Goldikova.  These are the best two horses in training right now.  No doubt about it.

Are Rachel or Zenyatta running this weekend ? Are either of them in the Diana, Haskell or Jim Dandy ? WTH...how did this article become about them ?

Rachel Vs Zenyatta, Zenyatta VS Rachel...Blah Blah Blah...You gotta wonder what Jess Jacksons excuse would be for Rachel not running If the Moss's committed Zenyatta to the Personal Ensign.

Jason, I think you said last year that Zenyatta would not win the Classic and we all know what happened there. Don't say that if Quality Road had run she would not have won. That's just speculation at this point.

Oh and, Just say Neigh to Dray. (shaking head)

YO DRAYNAY, AFTER THE FIRST TIME DIDN'T YOU GET A CLUE, OR ARE YOU JUST A DUMMY. YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING.

STOP BETTING ON RACHAEL, SHE JUST ISN'T WORTH THE PRICE. WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF ZENYATTA THOUGH.

Fifty percent chance on rain tomorrow at the Jersey Shore.  I like Super Saver's chances....

Jason...have fun on vacation...but...being so close to Penna...don't say a word against Joe Pa!...With the largest Alumni organization in the world...you might lose a few teeth.(And large ego players who clash with the law are dropped by Joe Pa, no matter how good a player they might be)

Ted from LA...Gosh you are having so much fun getting scammed, we should all pitch in and send you some more wallets.  

Haskell: I like LAL, but I want to see First Dude step up to a win finally.

In the Diana...I'm pulling for Phola...like First Dude, she's always been soooo close.

In the Jim Dandy, I'll stick with Fly Down. (though I hate to be as chalky as Dray).

This was really early this year for Jackson to announce a race...somehow..

..with a month to go, I still don't see RA as a definite for the 10f PE.  I'm going to wait and see.  That may also be the Moss' thinking at this time in respect to where next to run the Zen.

Why is everyone still arguing about who is better, RA or Zen?  At 4, RA has been in 4 races, none of them graded.  At 6, Zenyatta has a 17-0 record, with 3 grade 1 wins this year.  (But, in case you haven't noticed, she has lost a step or two this year, which simply makes her wins even more amazing).

Dirt vs Synth???  Synthetic horses run even better on dirt.  Dirt horses can't run on synthetics.  So which is the more demanding surface to run on?  All I ask is a little common sense, folks.  Simply compare Churchill's dirt to Belmont's sand....which is tougher to run on?..deeper?  So you may now stop putting down synthetics as somehow less serious than dirt.

Will you people SHUT UP about Rachel and Zenyatta?  They are BOTH great.  End of story.  I think this blog was supposed to be about weekend picks.  Back to the topic at hand.  Someone tell me why Gozzip Girl went south instead of running in the Diana because I am curious!!

Pedigree Sally, you have a bet! Trappe Shot is not winning anything. Please let me warn you I am a handicapping expert and legend.  Be as great as me takes practice and could be dangerous for newbies such as yourself.  Trappe Shot is a miler.

Zenyatta is ducking Rachel at 1 1/4 I think we all now know who the real boss is at 1 1/4 ! Rachel wins the PE and Beldame and then off to the Classic.  Wow.

So Zen is just a one-hit wonder?  Why does she have over $6 million in earnings, then?  Give it a rest, people! Looking forward to this weekend's racing - am happily amazed ABC is actually going to show the Haskell on Sunday!  Good times.

Wrong Cape Jason.You shouldn't listen to Tom about the joys of Jersey. Children and parents love Cepe Cod. Price plays on Foe,Ice Box and Shared Account.

Footlick

Right On!

Ted from LA....you had your wallet picked like 17 times in a short time? Man, them must have been some awesome looking ladies? How many times does it take to learn? Has this been the same girls? Call the police the next time you spot them, but dont let them near your or your wallet, which I assume will be hid in your front pocket this time...? I mean, get me once, shame on you, get me 17 times, and shame on me!

The Haskell : Lookin at Lucky

             1'st dude

             Trappe shot

Jim Dandy : A Little warm

          Fly Down

Mommouth 11'th race:

          Cherokee Artist

          Get serious

Race 3 : Indian Dance 6-1

         box 3 & 6

Race 2 : Powdered Sugar 6-1

     ( hock the house boys!)

Grade I count:

Zenyatta: 11

Rachel: 5

Earnings:

Zenyatta: 6,074,580

Rachel: 3,446,730

Just sayin...

Just keepin' it real about Joe Pa. They have more violations over last 10 years than any football program, and that includes Miami!!

I've been to Cape Cod too. Very nice up there. Expensive though.

Okay, I'm going with totally betting from the heart on the Haskell. I want to see Uptowncharleybrown and Ice Box. Wouldn't mind seeing Lucky up there for third. Uptown's going to have an extra angel riding with him.

Real Quality

It’s a good thing you have two sides of your mouth to talk out of.....In one sentence talking about Zenyatta you said:.......Folks, she really isn't a great horse.  If she were, we would have seen her run in many of the well-respected races like great champions of the past have done......In another sentence you said:..... Simple fact...Z is terrific but not in the league with the likes of Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Spectacular Bid.  No disgrace there.  She is a filly after all.

Wow your 40 years of race horse knowledge I guess has put us other race horse fans, some with more than 40 years of knowledge, to shame.  Thanks for the lesson.  

Hey remember though,

Horse of the Year count:

Rachel 1-0

Zenyatta 0-2

Record against males

Rachel 3-0

Zenyatta 1-0

Draynay : The real deal is that JJ planned this schedule all along because he's trying to avoid entering a race that Zenyatta can enter.  He planned this so that it will be out of Zenyatta's schedule, smart guy for being a ducker lol.  He knows how to make races for RA, and he does it to avoid Zenyatta as much as he can.  Last year, his trick was to announce multiple races and wait until the last minute to prevent Team Z from going after her.  I'll tell you, the PE field won't be able to touch St. Trinians, let alone Zenyatta.  JJ knows this, that's why he avoids her. LOL

Why aren't people talking more about weekend picks?  Because we have a really lackluster crop of three year-olds this year.  

I see the Rachel-bashers are still alive and well, hey guys!  Last year's news, eh?  I think some people here will be eating a few words at the end of the month, have your Alka-seltzer on hand.

Shirreffs has announced Zenyatta won't go in the Personal Ensign.

But that they will consider the Beldame. Makes more sense logistically, especially this year, because they can fly her out for the race and then leave her back east for the BC.  I hope it happens because it would be great for horseracing. There's nothing else really going on in the sport right now that anyone in the country outside of die-hard racing fans cares about.

But you know, as much as I've bashed Moss in the past, I couldn't blame him if he didn't ship Zenyatta for the Beldame.  Last year it turned out they needed to beat Rachel for HOY, didn't go hard after it and they lost the big trophy - bad judgement on their part, oh well.  

But this year, Zenyatta's on top of all the polls.  Neither Rachel nor anyone else has some giant winning streak for Zenyatta to compete against. As much as many of us would like to see her placed more ambitiously, if Zenyatta just keeps winning G1's and then wins the Classic again, she should get the big prize this time - and deservedly so - who would deserve it more?

Really, Moss has relatively little to gain and everything to lose by shipping out for the Beldame.  We know Rachel loves that track.  Zenyatta should love those big sweeping turns too, but until she runs over it, who knows?  If I were Moss, I would be sorely tempted to tell Jackson, "We already shipped out once, boy.  You want a piece of us, you know where to find us."

One of the big angles in this sport is leverage.  Jackson has a horse that fans will come out to see, so he can get racetracks to bend to his whims.  But between the two of them, Moss has the most leverage right now.  Because the simple fact is that this year, Rachel needs Zenyatta a lot more than Zenyatta needs Rachel.  

Real Quality, how exactly did Rachel overachieve last year? She showed excellent potential as a two year old, and put it all together last year in arguably the greatest campaign ever for an American based, three year old filly. Did you make that comment because she has struggled in the early stages of this year? Remember, she was put away in a stall for six months and then put on the fast track in training to try and make the Apple Blossom. Do you not think that had a damaging effect on her? Maybe that is why she is starting to round into form now, because Asmussen did a poor job with her to start the year. Rachel is the talented horse she was last year, and if she can regain her form, you will understand she did not overachieve last year, but she is that good. As for Quality Road, he does look like a monster, but remember last year that he was easily handled in two races by Summer Bird. By the way, how did Summer Bird do the race prior to those two meetings? Oh yeah, he was destroyed by Rachel in the Haskell. So then how was Rachel avoiding Quality Road?

Well since the Blue and White is showing all over I am also a Penn State Fan - Spent 4 years in Happy Valley and watched Jo Pa take us to 2 National Championships.

Jason, The reason they have more violations is that Joe isnt afraid to BUST his players (not closet infractions make sh*t go away and hide stuff)He and the program let them face the music even if it means not having them play. It happened twice to BIG name kids when I was there. Fans hated it but Joe PA didnt care. On a HIGHER educatiion note The PSU horse program (in fact the whole Ag Program) is awesome Ward Studebaker who may have retired recently, is one of the best mentors in the equestrian education field – on the lighter side I went to every home game in 1982 – Did you know, that as a passenger  you can carry 2 cases of 16 oz returnable’s  plus 2 bags of groceries on an 850 Yamaha – in the snow?  Ahhh the good old Haze… I mean days of course sorry.

LPD are you trying to say 2 back to back three-peats in two grade 1 races would not be at least somewhat impressive?  Regardless of who shows up? If so, I see the flippant tongue of youth is showing.

I have no Idea what makes people disparage greatness, to me the privilege of witnessing  greatness on all levels of accomplishments in the horse world is a sweet reward.

Jayjay,

The key word is OLDER. The 3 year olds cannot win an older female award. As of now the the OLDER fillies with the best shot are the ones that are in the PE.

Kit,

You mean back before the Eclipse Awards? Yeah, I will bet I got overexcited and said many things I regret and didn't mean, in the heat of the moment. Many others did too. I could pull quotes that are completely rediculous from now on many blog sites.

I can almost tell you what I said. I critisized Zen's Classic field, probably thrashed her owners a bit, said all the reasons why RA was better and why Zen should not get HOTY.

Well January is done and over and I like to try and stay as up to date as possible. Before RT left Cali, I really didn't care if Zen left Cali. He was the best male there and to beat him, which she could, would be just fine with me. Now everyone is at Saratoga. Personally, the smart thing would be to bring her east and let her stay there. That way the wouldn't have to fly over the Rockies a whole bunch. If she takes time to adjust, let her have her time, but right now she is in a place that has no competition worthy of her.

It looks like the Jim Dandy will come down to a two-horse race between Fly Down and Afleet Express. Fly Down, will be the the knock-down favorite and he is deserving of this role. His dazzling performance in the Dwyer Stakes followed by his impressive placing in the Belmont Stakes, makes him the one to beat. Afleet Express, looks very talented, and has a nice turn of foot. If Fly Down doesn't make the grade,  AE will be the one who hits the wire first. EXACTA BOX Fly Down & Afleet Express.

The Diana should prove to be an extremely competitive race. Phola has been the most consistent of the bunch and is my pick to win G1 Diana. Provisio, looked solid winning her last race, with Mike Smith aboard. She will be rolling late, and is a serious threat for win honors. Also, don't be surprised if My Princess Jess, sneaks in for the upset. She's been working well for this race, and has a ton of upside. Sometimes it's as easy as 1-2-3. EXACTA BOX: Provisio, Phola, and My Princess Jess.

Finally the Haskell. The most anticipated race of the day. First Dude looks the horse to beat. He's maturing into a beast! He's huge and his mind is catching up to his body with every waking moment. When they hit the turn for home, he will be an extremely tough horse to deal with. Lookin at Lucky, must ship across country. He also drew the rail, and will be the favorite. It's well-known that Saratoga is the graveyard of favorites. First Dude will be shortening to a distance of a 9F, and can either grab the lead or sit off the pace. With the Mo Mon Man steering him around the track, horse and jockey should hit the wire in first.  First Dude by two. Lookin at Lucky in a photo with Our Dark Knight for the place. EXACTA: First Dude with Lookin at Lucky, and Our Dark Night.        

Cape Cod and Great Whites!

Rachel Alexandra has alot to prove for 2010.  Remember, Its not what you do in  a career but what you do in a year.  Dont forget that RA fans.

Splits of 12,

A Little Warm might just take them both down. I know he's not exceptionally brilliant like FD or AE have shown themselves to be. However he's one gritty horse that deserves some consideration.

What are the odds of that cat up top getting his wallet ripped 15 times in 2 months?  He's got a better chance of getting hit by lightning than to have this mind boggling sequence of events happen to him..

LDP- If I start in on how things are phrased in your posts it will just deteriorate, so I'm not going to.  Have a great day.

