Hmmm . . . Zenyatta is an amazing athlete, there is no doubt about that. However, I find it interesting that the same brush is not painted in your piece. You chastise the owners of Rachel Alexandra for being unwilling to run her on a synthetic track, yet you have not words against Zenyatta's folks not running her outside of California. I think we have to stop a moment and recall that none of us owns either one of these valuable racehorses and as much as we all want to see a match-up, we don't call the shots on them. I seem to recall a tragic accident when I was only a year old when fans clamored for a certain match race that the owners finally caved to.

I refuse to play the game of disrespecting these two great fillies, one over the other, and their really good owners who give so much to the sport.

We need more horses and owners like these guys...

how about a matchup on the turf

I personally don't want to see either of them lose.  Why can't we be content to have two champions?  Also, want about the risk that in a race they cancel each other out and another horse entirely wins.

Where can I get a pair of those?  Such a shame a man so stubborn with such hangups got Rachel.

They are both far too good to bash, or try to build some  rediculous case of contention over.  Their connections are bright and smart and they care about their horses...so let it be what it is, a pleasure to watch them race where ever it happens.  

Well, If they do decide to race them, it should not be in a match race.  I say put them both in the ladies classic.  If not, we will probably see Zenyatta in the Classic.

ForeverRuffian: that's true

I've lurked here for quite a while and never felt the need to post until now :)  I just want to say that the following statement “No, I don’t believe we will play Coach Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide in the SEC championship game" is exactly the problem we have setting up for any "match" race in the future.  That statement would lead one to believe that it will in fact be Bama playing the Gators for a championship, when there are many other teams out there.  Would the world completely fall apart if it weren't necessarily Zenyatta and Rachel running 1, 2?  What if some unknown horse came up and grabbed the title?  I'm a fan of both mares, but it is a possibility.  However, I could just be saying this because i'm an LSU fan ;)

Wow - right now there is an article about all the breakdowns at DelMar on the the so called

"safe" poly tracks and your beating up on Jess Jackson?? I wouldn't run my horse on that "safe" surface either!

What in the world do pajamas have to do with horse racing???? Comparing Zenyatta and Rachel is like comparing oranges to apples and the topic has gotten real old. Move on...they're other horses racing besides these two.

I hope that you wrote this before you heard that report about six catastrophic breakdowns on the unpredictable synthetic surface at Del Mar. Your football example is such a red herring. This is about life and death for horses, while it is not about life or death for football players. If you recall, the equine medical director said I hate to be anthropomorphic, but think about if you were jogging on the side of the road and then you started jogging on the sand or the beach," Arthur said. "Apparently, you are putting different stresses on different structures when you change surfaces"

Furthermore, why do you have to denigrate one to build-up the other. I remember attitudes like that....from high school.

I am tired of this debate. Jackson is not being unsportsmanlike. He is doing what is best for his filly.

Blue Blue Sea has a good point - I was far more disappointed to find out that Zenyatta wasn't leaving California this year than I was that she and Rachel won't be hooking up.  At least Rachel is trying the boys...and more than once.

As far as matches go, the one that makes me shudder to recall is the one that brought Bayakoa and Go For Wand together...and how it turned out for the 3YO...

We (and the author) should respect the opinions and actions of the owners of these two talented fillies.  They have invested time, money, and emotion.  It is their prerogative to choose when and where the girls run.

My dad went to Alabama & other relatives went to Auburn - if it was left for fans to decide which was better, it would be a bloodbath. since they have an annual game, at least one side can be happy they won and the other side can be gracious losers.

As for the RA & Zenyatta - there should be a match race just so it won't be repeat of the Big Brown-Curlin 'mine is better than yours' scenario. The owners are doing what they think is in the best interests of their horses. But after watching Jess Jackson justify doing whatever he wants as being for 'the good of the sport' or 'for the good of the fans', my tolerance of his pronouncements is gone. Why can't he just say he's doing it this way because he wants to and it's his horse?

Yes, by all means, the Zenyatta uber alles camp would love to see Rachel alter her plans and skip the Travers.

Why not run 1st week of October?  Oh, that's right.  Zenyatta needs 8 weeks or more between races.

There could always be a race AFTER the Breeders Cup.  But it doesn't sound like Zenyatta's connections have any intention of having her run outside of California this year.

Lady Lava Man's owners have done her a disservice.

Well we just have to create another ranking for the fillies.  "Horse of the Year" ON DIRT and "Horse of the Year" ON RUBBER so that they both have Horse of the Year honors, it's the only way that they both get their repective dues so that the contavsary will be no more.

