Let Californians Have Their Day

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

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re: Let Californians Have Their Day

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re: Let Californians Have Their Day

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re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Monty — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 18:29:03 GMT

I to am a Zenyatta fan, and for good reasons. I will defend her against anyone, any time, til the end. Every horse has it's flaws, it's easy wins, and home track advantage, and losses,every single horse, except Zen. On any given day, any horse can lose a race, and usually will, that's a given, for most, but not the queen. This horse who comes from behind 12-15 lengths, has never lost, never! Do you how difficult that is, how many things can go wrong ? How many champion horses can say undefeated,"scoreboards" don't lie' people do. Not even the great Secretriat, nor Goldkova who has lost over 20% of her races have stats like that. Look at the facts, before bashing the best mare of all time. Seems everyone has quickly forgotten the 2009 Breeders Classic, where Zen came from 12 lengths or more back, weaving in and out of traffic, on the final turn, to outkick the males,I dare anyone to question that feat. ! Santa Anita was not her home track either. Gee, if there were any doubters, that accomplishment should have sent most of you packing. This horse has done more for racing in this horrific economy than anything since 1973. Whatever happens Nov. 6th, she is a true champion, like it, or not ! Go Zenyatta, make it 20-0, we know you can do it ...

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Ms WTF — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 02:34:59 GMT

Great article Steve. I agree with "Smitty" who applauds the connections of horses who allow them to run on and endear themselves to the public. Retiring a mare or colt at 3 or 4 may be great for making money but it doesn't help the sport as regards to the punters. Zenyatta puts bums on seats at the track. It wouldn't matter where she was running the stands would be full. Californians love their racing and here's to Queen Zenyatta giving them all something to cheer about on November 6.

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Laura P — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 08:19:30 GMT

What a pleasure to read this! Thanks, Steve, as always. And I like Trapper's (one of your readers) play on "We'll always have Paris" with "[We'll] always have Zenyatta."

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Donna — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:29:36 GMT

Steve,

I'm drivng from Northern Illinois to Louisville for the BC JUST to witness a legend and finally... a living legend in her majesty... Zenyatta. Great article, thanks!

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Trapper — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:25:17 GMT

I am from PA and I worship Zenyatta. Whenever things are poor in the betting aspect of the game "I will always have Zenyatta". Then I love racing again.

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Lori Morton — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:03:24 GMT

Dear HELSBELLS,

I know this blog is about the great Zenyatta - and I couldn't say any better than all these commenters did - what a magnificent phenom she is - I ADORE HER!! - but I'd like to thank you for remembering Wanderin Boy in your comment. I read someone say, after Curlin won the JCGC, that "Who'd he beat??? Wanderin Boy???" - like WB was some sort of slouch. He died very shortly after that, and I hope that person choked on their words, I really do. I loved him too - thank you!!! GO ZENYATTA! Bring the sky down on us at the BC this year!!!

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

sherpa — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 02:11:57 GMT

Before this blog goes away, I'd just like to say that it's been one of my favorites, too.

I live in NC - no equine race tracks, pari-mutuel wagering illegal - but when it comes to Zenyatta, my heart is all California. I'm not envious or jealous that you left-coasters have her -- I rejoice that you appreciate her awesomeness and am dumbfounded that anyone - anywhere - does not celebrate that she simply EXISTS among us for this memorable space of time.

She is all my horse-hero/ines wrapped into one and she is sublimely Herself. Zenyatta.

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Zen's Auntie — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:42:36 GMT

I love this Blog I went back to read it all again it took a while. What a wonderful tribute. Somehow, my prior gushing position on the very best race mare I have ever seen was never registered earlier,apparently, my can and string internet connection is not good.

I just dont want to go un-registered as an unabashed, unappologetic, unwaivering Fan- whereever she goes whatever she does Zenyatta has moved me like no other Racehorse EVER and Im talking real time horse love of all of the very best. Im not that old but I remember even before Big Red and Sham (I loved that little horse too) following Riva Ridge when I started to read and have been following TB's ever since.