Quality Road lover, after 40 years you should know that a filly becomes a mare when she turns 4 years old.  

Once again another thread turned into  Zenyatta bashing by certain posters.  I don't recall this thread being about Zenyatta or Rachel for that matter.  Enough is enough and get over your hate of Zenyatta as this is getting really very old.

Zen's Aunti,

Where have I ever said Zenyatta is not great. I push for her to face better because I know she can beat better. I would think as fans you would want her to shut everyone up by facing and beating the best available.

If she wins the Hirsch, good for her. It's another win and another 3-peat. Am I going to be impressed, no, I won't be because I know she can beat better, but instead she is being hidden in Cali away from the rest of the nation.

I have nothing against Cali. In fact one horse I think is vastly underrated and forgotten is from Cali and that is Lava Man. Yes, he only won in Cali and was nowhere to be found in races outside of it, however at least he was taken on the road to face the best that was available. Which at the time was pretty darn good. I consider his repeats impressive, because he did it, allowing everyone to take a shot at him. If the didn't come it really wasn't his fault.

That is one reason I don't get why people harp on Curlin's competition. The horse faced open company every time he ran in 08 and tried turf and synthetic. He didn't just stay confined to one surface or one state, he litterally traveled the world and was tested and every way possible.

Do I wish Zenyatta to lose, no. I do however would be more excited to see her try a double or 3-peat in a race like the Hollywood Gold Cup, Goodwood, or Pacific Classic. I will be equally as excited if she goes for a second BCC against what will be one of the deepest edition of the race.

And BTW to any other Zen fan on here who likes to rip into me, don't say you don't like it you know you do. I have not been impressed with RA's season either. Do I exuse her some, yes. I excuse the AB and would do the same if the situation were reversed. I didn't like the LT, I thought the SF should've been the choice. I didn't like the LS, but was willing to back off if JJ really was aiming at the PE, which right now is coming up extremly strong. I would've thought the Vanity was fine, and I even said so on other blogs, if it was a prep for something bigger, being the HGC. RA has stepped up, or JJ has stepped her up. I would like to see Zen step up so she can shut up her real detractors, you know the ones who say she sucks and is a polycrap champion.

Uhhh, Afleet Again.

Okay here's what you said:

"HOTY is base only on this year and should have no bearing on past years

LDP 03 Jan 2010 7:19 PM

People HOTY is Horse of THIS year and ONLY THIS year. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT ZENYATTA DID LAST YEAR.

LDP 03 Jan 2010 9:36 PM"

As I said, Rachel was the HOY last year, that was last year, in your own words, no bearing on this year.Thank you for your agreement and support.

Her record to date? Nobody is afraid and nobody is running around the country to chase her down.

Then when I re-read this arrogant statement? UNBELIEVABLE:

"Mainly because I'm not a ppl person and therefore do not pay much attention to the egotistical ppl who run our sport, I will not comment on any of your human selections, even though most I agree with.

LDP 03 Jan 2010 1:47 PM "

Actually, this sport isn't OURS, it's the egotistical humans you dismissed in such an arrogant and cavalier manner. We just happen to be fans of the sport and they happen to be the people who provide the horses that we all enjoy. If not for those people who run THEIR game, we would have no racing to watch, gamble on or talk about.

Does it need fans, probably. Although there are empty tracks running all over and if the handle is good then lets say they need gamblers more I guess.

I don't agree with all the decisions but they aren't my investment, pet or whatever.  

Visions of grandeur or fantasies of being something you aren't. Several on here. Those saying "I don't like the connections". NO you all don't like the way they manage their own horses but to dislike someone you must first know them. Sounds like a teenage crush or a fan of a movie star. People take ownership and it is odd, or just being young I guess.

I would say you're a rabid fan but most rabid fans love everything about it.

Now gamblers? That's a whole different story. Seeing that you and I suspect quite a few, can't gamble? The fan part should come out more and trashing any horse who is actually RUNNING just seems odd. It should make us happy to see them.

I hope you do get to go to Saratoga. Everyone should go at least once. The one thing about the Spa is it humbles most people, makes them realize they're just a small piece of a very storied past and not all that important in the scope of the history of racing. There are a few tracks that do that to us fans.

There's a huge difference between arrogance and passion, being a fan and being someone who thinks they're a race track insider. Some humility wouldn't be amiss for a number of people on here. If you have a horse running and have a reason to be so confident, fine. Otherwise you're just projecting yourself into some place of unwarranted importance.

Now I'm done on this. I came on to read Jason's picks and see if he chose a blogger and we run into this same blah blah blah by the few who just cannot enjoy both horses.

There are so many good races on today and tomorrow! What an amazing day to be a fan.

Is it just me or does the name Greeley's Rocket, in the Mongo Queen Stakes at Monmouth, sound like a quarter horse name to anyone else?

The Diana, I hate to do it but love Forever Together, no money to be made but she's a beauty.

Jim Dandy? Hmmm Steinbeck. A favorite author an Irish bred how can I go wrong. lol.

Silly reasons I know.

I just keep hearing the song "Jim Dandy to the rescue" in my head.

Jason, someone said a BS in English from U of Delaware? lol, blogs aren't conducive to good grammar and spelling? JUST KIDDING.

Isn't Cape May a good bird (of the avian variety) watching spot?

We're going camping and fishing in the Rockies, I'll let you know if I see any Tex Sutton planes fly over, either direction!

When did racing and college football merge.  This is like reading a forum with Auburn and LSU fans.  

I'm pleased to be alive to see these great mares/fillies race.  Both are impressive.  Move on, it's boring.

The Haskell is almost impossible to pick on merit because the field is so talented.  I don't get the hype on Trappe Shot.  He is loaded with speed and talent but this is a big jump, and more crowded than his last easy win.

Since an argument can be made for any one of these horses, I am going to go with a slightly emotional bet.  I have been a Super saver fan since his 3-year-old debut and picked him to win the derby in February.  I'm sticking with him, although eh has a hell of a race day ahead of him.

If it rains:  SS, Ice Box and LAL.

If it doesn't:  First Dude, LAL, SS.

Uptowncharlybrown's trainers ashes at the the finish line, he should cross it first.  Also, he's cute.

JuneBug: that 11th race is interesting thanks for bringing it up.  I agree with your picks (Cherokee Artist and Get Serious) and would add STRIKE A DEAL for your trifecta.  Having said that I love Wesley, evebn if my bets are all but lost on him.  I lovelovelove nownownow and hope his return to the track is a good one.  But what's with WHATSTHESCRIPT?  He was retired to stud, bred 30 mares and is back on the track.  Interesting.

I've seen TYBALT at the FG, he won on dirt (moved form turf to main track), then went to synthetic I think and is now back on turf.  

It seems everybody has a story in that race.  I'm really looking forward to it and wish a good trip to all.

Another thing, I love races with older horses b/c of the pedigrees.  You just don't see those mares and sires anymore in the first couple brackets:  

Cherokee Run

Runaway Groom

Cherokee Dame

Race Artist

Mr. Prospector

So Divine  

Get Serious is the one to beat in the Oceanport Stakes.

It's inevitable... the blog starts on one subject, turns to Z/RA arguments and finally ends up being about which blogger said what, when and how. Stick around if you can stand it, pretty soon it will get personal and one of the most vocal posters will feel picked on and cry foul! Boohoo!

Quite entertaining, really! However, I've seen it all before and I feel I've landed in the movie about some guy and a groundhog.  :)

Kit,

Without an interest what do you think horseracing would be? With no interest at why would the government bother to let horse racing continue? Without the casinos what do you think some tracks would be? The answer is nother or next to nothing. Owners and tainers to provide us with the entertainment, that is true, as do the horses themselve. However if you think for one second any sport can survive on it's own without a fan base you are sadly mistaken. Horseracing, sadly, could be viewed as animal cruelty and shut down. Why? because organizations like PETA are organized and ratical enough to turn any future fans and politions off of racing. If something were to happen to greatly diminish an already small fan base? How would tracks fair with fans coming less and less betting less and less? Soon they'll be going bankrupt, then where will owners race their horses? I'm not sure if you've noticed but keeping a horse is kind of expensive. Many owners are business people looking for a profit. Without tracks to provide races with big purses these owners are going to start losing money and fast. They will start selling to the first buyer. After the owners go, what of the trainers? No horses to train what need is there for a trainer? Then what of the grooms and any other barn personel? No trainers means no barns which means no horses that need to be taken care of. Fans don't soley hold this sport together, but they certainly do hold a big key to making it succeed or fail.

LDP : Okay, take out the 3 yr olds then, you still think RA is above LAT and UB at this point ?  Or even the older turf mares, the records shows it.  Be realistic about RA, you're not making any sense at all.  If she wins the PE, then yes but at this time, stop talking about RA being ahead of LAT and UB.  LAT beat far better horses than RA has so far this year.

Your quote regarding Lava Man:

"  I consider his repeats impressive, because he did it, allowing everyone to take a shot at him. If the didn't come it really wasn't his fault. "

I think the one thing you still have to understand is that Lava Man is male, you're comparing Zenyatta to him who is FEMALE.  You said the things above how impressed you are with his 3peats and that he opened himself to competition and if they don't come, it's not his fault.  It's funny, that's what Zenyatta has been doing.  In fact, she traveled east to accomodate Rachel's OWNER.  Just accept the fact that it doesn't matter to you what it does to the horse as long as it satisfies your need to see her run against boys.

RA set the bar last year, the PE is NOT a step up, if you want her to step up, she should be running in the Woodward because she has beaten males 3 times last year, that's the bar she set.  So for her, I don't consider the PE as a step up, I would call it ducking the boys.  You're so impressed with her run in the LS, don't you think it's time for her to face nothing but the boys ??  I'm sure you'll find an excuse about that too like she's not the same as last year blah blah blah.

Afleet Express and Steinbeck.

Again I get 2 out of three, and this time my other picks both got fifth. Is there some kind of jinx out there that always makes a 2 out of a person's top three hit the board with the other not far from the board??? If there is I have it and would love to know the cure.

      Draynay , Sounds good :) Did anyone see The Ohio Derby ? I know i'ts gone downhill purse wise , though it was nice to see Pleasant Prince win by a nose ,after his heartbreaking defeat in the Florida Derby !

WHAT DID I SAY ???  A Little Warm at the SPA ?? OH YEA ! I love it when im right. Very Proud of Shared Account placing in the Diana. Jason is right, she's a improving filly earning more black type for the breeding shed. She beat a Breeders Cup winner in Forever Together and almost got Proviso. She's a game girl. Im on a roll you guys, Lookin at Lucky tomorrow in the Haskell.

DRAY, Where were Fly Down and Phola ?? Just say Neigh...LOL

Thanks for ALW Jason, good pick!

Jayjay,

The AB was Zen's early goal way before JJ even said he would go. So to say he traveled east to accomodate JJ is not true. It was his own agenda, he was going to be there if RA was or not.

Also, I have never said RA was better than LAT. I said this field that she will be facing is better than any field RA or Zenyatta has faced this year, but I have not said RA is better at this point than any of the leading horses for Champion Older Female.

On the turf side of that coin Proviso is just tearing things up. She and TE need to meet up. That would be one heck of a race. As would Gio, Paddy, and QT.

Whatever LDP. Let me just say that fans who gripe yet rarely go to the track, if at all, don't bet and spend all their time complaining about connections? Well what do THEY do for racing.

You just keep telling yourself how terribly important you are, how the game won't go on without you and the rest of the negative people who swear they love certain horses yet no one doubts their exact feelings on a horse. Tell yourself that you're more important than the owners, trainers, grooms, jockeys etc. The whole game relies on the horse, therefore the owners, trainers jockeys. But you keep telling us that you are the most important cog in the wheel.

Poor Forever Together, she had a tough go of it.

Love that name, WowWowWow. Good for Mrs Whitney!

So sorry Zookeeper, but some of these know everythings who really don't, choose to put down connections of racing like they are unimportant? Well it just is so irritating.

Hey saw Carla won that race! Good for her.

P.S. LDP, as a lot of people have said many many times, horse racing has existed in some form for thousands of years. When I was young the ranchers match raced against each other and believe me there were no fans there to watch the pretty horses run. I know you're a horse obsessed teenager but you need to inject a little reality into your world.

What a day...A Little Warm and Proviso take it.  Watched the Ohio Derby but was pulling for Worldly.  A lot of races were very, very close with 4 horses on the wire.  Phola and Fly Down were hanging back to try and set up a dinner date for later this evening...Guinness and Oat pies I hear.  Looking forward to the Haskell tomorrow.  Still hoping First Dude doesn't bail on me too.

Good going Zen's Auntie...Penn State proud!

