Apple Blossom Time

re: Apple Blossom Time

Aluminaut — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:34:46 GMT

Hey All,

People are talking about a mare from Venz. named Bambera. Look her up. She's scheduled to run in the AB. Scary good.

re: Apple Blossom Time

Big Brown's Buddy — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:22:07 GMT

I agree,PMAC 14. Sure, there's always the chance that our Zenny could lose - there's a chance ANY horse can lose. I think that Zen's biggest weapon is jock Mike Smith. He knows that big girl so well. He knows how to ride her, knows when to jingle the reins so she takes flight to the lead. He reads the rest of the field so well from back there in last,and knows when to give Zen her head and go. On Zenyatta, Smith makes being a jock look easy! Well, OK, maybe they (Zen and MS) make each OTHER look good!

But Mike has such a connection with Zenny - great to see, and amazing to watch their chemistry at work. Were Moss ever to say that there would be another rider on Z - I would worry then! MS knows what she wants and when she wants it. And Zenny? Well, she's just happy to have someone aboard that knows what she wants and when she wants it!

After the last season of JOCKEYS, I wasn't a "huge" Mike Smith fan (he should have treated C. Sullivan better). But there's no denying his intelligence and talent when he's riding Zenyatta! You can train a horse from here to kingdom come for a certain distance, but if you don't have a jock onboard that can read his mount - well,no amount of training is good enough.

I'm a big fan of BOTH RA and Zen,so an actual meeting is kind of scary for me. But even though I'm going to be rooting for them both, I'm really hoping Zen runs away with it all, and proves to everyone what the rest of us ZenFans know - Zen rules!!

re: Apple Blossom Time

Matthew W — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:35:00 GMT

I am not underestimating Big Z--just as I did not underestimate Easy Goer on Breeders Cup Day--I just cashed big, after the Phipp's Great Chestnut had prepped in the 1 1/2 J CGold Cup for their meeting with the great Sunday Silence! I just wish (still!) that they had realized that they were taking away his edge, and they were challenged by Cryptoclearance that day--and it cost them a place in "racing immortality", in my opinion---I don't want that to happen to Zenyatta--she IS all that--I know, but....in a few weeks we're going to see perhaps the two greatest female horses, since, since....and I want both of them to be at their best!

re: Apple Blossom Time

Footlick — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:16:41 GMT

Monica V- part of the problem with assessing Easy Goer is that he did not like Churchill Downs track at all. He lost the BC Juvenile there and the Derby. But the Phipps were sporting enough to go after the Derby even though they knew their horse didn't perform on the track. He made up for it in the Preakness and the Belmont. He also had very bad legs, as Shug revealed after Easy Goer was retired. He loved Belmont, and his performances there showed it. In the BC Classic, Day made a big move with Easy Goer and then pulled him back, allowing for the quicker Sunday Silence to run by him. I think the finish would have been different if Day had kept going with Easy Goer, daring Sunday Silence to catch him for a change. But that's horse racing. As far as being considered better, many people feel that the horse who has to change their running style and has many close finishes with a more versatile horse is in essence a better horse, but it is just a judgement call really.

re: Apple Blossom Time

Footlick — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:09:10 GMT

Matthew W- I wouldn't quite say that Affirmed dominated Alydar nor Sunday Silence dominated Easy Goer. Both Alydar and Easy Goer had to adapt their running styles and ultimately not run their optimal races because of the more versatile adversaries. But there were many very close finishes, so dominate might be a bit harsh. As far as Zenyatta is concerned, I think she can move whenever Smith wants her to move and sustain her run, as her last mile split in the BCC will attest. I don't think 9 furlongs will be a problem as long as she's ready to run.

re: Apple Blossom Time

Realistic — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:04:01 GMT

Matthew W,

Rachel has not even raced in 6 months, she may not come back like she was last year, be realistic for a change, Zenyatta has came back for two years so far the same way and better, I just want you to be realistic. Maybe Rachel can give Zenyatta a good race, and maybe she won't . If both make it to the traack on april 9, we will see, I can tell you this , don't think Mike smith is going to hold her back til the last minute, if you want some updates on how good Zenyatta is go back to youtube and watch her races on Apple Blossom in 08, and the BCC in 09, and then "think about it".

re: Apple Blossom Time

PMAC14 — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:47:12 GMT

Matthew W

Me thinks you are underestimating Big Z. They will prep her to make her move earlier and she will win going away (with her ears pricked). She will have plenty left for the showdown. Remember, NO ONE has ever seen the bottom of the monster that is Z

re: Apple Blossom Time

Householder — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:44:39 GMT

Monica V. Easy Goer never won outside of New York. To say that he is just a New York state champion, as some have tried to paint Zenyatta, is silly.

re: Apple Blossom Time

Matthew W — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:06:35 GMT

Affirmed/Alydar....Slew/Affirmed....Sunday Silence/Easy Goer....speed dominated those meetings, good speed usually defeats good close---all the more reason to maybe second guess prepping at 1 1/8 for this---Team Z needs every ounce of speed their mare can muster--is 1 1/8 really the right distance prep for a historic meeting with Rachel Alexander?..methinks no...

re: Apple Blossom Time

Judy ~ Burbank, CA — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:07:31 GMT

CAN YOU SAY PHOTO FINISH :-) How cool would that be for our racing history books...

