Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

LEON — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:22:19 GMT

RA ran on fast, sandy and sloppy tracks, having to travel and adjust from Louisiana, to Arkansas, to Kentucky, to Maryland, to New Jersey, to Jamaica, NY and Saratoga Springs. She ran every 45 days as an average, and ran a campaign completely ATYPICAL for a 3-year old filly. Her 3 G1 wins against boys are UNPRECEDENTED, just as Zen's Classic victory is...The difference...RA's trio had not even been attempted by any other mare or filly in history...

How often did Zen run in 2009? An average of one race every 73 days, and with the exception of the BCC, she ran a very typical, no-risks campaign for an older female in SoCal...

It took Zenyatta 6 months after her last win in 2008 to race in 2009, never left the comfort of her state, and the minute her connections saw the possibility of a sloppy track in KY in front of 100,000 people, she was scratched, because her connections make one think that her perfect campaign needs the never sloppy, never too fast, never too slow, never too sandy, never too tight, always perfect surface, where she can go 8-9 wide and still win; and every horse she beat in 2009, had to go to her house. As great as she is, the truth is that she had ONE and ONLY ONE ABSOLUTELY GREAT performance in 2009, while running 5 times in almost 14 months...

The only horse to win HOTY with an exclusive SoCal campaign in the last 50 years was Kotashaan in 1993, who won 3 G1's and 3 G2's on grass, ALL against males, and there was no dirt horse dominant, when Arcangues pulled the 99-1 upset of the BCC. Champion dirt horse went to Bertrando, who only won 2 G1's that year.

Voters have rewarded horses such as Skip Away, Mineshaft & Curlin for several G1 wins in a well-travelled campaign, despite losing or not running in the BCC. IMO, It will be no different in 2009.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

Kat — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:03:47 GMT

In a world of ' what have you done for me lately '

will the voters forget the award is for the Entire Year and All the accomplishments?

please do not. Rachel is Horse of the Year.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

horsefanatic — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:17:37 GMT

Let's not let our emotions an the excitement of the moment get away from us when trying to determine who should get HOY. Let's stick to the facts and compare the 2009 racing records of both of these wonder horses.

Number of races: Rachel 8 Zenyatta 5.

Number of tracks: Rachel 7 Zenyatta 2.

Number of states where horse raced: Rachel 6 Zenyatta 1.

Number of individuals raced against:

Rachel 52 Zenyatta 25.

Number of races against Males: Rachel 3 Zenyatta 1.

Average margin of victory: Rachel 69 lengths Zenyatta 2.5 lengths.

Records broken: Rachel 5 (3 stakes records and 2 margin of victory records). Zenyatta 0.

Total money earned: Rachel 2.7 million. Zenyatta 3.3 million.

When you look at the truth of the facts and the numbers then Rachel Alexandra should be HOY.

Also do not criticize Jess Jackson for not running Rachel in the Breeders Cup when the Mosses scratched Zenyatta from a race at Churchill Downs on Oaks day and then shipped her back to CA. They could have entered her in another race at Churchill or shipped her to Oaklawn or Belmont. They played it safe. Zenyatta is wondeful and I was thrilled she won but I follow racing all year, not just the Triple Crown races or Breeders Cup and Rachel deserves HOY after such a demanding campaigne.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

carryback — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:29:27 GMT

Why was Mullins allowed to run in the last race on the BC card during his suspension imposed by NYRC?

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

mike rullo — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:25:34 GMT

tiznowbaby,

you better check the past performances,informed decision never won at saratoga.horses that never tried synth,did not hit the board and that goes for 2 time horse of the year curlin!!!

horse racing will continue to suffer if we run on fake surfaces.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

shesfast — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:14:30 GMT

I am happy to see some mares and fillies with some real class getting up and winning some good races at classic distances. I am a firm believer that its not only the stallion that makes a good foal, but the mare is just as important. How many pedigrees do you see today that all the quality races mares are like 5 generations back? The mares that made stallions that built the industry as it stands today. We need these mares for the future. We need mares that can make strong foals that with grow into sound horses. You can take hundreds of mares that might have broke a maiden, are related to so and so that was a winner, or even those that ran 5 times and showed in a black type...sure one is going to hit pay dirt and come up with a horse that's going to win some races. But what is the horse really racing against to win? Maybe nature is trying to tell all of you that rely on a computer to give you an A rating that mares are important too. The computer doesn't know anything until its already happened a couple times.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

WWSTP — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:27:19 GMT

We have watched heart thumping history being made all year long with the Unstoppable Rachel Alexandra, and Queen Zenyatta finished off the year with more of the awesome and unequalled "girl power" we've witnessed throughout 2009. The floodgates have been opened, and the time has come to see new horizons opening up for fillies and mares in this sport. It's the combination of the two of them, with their different campaigns and different styles, that have made this year SO completely exceptional. Both have elicited tears, awe, and a sense of being SO THANKFUL to be alive to witness their history making/breath taking accomplishments. What has evaporated over the course of this year are comments about the fragility of the filly, fears about a female facing the males, and a lot of talk about "the girls should race with girls, and the boys with boys". Has anyone noticed??? Gone!! I suppose it's the nature of the sport to demean one or the other trainers or one of the horses in order to elevate whoever one's favorite may be, but I do wish, this one time, we could embrace the magnificience of them both, and just pause and take in the moment of what has really happened this year. It's NEVER happened before!!