I will be attending this years BC(if all goes well) and I'm pretty sure it is the only one I will ever attend. So I am extra disappointed that JJ is keeping RA out of it. I would have liked to see her in person on racing's biggest day(s). My problem with him isn't that he is doing what he thinks is best for his horse, it is that he crows on and on about saving racing and his actions don't match up. He strikes me as a huge baby who is throwing a tantrum because things didn't go his way. IMO he totally mis-managed Curlin in the second half of 2008, but still "won" HOY. He blames the FANS for the awful tragedy in the BC Classic and if you are wondering what horrible thing happened in the Classic...so am I, but the defenders of JJ repeatedly bring it up. I saw a horse run an excellent race and get beat by 2 better horses and 1 better jockey. The tragedy I saw happened a year earlier on the dirt at Monmouth(anyone remember George Washington?). And in regards to meeting up with Zenyatta, he wants a "neutral" track. What does that even mean? He ASKED Monmouth to raise the purse money for the Haskell and implied that he wouldn't run RA unless they did. What a great guy!

On to Zenyatta...I am hoping for something more from the races she has left. Facing boys, going on dirt again. But if she does the same schedule as last year I won't be disappointed. And I don't have an issue with the Mosses because their actions match up with their words.

Agree that both owners are doing what they feel is best for their horses and you can't blame them for being a little emotional.  Besides emotions, there is a lot of money invested in these animals, even for rich people.  But I also agree that Jackson should dispense with the "bringing Rachel back next year for the fans."  First of all, she's not Curlin.  It's not that big a deal to race a filly as a 4-year-old.  Second, most fans are more concerned with this year than next, and they would like to see Rachel in the same race as Zenyatta, which could easily be in the BC.  Again, she's not Curlin.

Next year is a long ways away for a racehorse in any case.  All we know for sure is Zenyatta is 5, she won't be racing then.  Which begs the question, why can't Zenyatta go somewhere other than Del Mar?  If "what's best for the horse" is an issue, Del Mar is not looking like the safest track right now, and we know the mare can run on dirt.  Is shipping really that hard?  She would have plenty of time to return to CA and prepare for the BC.  

I agree with whoever said on one of these blogs that you are taking a risk with your animal anytime you run it in a race, regardless of track, competition, etc., and  the only way to eliminate the risk is not to run.  That having been said, the principals here seem to believe that if Rachel races on a synthetic track, or if Zenyatta runs outside CA, their risk is sharply elevated.  I am not sure I understand that, especially given that each has done these things before.

BECKY,

This article is so relevant.  It seems that some owners of brilliant thoroughbred don't study the history of the sport enough.  It was only in 1994 that Jimmy Croll opted out of the Breeder's Cup with Holy Bull with the intention of competing the following year (the year of Cigar's breakthrough) when Holy Bull broke down in the Donn in the heat of a percolating battle with Cigar.  The rest is history, which has not been kind enough to Holy Bull's superstardom because he doesn't have that Breeder's Cup (almost certain) victory on his resume.

While everyone prays that Rachel stays healthy and avoids injury or loss of form, the best time is always NOW when these equine athletes are at the peak of their powers.  This is certainly Rachel's year.  Next year may not be her's.  Jess Jackson should consider that next year is like a promisory note whereas NOW is "live cash".  He is a good sport so I'm keeping my finger's crossed that he'll have a rethink and send her to the Breeder's Cup.

Interestingly, had Curlin not showed up last year, i think that Zenyatta might have pipped him for HOTY so a BC appearance is huge and bears heavily on the minds of HOTY voters as well as the general racing public.  JJ would be appreciated more than ever - he'd become an undoubted hero (even to his detractors) for sending a healthy,fit and reday Rachel Alexandra to Santa Anita where everyone knows that she'll take to the pro-ride.

Come on Jess, the whole racing world wants this to happen.  

Just a couple of clarifications

Aspercel:  I was referring more towards last year's SEC matchup, don't want Uncle Nick mad at me and certainly don't want to fuel LSU.  I'm going to stop short of saying Geaux Tigers though.  :)

Others:  As far as the connections go, I don't hear much complaining or press conferences coming out of the Zenyatta camp so it would be hard for me to evaluate what they aren't saying.  I think the fact they are not saying that Zenyatta will get a soft tissue injury if she runs on the east coast is a plus to horse racing not a negative.

Zenyatta's trainer has said that if the Breeders' Cup had been out of California this year she would travel.  It is not and that is no fault of Zenyatta's people.  Why would they ship to prep for the Breeders' Cup across the country?  Besides that, it's not like Rachel Alexandra has run in a race that Zenyatta could even enter on the east coast.  

