Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Ranagulzion — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 04:00:06 GMT

LAZ, JAY,

You are obviously acting like apologists for the connections of Zenyatta but I would ask you to consider how Blind luck has shipped around and stolen the hearts of her many admirers. If I were able to influence the Mosses and John Sherrifs I would suggest that they close out Zenyatta's career with a shot at the Dubai World Cup next Spring. It will be at 1 1/4 miles on a Synthetic surface in a truly international arena ...but I guess that you both have fallen for the idea that she has a phobia for shipping outside of California. BTW what happens if it rains at Churchill downs in November ...must we also believe that she has a phobia for wet underfoot conditions? Dubai would be a good "insurance policy" against that possibility and she would not be late for the breeding season either. Things to think about, if you can take a break from the Zen-temple.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Mike Relva — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:35:48 GMT

PJJ

Hey,bud!! You should post more.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

PJJ — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:31:46 GMT

I agree, That was well said, JayJay.

I wonder if this weekend will end up like last weekend? With a major upset? I wonder will QR be defeated?

Hi, Laz and Mike Relva

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

LAZMANNICK — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:04:44 GMT

jayjay

Amen.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

jayjay — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 07:00:04 GMT

RANAGULZION : Quality Road may have lost the Whitney because he had the "hiccups" but if you watch the race again, you can see JV looking back at who's coming because he knew he is in trouble. He wasn't going forward after he dispatched the other horses, he knew that Blame would be coming and he didn't have the horse to sustain the lead. Like LAZ's question, I'm not sure why you even mentioned the great horses of the past when talking about QR. QR has not done ANYTHING worthy of crowing him the beast let alone being compared to the horses of the past. I can understand rooting for him but for you and Jason and the others to crown him the best in the east is at the very least questionable. The one time he faced a legitimate top horse, he lost.

As for the PE, I have no doubt that the world would pay attention much much more had Zen run in it. The coverage would've been worldwide but it's ONE race, Zen can't save the sport. She already gains attention whenever she runs, that's more than what other top horses have done for the sport. I don't think the Zen vs. Rachel match up would've gained the kind of "attention" you're talking about, yes it will draw crowd but it wouldn't be anything close to what she will bring in the Classic because that's where her real competitions are, not in the PE. I know you'll ignore this fact again but what's the point of her shipping east when her goal and last and MOST IMPORTANT RACE OF HER CAREER is in the east coast. Any owner or trainer, if put in the shoes of the Mosses and Shireffs, would do EXACTLY the same thing they're doing at this moment. Keeping Zen happy at home before shipping for her last race. Think about it man,she flies east for the PE, ships back and then flies out again for the Classic. If you're a true fan of Zenyatta, you should know that that will not work out for her. Geez, I don't know how you can even argue about that.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

LAZMANNICK — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 02:15:49 GMT

Zookeeper

Do you hear that loud roar. That's us screaming at the top of our lungs for you. Best of luck.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Carlos in Cali — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 23:26:33 GMT

Ranagulzion

IWR has understandably been a disappointment since his comeback from an injury,he's obviously not the same horse he was last spring.I'm not giving up hope just yet,but I doubt he'll be a major player in the fall though...too bad.

Now,.. I hope you and your ill-advised cohort Cold Facts are through with your "AP Indys can't win TC races because of"(whatever) nonsense.

Save yourself some money my man,QR & RA have no shot "IF" they enter the BCC..none. Wait! maybe RA does if it comes up sloppy,her preferred type of surface. :)

NAH! I take that back,she has no shot!

Stay thirsty my friend--- Shalom in the home.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Carlos in Cali — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:54:33 GMT

Come on people,do you really believe either QR or RA will win the BCC?..I mean really?..

