What superhero pajamas do you wear?

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Somethingroyal — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 11:57:26 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Amalex — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:32:55 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Somethingroyal — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:24:09 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

afleetalexforever — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:07:36 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Amalex — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:21:00 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

mary — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:10:12 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

afleetalexforever — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:14:34 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Ranagulzion — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:38:03 GMT

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).

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Katie Vic — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:41:15 GMT

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

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

afleetalexforever — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:17:15 GMT

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

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

helsbelles — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:50:44 GMT

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".

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

afleetalexforever — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:09:20 GMT

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

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Karen in Indiana — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:41:20 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

helsbelles — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 18:00:45 GMT

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?

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

da3hoss — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:20:12 GMT

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

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Karen in Indiana — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:36:26 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Art — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:44:29 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

afleetalexforever — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:18:00 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Ranagulzion — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:45:04 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Matthew W — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:00:12 GMT

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!!!

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

John T. — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:31:05 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Aspercel — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:21:25 GMT

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

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Becky Johnston — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:53:13 GMT

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.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

Karen in Indy — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:49:48 GMT

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?'.

re: What superhero pajamas do you wear?

barb — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:14:55 GMT

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.