Zen's Auntie: That is completely inaccurate. Most of the violations of the PSU footbal players are from player arrests. Joe Pa has no choice but to take action. He needs to give it up and retire quietly. He's embarrassing himself.

LDP 31 Jul 2010 6:04 PM

Could be Draynay voodoo... =)

Well even though it will annoy Nola, I will say Jason that lately I do agree they seem to be running a bit of a muck in State College.  Joe is really getting old who can argue with that - However, the PSU academic standard for scholarship athletes has been consistently higher and I dare say until fairly recently there has been a less crap tolerated policy.   Even if he is old and in advanced geezerhood Second place in the division isn’t too bad even if he doesn’t remember where he lives… knowing when to retire isn’t always a skill folks exhibit.  I’m glad to hear you have deemed me “Completely Inaccurate” as I like to be thorough in my endeavors.

Back to the topic how Bout ole Miners Reserve?  Zito is really scratching his head I bet.  LDP I know you liked A Little Warm and he really looked good.  Mike Smith made it happen with Provisio and at least I got that right.  

Zookeeper

   Ned Ryerson is here !!!  

Blogger Fanatics On The Phone:

Mabel: Zen is the greatest ever.

Chatsworth: Do I have to remind you again that Rachel was Horse of the Year?

Mabel: When is that pea brain of your's going to accept the facts.

Chatsworth: Yakety yak, don't talk back.

Mabel: She ain't nothin' but a hound dog.

Chatsworth: You're the hound dog, cryin' all the time. You synthetic rubberized, West Coast, dumpster divin', old crab.

Mabel: Yada, yada, yada. East Coast lobster. Hey, lobster sounds good. What time you pickin' me up for dinner?

Chatsworth: Dinner at eight?

Mabel: Great. See ya then honey.

Chatsworth: Til eight, honey buns.

Kit,

Christ have mercy. Quit putting words in my mouth. You know today isn't like 40, 30, 20, even just a decade ago. Things are no longer simple. Heck, I enjoy backyard racing, I used to have that "my horses is faster than your horse" talk go on quite a bit, and often times I had the faster horse. Did it make me money? No. People have their cars to play with now. The only people who do the backyard racing, like me or you are those horse crazy people.

Your comparison is like saying backyard football is the same as elite NFL, if Football suddenly died off. It's not. Is it fun for whatever reason, heck yes, but it doesn't make anyone a living. That is the big thing. It all is not just fun little games, it has to be some work and play if it's going to be more than a backyard sport.

Also, I said both fans and those involved in the industry are important. Fans are part of that glue. Without fans there is no interest, no want, no need, no demand, no market. That is the big thing in any sport or business, to make sure the product or service you offer has a market. If it doesn't you sink.

LDP : I believe the Mosses unretired Zenyatta for 2 things.  They wanted to break the record and they wanted to race Rachel.  They agreed to everything that JJ asked for with regards to AB, they traveled east to meet her.  I think that's accomodating JJ because JJ wouldn't run anywhere west of the rockies, it's too tall of a mountain for her to fly over, and a van drive is too long.  OH and yeah, he's scared to run her on synthetics.  Between the two connections, one doesn't want to fly west and doesn't want to run on synthetics, the other one flew east and ran on dirt.

So let's say she wins the PE and Unrivaled Belle wins the Ruffian, you still believe that she'll be on top of the division ?  Let me guess, the Ruffian is not considered a G1 race anymore right, it's just a label ?  The only G1 that matters is the one that Rachel is running in ?  That's right, because the Ruffian (to you) is a weak field.  It all comes down to ONE race to determine the championship and it's the PE right ?

It was a pretty good day for me, I hit the 7th race super (fitty cent) and trifecta at Delmar singling La Nez on top!  I still can't believe she ran at 6-1!!

Zen's Auntie,

I'm kicking myself over not including MR though, in my top three. Pretend handicapping or not I normally pick pretty good. I couldn't remember the name of the horse who ran second to ALW at DE and when I did see it was MR I wanted to switch out FD for MR, but I don't like to make last minute switches. Makes me seem bandwagon jumper like and those people get on my nerves. I have a relative that does that it just annoys me to no end.

LDP,  How old are you?  Young if you are entering college.   You speak as if you are 40 to 45 years old or older.   How is it that you are for more qualified to judge and know more than a man that has been in horse racing for 40 to 50 years?      I am not arguing or picking , I am just wondering where you feel that you fit into some of these accessments you make?

LDP,

Draynay is a relative of yours? WOW!

Jayjay,

The field came up stronger than I expected actually. I didn't expect MP to show or TT. Still, I would rate the field between grade three and grade two. It's a solid field, but not start studded. If I were to compare it to a race this weekend I would say it would be more comparable to the Jim Dandy. A solid field with a few nice horses but no grade one winners. The purpose of the race is, for many to get that Grade one win, and to get into the BC.

On Zenyatta, I'm no mind reader, but I really don't think he was planning to retire. He never took her out of serious training or ever sent her to KY. She was never really retired, except for on paper.

On the whole "lable" thing. You took that to an extreme. A race that has a relatively weak field besides one or two horses would normally be expected in a grade three or ungraded race, not a grade one. IMO, the SM was grade three quality as was the NO. The AB was grade three at best, the LT was grade three. The Vanity I would say was Grade two quality the LS was grade three again. IMO, both have faced similar quality of horses, but Zenyatta has the benefit of catching them in races labled grade one. If a race was given it's grade by the level of competition the SM, AB, and Vanity would not be considered grade one. That is my point. Not that every grade one race is automatically a labled race that means nothing.

Moss made it clear once he brought Zen back that the AB was one of his targets, while at that time JJ was saying heck no to the race. Again, Moss was going to show whether RA came or not.

You're totally obtuse.

Let me tell you, there was a LOT of money changing hands at those match races and bush tracks. The reason the government stepped in is to get their share. They don't get it from the 'fans' who don't or cannot wager.

What you're talking about is children playing make believe with backyard horses and challenges. Something we did when we were 4 or 5.

The little kids who were great riders became the jocks at 8 or 9. Ever read the story of Calvin Borel? Well it wasn't just Louisiana where big money illegal racing went on.

Also, that language is inappropriate and offensive.

Seems like you get told the same thing on every blog you go on.

Without fans the racing will go back to the days of the monied gentry or the bush tracks.

Fans DO NOT put money in the pocket of horsemen UNLESS they go to the races and BET.

Blog commentors do not benefit them in any way shape or form because those like you love the sound of their own voice and that doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

I am not going to discuss this any further with someone who has seen what 5 days of races in person and has never even put a dime down at a parimutual window? Knows NOTHING about fiscal or financial responsibility in life let alone horse racing.

Just keep believing you know it all and you'll miss out on a lot in life.

One final thing to say to you. Get back with us when you have a little life experience.

Dr Drunkinbum,

Tell him to go back to Punxsutawney!  :)

Kit,

I've bet way more than a dime. Made a $20 bet, on what I thought was a trifecta box. Turns out I pressed the wrong button and it was a straight. Thing is since I thought I pressed box, I put my top three horse in numerical order, instead of the order I thought they would finish. Well turns out if I had gone ahead and put them in the order I thought they'd come in I would've won nearly $700. Before that I made smaller bets and like some I would win and lose some. There has never been a time I went to a track and didn't make at least a small bet. So am I qualified now? You know, to be qualified as more than a childish fan? I can handicap, I come to the track and I bet, not much, but at least once every time I go.

Also what language did I use that was offensive. I never cursed, called you a name, or have gotten vulgar with you. So please tell me what was so offensive.

Soda,

I've worked hard to learn and understand what I know. I've given away some information on myself that I didn't have to give. One piece I'm often judged on unfairly is my age. This is a blog. I have every right, just as everyone else, to give my opinion or assement. I judge everyone on a blog as equals to myself. I may think some make dumb comments, but on a blog. If somebody came on, like a big owner or trainer, I would gladly listen to what they had to say. However, I have no idea who any of you are, if you are lying or not about you experiences with horses. I really don't trust all that well, and a recent, very recent experience has enforced that mistrust even more. On a blog everyone is no more than an opnion. You may not like it or you may love it.

Now, I personally feel like I am plenty qualified to make assements. I don't think my age should determine whether or not my opinion should be valid. My parents own their own real estate business and my grandparents own a automotive/lawn dealership/repair business. I work at the latter and have done some favors for my mom and dad. I get to see first hand how to run a successful business.

My experience with horses is quite extensive. I've seen quite a bit, espcially in these last few years. I'm smart and learn quick. A blog is my place to share what I think. If I see something that is new or interesting I take it in, otherwise, I don't like to have other's opinions or methods shoved down my thoat.

The point of all this, however, is that though I may be young, until somebody wants to come out and tell me who they are and why they are some much more qualified than myself, I am just as qualified as anyone here to formulate an opinion and share it.

jayjay,

La Nez went off at 6-1 because people don't realize how different HP and DM are. She obviously did not like HP at all and ran back to her form at DM. Good for you that you were able to see thru the poor showing in her last few races! Good score!

      I am truly concerned about The downward spiral of purses at Ohio tracks ( River Downs and Thistledown ) When the purses suffer , the horses suffer !! I worked at a track , Penn National where the trainers took out their frustrations on their horses !! I've seen the abuse and it makes me sick !! I have been under the impression that Ohio passed a law that would make slots legal !! I'ts the only way to raise purses ! It helped in Pennsylvania ! Now Penn National is above Calder in avg. daily purses ! Low purses lead to trainers running lame and sick horses just to try and break even ! This has to stop !!!

Is it me or does the quality of the three year old males this year rate with one of the worst crops ever.  I really liked Fly Down in the Belmont but looked elsewhere today because I didn’t like him at 9-5……and look what he did……he came up empty.  I liked a little Warm enough to bet him…….yes, that means I actually put money on him not like some bloggers I know.  However, he was all out to beat Miner’s Reserve, a 15-1 shot while our Belmont 2nd ran nowhere, beating horses that didn’t figure.  I sure hope that our Derby and/or Preakness winners show something tomorrow.  The Monmouth track today played fair……I didn’t see a bias.  This should bode well for the Haskell and all should have a chance.  Lucky is definitely the pick, and not just from a monetary standpoint.  We need a 3 year-old to take charge of the division and to me he is the only one that has the proper foundation and shows the kind of class and consistency that is needed to control the division.  For that reason alone I hope he wins.  I have also liked him since early on his career and think that if he straightens out his race track issues, he's the real deal.

We have come to the usual conclusion. First the topic, than the RA/Zen arguments, then the personal stuff and NOW it's the LDP SHOW where we always find out more than we need or want to know.

       Kit J - Since I was 10yrs old I've had a Racing Form in one hand and a Bloodhorse magazine in the other !!I've been involved in racehorses all my life ! My granpa, dad and I have been owners ! Now I am at the point where I am into the Breeding aspect of the sport ! I can memorize pedigrees and consider myself a student of pedigrees ! I think some of your comments have been right-on!!! You are part of an era that had regal respect for the sport of kings not the fun of drunkards that are not even worth a trud from one of these fine animals. that being said please give these guys a break for they are sometimes just letting off steam       "Shelly"  I would love to hear some of the "tails" you have to tell.

Pedigree Shelly,

Don't blame the abuse of horses on the state of affairs. Owners and trainers who race unfit horses are criminals who will do what they do whether they have money or not. Making excuses for them is not going to accomplish your goal. Call them what they are: VERMINS! not victims.

Oh for goodness sakes, some things never change. Jason, if Zenny did show up at the PE, Jackson would pull Rachel out. He does not want a match between the two of them unless it is at the BCC and I suspect Rachel may not be entered into that either.

As for John Shireffs, let's give it a rest. I doubt he will ship Zenny twice more this year. What you call an excuse, he calls looking out for his horse. He wants the BCC for Zenny and whether you think she can win it or not doesn't concern them. They think she can win it and she's their horse.

Pedigree Shelly

Perhaps LDP can give you the answer.  She seems to have an answer for everything else.  Give her a try.  One thing is for sure.....you'll get an opinion and of course it will be the right one.

Yeah ZK, I needed it to get my money back lol.  I was down about 500 up to that point so I bolted out of there before I give it back.  I'll save it and probably give it back tomorrow in the Haskell lol.

LDP : Can you please translate all the G1 wins that Rachel won last year ?  I'm just curious, since you're such an expert in determining the "true" meaning of these graded stakes.  If the horse racing world were to listen to you,  we'll probably have like 3 G1s all year lol.  I'm taking it to extreme...yep, that's it.  I thought when you say something you mean it since you worked really hard to know what you know now, didn't realize that it was open to interpretation (or is it open to different translation depending on how you're debating?)

jayjay, St. Trinians is a broken horse that beat no one and Zenyatta barely caught.  She has been put out where she belongs.  Rachel rules and Zenyatta hides.