As far as the racing surfaces, Del Mar's track woes or the horses that have broken down have nothing to do with Santa Anita's track just like Fairgrounds early this winter didn't represent all dirt tracks.

barb, 3 better horses. Tiago was ahead of Curlin also. Tiago, by the way, is owned and trained by the same people as Zenyatta. Just realized that.

No problem!  I grew up a racing fan from Kentucky and I've wanted to comment on here for a while... I guess it just took football allegiances to get me to go through with it :)

It is very interesting to see that they let someone who has such tunnel vision write and article on such a professional site.  I would think that with this being a national magazine or website that they would have the decency to moderate the comments made by amateur bloggers.  Yes I'll call you (the writer) amateur. This would be due to the fact that you seem to forget that the two surfaces that championships have been won on for a number of years is Turf & Dirt.  A few years ago someone decided that they thought it would benefit the health of the horse and mix together carpet, rubber, polymers, wax and sand to make a surface that was mandated to benefit the industry, but has done nothing but cause new injuries to the horses and this in turn has cost the industry and its scientist even more money due to trying to understand the new injuries.  Your glaring lack of knowledge about these (FACTS) has led to your posting a very opinionated blog in which you basically do nothing but take up space with your 6 meaningless paragraphs of uninformed information.  

What I will do now is post a response to your blog with regards to your thoughts that Jess Jackson is wrong for not putting his horse in harms way.  

Rachel Alexandra Vs Zenyatta, Just tell me where!!!

In one corner stands the up and coming challenger - Rachel Alexandra - winner of 7 straight by a combined 63 1/4 lengths. Winner of the Fantasy Stakes, the Kentucky Oaks, the Preakness Stakes (A Triple Crown Race) and the winner of the Mother Goose Stakes in devastating fashion. Are there any more superlatives that can be used to describe this filly?

In the other corner stands the Champion - Zenyatta - Ultra consistent, she always makes her run and guess what she always wins, She has won the Apple Blossom Stakes at Oaklawn Park, and the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic against a top notch field that included reigning Eclipse award winner Ginger Punch, Grade 1 winners Cocoa Beach, Music Note, Hystericalady and Carriage Trail.

The stage is set; the competitors are warmed up as can be confirmed by their sparing rounds in the Mother Goose and the Vanity. So the question is when will this showdown take place, and more importantly at which venue?  I hate to disappoint everyone but the answer is "IT WONT".

The owner of Zenyatta stated that he would wasn't afraid to run Zenyatta against R.A. outside of California during the summer, which would leave plenty of time for Zenyatta to be ready for the Breeders Cup. Well that statement was made on Saturday morning, hours before the running of the Mother Goose at Belmont Park. After watching both competitors do in their weary foes, it looked as if we were primed for the marketing explosion and awaiting the venue and the race that these two great mares would run in. Whoops, it seems as if Jerry Moss watched the replay of the Mother Goose a few too many times. On Tuesday not more than 72 hours after announcing in an article in DRF that he would ship Zenyatta to face Rachel Alexandra, Mr. Moss had a change of heart. I would guess that watching the Mother Goose and the ease of which Rachel Alexandra won that race gave him indication that this would be one horse that his super mare could not catch; having to go five wide on the final turn. I must honestly say that I don't blame him. I do find it very cowardice that he would go back on something that could be so instrumental to the well being of horse racing. But every owner has to make his own decision about things of this nature, and it seems that the thought process is the preserving of her perfect record is most important to Mr. Moss and the synthetic legacy that Zenyatta will no doubt be labeled with.

When I think back to Zenyatta's 2008 and 2009 campaign, I like most writers and horse racing fans will think back to the four Grade II events that Zenyatta ran in for no apparent reason other than the fact that this was the softest most convenient schedule ever run in by a horse that was considered to be the best mare in racing at the time. Zenyatta's connections have allowed her to be disgraced by running in lesser known grade 2 events against horses that have just barely broken their maidens. Then because of her running style she wins those races not in a romp or convincingly, but by few lengths. What does this mean for her legacy? Well she'll be known as the champion that beat a number of allowance quality mares, and faced very little legitimate competition. And for the naive West Coasters that talk about how she faced such a stellar field in the B.C. Ladies Classic, well she did but on a synthetic surface. A surface a number of these horses had never raced on. So was the playing field even, no by no means.