People all over love her from my back east friends in PA ME KY and FL to 4-H Horse kids and parents in Idaho. I tell everyone who remotely likes horses about her. We have people who never followed TB racing watching Zenyatta - they think her whole dressage show is amazing.

All of us LOVE the California Girl, God Bless Zenyatta and keep her safe!!!!

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Zookeeper — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:32:59 GMT

Deacon,

Your post of 21 AUG 2010 12:27 AM, was a beautiful thing. Expressing your opinion, praising your favorites without a hint of disrespect for any horse... your comment left no doubt that you are a true lover of horseracing and its participants. I really LOVED reading it!

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Jim C. — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 06:10:49 GMT

Steve,

Excellent article as usual. My wife and I also love all your books, too.

After watching Blind Luck in the Alabama, however, I do feel the need to politely take exception to some of your recent comments leading into the Alabama. You were so way over the top on Steve Byk's radio show, proclaiming how great Devil May Care is. Devil May Care is a nice filly, to be sure. But Blind Luck fires every time out, even when she loses (e.g., in the Hollywood Oaks). Devil May Care does not fire every time out. Also, you were suggesting that Blind Luck, a late closer, was going to be compromised at 10 furlongs. That makes no sense to me at all; obviously she was going to benefit from the added distance in the Alabama, not to mention the extra-long stretch run at Saratoga (compared to the Southern California race tracks).

In the Alabama, we saw what a superior filly Blind Luck is. She closed into excruciatingly slow fractions, and was about 7 wide spinning out of the final turn. Devil May Care, with all her so-called "tactical speed" has no excuses. All Joel Rosario has to do was hit his whip once at the top of the final stretch, and Blind Luck began to zoom. At first, I thought she was too far back, but wow, did she make up ground in a hurry.

Anyway, I am glad that you at least mentioned, on Byk's radio show, Blind Luck's rocket-like explosion in the Starlet at Hollywood Park on December 20, 2009. That performance in the Starlet disproved your general point you made in the wake of the Haskell that the kind of late explosion Lookin at Lucky made in the Haskell never seen on synthetic surfaces. Blind Luck's late move today in the Alabama was reminiscent of her late move in the Starlet.

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ruffianruns — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 17:53:52 GMT

Deacon!

I have to thank you again. Of course Ruffian is my all time favorite and your last post mentioning her brings tears to my eyes. Were you at Belmont that day?

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LAZMANNICK — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:43:15 GMT

Deacon

Great points. In my opinion, there really isn't a true top ten list. There are some that would make everyone's list like Secretariat, MOW and Citation, probably next would be Dr. Fager and the Bid and Kelso, then it starts to get real cloudy. There are just too many great horses and some of them are always going to be left out. Love your posts and your knowledge of Cali racing in general. Have a good one.

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Dr Drunkinbum — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:10:12 GMT

I love lists of top ten favorites. We used to spend days arguing about our all time baseball lineups as kids. It's always difficult and a matter of personal preferences. I find it interesting that Affirmed is often left out after what he achieved and the head to head class he showed. What a tenacious warrior. Horse of the Year 78 and 79. ITM 28 of 29 with 22 wins. Triple Crown winner. A monster at 2,3 and 4. I've always suspected that he didn't get enough credit as a racehorse because he didn't seem to be as great a sire as was hoped and was overshadowed by Alydar as a sire. I always thought Secretariat was the greatest and I believe that was because of his Belmont that brings tears to the eyes, even in replays. So what Deacon says makes sense, he was the best at a mile and a half. Quite a number of people think that Spectacular Bid was the greatest, and probably would be in more eyes if it weren't for a safety pin. 29 of 30 ITM with 26 wins. I also read Dr. Fager by Steve Haskin, and was impressed. My actual memory from the time period was about Damascus for some reason with no actual memory of Dr. Fager. I was a casual fan then. I'm finding it difficult to do a top ten but Affirmed would be in there, and Secretariat is still my number one. Zenyatta will be in my top five if she wins The Classic this year but is certainly in my top five favorites of all time.