May be an oversite on my part but does anybody know why winslow homer was scratched. I was looking forward to his return

Jason : Any chance you'll throw in a blog for the Whitney before you go? Or a blog about Rachel vs. Zenyatta, you haven't written one about them in awhile lol. If not, have a great time and enjoy your time off from the insanity.

LDP,

Speaking as someone who used to work in the industry, I can tell you something you may not know.  The HOY nominees are informed how the vote went before the awards dinner.  I'm not sure why they do it.  Maybe they want to give the connections a heads-up so they don't say something embarassing.  Maybe they want to make sure the winner shows up to accept the award, LOL!  

But my point is, when Moss made his statement that Zenyatta would not be retired and that she would campaign in 2010 whether she was HOY or not, he knew at that point she had lost the vote. I immediately told the members of a horse racing list I'm on that Rachel had won HOY.  And I firmly believe that if the vote had gone the other way, Zenyatta would have been retired with that Cinderella finish.  Because there would just be no way to top being the first female to win the BC Classic and HOY on top of it.

But anyway, they kept her in training in case she lost it and that's what happened.  I think they had several goals when they brought her back.  Beat Rachel, win the Classic again, win HOY and beat the all-time record of 19 straight wins.  I don't think they feel as much of a need to reach the first goal anymore since they tried to run against Rachel and she didn't show.  But they conceivably could still accomplish all four goals.

AFLEETALEXFOREVER

I know RA is gifted,but you're ignoring the fact she HASN'T WON A GRADE 1 this yr. I'm waiting for your tired spin if Zenyatta beats her in Nov. Your character suggests that you won't give Zenyatta credit no matter what she does,just alot of excuses!

JAYJAY

I agree with you regarding your point on Draynay. He waffles between RA and QR as you said.

Dr. D: Oh, you've got to know I still love you, and by the way, I really love lobster, but then I have to have dinner in Maine.

LDP: While you are prodigious in opinions, many of the rest of us find them shallow and repetitive. We actually tend to excuse you because of your age, but after a while, it becomes quite tedious and tiresome.(aww, don't cry!)

Jason: I'm guessing Joe Pa has more championships in football than you have in handicapping. ;)

I, for one, am not ready to see him leave Penn State.

To anyone who knows that you must cross the Mississippi River to go East, you will have to agree Zen has not yet come East, since Oaklawn is West of the river, in Arkansas....and RA has never been West of the river.  (Every coin has two sides).

Now, can we all get back to the Haskell?  With such a deep field, and having picked this weekend's races sentimentally, I'd like to get at least one right....so while I'm still hoping for First Dude, I see LAL as top class in the field, but he's on the rail...again.  

LIVESOUTWEST

You make perfect sense.

LAZMANNICK

Hello,how's it going?

LDP

Your point is correct that A. Blossom was a target for Team Zenyatta,but RA's connections were stupid in the first place to let ego get into the way to attempt to rush RA and then cancel plans after many booked hotel reservations,etc. And there's no spin to get by that one.

Slew,

I find all the RA bashing repetitive, so in that respect we are all even.

Laz,

I wouldn't rate the crop just yet. Many of us knew the Belmont wasn't a fantastic field to begin with. If FD does well this weekend we could probably blame the 3rd place to a quick turn around and a distance he wasn't fond of.

Zito  said earlier that FD didn't fire, it seems like that has been happening a lot. Ice Box, for known reasons, didn't perform in the Belmont and now FD in the Travers. I didn't think FD would win, though he was in my top three, but I thought he may want more distance, which if he goes, he'll get in the Travers.

I wouldn't discount ALW or MR. MR did all the dirty work setting a pretty solid pace and still kicked on for home. He couldn't hold off ALW, but he did hold off AE, who had gotten out of some traffic and was closing well. MR may be best at distances around a mile to 9 furlongs, but ALW didn't show any signs to me of wanting to stop. He's a hard knocking horse like LAL, and is always right there. It doesn't matter if it's sprints or routes, he just keeps on going.

Monmouth has been favoring front runners as of late (or maybe even this season). The stretch seems to carry the front runners further than the point they were expected to fold. I have yet to see a stone-cold closer win on the Monmouth dirt.

First Dude and Trappe Shot for the top two spots.

Hangar: Winslow was scratched because he's supposed to run in a different race today.

Hangar: added info for Winslow Homer:

Saratoga - August 1st, 2010 - Race 8

Estimated Local Post Time:   4:55PM

Distance: One And One Eighth Miles   Purse: $75,000   Surface: Dirt | FOR THREE YEAR OLDS WHICH HAVE NOT WON A GRADED SWEEPSTAKES OVER A MILE IN 2010.

Winslow Homer has post # 1.

GunBow,

Where are you? I miss your analyses of California racing.

This argument, left coast vs right coast has been going on since Seabiscuit and War Admiral.  We all know what happened there.  Personally, I'm disgusted by the be all end all NY race fans who thumb their noses at the rest of us.  Sea the Stars raced exclusively on turf, and never in NY, I suppose you think he's ready to be Alpo.  I'm glad the Mosses have thumbed their noses right back at you.

Fly Down looked like hell prior to The Jim Dandy, and seemed to have no chance to win based on how he looked physically. Hopefully he can come back for The Travers and be ready to run. I'm excited about the prospects for The Travers to be the 3yo race of the year. The top three in the Dandy all have class and talent and belong in The Travers. We'll know more about Trappe Shot after today but I like Afleet Again, Lookin At Lucky, and First Dude for the top three in the Haskin. A very interesting race. Is Super Saver going to battle with First Dude early? Maybe he's recovered from The Derby and gotten stronger and will be a force. The most intriguing aspect is where is Ice Box at now.

Slew- As long as you don't serve leg of lamb I'll be over for dinner. She set the oven at 425 degrees for that frozen leg of lamb.

Zookeeper-How nice of you !!! Usually they say crawl back into his hole rather than "go back to Punxatawney."

Pedigree Shelly,

 Delaware Park has slots and table games. Saturday July 31st, their purses were:

1. $16,200

2. $22,300

3. $16,700

4. $23,300

5. $15,500

6. $33,300

7. $18,800

8. $40,000

9. $39,900

Not even a small stake race. Pretty sad for a track with that extra income coming in. And they don't even race on Sunday.

Slew, did someone move Louisiana east of the Mississippi and I missed it? :)

Rachel has indeed raced west of the big river, but I wouldn't consider that out west.

LAZ : I agree, although I'm not sure if they're worse or just pretty evenly matched (probably the former).  I mentioned awhile back after the TC that I wouldn't be surprised if 3 unknowns wins the next 3 races (Dandy, Haskell and Travers) and it sure seems like it's going to happen.  It'll probably be 3 different horses than the 3 that won the TC series.

Draynay : You're a broken handicapper and you can't even pick the horse to come 2nd with a heavy favorite.  You need to be put where you belong.  I rule, you're a mule. LOL (I rhymed!)

Mike Relva : Welcome Back man.  Your self imposed "vacation" from JS's blog was the first topic I saw when I first started blogging here lol.  Good to see you back.

Yeah, Draynay is still the clown of the blog.  He has since forgotten his First Dude, Blame and currently on QR's beeeehind.  If something happens (NOT injury) and QR loses the Whitney, it'd be funny who he'll jump on since he is seriously running out of horses to jump on.  Oh wait...ZENYATTA :)

Slew : I guess we can say she headed east and flew over the rockies lol.

I still like IceBox, if he doesn't win this one, I swear I'm going to .... probably bet him again in the Travers lol.  I just love this horse, can't really figure out why.  I know he's good, I'm hoping he turns out to be a great horse maybe at 4, a late bloomer.  It's the way he swallows the track and inhale his opponents when he's on that I love.

I think FD and SS and LAL will complete the super.  I will throw some on Our Dark Knight though, but will wait to see how the track is holding up the speed.  I think ODK will set the pace and FD will be right behind him.  I'm no longer too worried about LAL's post since it's a short field and I think Garcia is much much better on him than Gomez so hopefully he'll know where to spot him.

Good luck all!

LDP : still waiting for your translation of Rachel's races last year :)  Thanks!  My day wouldn't be complete until I see that reply. :) LOL

Ho hum, Goldi won the Group I Prix Rothschild for the third straight year. How boring.

NOT!

I see The Pamplemousse had his first work today since he was injured last spring. If he get's back to his pre injury form, He will be tough on the track. Can he be ready to compete in the Breeder's Cup?

Del Mar's surface is playing very funky.  Zenyatta will be a no show.

Jason.  You know who just picked up another graded stakes win with Dakota Phone in the San Diego Handicap.

The girl of the week is by far Goldikova!!!

The CHRB grants Pat Valenzuela yet another lease of life...hmmm.

Rachel Alexandra beat Macho Again at Saratoga in 1:48 1/5 winning by a head. The Track Variant was 8.

A Little Warm won in 1:47 4/5. The Track Variant was 12. A slower track.

Rachel gets a Beyer of 109.

A Little Warm less than  100.

Goldi won her 10th gr.1 today.  I feel so fortunate to have seen her at the Breeder's Cup.  I know many will never look fondly on the last two Breeder's Cups because the main-track races were run over synthetic, but the racing was absolutely amazing.  

By being on track for the Breeder's Cup last year, I was able to see Goldikova and Conduit both repeat, as well as Zenyatta's amazing Classic win.  Goldikova and Zenyatta on the same card!

I know debating the virtues of one horse vis-a-vis another is part of the sport, but for all those that will be in attendance at this year's Breeder's Cup, sit back and take a moment to reflect on all these top horses.  If everyone remains healthy, we could get to see Quality Road, Rachel, Goldi, and Zenyatta on the same card! Throw in a few top Euros, and wow, another amazing group of horses.  One could make a legit argument that Zenyatta, Rachel, and Goldi are 3 of the best females in the history of North American and European racing.  Don't take their presence for granted.

I cant wait for the Whitney... I really like Blame.

May I also ad that Winslow Homer looked very sharp and that freaking Goldikova ROCKS OMG 10 Grade 1's at 5yrs old SHE is the European sneak in Bombshell candidate for Horse of the year as far as Im concerned - Im rooting for Unrivaled Belle in the Ruffian.  15 mins out - cant wait.

Based on looks Super Saver and Ice Box are going to run real well. I see a battle brewing. Lucky will give his all. I suspect that Afleet will too. Let's get ready to rumble !!!

Ice Box just isn't as good as the rest. Lucky is 3yo of the year. Trappe Shot is for real. Afleet, Dude, and Super gave it their all. They just aren't as good as Lucky. Garcia and Baffert. Look out for them in next year's Triple Crown. Lucky is another that can battle for The Breeder's Classic. One tough monkey. I thought even odds was a little low but I was wrong.

It's over, LAL just sealed the deal there.  Martin Garcia is a top class jockey, if he had been on LAL from the start, it is quite possible that they'd be undefeated right now.  The KD was the only one that they probably would've lost.  This jockey is just amazing, very smart.

I hit the tri but still lost money with all the bets on my IceBox who melted like he was running in the desert lol.  I'll give him one more shot in the Travers (if he even runs)!

Congrats to all who picked LAL specially to Draynay who hit a whopping $4.40!  I say he save it and go ALL IN on QR next weekend. LOL

WOW, Lookin At Lucky did great!!! Very impressive. I felt all along he was the best 3 year old out there and he is. Happy for Bob Baffert.

         Well Draynay you got me this time , No T-shirt for me :)

Trappe Shot ran a good race ! he proved he belongs in Gr 1 company ! Running 2nd to LAL is no shame :)

So nice to see Lucky win the Haskell going away.  Definitely at the top of the three year old class this year!  

LDP, there you go.  Nice call on Lucky's breakout performance.  Very impressive.  I think we have a three year old who can compete and is exciting.

Well, what do all you knowlegable handicappers have to say now that Looking at Lucky kicked ass in the Haskell?  Who's the best 3yr old right now? That artificial surface lover and dirt runner, Looking at Lucky! Wow, who knew?

After the race Baffert was asked what surface was the the best for Looking at Lucky and he replied "Lucky is faster on dirt and so is Zenyatta". Now there's a horseman that knows what he's talking about. Imagine that.

Lookin At Lucky looks like the real deal after the way he won the Haskell.It,s not his fault he was a late foal and was,nt ready for the Kentucky Derby.I think before his racing career is over we will all remember Lucky.

Be careful out there.  Fly Down, Proviso, LAL would be the picks if I had any money left.

Ted from LA 30 Jul 2010 1:00 PM

Two out of three winners once again.  I am the kind of handicapping.  Come to my website and reap the rewards.  tedfromla.com.  I have a link to Dray's losers on that site too.

Rachel has never been to Oaklawn?  The Fantasy and the Martha Washington are run where?  

