BC Classic Preview

re: BC Classic Preview

Texjoy — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 22:28:22 GMT

While Blame is indeed a very talented horse, its Zenyatta who's career and record will be talked about for years to come. What better company to be in than with the likes of Secretariat, Ruffian, Seattle Slew, etc... While for awhile after the race, I was pretty stunned I began to think, look what she has accomplished. I mean, other than Peppers Pride, who has won 19 straight? Look at what she's done for horseracing in general... She was a late bloomer who just got better and better. Its true, she has nothing more to prove to anyone. She has most certainly earned her retirement, where she can go dance in the paddocks and drive the stallions crazy.. But then she's bigger than most of them...LOL Except maybe Dynaformer...what a paring that would be. In the end, it really is all about her. She's had an astounding career, she's healthy, fit, sound, happy and very much loved and that is what we have all wanted for her.

re: BC Classic Preview

Beryl — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 16:08:42 GMT

It can all be said like this - which horse filled the stands? Were all those seats sold to see Blame, Lookin at Lucky, Quality Road? Not a chance, everyone was there to see the two mares run and make history - Goldikova and Zenyatta. Unfortunately Zenyatta didn't get the win, but she has done for racing what no other horse has done since Secretariat - fill the stands and win America's heart.

re: BC Classic Preview

Sophie15 — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:35:10 GMT

Blame may win horse of the year but Zenyatta should be inducted to the hall of fame. She deserves it after her spectacular career. To me she is equal with Man O War, Ruffian, and Native Dancer. She is one of the all time greats. She won 19 races in a row and in her final race she ran her heart out to lose by inches. We should not cry about Zenyatta but celebrate the fact that she ran an incredible race, coming from behind like she always does. The best horse dosn't always win, history has proved that. The two horses that are widely considered the best ever, Man O War and Secretariat, were not undefeated. Thank you to everyone on the Zenyatta team for doing a spectacular job with a very special horse. Thank you for the wonderful memories she has given to all her loving fans. I hope Zenyatta enjoys her well deserved retirement. Many carrots and peppermints for The Queen.

re: BC Classic Preview

Linda — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 13:57:49 GMT

I am not putting Blame down at all. He is a great one year horse. I also applaud Claiborne and their comments about Zenyatta afterwards. Maybe they would like her to pay a visit to Claiborne? Both horses are similar in bloodlines with Kris S and Mr Prospector not far back. Kris S on Blames sire line and Kris S the broodmare sire of Zenyatta. What an interesting concept. Kris S. Both bred to go the distance with Blame and Zenyatta and a touch of speed with Mr Prospector. May Blame have a fantastic stallion career and Zenyatta foal many champions.

re: BC Classic Preview

Ian Tapp — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 13:33:58 GMT

The trips of Blame and Zenyatta each gave the respective horse an opportunity to win. Zenyatta was not hampered in the race; she is a closer, and she got clear at the 3/8 pole. Blame is a very good horse (please check his past performances). Also, if you were at Churchill Downs yesterday, or watched on TV, you will note that Blame never let Zenyatta by him. Blame was ahead at the wire, past the wire, and he galloped out ahead of Zenyatta.

Give credit to both horses for huge efforts.

Ian

re: BC Classic Preview

Linda — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 11:34:11 GMT

Blame had the perfect trip, won on his track and barely won. These are the words they used against Zenyatta last year when she won the Classic and still didnt win HOY. Smith cannot ride at Churchill. Zenyatta is still a great great horse. Even if she doesnt win HOY, people in future years will always be asking why? Why were the voters so biased? She will forever live in history even more by not winning HOY. So what? Blame will be remembered for spoiling her finale in the same way Upset spoiled Man O Wars record.

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Keepin in Real — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 04:45:43 GMT

Oldfashioned,

What part of Horse of the YEAR do you not understand? As the title clearly states, it is based on a horse's campaign during the calendar year. Thus, when Rachel won for 2009, it was based on her races in 2009, when she was in fact won all her races. It has nothing to do with what she did the following year. Similarly, for the 2010 HOY, only races ran in 2010 are considered. Look at the facts, not your emotions.

As for crying after the races, there really are a lot worse things happening in the world than a horse losing a race. And if you want to cry about a horse race, how about Rough Sailing losing his life?

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Dusty — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 02:10:23 GMT

Zenyatta ran her heart out and fought like a Champion. This loss takes nothing away from her, and in fact IMO adds to her legacy. Z will forever be remembered as one of the greats.

Blame is for real. But Zenyatta didn't finish sixth, or seventh, or worst- she showed up, closed 20+ lengths, and ran her race on DIRT. What a horse.

re: BC Classic Preview

OldFashionedRunner — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 02:07:20 GMT

My heart broke when I saw that Zenyatta had been beaten by a nose. I thought she had Blame but at the same time, I sat there thinking "She's moving too late." and I was right. She just couldn't make it. After screaming at the top of my lungs as she finally started running her heart out, I sat down and started to cry when she didn't make it. I just kept saying "This can't be happening, this can't be happening." And then they say that she won't win HOY. Ok, she lost 1 race out of her ENTIRE career! She was and still is fantastic and if she gets robbed of the title, I think there will be a riot and I will start it. She should have won it last year but Rachel Alexandra stole it from her. Rachel lost several times, Zenyatta only lost once and it was by a nose and jockey error. Mike Smith even admitted to his mistake. Of course there is nothing we can do about it now, but if she does not win HOY, I will wonder what Horse racing has come to. Zenyatta ran a great race, a race she should have won. She had our hearts pumping and our voices raised the entire race. In my mind, that's how horse racing should be; It should leave us shouting at the top of our lungs and jumping up and down until they cross the wire. Zenyatta knows what she's doing and probably could win by many lengths, but I think she enjoyed getting our adrenaline going. Horse racing lost a true queen tonight. In my eyes, she's still the winner.

re: BC Classic Preview

Ian Tapp — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 02:00:38 GMT

Texjoy,

Take the good with the bad. Blame's win wasn't a fluke, he's an extremely talented horse. Zenyatta proved she's for real, and didn't have to win to prove it. In my opinion, history will hold her in a better light after tonight's performance.

Ian

re: BC Classic Preview

Texjoy — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 23:32:07 GMT

Oh yes, and we should all remember, the great Man o'War won all of his races except one.

re: BC Classic Preview

Texjoy — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 23:28:44 GMT

Whats with all this talk about Blame being Horse of the Year? Its the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Yes Blame is a very good horse but he has been defeated before. I pray that Zenyatta isn't, like last year, robbed of the honor she has truly earned by a "really good" horse. Racheal Alexandra was a "really good" horse when she was chosen as horse of the year, yet she had been beaten and came back the next season to have a somewhat good season. Yet Zenyatta remained undefeated until tonight. Blame winning was simply a fluke. There is a big difference between "really good" and GREAT.

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Lisa in New Orleans — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 20:55:44 GMT

Goldikova should've went ahead and gone into the Classic. She won too easily! She's the best!!!

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Ian Tapp — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 17:35:26 GMT

Gotcha, Judy G.

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Judy G Loves Zenyatta — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 16:57:36 GMT

Zenyatta gets an A+ and is 20-1 - what a joke, however, I fail to see the humor. Pathetic!