Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Carole — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:06:30 GMT

I am in absolute agreement.

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Dani — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:47:00 GMT

Jess Jackson gets no accolades from me. In fact he gets two huge thumbs down. And I am not even taking into consideration the role he played in Rachel's campaigns and the toll they took on her. I am talking about the way he treated her when he abruptly announced her retirement. Curlin was treated like a king when he was retired but Rachel was pretty much taken out the back door; stuffed away at CD and then suddenly, and from what I understand with little warning to even Assmussen, taken to his farm. No one was there, no well wishers, no admirers, nobody. He deprived the fans of the chance to celebrate her brilliance on the track and her beauty and elegance off it. There were no farewell parades, no chance for fans to say goodbye, to show their adoration and admiration for her. Instead she was shipped off like some claimer instead of the Champion she is. I think there may have been alot to read between the lines of his press release. His treatment of her and of her fans was disgraceful.

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Richie D — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 23:19:09 GMT

Well written Smartycat. I agree with you 100%

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Richie D — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 23:15:27 GMT

Jess Jackson deserves another award??? For what? He ran his mouth for two years about Zenyatta not coming east to face the great RA then when Oaklawn stepped up, he made them schedule the $5 million race on a Friday (???) then didn't bother to bring his horse to the dance. He isn't interested in making the fans happy and sharing his great race horses, he is interested in making more money and getting awards!!! not on my list of favorites!!!

The conections of Zenyatta could have shipped her all over the place chasing purses but she was kept home, ran in the races that were mapped out far, far in advance and shared with her SoCal fans. Great Job team Zenyatta.

Team Goldikova danced every dance and came away with another BC victory and said see you again next year. That is a classy bunch!!!

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Bellwether — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:55:35 GMT

"RAN HER N THE GROUND N 09"...PURE BULL $XXX!!!...PLEASE...GREAT PIECE...ty...BACK...BACK...BACK...

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

smartycat — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 23:35:01 GMT

Thank you for your spot-on blog. AMEN! I hope those responsible for determining Special Eclipse Awards will take note and do the right thing, particularly for the Mosses & the Wertheimer brothers. While I am grateful that Jess Jackson kept Curlin & Rachel running (and I was fortunate to see RA run this year because of his decision), I believe his motives were more selfish & ego-driven, expecting the racing world & the tracks to retrofit their schedules and surfaces for the "privilege" of allowing the public to see his superstars continue running (even if it meant sacrificing RA's physical welfare in the process). The Mosses and Wertheimers - true lovers of racing - put the welfare of their champions FIRST & have been gracious & grand in showcasing Zen & Goldie & endearing them to the public. Oh & speaking of Eclipse Awards, if John Sherriffs does not win Best Trainer then my faith in the entire voting process will be sunk in the water.

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Mike Relva — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 22:26:56 GMT

Are you JOKING? RA's connections ran her into the ground last yr. It's not rocket science why there wasn't really anything left this year. They got greedy making RA pay the price resulting them paying by pulling the plug. It was a disgrace that RA's welfare was placed on the backburner!

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Abbie Knowles — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:45:25 GMT

Wonderful blog and you are absolutely right. It is marvellous when horses are kept in training so that they get their chance to prove themselves against more than their own generation. We owe a debt of gratitutude to all those that you have mentioned and all owners who take the "risk;" as long as the horses are sound enough to race on of course!

Many thanks to them all but most of all thanks to their horses and to the jockeys who risk their lives for our enjoyment! And also to the trainers and their team who work so very hard to look after the horses and get them to the racetracks. Racing is very much a team effort isn't it?

May God bless you all.

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Lindsey S — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:20:15 GMT

I also think it's fabulous that Lookin at Lucky is coming back next year. How often do you see the 2 AND 3 year old champ come back for his 4 year old season? It sounds awful, but the economic downturn has been a good thing in that regard. Maybe the trend will continue when things start looking up. One can only hope...

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Paula Higgins — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 04:47:05 GMT

Absolutely! Let's hope horse racing can rise to the occasion. Very well said.

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

txhorsefan — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 22:12:31 GMT

Thank you! Well said. While we are at this point uncertain about Zenyatta's retirement plans, it is such a thrill to know that Goldikova will be coming back to race again next year. Earlier today I was reading about the retirement of another three year old, so yes, it is a very special thing when the owners let their horses race long enough that we can follow them and fall in love with them. Thank you!

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

GJU — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:27:16 GMT

I like to get down on my hands and knees to Jerry and Ann Moss for giving us Zenyatta. What a gift for the sport. I also include John Shirreffs, Mikey Smith and all involved with Zenyatta for taking care of her! They are the greatest package deal in horse racing. I am also excited about seeing Goldikova in next year's Breeder's Cup. Wish more owners were like this.

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Freetex — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:15:12 GMT

Totally agree.

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Cowboy Adventure — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:09:51 GMT

AMEN! You said it; now this is the blog I want to read!!!

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Somethingroyal — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:54:49 GMT

Each and everyone of the individuals mentioned in this article. Truly gets what racing is all about. I can't thank them enough and I sincerely hope the trend continues.

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Darla Burton — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:21:10 GMT

Kudos and well wishes to the connections of these great horses...The fans especially appreciate what you have done!! God Bless you and your Horses!!!

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Rachel — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:52:04 GMT

Absolutely...they risk these horses every race...I am very, very grateful to the few sportsmen and women we have left.

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

easygoer — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:51:15 GMT

Thank you so much for saying this!! It is very true! I have the highest regard for the owners mentioned here, and they deserve special awards for what they have done for the sport. Racing needs more owners like these. As a fan, I would like to offer my heartfelt appreciation to Jess and Barbara, Jerry and Ann, and Alain and Gerard. Bravo!

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Susie — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:21:39 GMT

I second that!

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Linda in Texas — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:51:42 GMT

Not a thing you said can be disputed on any continent by any fan.

For the good of racing now and in the future, the present portends the future. If that holds and rings true, we will indeed be fortunate fans for many years.

Thank you for thanking them and

Eclipse Awards for all mentioned.

re: Thank These People With Special Eclipse Awards; They Deserve It

Blue Blue Sea — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:13:03 GMT

Well said!