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

Bob Hope — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:48:01 GMT

time for HORSE OF THE YEAR SYNTHETIC*

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

Aluminaut — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:44:50 GMT

Zenyatta made the grandstand rock and shook me to my soul. The last horse to do that was John Henry, over 25 years ago.

What else is there to say?

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

wildblueroan — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:06:33 GMT

Like everyone else, I was blown away by Zenyatta's brilliant, amazing race.

But Rachel also had a stellar campaign, and she also inspired the adoration of thousands if not millions of fans.

The Jackson's campaigned Rachel very ambitiously; they cannot be accused of ducking anything. Rachel traveled and raced colts; Zenyatta stayed home and raced mares.

However, Both horses set new standards, reached new heights, and both deserve to be HOY.

We should applaud the connections of both and celebrate an amazing year in racing rather than engaging in pointless debates-you can't take anything away from either of these mares.

The only fair solution is co-HOY.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

LetItRideMike — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:53:13 GMT

To those who say that Zenyatta is just a synth horse, I'll thank you for all the $$$ I made when she went to Oaklawn as a tepid second choice against Ginger Punch, the reining BC Distaff champ and made her look like a $ 12,500 claimer as the Big Filly passed her in the time it takes to say "Horse Of The Year"

She won a Grade 1 on dirt, Rachel won on Synth and because of those (seldom mentioned) facts, Zenyatta absolutely can claim HOY. What is JJ's "plastic" comment other than a dodge when his filly has already proved she runs her race on it??

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

CRob87 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:54:16 GMT

Zenyatta "IS" HOTY !!!

No longer should we accept Jess Jacksons notion of "Avoiding the Best...and still being Honored for it.

The Moss' avoided "No-one" and actually helped their star "Earn" her Honor.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

Lin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:37:51 GMT

Alex, I was not at SA but you describe perfectly the atmosphere, the electricity when she appeared and the deafening roar as she came on to eyeball the males, one after the other, and beat them: I was at Saratoga for the Woodward! I am thrilled that Zen won and was screaming for her in my living room. She is surely a great Champion, maybe the best alive today. Maybe. Wish we could know for sure but we can't. Why not split the Horse of the year? Clear beyond a doubt that RA is the best three year old having beaten the best males. If they will not split it, then it should be Zen. RA will get it next year, barring injury.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

Dona — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:22:29 GMT

I was there, it was my birthday and Zenyatta won! I will relive November 7th, 2009 for the rest of my life. I tried to explain my reaction, along with the crowds, to a friend. I likened it to seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time! We hollered and screamed with tears running down our faces and then were totally awe struck. It was a humbling moment for everyone. We collectively knew that here was one of the greatest performances ever witnessed. I know Seabiscuit and all the other winners from the past would agree. Read every thing said and printed about this race, watch how far behind she is and how amazing her the race unfolds for her. Yes, she could even go further! Zenyatta was not blowing, she was not covered in sweat (look at the Bloodhorse pictures for proof) and she wanted more, ala Mike Smith!

Horse of the year? Are you kidding me? She beat the best the world offered up. When a champion wins, they win no matter who or where they are. You have to reward those that pay their dues and on Saturdat at the Breeders Cup races, Zenyatta paid her dues to the history books for all time.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

horsejunkie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:58:30 GMT

I was at the BC and the emotion there was so awesome. I quit rooting for my pick 4 with Gio and started screaming for Z. It was a wonderful moment. But every bit of the scene, men crying, crowd cheering for a half hour, etc., was the same scene at Saratoga (among the grumpier NY crowd to boot) when Rachel took the Woodward. It's such a shame that wasn't on ESPN. Whoever wins HOTY deserves it, I'm torn.

I wish they would keep Z in training and take up Gulfstream's offer for a match-up in the Donn or meet somewhere like Oaklawn where both ladies have won previously. It won't satisfy HOTY, but how awesome would that be. It would be great to hook in any new fans that this rivalry could draw for one more race and then have them hang on through the season. Storylines like this are what can do it. I'm a new fan, got hooked following Barbaro and before you knew it I was trolling eBay for Saratoga tickets. You just need a good story. Although I guess we may get the good story just by following Rachel's exploits next year...