Let’s also talk about the naïve decision of the Breeders Cup for first hosting the Breeders Cup dirt races on a Synthetic surface, and then having the nerve to do so two years in a row. The best way to put it, like many out west who try to make excuses for dirt horses running bad out west, CLASSLESS. Listening to message board members who talk about how Curlin was over the top by the Breeders Cup or the same excuse for Ginger Punch. This is ridiculous, and very much shows a lack of knowledge with regard to the game of horse racing. That same excuse cannot be used for every single dirt horse that struggled last year on the synthetics. Let’s run down that list.

Curlin - numerous Grade 1 wins on dirt - 4th in the classic on synthetics. - Career Worst

Cocoa Beach numerous Grade 1 wins on dirt 2nd in the L.C.

Music Note-numerous Grade 1 wins on dirt 3rd in the L.C.

Hystericalady -numerous Grade 1 wins on dirt 5th in the L.C.  Career Worst

Ginger Punch -numerous Grade 1 wins on dirt 6th in the L.C. - Career Worst

Fabulous Strike - numerous Grade 1 wins on dirt 5th in the Sprint – Career Worst

Black Seventeen - Grade 1 winner on dirt 7th in the Sprint – Career Worst

First Defence - Grade 1 winner on dirt last in the Sprint - Career Worst

Munnings - Graded stakes winner ran 10th in the Juvi – Career Worst

Mine That Bird - Kentucky Derby Winner Ran dead last - Career Worst

Be Smart - Graded placed - Career Worst

Doremifasollatido - Graded stakes winner on dirt - career worst

Pyro Graded stakes winner on dirt - career worst

Lewis Michael - Grade 1 winner on dirt - career worst

Indian Blessing - numerous Grade 1 wins on dirt - had never fired on synthetics.

Intangaroo - Grade 1 winner on dirt – Career Worst

Dearest Trickski Graded Stakes placed – Career Worst

Dream Rush Graded Stakes placed – Career Worst

So this is the list, I would love to hear the excuses that the west coasters, or anyone who thinks that synthetic racing allows for an even playing field; can make for the

18 horses on this list that were all over the top or whatever excuse you'd like to use. Please ask Bob Baffert to verify the reason why Indian Blessing will not run on the west coast for the rest of her career. Well this would give indication that synthetic surfaces play differently than dirt and the difference between dirt and synthetics horses is large. So the nonsense that is spoken by some about Jess Jackson's decision to skip the Breeders Cup is not going to be the first announcement of this nature. This can be expected more and more as we get closer to the running of the Breeders Cup. Attendance will be down and the handle at the track will be down, all things that I personally could care less about due to the fact that the Breeders Cup and California has disgraced horse racing by taking a championship such as the Breeders Cup and put it on a synthetic surface. Could you imagine the Kentucky Derby on a synthetic surface, NO, not possible because it is a dirt race and has been for over a hundred years. People don't understand what tradition means. This does not mean changing something that has been in place for years on a whim.

Back to the match up that will not happen. Let’s look at the thoughts of some who realize the truth behind the balking of the connections of Zenyatta. Some just plain and simple want to see Zenyatta challenged, not by horses that have run in optional claiming races, or allowance races or even Grade III events. Something has to be done to allow her to prove her greatness because as of right now that is in question. When you continue to beat up on the same horses continually and not impressively let me point out, that means that either you are afraid your horse will lose to decent competition or you just don't care about the legacy that she will be remembered for. If you look at the resume of Pepper's Pride 19 for 19 she was impressive because she beat horses that were of comparable quality. Therefore she towered over these; Zenyatta is beating horses that are nowhere close to her ability. This would mean you step up and actually face some competition. Zenyatta due to her connections handling of her will not be spoken in the same breath as Ruffian, Go For Wand, Bayakoa, Winning Colors Personal Ensign, Zarkava, Azeri, Indian Blessing, Eight Belles or Rachel Alexandra or many other outstanding fillies or mares. Why because these stepped outside their comfort zones because their connections felt that they were the very best and wanted to challenge that theory. The Moss's know that Zenyatta can beat inferior fields on synthetics and they are happy doing that, if that's how they feel then let that be, but please don't start the talk about Horse of the Year. Right now Rachel Alexandra, Mine That Bird, Einstein, Well Armed, Precious Passion, all of these horses have more right to Horse of the Year honors, with R.A. being at the top of the list due to her impressive wins in the most prestigious of races that are being run at this time. Does Zenyatta's race record match up with a Grade II Milady and Grade I Vanity win? Not even close. Do her connections seem to care? It seems as if they don't and I understand that but I don't understand why they would be afraid to face a 3 year old up and coming star in Rachel Alexandra. Show that you have confidence in your charge and let this match up happen.

