Eclipse Awards and the NHC--Rewarding All Those Who Matter

re: Eclipse Awards and the NHC--Rewarding All Those Who Matter

Bellwether — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 09:49:57 GMT

KNOT A PEEP ON THE 'LIFE AT TEN' FEE A$$ COE FROM u PEOPLE???...WE HEAR 60 MINS. IS LOOK N TO IT???...DUE "THE GAME" A FAVOR & STEP ASIDE...ty...

re: Eclipse Awards and the NHC--Rewarding All Those Who Matter

Nancy L — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 20:13:24 GMT

At first I thought your statement concerning social media was implying that this modern influence was a bad thing and that Blame was the horse who should have gotten the recognition as Horse of the Year. As I reread, I prefer to believe that you were simply making an observation about the racing fans of today and how influential they are thanks to the social media. Hopefully the fans who made their opinions known will remain loyal to racing despite the retirement of Zenyatta. Hopefully the racing world will follow the example set by Team Zenyatta and consider the fans as an integral part of their world. Yes, they made good use of a website and Facebook, but they did more than that. They opened their world to the fans through barn visits, signing autographs for fans, posing for pictures when asked and always having a warm smile for Zenyatta's public. It is no accident that Mike Smith rode Zenyatta past the winners circle so the fans in the grandstand could get a good look at her after a race. All of these things combined created the fan base for Zenyatta. The racing establishment cannot survive by pretending that it is a self-sufficient elite sport of kings. The wise owners and trainers and racing managers will use the social media but will also open their hearts to the people who make racing possible on a more personal level also. They must give of themselves.

re: Eclipse Awards and the NHC--Rewarding All Those Who Matter

Zen's Auntie — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:13:19 GMT

Alex, excuse my error. I meant John V was only nominated and not that he recieved the award of course that went to very deserving Ramon Dominquez

re: Eclipse Awards and the NHC--Rewarding All Those Who Matter

Zen's Auntie — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:52:21 GMT

I have to say this and in looking for a place to say it this looks good to me so here goes Alex.

I’m off-put by the fact that the continuing Life at Ten Breeders Cup investigation drags (with no resolution time frame) on while we see the Jockey who said she was off and the Trainer who ran her at the Breeders Cup recieve ECLIPSE AWARDS.

Even though I knew it was going to happen, it turned my stomach a bit more than I thought it would.

It made me ask; Is it possible to be the best and the worst at the same time?

Apparently the answer is yes.

Do I think the people’s voice was heard in the outcome of the Eclipse Awards? In the case of HOTY absolutely, also common sense and fairness came into play. Polls of the public had Zenyatta winning 70% - Most blogs looked like 80% for Z. Still in the actual voting it was significantly closer than that and lots of folks (mostly deep industry folks) disagree with the award - not me at all but some. To them I say - suck it up. We've all lost 49 to 51 at one time or another and you just have to be ok with it. Still in good sportsmanship we all should at least admit Zenyatta Horse Of the Year 2010 is good for Horse Racing.

I have not entered a qualifier nor do I plan too. I'm all for betting. But for me, Handicapping and Thoroughbreds in general are a relaxing distraction that brings me joy. Not cash - then it would be a job. I have a job. I don’t want it to become my job, so I rarely wager - but LOVE pour over PPs and evaluate, handicap and pick.

Perhaps when I retire. 500K does sound like good pay for 2 days work!

re: Eclipse Awards and the NHC--Rewarding All Those Who Matter

Soldier Course — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:41:28 GMT

Earlier this week I posted on another thread in the Blog Stable that I believe Zenyatta's fans made the critical difference in the outcome of 2010 Horse of the Year. I'd like to think we "influenced the voting" in the best sense, by touching the voters' conscience rather than threatening their process.