I'm on the same page as the posters who hate to see either one of these incredible girls "lose" to the other.

Whoever doesn't "win", I don't want to start reading nasty remarks about the horse that "didn't win"!! Please... keep your claws in!!!! Please don't stoop to degrading the other! Please, show some class. Thank you!!

STAY HEALTHY ALL HORSES.

re: Apple Blossom Time

Ragsy — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:10:53 GMT

I am going to see the Apple Blossom and if Rachel is unable to attend I will understand, even though, she is the reason I am going to Hot Springs. BUT, since I love Zenyatta, man, can I get some really good pictures of a horse that I love....

re: Apple Blossom Time

Pasturelands — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:57:51 GMT

I'm SO EXCITED! I don't think I can sleep on April 8th... go, Rachel, go! Kick some BUTT! We love you, baby girl!!

Can't wait for march, and Rachel's prep race at New Orleans. I hope she runs OK, and then its off to the AB!! I hope JJ keeps Calvin on Rachel.

re: Apple Blossom Time

Monica V — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:58:10 GMT

robinm,

You are too funny!

re: Apple Blossom Time

Monica V — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:57:02 GMT

Carolyn,

We had no idea you were a diehard Zenyatta fan! LOL! I'm glad you have that passion for Z. It makes you a true fan of the sport.

I loved Sunday Silence. He and Easy Goer really made 1989 an exciting year. Easy Goer was a great horse and the pride of the East and seemed unbeatable until he met SS in the Derby. SS was a superior mud horse and was the surprise winner. He also won the Preakness then Easy Goer crushed him in the Belmont. The BCC was won by Sunday Silence. He beat Easy Goer 3 out of 4 meetings and Easy Goer is still considered to be the better horse so I guess it doesn't matter how many times SS won against him as the OPINION is what prevails.

Zenyatta may very well remain undefeated. There is no question about her greatness but racing is racing and there is always a chance of defeat due to racing luck, jockey error or maybe the horse didn't have agood day. There is no shame in this and in no way diminishes the greatness of the horse. Some say the greatest race Seattle Slew ran was his defeat to Exceller because of his tremendous courage in the race. Greatness is not always measured by the win but by heart and courage displayed by a competitor.

I'm not saying Zen will lose but there is always the chance of that because any horse can lose. I've seen lots of predictions that Z will win everything this year. That may well be but it almost feels like a jinx to keep saying it but then I am superstitious when it comes to the racing gods. You just never know but then that's racing. Just as long as the horses remain sound is all that really matters anyway.

re: Apple Blossom Time

Zookeeper — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:11:24 GMT

Matthew W,

Someone stated that Mike Mitchell is pointing St Trinians to the Big Cap. Although I was very impressed with ST in the Santa Maria and shuddered at the thought of her presence in Zen's next race, I quickly regained my senses. Z is better than ST. As far as the next race being a Grade I, Zenyatta doesn't know one grade from another. She just runs her race every time and has never looked like she exerted herself too much.

If she ever loses a race, it won't be because of its level, it will be because of her running style. I fear that some day she will run out of real estate and get there too late. A shorter race might increase the chances of this happening no matter who else runs in it.

I know that great horses have tasted defeat before and the possibility of Zen losing is not far fetched... it is simply something I would rather not witness.

re: Apple Blossom Time

Forbidden Apple — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:11:09 GMT

I was thrilled when I heard that Zenyatta was coming back to race at 6. I would have loved to see her in the Breeder's Cup Classic in 2008. But I understand that they did not want to push on her to much. This horse has only had 1 race at a 1 1/4 and she was not even asked to run hard. She is by far the best horse that I have seen in my lifetime to not win horse of the year. Two years of running hard and being undefeated and yet Curlin won horse of the year twice. Now all I can do is keep on cheering for Zenyatta and pray for her to race here in Saratoga Springs this summer!

re: Apple Blossom Time

James — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:42:07 GMT

If this race happens and it looks like it is going too. This will be like Oaklawn Park hosting the Kentucky Derby. The attendance will be close to 150,000 and that is 5 times the population of Hot Springs. Yes, this will be the greatest sporting event to ever be held in the Spa City. Traffic on Central Avenue will be horrendous.