Is Zenyatta overrated, absolutely not, she is a very good race mare. Will she be able to show her true greatness, unlikely, she will always be remembered as the horse that faced and beat very little, whose connections were very bold in their stance but unimaginative in their choosing of a schedule for her but still begged for HOY votes.

Here's to the connections of Rachel Alexandra for allowing us to see the greatest athlete running today, and campaigning her as if they want her to win Horse Of The Year & created a wonderful legacy. Kudos Jess Jackson and Steve Asmussen. Thumbs down to the connections of Zenyatta for being cowards and hiding out west. Thumbs down to the West Coast lovers who get to watch lower tier horse racing and connections. Now we all understand why the state of horse racing is as it is out West.

where's the redboard??? this author can't write an article without a redboard... perhaps the wrong article was published???

In both camps, the nail has already been pounded in, so to speak. Neither side is budging, as both are doing what they think is best for their respective horses.

Zenyatta......Rachel Alexandra, two very impressive horses. While I enjoy them both, I must confess I put on my Zen floppy ears for bedtime!:)

Becky Johnston makes a good point concerning racing surfaces.

I'm with afleetalexforever, easygoer and many others.  Give it a rest.  Your football analogy is absurdly irrelevant to the discussion.  My jammies say Rachel and Curlin will make beautiful babies together, and I wouldn't turn down a case of that chardonnay Jess Jackson sent to the President.  But Zenyatta is also a pure pleasure to watch.  Wish both horses well.

Karen in Indy... I wasn't forgetting Tiago. I just feel Mike S. beat Robby A. more than Tiago beat Curlin, do you know what I mean? Raven's Pass and Henrythenavigator were (probably) just better horses, and certainly better than those he was facing earlier in the year. So that's what I meant by 2 better horses and 1 better jockey. I am happy to see that Tiago is still in training and am looking forward to his comeback.

barb, gotcha. The other two were  expected to be very good - Tiago was surprising. He's a good horse, but my first thought when I saw him at the finish line was 'Whoa, where did THAT come from?'.

AAforever:

Before you call someone an amateur you might want to check some facts.

Lewis Michael is not a Grade 1 winner on dirt, he is a Grade 2 winner on both surfaces.

Mine that Bird was the Canadian champion running on synthetics

Indian Blessing is a Grade 1 winner on both dirt and synthetic

Intangaroo is a Grade 1 winner on both surfaces

Munnings is not a Grade 1 winner

Zenyatta defeated Ginger Punch on dirt and synthetic

And that’s at first blush.

Now Zenyatta and her quality of competition, she has defeated at least nine individual Grade 1 stakes winners, six Grade 1 Stakes Placed horses, four Grade 2 winners, five Grade 2 placed horses, and defeated two champions.  

Tiago has made me lots of money the last few years by picking up the pieces :)

The most important thing in horse racing is the going.Racehorses respond differnt to all types of going.It is very difficult to get one that can run good in all kinds of racing surfaces.Jess Jackson has stated he does not want to race Rachel Alexandra on a synthectic surface because of what happened to Curlin last year but Rachel is not Curlin.Obviously they are not getting the same response out of Rachel when they try her on a synthectic surface because if they were she would be heading to Santa Anita for the Breeders Cup.

It wouldn't  kill them to go 1 1/8 on Pro Ride v Zenyatta in Ladies classic!....Seems people think they should just "win a classic, each one, Zen this year/Rachel next...I've been in this game since '71 and I haven't seen or heard of a filly beating older males at a two turn 1 1/4, turf (Estrapade) excluded...after seeing Colonel John today, think they should really concentrate on meeting each other on the track--preferably back East, I'm sorry, lifelong West Coaster who thinks they need to go East, if only for my peace of mind as I do care about her well beingbesides, I can't wait to get her at Belmont, v Rachel...Ca Ching!! Zenyatta ain't Mine That Bird!!!

AFLEETALEXFOREVER,

It is incredulous that a smart blogger as you think yourself to be, would come here and arrogantly release such a longwinded venomous tirade laced with falacious and tired arguments against the hostess Becky Johnson.   She has very capably unmasked your disingenuous remarks and given you a lesson in consise writing. The subject of this blog is indeed very relevant to current happenings.