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Deacon — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 04:27:13 GMT

I think Buckpasser deserves to be in the mix somewhere, he was a monster. I didn't put Seattle Slew or Affirmed in my top 10 but I would take Seattle Slew over Buckpasser, but only by a whisker.

Like I said horse racing is about passion, your top 10 could be so different then mine. No one is right, and no one is wrong, it's just an opinion. I saw Buckpasser run at Santa Anita, amazing animal. I loved Affirmed because he ran everywhere and dodged no one. Hard hitting son of a gun to say the least. Ruffian probably doesn't make most folks top 10 list because she is a filly but to me, in my heart, she was the standard for fillies and mares. Next to the Doc I loved her most. I said this before but when she broke down that chilling summers day at Belmont, it was the only time I ever cried after a race.

Secretariat was the best horse ever to run at a mile and a half, Spectacular Bid was the best ever at a mile and a quarter, and in my mind the Doc was the best ever up to a mile and an eighth.........but this just the opinion of an old racing fan.......

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

LAZMANNICK — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 01:01:07 GMT

Deacon

Interesting you left out Buckpasser whom I would have picked over Affirmed and Seattle Slew.

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

ruffianruns — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:36:42 GMT

Thanks Deacon!

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Householder — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:45:01 GMT

Good luck to Blind Luck and Nor Cal's all time leading trainer in the Alabama tomorrow. Could be another Lite Light vs. Meadow Star in the making, minus the MC Hammer and posse glitz, with the two most accomplished 3 year old fillies facing each other. I may be to excited to sleep tonight.

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

KautoStar — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:06:32 GMT

Well Rip Van Winkle's win also boosts the form of Sea The Stars who defeated him in the 2009 Eclipse... and smashed Twice Over as well

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Deacon — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:01:15 GMT

Ruffianruns:

Would love to say a few words sometime about the Doc. Mr. Haskell wrote a book about him which was excellent reading. Readers Digest published a story on him as well right after he retired. The Doc was something of a freak, he could carry weight, astounding to me the way this horse carried weight. He had blazing speed, he was nicknamed "speed demon", and he could route. His endurance was amazing as well. He was pretty sound as well, at age 3 he had some knee issues which is why Nerud skipped the Triple Crown trail. Changing tracks was no issue for him either. I am not saying that he is the greatest of all time but I can assure you that he is in the top 5. Like any sport, naming the best their ever was is subjective. Only in basketball where Michael Jordan appears to be the clear cut winner of the "best their ever was" can we claim our all time champion.

Horse racing is so passionate, it gets inside you and never leaves. I could go on all day about the Doc, which I am sure is true about everyone's favorite horse. Here is my ranking of all time greats in no particular order.

1. Dr. Fager

2. Spectacular Bid

3. Man O War

4. Secretariat

5. (tie) Swaps, Damascus, Citation,

Ruffian, Native Dancer, and

Kelso. Too hard to stop at 5.

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Bob Z — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:27:21 GMT

One of the reasons that maybe Zenyatta is under appreciated is because her running style is so unique...

When compared to horses of note worthy careers with big efforts in big races .... the number that consistently trailed the field and ended up winning seems to be very low....

Zenyattas running style is infrequently seen ... so maybe people have trouble identifying with it...

Its harder to identify with something if you don't know what you are looking at... people tend to look at the front of the pack where the leaders are and "watch" that part of the race... while a horse like Zenyatta loping along at the back goes missed until the middle of the turn....and she gets into contention...

I would think she would have to own the stat for "average of most horses passed after the 1/2 mile pole per race"

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

Sam Ludu — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:24:04 GMT

Note to arazi:

Yes, Double Discount did set a world record for 10 furlongs on the turf in 1977 (1:57.40), in the Carleton Burke. But he broke King Pellinore's world record, which was set the year before in the Burke (1:57.60).

re: Let Californians Have Their Day

John T — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:53:21 GMT

When Rip Van Winkle won the group

one Juddmonte International this week and became yet another grade

one or group one winner that was defeated in last years Breeders Cup

Classic I think what it really means is that Zenyatta is a mare for the ages.