Haskell Weekend Picks

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Householder — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:28:47 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

sodapopkid — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 03:29:11 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Dona — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 23:42:25 GMT

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?

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

jayjay — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 20:56:45 GMT

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!

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Slew — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:16:26 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Footlick — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 04:10:12 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

sodapopkid — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 03:19:11 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Dona — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 22:23:29 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

PMAC14 — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:12:35 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

jayjay — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 03:35:20 GMT

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 ?

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Kay — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 03:22:31 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Slew — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 23:08:30 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

sodapopkid — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:46:50 GMT

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

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

In aint easy being good! — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:16:34 GMT

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!

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Footlick — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:03:19 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Zookeeper — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:41:15 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

sodapopkid — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:34:54 GMT

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

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

jayjay — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:02:25 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

jayjay — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:13:30 GMT

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. :)

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

LAZMANNICK — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 04:45:32 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Dona — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:14:38 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Householder — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:32:46 GMT

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

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Dona — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:29:47 GMT

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.

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Dona — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:29:46 GMT

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!!!

re: Haskell Weekend Picks

Zookeeper — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:31:24 GMT

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