It is time to go beyond the worn out peeve about synthetic/plastic surface and face up with the importance of The Breeder's Cup racing festival as an institution that affects the world ranking and all time ranking of the stars of our beloved sport.  Everyone knows that there are "horses for courses" (you used so much space and fallacies to make that point).  We also know that some of the most talented ones perform exceptionally on all surfaces even while showing preferences for one surface or the other e.g. Einstein, Barbaro, Big Brown as well as Secretariat, Arcanguies, Sakee and Giant's Causeway of yesteryear (to name a few).  In some cases we cannot tell which surface is preferred by these versatile horses.  Midnight Lute won the BC Sprint on both dirt and synthetic with equally electrifying displays of stretch running power and Albertus Maximus the BC Dirt mile champion also acted equally effectively on both surfaces.  

Everyone in the know realises that Rachel Alexandra is the type to relish the "plastic" as much as the dirt even if her current owner doesn't like pro-ride (I don't either).  Again, going beyond the tired and futile comparison of Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, let us reflect upon making the best of the unfortunate situation of running the BC twice at the same venue without berating West Coast racing and fans.  Last year's event was a huge success and may be even greater as an INTERNATIONAL EVENT this year.  The Breeder's Cup as an institution is greater than any single horse or owner and the truth is NO ONE is indispensible.  History is the greatest teacher.  Remember, in the same race that megastar Holy Bull broke down another megastar Cigar emerged.  If Sea The Stars wins the English triple Crown and comes to the Breeder's Cup Classic and wins, Rachel Alexandra's fame could evaporate without the guarantee of a full 4YO season next year (don't misunderstand me here, long life, fitness and form is my prayer for "Rachel" but history teaches that thoroughbred racing is an unforgiving sport).  Think on these thing my friend AAforever.    

To Becky Johnston.  Thank u for pointing out my mistake, Lewis Michael is a Grade II winner, that is my fault,  Now as for the rest of your post, please let me say respectfully that it is meaningless. What did MTB have to do with your post or mine.  Indian Blessing won a Grade 1 prep called the La Brea beating the likes of Ginger Pop, Bsharpsonata, Foxy Danseur, Never Retreat, Laureldean Gale and Indianne.  Not the most impressive field ever assembled for a Grade 1 race.  Do you have anything meaningful to say about the fact that during the first 9 races of her career she won 7 of those races with her brilliant speed, and then when she was put on synthetics she has run like a mediocre horse, 2nd to a horse she would have romped over on dirt in the Filly and Mare Sprint, mediocre in the La Brea beating no one and 4th and a career worst in her last race at Hollywood Park.  Please let me know if you have any thoughts on this subject, or will you come back and try to correct something else about this message.  As for Intangaroo it’s funny how the horse on dirt is 2 for 2 but on synthetics she is 2 for 9. Hmmmm I’ll wait for that one, because I would love to hear your thoughts on that.   Munnings is a very interesting horse due to the fact that if you actually read what I said and didn’t try so hard to find mistakes you’d see my statement was “Munnings - Graded stakes winner ran 10th in the Juvi – Career Worst”, please let me know where you read where I stated that Munnings was at the time a Grade 1 winner.  Here are the facts that you failed to recognize due to the fact that you were trying to correct my post, during Munnings career he has run 7 times, 6 times in the money with 3 wins, 2 of those in Grade 2 company on dirt but all of a sudden he ships after his 3rd in the Grade 1 Hopeful and his 2nd in the Grade 1 Champagne, and he runs a abysmal 10th on synthetics.  Do you have any thoughts on that, anything factual or will you try to find some fault in my facts.  I am very confused as to why you would point out that Zen beat Ginger Punch on both surfaces, I was there at Oaklawn the day she won the Apple Blossom and watched how G.P. struggled home on the synthetics.  6th, lets look at that, a horse that has run 15 or 16 times in her life and in the money every single time and then she switches surfaces and runs 6th.  Any excuse for that or was she tired. Lol I think not.  As for Zenyatta’s competition please don’t try to tell anyone especially not me about her competition, because if grade II and grade III and allowance quality horses impress you then, well I don’t know what to tell you except that these are not the top tier of horse racing.  Please draw a comparison between the quality of horses that Zenyatta has faced compared to a number of other horses running in Grade 1 company because if your horse has run 11 times and has faced only 9 Grade 1 winners and 5 of them were in 1 race, it doesn’t take a genius to see that this would give indication that she’s not done much.  If you take the Apple Blossom and the Ladies Classic, which are the only 2 races that are of substance that she has run in she faced 6 Grade 1 runners in those two races.  So lets try to keep it as simple as possible, if the horse has face 6 Grade 1 winners in 2 races how many would that means she’s faced in the other 9. LOL, I think the jury is out and might understand the basics and fundamentals of horse racing, because in the other 9 races her running against Tough Tiz’s Sis 3 times (A dirt horse), Santa Teresita (A grade 1 winner by default in a race that had very little quality) Life is Sweet (her stablemate), that is really NOT impressive, it might be to you but I am not impressed with a horse beating the same low quality horses over and over again if that horse that’s winning is supposed to be a superstar. Its sad that this low level of competition is impressive to you and others, because its not to me, its boring and her races basically make me nod off to sleep.  Let’s draw a comparison, in 11 races thus far Zenyatta has faced 8 Grade 1 winners if you count Romance is Diane and her Grade 1 win in 2006, I would have to say that I don’t consider her a grade 1 horse when she’s run in nothing but grade 2 races and run 4th or 3rd in these races.  So again not impressive.  In comparison during just 1 season (2008) the Horse of the Year Curlin ran 7 times with 6 of those being at the Grade 1 level and faced 18 Grade 1 horses.  Which seems more impressive to you, because I look at that and common sense tells me that the horse that faced actual competition and was able to win the majority of his races was more impressive, Oh and the Eclipse award voters seem to agree with me also. If you need to be reminded of the vote it was:  Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male: Curlin