Both of them start getting leg weary after 9f and you expect them to hold on vs the speedy Rail Trip(if he goes,all 3 will be cooked),the salty Blame(10f should be his cup of tea) or the Big Mare,the most dominant closer in the game?. We're not talking about the Donn Hdcp. or the Mother Goose here,it's the BCC were the top horses from around the country throw-down,presumably at their peak.Plus,it's plain to see that both QR & RA shorten stride going 10f,they hit that proverbial wall.Can they win a 10f race?.. sure,against lesser opponents with minimal pace pressure.They need everything to go their way in the Classic,..good luck with that.

BTW-- both of them have a better shot in the Dirt mile.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Mike Relva — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:53:48 GMT

RANAGULZION

You live fantasy! If you trained her she would have been on the scrap heap a long time ago that's for sure. Why would connections run her last week in the mile an quarter when she's running the same distance in Nov. Oh,that's right,let's empty her tank now, so she's not at her best later. Yeah,makes perfect sense!

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Mike Relva — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:48:36 GMT

JASON:

Wrong again,QR is a great horse,but he's a miler.

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ruffianruns — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:28:23 GMT

Zookeeper - Every time I think about this weekend's racing, my stomach does flips about Runflatout. I can't imagine what YOU'RE going through! Best of wishes for your boy.

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ruffianruns — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:24:55 GMT

I've been away for awhile and trying to catch up. I'm shocked about Kantharos. How heartbreaking!

Householder - Your POTN/Derby/Beyer post is really funny. Why does Beyer get so much attention?

Paula - I've admired your posts for awhile. I just read your take on Shuback's column - thanks for the warning! I was pulling it up to check out. Always overrated?

jayjay - Your post to you know who about pace and Zenyatta is perfect! Thank you!

Ranagulzion - I get your disappointment about Zenyatta's schedule, especially because the Mosses were talking about traveling with her this year. For whatever reason, they decided against it - I think Zen, like her mama, has some "head" issues and needs a REALLY, REALLY, REALLY set routine to keep her more stable. I don't mean this to knock Zen at all. Who doesn't have "head" issues? Whatever the reason, this is the path they've taken and they're not changing it. I hope you can let some of that disappointment go and prepare to be "mesmerized and awe-struck with delight."

Laz - Your post to Livesoutwest about the Moss' and risking the Classic last year and risking the Rachel race (before they knew her condition) is really good. I also appreciate you understanding how some might want to see Zenyatta in another race like the HGC. Now we know what she's gonna do and I just hope for good weather on Classic Day.

Kay - Thanks for ditto-ing my After Classic daze experience! It was such a monumental moment for so many, maybe they should rename time! B.C. is now "Before Classic" and we are currently in A.C. time. Just a thought. I guess time would reset every year, huh?

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Ranagulzion — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:43:14 GMT

MIKE RELVA,

If I trained Zenyatta we would not be having this discussion because she would be the most reverred horse on the Planet, bar none, with nobody hving any arguments about padded resume's and ducking competition on dirt or synthetic. if I trained Zenyatta she would have been HOTY in 2009, 2010 and be a lock for 2011 after last Sunday's Personal Ensign. The BCC 2010 would be gravy for the fans ...win or lose. I hope that answers your question better than a straight yes/no.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

LAZMANNICK — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:12:16 GMT

I don't think so. Zen isn't planning in going in the Mile.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Householder — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:10:00 GMT

Awesome Gem is the most traveled of this bunch. If HOY=most miles in transit he is an easy winner. Good Luck Awesome Gem on winning the Breeder's Cup Classic.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

LAZMANNICK — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:53:08 GMT

JAY JAY

What do Dr Fager, Damascus, Secretariat, Spectacular Bid, Holy Bull etc, have to do with Quality Road? I'm still trying to figure that one out. If you do, let us all in on it. As far as I know, they never crumbled every single time they met a top horse.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Jason Shandler — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:53:00 GMT

What would be next? He'd still go to the BC Classic and whip Zenyatta, if she shows up.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

LAZMANNICK — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:50:51 GMT

Ranagulzion

Same old, same old. At least your chin shouldn't hurt from hitting the table again tomorrow night like it did when your boy lost the Whitney and your girl packed it in in the Personal Ensign. This is a telling race for QR though even though it ranks up there with the weakest G1's anywhere this year (actually I hope this isn't beginning to be a Woodward tradition). If he manages to blow this one however, what next?