"LAL is getting a whole ton of hype" - LDP. REally?? FOr a sec, I thought you were a trainer.

All I can say is LAL. WOW

Hey, I thought Ted from LA was supposed to be the Guest Blogger, taking over for the vacationing Jason. What's going on here. Where is everybody. Where are you Ted? Do I have to remind you that when you signed on for this job, you signed on for 24/7 on call duty. Slacker. We have ways of rectifying the situation. You did sign the papers. McFly. Get the lead out. Ted? Ted !!!!!!!!!! You're wanted in the boss's office and he said he doesn't care if you're out getting robbed or not. He said Pronto, and fully clothed with or without your 99 Cent Store wallet.

Wow. Lookin At Lucky was sensational! Wonder if Baffert will keep him with 3YOs and just wait till the Classic, or test the market against the older horses. I'd love to see him face those guys beforehand. Martin Garcia is some kind of a magician. and it's now time to ban Calvin Borel from the Kentuck Derby. Two years, two winners, two duds.

I see we've drifted back to the Zenyatta/Rachel argument. I must be home! Nothing to add, aside from "You people are all totally wrong and you will soon see the errors of your ways." I'd like to see Zenyatta skip the Hirsch, although that would mean I wouldn't be able to see her run again. But if she DOES, then they have no plan. Shirreffs ran two at Del Mar today. Scenic Blast was second in the Bing Crosby under Mike Smith. So we'll see if they were happy with the track.

I think Rachel's going to run big in the Personal Ensign. I think she can go 10F. I just don't know if she can go 10F and be anywhere near the lead. She'll have to tackle Quality Road, then hold off Lucky, then Blame, then Zenyatta. Could be tricky.

LDP:

You're very patient! And you write very well for someone as young as you. Seriously. I agree with you that racing needs fans, especially younger fans. I think it's important, even though the majority of people are focused mainly on new bettors. Important as well, but who's going to bet if there's nobody enthusiastic or knowledgeable to get them interested? You're very knowledgeable for somebody as young as you are, but you're not as knowledgeable as someone who's been working in the business, or who has been following the sport for a longer period of time than you. That's no reflection on how smart YOU are, but unfortunately, age DOES play a part here. Your opinions are your own, of course, but those with more experience have much more of an informed opinion. That's just the way it is. You'll develop that over time, too.

When I got interested in racing (I won't tell you when that was), there was no Internet. No racing channels. All I had (and I lived in a small town) was whatever was on the networks (there was more on back then) and the big-city papers. I had to go to the library to read them. I really had to dig for information. I didn't have anyone else around me who cared about racing so I formed my opinions by observation. I filled in A LOT of blanks and revised them later. I had nobody with whom to argue! You're MUCH more advanced in that respect, but I think it can also be harmful. There's SO much information, and you have SO many places you can to to discuss racing. Although I wished I had more access back then, I kinda like the way I did it. I think I was less frustrated. I didn't have to defend my opinions when I was just learning about racing. Now, when I finally discovered the Blood-Horse... all bets were off. But up until then, I dunno... it was nice. I fell in love with particular horses (East and West equally), and it didn't matter who loved them or who hated them. I still do it the same way, although now I have the Internet to show me those horses. I don't just have a newspaper story.

When I say that I think it's sad people can't appreciate Zenyatta, that it has to be about synthetic and numbers and traveling and the bloody East, I really mean it. Because to me, it's that personal thrill that means everything.

I hope you get to discover horses you purely love and forget that there are people who just don't get it. Forget about parroting the stuff about synthetics and all that. Shoot for the joy of it all. If you get to go to Saratoga and see Rachel and she does that for you, then I will be absolutely delighted. That's what it's all about, the rest of it be damned.

Jason, have a good vacation!!!

I am very impressed with Lookin At Lucky and he's answered all the questions I had about him, whether or not he actually was a dirt runner versus synthetic.  His win was very impressive today and I think he now climbs up as a possible contender for HOY if he has a good fall!  He's definitely in my top 4 horses this year.  

Now, I must ask, why is everyone so high up on Ice Box?  What has he done to make the fans like him so much??  I am sincere in my questions, as he hasn't proven anything to me.  He won the Florida Derby, but what else has he won (major race wise)?  The only reason he was in the Kentucky Derby is because of winning the Florida Derby.  Had he lost that, he'd never have been in the KD.  So WHY are people so high up on him?

This Baffert makes those east coast trainers look like rookies.

He takes them to school once again (like usual).

Baffert's colt wins the triple crown if he wasn't playing hockey in the 2010 Kentucky Derby and getting checked into the boards.

Kentucky Derby rail draw for any horse is an absolute joke. What a farce! Less horses in the Derby and we would already have a triple crown winner and we wouldn't be waiting 30+ years.

You look back over the years and horses like SECRETARIAT, SEATTLE SLEW, AFFIRMED, etc never had to compete in a 20-horse Kentucky Derby field.

This "Lookin at Lucky" is going to smash every 3 yr old in the mouth this year.

Lookin at Lucky:

Another example of a west coast synthetic horse going back east and kicking the shit out of dirt horses on their dirt tracks.

When is the east going to get their shit together?

The east can't ship west and win on the main track, but the west can ship east and kick the living shit out of their dirt horses.

Makes you wonder, huh?

LDP:

The problem with grading races after the fact is that the presence of a horse may affect the quality of competition that shows up to face it.

Look at the Santa Margarita.  It is a gr.1, and deservedly so, with one of the most illustrious histories of any race for fillies and mares.  The field that showed up to face Zenyatta this year wasn't great, and feautured mostly gr.2 and 3 level horses.  However, what needs to be considered is the counter-factual of who would have entered had Zenyatta not run.

The greatness of the truly greats is seen not only in who they beat, but also who they scare off.  By the logic of post facto grading, one would have to conclude that many of the fields Spectacular Bid, Tom Fool, and Citation faced were far from top level(not gr.1 or gr.1 equivalent pre-73').  Yet, one cannot simply ignore the fact that the presence of these horses were directly tied to the strength(or weakness in these cases) of the horses they faced; horses like the Bid and Big Cy often faced weak fields because the connections of most of the other top horses wanted no part of running against them.

The same was true of Zenyatta in the Santa Margarita.  Do not forget that St. Trinians was healthy and in form at the time of the Santa Margarita and had just won the gr.2 Santa Maria at Santa Anita.  However, her trainer Mike Mitchell decided to run against males in the Big Cap rather than challenging Zenyatta for a smaller purse.  Also in training at Santa Anita at that time was Proviso.  While Proviso is now best known as a turf horse, she did cross the wire 1st in the Spinster on synthetic and had run a game 2nd in the gr.1 Santa Monica on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride in January.  Instead of facing Zenyatta in the Santa Margaita, Bill Mott instead ran Proviso against males in the gr.1 Kilroe.  Had Zenyatta not been in the Santa Margarita, I'm fairly certain St. Trinians would have run in it and think Mott would have given it a good bit of thinking.

Obviously, the same is true of Rachel in races like the Mother Goose, in which only two horses dared to challenge her(and paid with a 20 length drubbing).  And by the way, both those fillies that Rachel crushed in the Mother Goose, Flashing and Malibu Prayer, are now gr.1 winners with Malibu Prayer winning the Ruffian today.

With all the debate on shipping cross-country, kudos to a horse that has successfully shipped cross-country 3 times this year, Lookin at Lucky.

Based in Cali for his entire 2 year old season and for the first months of his 3 year old season, Baffert took Lucky to Oaklawn for his 10' debut, and the horse rose to the occassion to win in the last strides.  Baffert then brought Lucky back to Cali for training while deciding whether to return to Oaklawn for the Arkansas Derby or stay home for the SA Derby.  Baffert chose the latter, placing value on not having to ship and the better spacing between the SA Derby and the Kentucky Derby. After a controversial 3rd in the SA Derby, Baffert moved Lucky onto to Churchill for the Derby and from there to Pimlico.  After winning the Preakness, Baffert took Lucky back to Santa Anita for training before shipping back across the country again for his superb Haskell score.  In a year when so many fans are lamenting the lack of shipping, Lucky has won races in Arkansas, Maryland, and New Jersey all while being stabled in Cali.  By winning the Haskell, Lucky won the 5th gr.1 race of his career and proved himself a true champion.      

LAL 1:49.3 Fast Track

Rachel A. 1:47.2 Sealed, Sloppy track

Just to put the race in historical perspective....

LAL looked pretty awesome yesterday!  Did not care the ride Calvin gave SS.  Three wide the whole way?   However, I loved the ride in the Derby.  What's next for these colts?

Well... Lucky was by far the best. I don't know why Super Saver is so hyped... it was his Derby dream trip and a whole lot of slop that won him that race. Lucky is a good, solid horse. The only place he doesn't like to be is the rail. Well, when he got taken off the rail, he took off. As simple as that. :)

So sad about Uptowncharlybrown, though.

And I have one question... anyone know what happened to Ice Box? I couldn't tell when the camera switched to Lucky in the stretch. It seemed he was better then second to last...

Correction:

The Speed Figure assigned to A Little Warm is 103, not a number under 100 as I said earlier.

We always called a pre-4-year-old female a mare if she had been bred. Personally, I don't like the practice of breeding mares/fillies prior to age 4, but know for a fact that it's done all the time.

I waffle? Draynay does not waffle. He happens to have a favorite male and female horse. I love Quality Road and Rachel.  I have since the start.  When they meet who will I cheer for? Both.  Quality Road is a monster and can't be beat this year and Rachel is the HOY and a very special horse.  Let me know when a 3 year old filly wins HOY again.  It won't happen in our lifetime.  Can Rachel beat QR in the Classic?  If it comes up wet yes and she may even be the favorite.  What I know for sure is one of them will win the Classic and go on to be HOY.  To me that is all that matters and I will be cheering for both.  Nothing wrong with having 2 in the gate.

Winslow Homer out with condylar fracture...rats.

Paula,

I don't think Mr. Jackson would back out of the PE if Zenyatta showed up.  If he was that scared of running against her at this point, he wouldn't have announced it so early.  He usually waits right up until the last day.  If he did back out if Z entered, he would look like a fool and I don't expect that he would do that.  That's just my opinion though.

Laz,

Does it really matter what Z's detractaors say?  It doesn't make a bit of difference what anyone says really.  People can say what they want, it doesn't change anything for the horse.

How did a discussion about races not connected with Rachel and Zenyatta (except being connected with the BC Classic)...come back to Rachel and Zenyatta? Let's talk about Lookin at Lucky. He gave an incredible performance today, and not without the great handling of Martin Garcia. I won't try to analyze the race b/c I'm not that good yet, but I liked how responsive Lucky was and how Martin knew just when to move. Super Saver, on the other hoof, just couldn't do it. Again. I don't think he'll pull it off if he goes to the BC. Trappe Shot was the surprise.

Its intriguing to see what SLEW said to LDP with regards to her age, I think that was extremely rude and degrading.  What i find even more interesting is that the Slew person doesnt recognize that the Mississippi is East of Arkansas and that would mean that Rachel has raced East & West of the river since Oaklawn is in Arkansas West of the Mississippi.  Actually I am quite surprised that Slew was even able to type out the full name of the river.  

The Haskell was a race that on paper would have been great to watch and it was as L@L romped but if he had run that same race in the last 3 or 4 years, he would have been crushed each of those years, probably running 3rd last year, behind BB the year before and 5th in 07.  JMHO.

soda pop kid,

with a moniker like yours, where do you get off asking anybody how old they as a foundation to base their opinions?  

pot calling the kettle black

Slew, speak for yourself  == that is arrogant of you to think you know what  "many of the rest of us" think.

I agree with LDP, and don't generally feel the need to say so.  I'm sure many others do, but I wouldn't assume to summarize what "many of the rest of us" think.

That is so patronizing, and

Speak

Did you notice anything in the Haskell (other than "Lookin at Lucky" romping)

Andy Beyer is leading sheep over a cliff. His Beyer formula is flawed when it comes to synthetics. It has become laughable.

The easterners bought in to his synthetic Beyer's and now they have come to realize the following:

"Their wallets are much lighter"

"Andy Beyer...leading sheep over a cliff": webcache.googleusercontent.com/search

Congrats to Lookin At Lucky but I think the horse that ran with his heart was Afleet Again. He is a loving racehorse and I was fortunate to be at the Haskell to see him. My thanks and always good wishes go to the owners, trainer, and jockey. All of you made the Haskell Race a race I will never forget. Afleet Again is an awesome, beautiful racehorse.  Congrats on his run.  

Gosh, another one of those California plastic horses wins again.

LDP said…..,

I wouldn't rate the crop just yet. Many of us knew the Belmont wasn't a fantastic field to begin with. If FD does well this weekend we could probably blame the 3rd place to a quick turn around and a distance he wasn't fond of.