HOY Vote totals: Curlin, 153; Zenyatta, 69; Big Brown, 13; Raven's Pass, 2; Einstein, 1; Goldikova (IRE), 1; Peppers Pride, 1; Voter Abstentions, 2.Older Male Vote totals: Curlin, 239; Albertus Maximus, 1; Commentator, 1; Go Between, 1.  This year lets draw a comparison with Rachel Alexandra, she beat the Grade 1 winning Gabby’s Golden Girl, Grade 2 placed Flying Spur, The Grade 1 winning Mine That Bird, General Quarters, Pioneer of the Nile, Grade 2 winning Friesan Fire, Papa Clem, Musket Man, So in just 2 races this year R.A. has faced and defeated 4 Grade 1 winners compared to Zenyatta’s 1.  And that is what a cup cake weak schedule is about doing as little as possible to look good undefeated.  So I will wait to the responses to the questions I have to see if you have any (FACTS) that you’d like to share.

What a silly waste of blog space.  Essentially what you're saying is that it's alright for Zenyatta's connections to stay at home and not venture outside of the comfort zone of their mare, yet it's perfectly acceptable to bash Rachel Alexandra's connections for doing the exact same thing?  

Zenyatta's connections are more than capable of shipping East and participating in the Fall City, Delaware 'Cap, Beldame, or any other race for older fillies/mares on the East Coast.  The funny thing is, if they did have the guts to show for the Beldame, it's nearly assured that Jackson would alter Rachel Alexandra's plans so that she was there.  The guy has one condition for her career, and that's that he doesn't want her to race over a synthetic surface.  

The funny thing is, the ultimate goal for each is to win the HOY award - Jackson & the former owners have put together a campaign deserving of such - Zenyatta's connections took the schedule that saw her lost HOY in a landslide last year...and then cut it in half.  What classy 'sportsmen' team Zenyatta is...yawn.  But hey, at least we'll have the enjoyment of watching her beat the same sorry old nags in the Hirsch.  That's exciting.  

The only thing that I can see that Zenyatta has to prove is 'can she beat the boys?'. She has won every race she's been in, she's won on dirt (graded stakes) and synthetic, even though all of her races but one have been in California, she did race outside the state and she has won at different tracks with different surfaces (not all synthetics are the same).

On the other hand, RA has won an allowance on synthetic, won on different tracks in different states and beat the boys.

What's my point - the only challenge Zenyatta hasn't met and beat is running with the boys. The only challenge RA hasn't met and beat is Zenyatta.

wow, did you see CJ's time in his return?

Why are people beating up on Becky??  This topic has been done to death on BH, and now people seem to be taking out their frustrations on her.  Or, is it the fact that she is siding with Zenyatta, as opposed to Rachel that some folks don't like.  AfleetAlexForever, I couldn't get past your hostility and the sheer length of your post to get to the point of your post.  But, your second one seems to blame Indian Blessing's latest woes on synthetic surfaces.  You mentioned she came in 4th in her last outing at Hollywood Park.  As I am sure you are aware, HP plays like dirt.  They are not adding "plastics" to it at this point, only dirt.  So, isn't it possible that the choice to race her in Dubai is the true cause of her current woes?

da3hoss, all I could say was Wow!! He did great! The TVG guys were dismissing him before the race, but he showed what he could do with style. He looked like he was loving every minute of that race.

Well, Helsbelles, I guess we will find out when Indian Blessing is put back on dirt.