re: Eclipse Awards and the NHC--Rewarding All Those Who Matter

GJU — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:15:43 GMT

As I sat at home watching TVG waiting to hear your announcement of the 2010 Horse Of The Year, I honest to God expected to hear Blame's name. I heard "Zenyatta" and the tears came. Happpy tears. Tears that finally, FINALLY, Zenyatta got the Horse Of The Year that she has deserved for three years now. You've probably figured out by now, I'm a HUGE Zenyatta (and Team Zenyatta) fan. I've posted comments at several websites, throughout the Zenyatta/Blame debate, especially various Facebook pages. If the connections that be want to allow their stars to meet with the fans of horse racing like the Mosses and John Shirreffs have so generously done with Zenyatta, I say BRING! IT! ON! I can now say I got my picture taken with and touched the 2010 Horse Of The Year. No matter what, it was a thrill to meet Zenyatta before she went off to Kentucky, but when I realize...now she's HORSE OF THE YEAR, it just brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. God bless Ann and Jerry Moss, Dottie and John Shirreffs, Mikey Smith, Mario, Steve, Carmen, Michelle and everyone else at Hollywood Park's Barn 55 who worked with Zenyatta. I have nothing but love and respect for each and every one of them. And God bless Big Mama Z! She's magical.

re: Eclipse Awards and the NHC--Rewarding All Those Who Matter

wildblueroan — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:16:08 GMT

With all due respect, to say that Blame would have won if not for social networking sounds like another version of the argument that Zenyatta won merely on the basis of her popularity. It also implies that most voters were swayed by public opinion. You cannot "manufacture"the kind of sentiment that Zenyatta inspired. While her charisma played a role, her fame and respect are based on her incredible, unprecedented talent ON the racetrack.

re: Eclipse Awards and the NHC--Rewarding All Those Who Matter

PomDeTerre — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:25:29 GMT

" We host these events because both are important to the marketing of Thoroughbred racing at the national level. Equally as important, each event provides unique opportunities to reward those who are invaluable to our business." Mr. waldrop, if what you say above is true, kindly explain how NTRA and the vioting press can overwhelmingly elect a trainer who's unethical actions at the BC were disclosed on national television as trainer of the year. I refer to Pletcher and Life At Ten. Important to the marketing of the industry? Shame on you! I've said it before, I'll say it again: the man should not have been on the ballot.

re: Eclipse Awards and the NHC--Rewarding All Those Who Matter

Pboo — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:05:55 GMT

First of all, let's acknowledge that Goldikova ran more races against tougher horses that either Zenyatta or Blame. She was virtually ignored in the voting. We need to admit that a turf horse will NEVER get HOY in the US ( see English Channel for instance). Secondly, we need to rename the awards of this week to be US HOY. Canada does that and Europe does that so it's time we do that also.

As far as Blame is concerned, his retirement before he cooled out after the BC Classic said sometinhg to a lot of people like his soundness is in question. That would also be reflected by his limited and selective campaigns over the past two seasons. One of the racing TV commentators said over the weekend that we need to get back to having good horses run 15 or 18 times a year so the public can get to know them. These abbreviated and selected race schedules will not bring the public back to racing and they are leaving at an alarming rate.

re: Eclipse Awards and the NHC – Rewarding All Those Who Matter

Kathleen — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:53:28 GMT

Alex,

I completely agree with you about the fan involvment in this year's HOY "crowning"; even though I believe Zenyatta richly deserved the award and I am a huge admirer of all things Zenyatta - it was the social network (especially Facebook fans) with their massive influence creating a groundswell of support that put her over the top. She was by all accounts the "People's Racing Queen". It was interesting looking at the voting breakdown that only DRF went for Blame, the other two voting blocks went decisively for Zenyatta. As you said, Blame was a worthy recipient of the award as well and would probably have won in previous years. And yet were it not for my admiration and fascination with Zenyatta, I would not have become the passionate and educated racing fan I am today. Pre-Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra I would usually only watch the Kentucky Derby and sometimes the Preakness and Belmont (when Smarty Jones was in the running for the Triple Crown). No matter who you believe is the better horse, Zenyatta did transcend all of that and had a very positive impact on the "future" of thorougbred racing!

She is definately the Queen! And one other item of note, the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture went to "The Social Network" (the story of Facebook). I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't also win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

See a trend here?

re: Eclipse Awards and the NHC – Rewarding All Those Who Matter

EQUINE PAPARAZZI — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:35:01 GMT

We were watching the award show and thought Z was gonna get her third consecutive 2nd in this category. I think a lot of people in the audience, especially the Moss's, were thinking along the same lines. The outburst of applause was of SURPRISE and JOY. Surprise because most Z fans thought it was going to happen again. Joy because it didn't.