It seems to me that your analogy of Fly Down not competing at a distance he was fond of is exactly the analogy I gave you in reverse for Summer Bird in the Haskell last year when he was cutting back in distance far shorter than his best distance.

As for the weak three year old crop……I rest my case.  The top 3 year-old at a distance on dirt this year by about 2 miles in LAL and he is either exceptional or just miles ahead of an ordinary crop.  He probably was the best all year in spite of what Eskendereya accomplished though we’ll never know.  Now, if he doesn’t go in the Travers, we’ll get a winner of that race, but not a horse to take seriously in the BCC.  

Jersey Boy

I see you point about A Little Warm's Beyer, however, it was the 3rd race at 1 1/8M on the main track and all three of them were under 1.50, which translates to a fairly fast track.  I still agree with you though.  When looking at Beyers for a lot of other races lately, to me that seemed aweful low.

Reminds me of the horror movie classic- "He Came From Out of State."

Did somebody say waffles? I like them with raisins in them. Rachel won't be backing out of anything. She's ready to roll, although it takes a little more effort than last year. Another tough break for Winslow. I wanted to see what he could do. An early Derby favorite of mine. Looks like he could be injury prone. Time for stud. Speaking of studs, is Ted from LA doing the blogging as advertised? If Jason is doing it- Thanks Jason for checking in on your vacation. Hope you're having fun. Breeder's Cup is almost here. The most anticipated one that I know of.

You guys are out of your minds. Looking at Lucky is a real horse with a real trainer and owner that dont make excuses. Bafferts the man and yes LAL is a California horse. No one bashes him because he gets it done on all surfaces meanwhile your beloved Zenyatta makes excuses after excuses. Come run on Dirt Z against real competition and watch yourself get punked like your ashton! Congrats though to LAL he is a real horse unlike that the pawn...Zenyatta!

In aint easy being good!

And Zen hopes you have a good day playing in your sandbox with your toys.

Dr,

I would't retire him just yet. I wonder how he would do it just given time to physically mature. A horse is not fully developed until they are 6. I wonder how he would do if they just let him have the rest of they year off in pasture and away from the track. He seems fine mentally, but he may just need some of good old mother nature to help him grow in body. Then bring him back to see it  he can hold up to the rigors of racing.

Kay,

Thanks for what you said, but it seems others don't really feel that way. I think I'll be posting a lot less on future blogs. I really don't mind being out numbered or debating or arguing, but some on here are unreasonable and for once, I'm quite frankly tired of it. I think I'll post my opinion once or twice, have civil discussions with civil posters, and post picks and let the horses do the talking from there.

Discreetly Mine is a monster. Pletcher now has Frankenstein and Godzilla. Discreetly can challenge Vineyard Haven. D' Funnybone is out of the picture. It's great what Pletcher has done with Discreetly. Some trainers would have kept him on the same path to oblivion.

   Lookin at Lucky at the Top of his Class. It was great to see him take the Haskell. As always, very glad for Bob Baffert also.

   Very glad @ news of RA's next race being a Gr1 and @mile 1/4.  Right on schedule toward the BC. The Ladies Classic could be very exciting this year, but I'm  hoping the Star Filly goes in the Classic. I guess we'll see with her next two races.

   It is unfair to call Zenyatta a 'pawn'. However I do wish her connections would do as they said in an interview while she was at Oaklawn, and race her out East.

   Jason if you're checking in hope you're having a great time in Cape May! I prefer LBI but I know that is the choice NJ beach for many people. Catch a wave for everyone stuck in-land this week! :)    

Dr Drunkunbum, I love you! Was beginning to wonder if any one else knew about that classic "He came from out of state". My favorite and it truly is an oldie, way before even the great Swaps! Always love the ending cause it gets better and better as time goes by!

Ah yes Beyer!!!  Lucky was too slow to win a Triple Crown right?  Hovering 99 Beyers don't cut it?  

Throw Lucky in with Tuscan Evening and my favorite "polly-etta" Blind Luck who fail to fire off the poly or show up for the big races.

Nice shout out by Baffert.  "Lucky is similar to Zenyatta he's better on dirt."  

Lucky for HOY...it now is quite possible.

This argument, left coast vs right coast has been going on since Seabiscuit and War Admiral.  We all know what happened there.  Personally, I'm disgusted by the be all end all NY race fans who thumb their noses at the rest of us.  Sea the Stars raced exclusively on turf, and never in NY, I suppose you think he's ready to be Alpo.  I'm glad the Mosses have thumbed their noses right back at you.

kathleen o 01 Aug 2010 10:59 AM

Wow - a little over the top with the east/west hatred?  Don't forget, ZENYATTA is an easterner who just happens to work on the west coast.  Yep, and after she hangs up her racing shoes, she will probably come back east for dating purposes. So enjoy your eastern bred heroine while you can.  Eventually, she'll be ours again.

LDP -You are right of course. It just scares me when they get injured. However some do get injured early, get time to mature and are never injured again. By the way, I like your posts. It's always a good idea to cut back occasionally, and take breaks, but I'd hate to see you go away. You don't have to give personal information or even respond to people. I don't like to see people give personal info then have it used against them.

Dona- In the alternate ending which was tossed into the trash, a jockey on a white horse snatches up the girl in distress at full speed while using his whip to knock the chainsaw out of the bad guy's hand. Less gruesome but more romantic than the version you saw at the theatre.

IT AINT EASY BEING GOOD

Give you credit for one thing,after being off this blog for three months you're the same as when I left,CLUELESS! lol

Wow! Hats off to LAL...absolutely moved to the head of the class.

New Orleans is EAST of the Mississippi. (by the way..New Orleans heat index this week..118..Yow) However, I did forget that RA previously raced at Oaklawn in the Fantasy Stakes...which meant she did go west.

Skyfire: I echoed sentiments already expressed in previous comments.  When someone feels the need to respond to every single comment, I find that overbearing...especially when there is a lack of experience.  You, however, seem to feel the need to be insulting...so be it.

I do relish informed objective opinions, and there are quite a few people on this blog who do have the experience and knowledge to engage in conversation.  Gun Bow, Laz, Zookeeper, and Paula are just a few. Ted from LA and Dr Drinkinbum keep the fire of humor alive and well.  (Even Draynay and his bobbleheads kept me laughing).

Laz: I feel that we have a strong crop of 3 year olds....look how many different horses won how many different preps...But I think Lucky happens to be exceptional.  He just makes other colts look less exciting.  Terrific ride by Garcia...so young...and so much talent.

JASON:

Wanna make a wager on the Breeders' Classic? I'm taking Zenyatta. Don't worry,when she wins(again) you can take comfort in borrowing one of Draynay's many spins. If you want to bet email me w/the details.

I meant Lucky was too slow to win a Triple Crown race.  Affirmed didn't need beyer figures to win a Triple Crown.

Slew

I hope you're right about the 3 year-olds.  These guys hold our male future in their hands (hooves).  A weak 3 year-old crop usually means a less than interesting handicap division.

I TOTALLY AGREE with you about Lucky.  Personally, I thought there was a monster lurking inside him somewhere just waiting to cut loose.  I really liked  this guy right from his first start and now it looks like the monster is out and suddenly the BCC is even more interesting.

As an afterthought, there is possibly another 3 year-old monster lurking at Saratoga.   A colt called Admiral Alex broke his maiden in his first start at 1-1/8th on Saturday getting the distance in 1.49.3 and he looked very professional in doing it.  I couldn’t believe his opening odds, something like 1 to 5.  He worked a mile a couple of works before the race in 1.45 and change.  The owner didn’t pull any punches.  He said they are going directly to the Travers and he wasn’t fooling.  Could be interesting.  

Jersey Boy,

RA ran a 22 and 44 in the first half.  Im a big Z fan, but that she was able to turn back Da tara, Bullsbay, Then MA after those fractions in a 1 1/8 is what was impressive ( and probably why the Beyer was 109)  I dont really care for beyers anyway.  They dont really make sense which is what is half our your argument also.   HA

I believe that my last post should have read damsel in distress, not girl in distress ??? Actually I don't recall if it was a damsel or a girl. Maybe a conniseur of the movie could let me know. Slew, Ted?

Dona

  I'm sure you know if she was a damsel or girl, but do you remember the name of the trainer that was yielding the axe in the first scene? As far as I know the movie is out of print.

Kay,

MTB is no dud.  Neither is super saver, but so far MTB is the better horse.  MTB will win again.  When you least expect it

Dr,

It's a mistake I make quite frequently. I'm surprised I am as open as I am. Maybe I feel it ok because I turn most people away with my, brashness, shall I call it.

Turning back to horses, I think that is a problem. Some horses are more quicker than other and mature faster early. Some just know how to use their body better. But the thing is when a horse is so young and their bones still so fragile they aren't supposed to go that quick and hard. I'm not against racing as two or three year olds, or even against a tough campaign. However, you need to know your horse, breeding and all. US offspring may have some good futures if just reined back a bit. All are so talented, and seem to keep that talent even as they grow older. I just think they need to be watch more carefully and campaigned more carefully at the younger ages. Look at some of the old warriors. Funny Cide, The Tin Man, Lava Man, and many more. I think Tin Man may have had a tendon injury to have him retire, I can't quite remember. Either way, the race for a long long time, and IMO that is because they had a mature body. They weren't rushed early and were allowed to grow. SB would've lasted, IMO had he been given the rest he needed. He never really got a rest after the Belmont. He went to the Haskell, Travers, JCGC, BCC. Traveled from Arkansas to KY, to NY, to Cali, to Japan before he got injured. Had he been allowed some down time after the BC I think he may have come back this year just fine.

I don't get the folks that are coming to LDP's "rescue" on this blog.  The kid likes to debate, it's her passion.  The problem is that she will pound you with her opinion until you're blue.  Did anyone read her "debate" about Queen Martha ?  She went on and on about this horse like QM was the 2nd coming of Zenyatta just to glorify Rachel's race.  She did to a point of even regrading all the races this year for Rachel and Zenyatta.   When someone questions her "expertise" like I did, she refuse to respond and then talks about "being tired of it".  

Again :  LDP, please translate the races that Rachel ran in last year.  I'm really curious since you're ver knowledgeable.

Thank you in advance.

Doctor D!  It's always a damsel in distress, you know that! Us girls would take that saw away from the bad guy, cut down a big weed and knock the hell out of him. Oh, don't ask Ted. I think he was banished fron the Dollar Store in Van Nuys for miss using the merchandise so he may not be a reliable source. Don't know if Slew has recovered fom the bobblehead laughter fit but be careful, it maybe a Draynay ploy to distract all from  the RA/Zen squabbling and then where'd we be?  The trainers name? Better wait and ask Jason.              

LDP  -  You do know that the horses you mentioned are geldings, don't you? Geldings usually run a lot longer than a stallion and it has nothing to do with how much or how often they raced while they were young.  By the way, the Tin Man had bowed tendons and was sidelined for some time during the early part of his career.  

Anyone else notice how Dray Neigh avoids the issue when he LOSES (which is most of the time) He just moves on to another topic altogether. Too Bad, Soo Sad.

On the other hand, What a great weekend in racing. 3 wins and a second for me out of 4 races. Winslow Homer looked very impressive in the Curlin Stakes, what a shame he fractured his foreleg and will be out for the rest of the year.

WoW, Some of y'all need to get a room or get over yourselves. The arguements in here are beyond ridiculous. I am glad I dont have that much time on my hands.

PMAC14:

I do not use Beyer figures. To me they are an unscientific interpretation of scientifically compiled data. I use the data as compiled. The figures are amusing though.

In the case of A Little Warm, what I was calling attention to was the fact that his assigned speed figure was lower than Rachael Alexandra's although he ran a faster final time on a slower track and won by a wider margin.

I feel that people have bent over backwards to assign inflated numbers to Rachael Alexandra. The result is that in the Woodward she was assigned  a figure of 109. That left Macho Again, the runner-up, with a high number too. The same thing occurred in her last race in NJ. Her NJ figure was later lowered.

By the way, Macho Again is such a high-class race-horse that he has now been banished to that bastion of equine reproductive excellence, Venezuela.

jayjay,

If you want to be a jerk fine. I've never tried to insult any knowledge you do have. You many not like me, you may think I'm some jerk, punk of a kid. However, I have plenty of people who do know me personally, that enjoy my writing and listening to my opinions. So, you can push an prod all you want this is my last post to you. I am tired of all the double standards and picking on anyone who doesn't LOVE and worship the ground your precious Queen walks on. I am flat out tired of it. This has gone way past a debate. When things go to using ones age, past experience, not betting (which i have done), and not going to the track (which I have done), and then ignore what good they do have to give, it has gone way way way past debate.

Good bye I hope you have a great life.