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Mike Relva — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:27:46 GMT

RANAGULZION

Just one question? If you trained Zenyatta and the plan was to get to and win the Breeders' would you do ANYTHING to place her chances in risk by maybe not having her in top form by Nov? Just a simple yes or no will be ok! You and others' can continue harping on what could,should,would be,but the fact is it doesn't change or have a single consequence on what Z. connections' want.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Ranagulzion — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:24:21 GMT

CARLOS IN CALI,

I noticed that you've omitted I Want Revenge from your list of contenders for the BCC ...whats up with that ...are you disillusioned about him? I have more confidence than you that IWR (one of your 2009 Derby bulldogs) will become a factor by November under the astute management of Rick Dutrow ...and what about that other AP Indy grandson (you love them so much) Rail Trip ...common Bro ...don't tell me all your eggs are packed in Zenyatta's basket?

I'm so looking forward to this years Breeder's Cup Classic ...sweet redemption for the 'King of the Dirt' Quality Road (and payback for all the jiving about Jose Adan LOL).

BTW I wouldn't be so quick to write off Rachel Alexandra (her next race will be the key indicator of whether she's washed-up or setting-up to bring the house down at Churchill Downs).

Let the party begin my friend ...and keep the faith/ 'take control' with your AP Indy loved ones (LOL).

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Ranagulzion — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:01:29 GMT

JAY JAY,

Quality Road suffers a 'hiccup' loss (by a very slim margin) to a good horse, Blame, in the Whitney and you're convinced that he doesn't stay 10 Furlongs? I wouldn't argue his case any further with you but let me hear from you after both the Woodward and the Breeder's Cup Classic. Many of the great ones of the past suffered losses and bounced back: Dr Fager, Damascus, Secretariat, Spectacular Bid, Holy Bull etc, etc...so whats the big deal?

The same obtains for Rachel Alexandra. Do you realize that the PE race could actually move her forward in terms of her conditioning? Otherwise you haven't been in this game long enough Pal.

On the matter of my inferences about Zenyatta's frustratingly miserly campaign, why is it so difficult for you to see that the entire racing world would have been enraptured by presence of the big mare in the PE running against RA and LAT at Saratoga? The cumulative effect of a win there on DIRT (Grade one) against the top two East coast Fillies/Mares following upon her 2009 BCC triumph would have catapulted her fortunes/all time great status into orbit ...that should be a no-brainer for those who have not bowed down at the "shrine of Zen-worship". Geez.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Tiznowbaby — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:06:24 GMT

Livesouthwest, no, logically I don't think that the Jerry Moss asked for a distance change in the AB. Logically, I think it's something Oaklawn came up with, along with a $5 million pot, to entice both owners into the ring.

Your mileage may vary.

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Livesoutwest — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:07:31 GMT

Anchor1,

When one good horse beats another good horse, there's supposed to be an award given? Gee, I must have missed that, LOL! Maybe we should just give all the owners and trainers an award after every race. You know, like those kids' soccer tournaments where everyone gets a trophy? Wouldn't want to hurt anyone's self-esteem.

But if the point you were making was that MTB was better than Musket Man last year, OK fine, no argument from me. But it's 2010 now. They've met once and Musket Man beat him by over ten lengths. So I would say the tide has turned on that matchup. It's true there are bigger races on the horizon than the Whitney? Are you predicting MTB will turn the tables when he meets Musket Man next time?

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

Anchor1 — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:54:42 GMT

Livesoutwest,

Mine That Bird beat Musket Man twice last year. Did he win any awards for that?

re: Travers: The Ultimate Head-Scratcher

xxz — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:44:48 GMT

if quality road loses the woodward he won't be going to the bc he'll be going straight to the farm