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

CRob87 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:23:37 GMT

I also agree that you need to go back to the Purple saddle cloths.

Purple is a Royal color.

Something that our Sales catalogues should also use for "Classic Winners" ONLY...instead of just the same black type that a State bred stake winner also earns.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

Cher — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:13:49 GMT

Secretariat in a dress. WOW Zenyatta is truly a horse for the ages, one to remember, and what a shot in the arm for the Breeder's Cup. Everyone concerned, a class act, from top to bottom. In a year with no true stand outs in the males, the femals have delivered! And a true blessing, no horse left the BC with life threatening injuries. KUDOS to all who helped to this end. A great sporting event, just wish ther was more MAJOR TV coverage.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

Rachel'salterego — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:05:12 GMT

Idrove 600 miles to attend the BC races Saturday, and I was incredibly lucky. I got to talk with Gary Stevens, Laffit Pincay, Ann Moss, and Chip Woolley! I just happened to be next to them on my many trips to and from the paddock! They were all gracious. And I saw Gretchen and Roy Jackson there not far away and wondered why they were there.

And then the Classic race!!!

All in all it was the greatest day I can remember in a very long time. All those stuckup sports writers who thought the big Z couldn't possibly win have to just eat crow now. I'm sorry I didn't bet. My intuition told me to put $100 on Z at the minimum bet ($100) window, but I walked on past. I need to pay better attention to those inside messages. They are amost all right on.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

DANYLSON — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:48:37 GMT

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN ZENYATTA, THE BEST FEMALE HORSE EVER AND I AM FROM THE EAST COAST, I SAW PERSONAL ENSIGN,LADY SECRET,BAYAKOA,PASEANA,...BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE ZENYATTA

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

bill — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:30:14 GMT

This was a fantastic BC. The performances of:

CLOUDY'S KNIGHT head loss after 14F

LIFE IS SWEET Winning from the back after being dusted several times by Zanyatta

CALIFORNIA FLAG coming back after stopping dead LY and blowing a good field away

DANCING IN SILKS winning in a four horse photo.

VALE OF YORK a no hoper sitting 3rd swing out in the last 100 yards to win

GOLDIKOVA winning again from an impossible post and running in a style from last which was totally foreign to her in the past

PRESIOUS PASSION who may have been the most outstanding performance of the day in defeat. After setting those fractions to fight back and almost win was very impressive.

ZENYATTA the best for last. I can't understand the discussion about the HOY honors. This horse won the biggest race in US. Beat all the horses Rachael did and then some with the second rated horse from Europe. What is there is discuss? Zenyatta undefeated was simply the most outstanding horse to run this year in the US. I think the discusion should be who is better Zenyatta or Sea of Stars.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

da3hoss — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:13:36 GMT

joe schmo, you vote on the current year for HOTY, not their entire racing history. ;-)

I was watching the race in the sports bar of the restaurant we were meeting family at for dinner (after I was dragged from my house, crying)...as she wove through the traffic and kicked on I realized I was yelling "Go girl, go!" I didn't care! After she crossed the finish line I looked around at the people staring at me..."the girl won" I said...they still stared "It was a 5 Million dollar race against the boys." Mouths dropped open and everyone was riveted to the screen watching the celebration.

I had a great dinner.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

MAT — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:12:08 GMT

Zenyatta is HOY in my book, HFTA (Horse for the Ages) for that matter! I don't get all the whining about having the BC on a synthetic track. How is that any less fair for dirt horses than having it on a boggy mess of a track like Monmouth was in 2007? Like someone said, a great horse should be able to win on anything. It looks like synthetics are with us to stay, so get over it and stop making excuses for horses who just can't cut it on this surface. Maybe they just aren't as "great" as some might like to think.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

rilharreguy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:03:34 GMT

I too will never forget the way the crowd reacted on Saturday. I stood there just looking around as everyone cheered, some cried, and others shouted for joy. It was a moment that is without a doubt unequaled in recent horse racing memory. Zennyatta won one for the sport of horse racing, and for all of her adoring fans.

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

mountainweathergirl — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:34:41 GMT

I give credit to both mares. They are both wonderful race horses. But I must go with Zenyatta for HOTY because they had her from the git go. Yearling until now!! They didn't buy a finished product for 10 million dollars, Zenyatta's connections made her what she is today. A BRILLIANT SUPER STAR!!

re: Breeders' Cup - Initial Reflections

gladys — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:11:00 GMT

I have to say that I rate Zenyatta's performance in the BC Classic alongside Secretariat's Belmont win - both races had me yelling and crying with joy! She deserves Horse of the Year honors (sorry RA!).