LDP

"Precious Queen",It's not terrible to have a favorite horse that you respect.

KAY: I agree with PMAC14 MTB isn't a "dud" by far. Question? Tell me you wouldn't wanna own a Derby winner that also placed in the other two tripe crowns. Give me a break!

LDP- I think that is smart.  

jayjay- We all blog the way we blog.  Most of us do not know each other.  We post behind blog names.  Everybody has opinions.  No matter whether somebody likes to debate or not, nobody likes to be attacked or singled out.  There are many people who blog on here who are as strongly opinioned as LDP.  Maybe you could concentrate on them also so it doesn't seem like you are singling out every post of hers ;)  My advice is to take a step back in this instance.  This blog is for entertainment, even though I haven't found it very entertaining lately.  But maybe I just need more Rua Viejo.  Anyway- it's just some friendly advice.  Take it or leave it, I guess.

Jayjay...how uncanny that I agree with your sentiments, but shhhhh...she's pouting again...and name-calling too.

Laz: I think my biggest problem with the three year-olds is the injuries they have sustained.  Does there seem to be more than usual this year?  The colts who have maintained a career without injury appear to have the stamina we've been looking for.  I am so looking forward to future races...and future breeding.

LDP

I think you have knowledge regarding racing. Having said that,you complain about people commenting about "your age",but then you make a crack referring to an innocent horse as "precious queen". Question? Do you consider that mature?

LDP

  You make some good points about younger horses. It's a tricky situation. Running young also makes them stronger and less likely to be injured later, in most horses. Like you said, you have to know your horse. I'm one that is very critical of over racing any horse but especially at two and three. The Derby Trail has ruined many horses. I don't know the stats for injuries and ages but my suspicion is that over used claiming horses with physical problems probably have their share of breakdowns. With the young ones I hate to see a two year old and early three run too many races but for some it works out good and some it doesn't. Too many humans fail to know their horse and trudge forward with a human plan without seeing the signs that a horse needs a rest.

Dona

  I know, I need to proof read my posts better. I hope they find out what's wrong with Lucky. This is his second fever in a short period. He'd give his all if he had a high fever, a sprained ankle or Rosie O' Donnell on his back so that puts him in danger. He's one of those tough old guys who will always say that everything is OK no matter what and never go to the doctor, then all of a sudden drop dead. Lucky was one happy camper when Martin Garcia got on his back. Lucky loves to win. Nothing against Gomez, he's obviously a very good jockey but many times it's all about finding the right match. Maybe Lucky likes Garcia's after shave better than Gomez's.

Dona: I hope I never "recover" from laughter.  What a great distraction to have available...even if it's just a Dray bobblehead...and I've sort of been missing his plastic dolls.  

Dr D: Never saw the movie, I'm not sorry to say, but it's always "damsel" in distress.  I'll spare you the leg of lamb as long as you get me to my lobster.

Has any one heard if I Want Revenge is going to try again?  Firesan Fire did not really recover his form this year after his injury, so I have to wonder about Revenge.

Footlick,

I agree with you.  This blog has been a lot of fun at times but it has changed so much since November.

What is wonderful about it is the chance to read and exchange information and observations and ideas.  Discuss horses and racing.  It's truly a great thing for horse racing fans who, let's face it, don't have a lot of people to discuss these things with most of the time.  We all have that in common and there are so many good people on these blogs.  No one should be singled out and criticized.  Well, Draynay is fair game.  He enjoys that notoriety.  There is nothing wrong with debating or disagreeing it's part of the fun but when you get some of the comments that have been made it's just not sporting.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion no matter what age they are.  LDP is young, yes, but she has a true passion for horses and horse racing.  We should be glad about that, we should embrace it and encourage it.  For horse racing to survive, we need these young people to love it and be passionate about it.  You may not like her opinions or things she says but does one have to discourage it with arrogance?  Has anything she has said hurt anyone?  No.  Does some of what she says make you angry?  Yes.  Does that in any way ruin your life?  No. We all have the tendency to take some things too seriously.  We all have favorite horses and they have been lambasted to shreds on these blogs but guess what?  Those horses are still healthy, sound and still racing.  We just can't let this descend into hatred and viciousness.  It serves no purpose.

I'm from an era where children respected and listened to their elders. An era where getting to go to town was a treat and when we went places to sell or buy cattle and they had an organized race track? Well even if we couldn't go in the race track with Dad and had to stay in the playground area, I was just so happy to be there. Then I read a young lady who isn't even 21 saying she bets at the track? I really wouldn't try to back my point by saying I did something illegal. Being so adamant and saying things in such a know it all way is what gets most young people in hot water now days.

When I was that age I thought the lowliest horse was a champion, Pegasus taking flight. Never would I demean even the horse that finished last in a $1200 claiming race. I figured he had a bad day, wasn't getting the best of feed or tried his best. Never would I challenge what a CHAMPION had done. Yet it happens on here all the time.

I also come from an era where we KNEW that those people who had been through wars had tended to the dying or had injuries or illnesses that we couldn't even comprehend, had life experiences that were something worth learning about and listening to, something that might relate to us or touch us in some way.  We also realized that people who have seen thousands of races or been to dozens of tracks might just know a tad bit more than someone who has none of that experience.

I went into teaching because in my era? Teachers were my heroes; the people who introduced me to an unknown world and helped me touch that world. Not like kids, as I actually have read on here from one in particular who say that the teachers think they know everything and the person doesn't respect what they try to do or teach.

I also remember my older brothers training horses and racing them against each other or the neighbors because that's what Dad did with his brother when they were little, in addition to roping cattle and so forth.

I also come from an era where the proof is in the pudding. An era when people prove themselves after working in a field for 45-50 years before being considered an expert in that field.

Also I’m from an era where people with hobbies didn't suddenly become as expert as people who did our hobbies for a living.

I remember watching Secretariat, Tom Fool, Ruffian, Seattle Slew, Dr Fager, John Henry and so forth. Going to Del Mar at a very young age, just old enough to place a bet.

I remember listening to Dad talk about Seabiscuit and all those famous old horses. They followed them on the radio. Which believe it or not, we listened to regularly.

I remember as a young woman saving the magazines Time, Life, Newsweek and so forth that Secretariat was on. I remember the hero he became to many of us who in that time of turmoil and upheaval with so many of our friends, brothers and uncles being killed in a war that  so many called pointless, were desperate for a beacon of hope and light,  something positive and uplifting.

So you see, being a fan doesn't mean you have to try and instruct other fans or express your opinion like it is the only one there is.

It also became apparent with that snide comment that despite all protestation to the opposite, LDP just cannot stand the fact that her favorite horse isn't the toast of the town this year and that the 'precious Queen' may be getting more attention.

My love for every horse may sound sappy and trite to those people who think they know more than me about life, or those who second guess the owners and trainers of the various horses. But, I won't apologize for it.

Dr Drunkinbum, we both suffer from the brain-to-finger malfunction and I know from various messagers in this blog that it is not curable. Sorry

Hated to hear the news about Lucky today but his whole career has been a magic show from Baffert and if anyone can get him ready to run another wowser, it's Bob. Baffert has said all along, this is a small horse with a big heart so, maybe we're the lucky ones. Let's wish him well and hopefully will see him soon.  

I Want Revenge (who doesn't) is doing great. Joe Talamo was up and said everthing is going well. Don't you love some of the names? Mr. Hooker is at Saratoga today!

Donna,

Ok, how about Einstein, as a more recent example. I wasn't really comparing sexes. Just illustrating, that normally horses that are allowed to grow and mature early, end up being quite sound later on. I think if steadily exposed to speed over a distance, and not just given short little 2, 3 furlong workouts early on, but combind with longer 4, 5, and 6 furlong workouts, 2 minute licks and open gallops, you might see a young horse more sound, because they're bones are gradually getting denser, instead of being exposed to speed right off the bat. I think a lot of the hard riding under tack shows, probably ask for too much speed to early.

All the Haskell horses looked amazing.  What an impressive group they made in the paddock!!!  Congratulations to Lookin at Lucky.  He really ran a great race and deserved to come out from behind that "luck" thing he has been dealing with.... but then he ends up with a fever.  Poor baby!  Hope it's nothing serious and he recovers well.  Also, was sooo impressed with Winslow Homer.  He was my favorite early this year.  He has so much talent but does seem to be injury prone.  Maybe he'll be stonger at 4.  But Sunday was a great race day - thanks to Monmouth Park for another rousing fun Haskell experience.

Mike R welcome back my friend. I was hiding from jason for awhile I still owe him money from the triple crown races. He is on fire this year if only he could practice what he preaches! Mike R I will give you Zenyatta and the field in the breeders cup! I will just take Blame and Quality Road!

Kit J,

A very thoughtful and meaningful post.  I am from the old days.  I will be 60 in November and I know what you mean regarding all the things you mentioned.  Things have changed drastically since then and I long for those old times.

Thanks for the memories.

IT's D_O_N_A  !!

What about Einstein? One of my favorites and I like Helen Pitts as a trainer but Einstein was 4 yrs old when she got him and he already had 15 or so races in Brail before coming here. How does that qualify for your example?  Longevity is pedigree, training and luck. Period. Since when are geldings and stallions different sexes?  

IT AINT EASY BEING GOOD

No deal!!

On the subject of soundeness and durability, we don't have to go to the past to find a horse who has been managed perfectly and has not been ruined by being pushed too early or raced beyond the horse's capabilities... but even the mention of her name throw some people into fits so I'll let you fill the blank.  :)

P.S. She is "precious" and is being treated as such. Wish all horses were as lucky!

Hey! Mike Relva,

Welcome back! Don't EVER do that again!  :)

Kit J...if you call loving every horse as being sappy, count me into that mix.  There is simply something so magnificent and regal to a horse that they always leave me gasping with awe...right down to the pony companions, and Arabians whose tails always arch royally, and quarter horses whose footwork is mesmerizing, and the standards who are such capable trotters.  Wasn't it Winston Churchill who said, "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man."  That's too true as far as I am concerned.  And I'm always trying to learn more as each day passes.  And I'm certainly learning a lot from many with experience who contribute so kindly to these blogs.  When we cease to learn, we cease also to live, but one cannot learn when one is doing all the talking. Perhaps that the one lesson LDP needs to learn first.

Dona...hmmmm...Einstein..great on every surface.  I think he'd make a great date for Zen, someday. I always loved watching him, especially last year against Cowboy Cal in the Woodford Reserve..wow!  And here sits this dummy cheering for both, hopping up and down, and having the time of my life.  (I think I broke a couch spring on that one...or a cat...not sure which.)

ZOOKEEPER

Thanks for kind words,much appreciated!

Correction: SOUNDNESS. Don't know how that extra E sneaked in there!

Okay, so I'm missing a "Z" in my Brazil but hey she's in the news today and it was probably intentional!  Yes, I'm talking about the big "Z". The one and only!!!

Zookeeper, you ain't a kidding. How about that trainer that was fined for hitting his filly because she wasn't doing what he wanted. For my money, he should be banned not fined. Why is it so hard for some people to understand why we celebrate knowing a horse is treated well and go bananas when they're treated royally. Because we know not every animal is that fortunate. That's the sad part of the business and if I were Queen? Yes, heads would roll.

Slew,  seeing last years Breeders Cup Classic in person and standing at the rail, getting a close up view of Einstein was another great moment of in person gawking that includes some of the greatest to ever grace Santa Anita or Hollywood Park. I was ill and missed Einsteins' first trip to California but to see him with Julian aboard was awesome. First time I ever rooted against him but I was screaming for You know who! She who strikes fear into her four legged rivals and total madness into non-believers. Or so it seems.

Okay, so I'm missing a "Z" in my Brazil but hey she's in the news today and it was probably intentional!  Yes, I'm talking about the big "Z". The one and only!!!

Zookeeper, you ain't a kidding. How about that trainer that was fined for hitting his filly because she wasn't doing what he wanted. For my money, he should be banned not fined. Why is it so hard for some people to understand why we celebrate knowing a horse is treated well and go bananas when they're treated royally. Because we know not every animal is that fortunate. That's the sad part of the business and if I were Queen? Yes, heads would roll.

Slew,  seeing last years Breeders Cup Classic in person and standing at the rail, getting a close up view of Einstein was another great moment of in person gawking that includes some of the greatest to ever grace Santa Anita or Hollywood Park. I was ill and missed Einsteins' first trip to California but to see him with Julian aboard was awesome. First time I ever rooted against him but I was screaming for You know who! She who strikes fear into her four legged rivals and total madness into non-believers. Or so it seems.

Was it me or did Lucky take a bad step coming out of the gate?  

OMG - Just checked todays DRF site. Jack and the big mare. Coming from the likes of Jack Van Berg, the comments about Zenyatta are heart crunching. This man knew one of the greatest ever, just read what he has to say!    We're not worthy.

