Hangin' With Haskin - All Comments

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

Will W — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:11:02 GMT

If the Breeders Cup had not been so stupidly held on a synthetic track two years in a row - and the same track to boot - Curlin would likely have been a two time Classic winner and we would probably not have seen the two European grass horses who bested him even in the race. Furthermore, we could have seen Fabulous Strike in the Sprint, and Zenyatta and Alexandria the Great - both of whom have won on synthetic - decide the matter on their best surface, the dirt, and Steve would not have been placed in the ridiculous position of having to argue for a dual HOY honors to give these two great females their just due or to defend himself and his column against dissatisfied, overzealous proponents of both. Back to the dirt, America's racing surface !

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

Sam Anderer — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:00:55 GMT

Steve,

I'm hoping you have the answers to a couple of questions:

Zenyatta's stride length, has any one ever measured it? Who are the Moss' planning to breed her to?

Will the DVD of her 14 wins be made available for sale to the general public? No way I can get to Hollywood Park on the 28th Nov to see her parade the track.

Thanks

sam in cave creek

re: U.S. vs. Europe - Which Racing is Better?

steve a — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:53:19 GMT

steve,tell me,tell me,tell me your memories and thoughts of sea bird and ribot in the flesh you lucky bugger

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

Linda — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:43:58 GMT

To all who are demanding that Zenyatta get Horse of the Year.

I have something to add to the conversations. Be careful what you wish for you just may get it.

If Zenyatta wins the horse of the year it will be detrimental to the horse racing industry, it will set a precedence that will affect the way the super horses are run.

I agree that Zenyatta is wonderful and everyone would have loved to see her race live. Unfortunately her trainer and or owners kept her mostly in California, where mostly Californians got to see her run. Television just does not do horses justice. I like to see them up close and personal.

So if she wins the horse of the year it is basically telling all trainers and owners that it is ok to stay in one area to race, and only race half the year, in relatively safe races, then race in the Breeders Cup Classic and wham, you win horse of the year.

Superstars are horses that race at different tracks where the fans get to see them run. Please don’t wish that away from us hard core racing fans.

So please be careful what you wish for. You may never get a superstar in California again.

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

Footlick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:31:25 GMT

Marc- I totally agree with you. And I'm not sure which of the losers you were speaking of, but my bet would be on Buckpasser.

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

It aint easy being good! — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:29:08 GMT

By the way the best race of the year was def. I want revenge's race when falling down getting blocked twice and surging at the end....you tube that race again if your bored.... gives me goosebumps.

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

It aint easy being good! — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:27:17 GMT

Ok Pam S you think Curlin doesnt deserve HOY in 2008 this horse demolished any horse in its way. Crushed in dubia, went on turf and was a game 2nd. You think zenyatta can close from the clouds on turf? Curlin ran with power and was one tough SOB and was a true champion! Synthetics or not he will go down as one of the all time greats! Curlin's campaign was better than anything that Zenyatta accomplished. Dray is a legend in his own mind on this site he had his own section for awhile that was great. I just like the off the while things he says like his $20 exacta he claims he hit! lol! Ask him when he gets back on here. Dray knows a good horse though when he sees one aka, RA, CURLIN and QUALITY ROAD and sees the duds too like Mind that third...haha we cant even say that anymore huh Dray! lol!

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

Footlick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:15:56 GMT

Matthew-the only race I remember him winning on dirt out east was his last, at 7 furlongs. So that's interesting to me. He ran down through 4 rundowns in the Preakness. And I think he tried the Woodward. Did he turf out east?

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

The Rock — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:13:58 GMT

Steve,

I just read your Article about the Juddmonte horses.

I think its safe to say that everyone will be pulling for Ventura in her swan song in the Matriarch. I'm sure it'll mean alot to Mr O'Rourke & other connections as well.

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

shane — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:54:02 GMT

Dan,

You are to funny. Is this race really proposed?

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

Marc — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:52:09 GMT

Why mention Secretariat and Ruffian? They were great horses but as well educated in racing as I am for 50 years without cheating I cannot remember a "name" horse that Ruffian won against. She was a shoulda-coulda. "Might" have been the greatest mare of all time with the key word MIGHT. Twice a Prince (I am pretty sure either mare would have beaten him by many many many), Sham, Big Spruce, are they in the Hall of Fame? None were take your breathe away but the clock tells a different story about his greatness. (Forego wasn't Forego then and Riva Ridge although a great horse never gave me goosebumps)I don't judge horses by the clock in greatness but it also certainly cannot be ignored completely.

Zenyatta certainly proves some horses do what they have to to win. Some said Tough Tiz's Sis was coming back and would have won last year with another 1/16--PLEASE!

Simply say they were superior to the horses they ran against which is all you can ask of a racehorse. Could anyone ever beaten Candy Ride for that matter--shoulda coulda. AND- He never gets a mention of the greats

Different eras. Why bring them in? Could Bart Starr or Johnny U. ever started now? Certainly they were great. Apples to Oranges

For what it is worth the best THREE horses ever to step on the same track at one time were Dr. Fager, Damascus, and Buckpasser--all in the hall of fame I believe (Add another HOY and Hall Member Fort Marcy on another day if I were trying to prove my point). One is, I consider the best of all time, and he didn't win that day. I think he would have handled Secretariat as would have the horse that beat him that day---but I can't prove it nor can anyone. So why?

These two are definitely among the best (and not just mares) ever to run--you are all lucky to have seen them.

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

Zookeeper — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:42:35 GMT

Dan,

You're even funnier than Draynay.(No easy task):) Now I want to know the ending...do I have to wait until the end of January 2010?

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

Greg J. — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:34:23 GMT

Dan,

I am starting to think this race will really go off!, Good Job, lol...

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

Matthew W — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:25:09 GMT

Footlick J O Tobin won easily at Saratoga--and it was not his last East start--I thought he got over saratoga just fine--he was not a true 1 1/4 horse, even 1 1/8 vs the top guys--J O Tobin was a miler, like Congaree, like Precisionist, like Commentator...

re: The Answer Man to the Rescue

Footlick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:14:31 GMT

Matthew- JO Tobin could not run on East coast tracks even though they kept trying. He would run through all his rundown bandages. He only won one race on EC dirt, and that was the last race of his career. Cauthen was a great jock, but he was not a good fit for JO Tobin.