AAForever:  Using Dearest Trickski as an example of a dirt horse that struggled on synthetics is a fallacious argument.  She won her biggest races all on the Southern California synthetic circuit in 2008 -- two G1s at Santa Anita, a G2 at Hollywood Park and a G3 at Del Mar.  Here is a quote from her trainer in early 2008 pertaining to her affinity for the "plastics":  “She’s been great on the synthetics," Sadler said. "Some (horses) don’t like the synthetics, so you hope you have some that really will move up on it and she’s been that horse.”  

Yes, she did come in last in the 2008 BC F&M sprint on Santa Anita's pro-ride, but she also did poorly in the Sunshine Millions F&M sprint at Gulfstream run on the dirt earlier in 2009.  Dearest Trickski is a perfect example of a horse who is "over the top".  

Did anyone see that haskell, Any questions about HOY now? LOL

If the BC had been run on a dirt track like CD or Belmont, would zenyatta show up there?

BECKY,

You are fully entitled to celebrate your own super hero on your pajamas inspite of AAFOREVER's caustic rant against you.  However, after viewing the running of the Grade 1, Haskell Invitational yesterday, I'm sure that as an honest race fan you'll agree that it is time to get that pair of pajamas with Rachel Alexandra on it (you wouldn't have to throw out your Zenyatta pair, just shelve them for the time being).  Am I right? (LOL).  

Did anyone hear the fat lady singing. She has completed her warmup and now we are ready to crown Rachel Alexandra 2009 Horse of the Year, In yet another Romp.

I'm with Ruffianforever. Let it be. Why can't we just enjoy two magnificent athletes. The racing world may never see the likes of these two ever again. Greatness doesn't come along every day. Both of them are poetry in motion. I get chills watching either one. I only wish our own stable would one day be so blessed.

My opinion is that Zenyatta is hidding out in CA rather than Rachel "hiding" out on the East coast. Face it guys, Zenyatta has really only beaten allowance horses, she hasn't ran up against the boys,she hasn't run up against the best horses horse racing has to offer, she hasn't come out of CA exept for once, I bet she's only undefeated because of those reasons.

Now Rachel Alexandra on the other hand, no, she's not undefeated but hey, she's only lost two, (may I point out Curlin lost more) and they were both in the begining of her career! You all know as well as I do that a horse has find where he/she is best at like let's say Nicanor, he didn't win until he was moved to the turf. And he also had blinkers added. Rachel was most likley just getting used to things. Rachel has gone up against the boys, and is obviously faster than them. She has faced "the Best" that horse racing has to offer. She has gone up against actual stakes horses. She comes out of one state.

Who cares if JJ doesn't want to race on synthetics? Rachel Alexandra is a GREAT horse period. He doesn't want to mess up one race because of her not liking the surface. Imagine how that would feel. Your horse losing to other horses she could have easily beaten on the Dirt all because it was on plastic. Imagine that feeling.

I believe that Zenyatta is a very good race horse. But Rachel Alexandra is better. I saw her in the Kentucky Oaks in person. She is Better.

I 100000% agree with you Amalex, Zenyatta is a good horse, but 11 for 11 against mostly allowance horses is just a notch above Pepper's Pride, the only difference is that P.P. is more impressive because she beat horses that were closer to her talent level and she stood out and won everytime.  Sad that Zen wont ever be known as a superstar or champion but a creampuff schedule can do that to you.  

Afleet:

Have you seen Zenyatta in person? I have and I can assure you she is no cream puff. Not only is she drop dead gorgeous, but she's 17 hands and all muscle. Comparing a three year old filly to a mature 5 year old mare is like comparing apples to oranges.

As much as I admire Pepper Pride's win record. Where and what track did she do most of her racing? Zenyatta has ventured outside of CA and has beaten group 1 winners on the dirt and is undefeated.

Somethingroyal:

Afleet wasn't saying that Zen. was a creampuff. She was saying her schedule was. I have to agree with her. But that doesn't mean that Zenyatta isn't beautiful. She is super pretty and big! So is Rachel Alexandra.

Zenyatta has only been out of CA once. Like I said before, who cares if Zenyatta's undefeated because she has a Cream Puff Schedule? I don't think she should have won Sunday's race. She robbed that horse from a victory.

Amalex:

I suspect you're very young and  very new to horse racing. In horse racing who ever crosses the finish line first, wins. Horses don't steal, that's an ugly human trait. Zenyatta won her race fair and square. Have you read Steve Haskin's bog Greatness of her Own? He sums her race up beautifully. I suggest you read it.