re: Apple Blossom Time

Monica V — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:40:15 GMT

LOL, Zookeeper! Not at all! We're always posting to the same blogs. I love reading the posts and the different opinions. Your posts are always good and fair-minded and I enjoy them.

re: Apple Blossom Time

robinm — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 02:49:18 GMT

Carolyn; Wow, if Rachel wins this race with Zenyatta then comes back & wins the BCC, my goodness, can we imagine her earnings for her career? And, Rachel will be bred to Curlin!

re: Apple Blossom Time

Matthew W — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:13:14 GMT

Yeah, I mean, c'mon! Jackson and Moss are negotiators by nature--very good ones, at that--so why is Jess going rogue, so to speak, that's bush league! Talk to Jerry Moss first, don't try to do this as sort of a populist thing--what is his motive? It SEEMS he's trying to get out in front of things, maybe suggest the tracks, the DISTANCES (methinks)....if I'm Moss, I'm like "we're going in the Apple Blossom, then hopefully we'll go in The Woodward, finally The Classic--hope ta seeya there"!...I am also critical of Team Zen prepping for the 'Blossom---1 1/8, Gr I will take away her edge, her speed--too much, I believe, to defeat a horse like Rachel Alexandra---if they do prep in the Margarita, I will unload on Rachel, to break Big Z's streak--they (Team Z) need to understand their position here---their goal is Rachel--prep accordingly! A prep should be easy, and shorter!...I mean, using a Gr I as a prep, vs the Mitchel filly no less, will remove Big Z's edge--remember her firse race last year, the Milady, vs her 2nd race, the Vanity, where she was slow into her move--no way will she catch Rachel Alexandra if her move is late---her Breeders Cup prep, at 1 1/16, in which she only really ran for 3/8, THAT was the prep!...My call: NO PREP! Go out there and kick butt! I'm hypervntillating again.....last thought: Team Z needs to be careful--the streak puts them at a tactical disadvantage--methinks it will be snapped, by Rachel in the Apple Blossom, maybe Quality Road in the Woodward---but the Classic--the Classic belongs to Zenyatta (again)...no other horse in the country can spot Gio Ponti 5,6 lengths, and get that back in a matter of a few strides! Best kick ever--I mean ever!

re: Apple Blossom Time

carolyn — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:11:39 GMT

I agree Forbiden Apple, Zenyatta is a beauty to behold. I just love her dance moves and yes, she does look like she wins her races so easy because she has never had to put all of what she has into her racing, I believe Zenyata is definitly going to be a one for the ages....

ON the racetracks she looks like she is toying with the competition, then she passes them.

Did you see how she came out of the BCC, she wasn't even blowing hard, my goodness, like she could have ran another one....Lets see what she can do at age six.....I am a diehard Zenyatta fan and have been since she has been running.

I just love everything about the "Z" girl....

re: Apple Blossom Time

EasyGoerFan — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:15:52 GMT

Has Jackson confirmed that Calvin gets to stay on Rachel? His Eclipse Award speech where he thanked everybody on the team except Calvin got me very concerned. I know he quickly corrected himself when he accepted the HOY trophy, but still, I'd like to hear him say Calvin keeps Rachel this year. Calvin had to beg to stay on her when she was sold and Jackson would only promise that he could ride her in 2009.

re: Apple Blossom Time

Mike Relva — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:05:37 GMT

FORBIDDEN APPLE

I totally agree. Problem is while both horses are great too many want to undermine Zenyatta's accomplishments, some feel that Zenyatta's perfect record means little. Imagine that!

re: Apple Blossom Time

Forbidden Apple — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:47:16 GMT

The Oaklawn Park Handicap should have been boosted up to $5 million. Then we would have a real dream matchup with colts included! I am very happy to hear that both horses will have a prep race, now no excuses for the loser. This race is what the sport of horse racing needs. I am so tired of my friends and other bloggers saying that a horse beat nobody in their race. I would like to see bigger purses year round instead of counting on the Breeders Cup to produce a good racing product. I love both horses, but I just can not seem to get past how easily Zenyatta wins her races. Heck, I get chills just watching her flex her muscles in the paddock and dancing around in the post parde. Zenyatta's effortless power, brilliant motion, and classic beauty will stay in my heart and mind forever.

re: Apple Blossom Time

Zookeeper — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:36:50 GMT

Monica V,

I agree completely with your latest comment. If anybody can beat Zenyatta it IS Rachel Alexandra. I haven't been this excited since Tiznow defended his title as BC's Classic Champion.

P.S. Hope you don't think I'm stalking you from blog to blog. :)