Slew

Injuries.....Great Point......Don't forget last year.  It's pretty well the same this year.  So many injuries to the stars.  There have been a number of complaints about breeding and I know a lot of people are concerned with the number of top stallion projects that have left the country during the past twenty years.  Maybe all this is coming back to haunt us.

LDP : I'm not trying to be a jerk, my post wasn't an attack if you read it.  I'm just stating facts.  You consolidated all the insults you've gotten to your post to me, when I've never questioned your age, your betting or your past experiences.  Those comments were from other people, not me.

I welcome all response/criticisms to my posts, I don't bait you to comment on my posts.  My whole point about you is that you get a little too passionate about your blogs and you like to pick and choose what to respond to when people (maybe it's just me) ask you something about your post.  If you want to post something in a public blog, you have to be able to accept criticisms or be able to answer any questions posted to you.  You won't admit that you criticize Zenyatta's connection when it's quite clear on your posts.  When you say her connections makes "dumb" moves, do you think that's not being a jerk ?

I don't mind if you don't respond to my posts, that's fair but let me make it clear that I never called you dumb, stupid or used any derogatory terms to insult your intelligence.  The fact that I'm threading with you on this blog says a lot about what you know because you have me engaged, not to say that I'm an expert, but just the mere fact that you can hold a debate with anyone says a lot about what you know about horse racing (unlike Draynay). LOL

Footlick : I don't pick on LDP's post but we had a thread going and I respond to her mostly because I'm engaged in our debate.  I'm mostly here to defend Zenyatta and point the facts to anyone who criticize her and I will continue to do so unless Jason bans me for some reason.  I believe I've been fair with my posts except to Draynay but he enjoys my posts to him.  He relishes in it :)  Also, I don't consider calling her "kid" an insult, I would love to be called a "kid" again, for me, it's a cool term.  I think without the annunciation, my post would seem like I'm yelling or annoyed.  I'm a pretty calm person unless Zenyatta is rounding the final turn, then I scream like a pack of monkeys in the wild until her nose hits the wire.

She'll ignore my request to regrade Rachel's races last year because it would show a flaw in her argument about regrading this year's races.  One thing about engaging in debates, one needs to know to graciously admit when they're wrong.  It's make the debate healthier and more enjoyable.  Being wrong doesn't mean you're stupid, it just means that you don't know.  I don't know a lot of things about horse racing that she does and if she asked me how to spot an alpha female, I'll tell her I don't know (and she knows this from a thread we had in another blog.)

Okay, I'm not here just to defend Zenyatta, I'm also here to read GunBow's big races analysis, learn from Laz about horse racing in general, read other Zenyatta fans posts and actually read yours for any european related news, not sure if you're european or just enjoy european racing more than the normal american racing fans.  Of course, I also look for updates from ZK about RFO. :)

Well said Kit J, I envy you for being able to watch Secretariat or even listen to his races live.  It must've been thrilling.  Zenyatta has done something for me personally but it's not the only reason I love her, she has done something that only 2 other horses have done in modern racing, I still don't understand why people don't get that and why people can't appreciate what her connections have done so far.  I'm a sappy as well when it comes to loving Zenyatta.  

LOL on the "cat" comment Slew.  I think a Zenyatta/Tiznow date would produce super babies, full of speed and stamina.  Can you just imagine ?  A healthy offspring would probably be a Ghostzapper type  except 10 times better and more durable.

Dona,   I read the story too,  Have you went to YouTube.com and watched the video of the song they are referring to.  It is called "Zenyatta" by Liza G. Fly,  it is great, awesome, I checked it out after I read the article.

 Now when a trainer from way back speaks about a mare like Zenyatta in that context, You know he knows what the hell he is talking about.

She is going for race #18 on Saturday,  UNBELIEVABLE

Householder,

It's not just you, I saw it too. Lookin At Lucky did take a bad step coming out of the gate. I was focusing on him because I didn't like his post position and I wanted to see how Garcia was going to handle the situation.

It didn't seem to bother either one of them. It looked like just a small hiccup, Garcia let him get in his stride and then moved him away from the rail very smoothly. "The heck with saving ground. I have THE horse, I'm not getting bottled up in there!" The move proved to be the winning one. Once free of traffic, LAL did the rest... and boy! did he ever.

jayjay- no I'm not European but I go every year or two.  I do enjoy European racing better, I don't know why but I do.  I like the way they structure their seasons and how they place their races, and how they conduct their meets.  As far as the blogging between you and LDP- they just seemed to be getting nowhere and it seemed the better idea to back away.  But it's your choice.  It really doesn't matter to me.  There are only a couple of people I won't read, and that's because they are always negative and ridiculous.  But, I just don't feel like commenting much anymore.  Anyway, it was just my opinion, and in the long run doesn't really matter.

Everyone ready for the real champ this weekend Quality Road? Forget Zenayatta races .....who cares weak competition and boring.....yawn!!!! the real show is a Sarataga this weekend...cant wait, what a field assembled at the whitney!

In aint easy being good

Re:  Talk about boring races "yawn,Yawn"   I say that race happened on July 24 when the HOTY entered in an Ungraded Stakes race.   Yeah,  Yawn,Yawn

Did anyone see the Linda Rice 3year old, Abilio, at Saratoga yesterday?  He scorched the track, quickly out distancing the field by half a track on the turf.  Sensational!  Can't wait to see if he will eventually face Paddy O'.

Shades of Presious Passion!

I have been fortunate over many, many years to have seen some really great horses (I do go back to Citation).  I've had my favorites, but, at no time, did I ever disparage any contender, or lose any respect for any rival.  What I have seen happening since 2009 is incomprehensible to me.  There has been so much venom flowing toward one filly or the other...and it seems so vitriolic and frivolous.

If you can't admit they are both awesome, why waste so much time denigrating one to advantage the other.  Face it folks, RA and Zen have reached legendary status, and if you can't respect them both, you're not a true racing fan.  Enjoy them both while you still have them.

Jayjay:

“Zenyatta has done something for me personally but it's not the only reason I love her, she has done something that only 2 other horses have done in modern racing, I still don't understand why people don't get that and why people can't appreciate what her connections have done so far.  I'm a sappy as well when it comes to loving Zenyatta.”

I think it helps to be around her. Some people can’t comprehend what it’s like around her. Somebody posted a cool video on YouTube called “Zenyatta’s Morning At Del Mar,” where you can get a pretty good idea of what happens when she appears. Everything stops. Trainers, owners, exercise riders, grooms, jockeys… everybody just stops what they’re doing and watches her. They watch her tack up, they watch her walk to the track, they watch her gallop, and then they watch her cool out and get her bath. They just stand there and watch her and they’re utterly silent, unless they’re whispering to each other about how amazing she looks. When she went out for her surprise gallop at Del Mar on Wednesday, the track was literally silent as everyone watched her. There’s something transcendent about her and it’s frustrating that all people seem to be able to see are numbers. She really brings people together, and she’s been doing that since long before the Classic. But maybe it’s like a great band that’s so amazing if you’re there, but doesn’t quite translate that way on TV. The power, grace and kindness she exhibits is just SO apparent in person, especially if you get to go to the backside and hang around her for awhile. And it’s really cool that the other horsemen, people like Bob Baffert and others, turn into starry-eyed little kids when they’re around her. She just has that effect on you. Even her own trainer has that look on his face.

So that’s why numbers don’t mean anything to me. Even if she gets beaten, it is NEVER going to take away from the experience, from the ride, that is Zenyatta. And that’s why I defended LDP. Because the thought that somebody could be talked into missing an experience like that is just really sad, and as a fairly new fan to the sport, I’d love to see her be able to REALLY fall in love with horses. I know that’s sappy and that it’s all about the Pick Six and the sheets and all that, but at its core it’s about the horses. The really good ones exhibit an otherworldly quality and that look you see in peoples’ eyes when they’re around a horse like Zenyatta is acknowledgement of greatness. Greatness is like great art – I can’t describe it, but I know it when I see it.

BTW, if you’ve never seen Lookin At Lucky in person, he is an absolutely GORGEOUS horse. I’m really looking forward to seeing all of these horses line up in November, and it’ll be fun to see if Blame can measure up to Quality Road on Saturday. Definitely the most intriguing race up to this point.

PMAC14:

“MTB is no dud.  Neither is super saver, but so far MTB is the better horse.  MTB will win again.  When you least expect it.”

Which would be anytime now. He was certainly a deserving Derby winner, and he ran great in the Preakness. But take those two races away and would you REALLY continue to put him on this path? He had a great day. SINGULAR. Now, he can’t seem to win ANYTHING and that’s a sign of a horse that’s just getting discouraged. Super Saver’s heading down that path but he DOES have better connections and if he doesn’t show something in his next few, I don’t think they’ll be tossing him in the deep end as much as the MTB folks have done.

Mike:

“KAY: I agree with PMAC14 MTB isn't a "dud" by far. Question? Tell me you wouldn't wanna own a Derby winner that also placed in the other two tripe crowns. Give me a break!”

Nobody was giving me the option to OWN him. Heck, it doesn’t even have to be a Derby winner. I’d like to own ANY racehorse.

Footlick : Fair enough (with regards to LDP).  I am curious though, how do you follow european racing here ?  Is there a site you go to to read about all the current european horses ?

KAY,

MTB also ran very well in the Belmont and the WV derby.  The two races at Santa Anita and the turf race,in my opinion, were tosses(although watch the move he made on turf around the far turn before leveling off a bit).  He will hit the board tomorrow, but I would love to see him win.

Sodapopkid - I was watching TVG last Friday evening, when they  interviewed Liza at Del Mar and then played her video. Love that the big mare inspires such devotion. Can't wait to see "Z" run saturday. They schooled her yesterday and today, she looks awesome. It really is a Zen moment just to look at her.  

Dona,  And to add to that,  What about the girl that wrote the book on Seabiscuit,  She is really interested in Zenyatta to.  I look for a book or a movie, perhaps both eventually.     I cant wait.

jayjay- If I'm allowed to mention another site on here, Racing Post is a good place to get alot of info on European racing in general.  It's easy to navigate and they have decent articles.  They cover alot of racing around the world and the US too.

Jayjay: I was thinking more along the lines of a Zen/Einstein match.  Then I'd want a super filly who could run like the wind and dance.  A dark bay with her own theme song, she would be Mustang Sally.  (Love that song!)As far as the cats go...they're simply fortunate to survive my watching horse racing or football.  Even my kids know enough not to sit next to me during a football game....but the cats seem to be slow learners.

Thanks for the link Footlick, I bookmarked it.  

Slew : Yeah, that would be a good match too.  As for cats, I'm allergic to them but if I wasn't, I'd probably have a "slew" of them around the house.  They're calm and collected, just cool animals.

Zookeeper : I saw that RFO was scratched today, hope everything is okay.  Still looking forward to seeing him run :)

Kay : My post about "rescuing" LDP was meant for some other folks but I guess it ding'd you too.  You're post are always delicious (or delicate ;) hehe), informative and it actually makes sense regardless of the topic.  I enjoy reading your posts a lot.  

Have a great weekend of racing all, may you all hit the big one!

Congratulations on your win today sodapopkid! didn't know you were racing, woulda put a little wager down. Caught the end of the race on TVG and had a good laugh. Did you also see where Jerry Hollendorf said Zenyatta is the most impressive horse he's seen in a long time. He said horse not mare.  Also, he's not known for his compliments. It's one thing for you and I to admire her but when two of the all-time trainers say something, it really means a lot. Jack Van Berg is the #2  all-time trainer and Hollendorf is in the top ten. wow. I know who you mean Laura H something. I hope she does write a book, somebody will. Good luck to Z today. I hope she wins and comes out of it safe. Somebody put the Blame on Quality Road today, suppose  Draynay done himself in over the loss?

Dona,  Thanks for the reminding me having the same name as that great race horse.  That dude is awesome, this is the second time he has won.  I think he is going to have to be in my future picks.  How can I go wrong with my namesake, Right?  

I think now people ought to see how good those closers really are, Blame,Zen,  Blame was on his game today for sure.  QR was giving it his best but it wont good enough.  Blame was just awesome all the way.

Yes,  I heard all the commetary today,  Ron Ellis and one of the commetators said they should keep Zen in Cali until the BCC.  they said let the comp come to her she is the champ . It really means something when all these old time trainers speak so well of her. they are from the old school of racing.  they know what they are talking about.

Kay.  Agreed.  Bob Baffert has nothing but praise for the big mare on national tv.  I thought it was very cool to throw Zenyatta into the coversation after Lucky's latest out of state win.  He said something like Lucky is like Zenyatta he is even better on dirt (got to like the Smartsrike side of things).  The he went on to say that he would not be entered into the Pacific Classic.