Nicking Theory Featured in NY Times

re: Nicking Theory Featured in NY Times

Racinfilly — Sat, 21 May 2011 02:33:24 GMT

Likewise, Trisha, I try to use all nicking programs before deciding. This year I included the goldmine program. Really liked the additional info it provided.

re: Nicking Theory Featured in NY Times

trisha — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 05:26:02 GMT

Yeah girl power!!! how would you rate the G1 goldmine nicking report? Would they be 20/20 matings? I try to use all 3 before I make a decision. tx trisha

re: Nicking Theory Featured in NY Times

ron woodring — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 22:42:14 GMT

IAN, i plan to do nick reports on all the derby entries, just to see, or, could you do the same and maybe send out the info in email once the field is determined. i think it would be a great add for your business, especially if an A++ wins. ron woodring

re: Nicking Theory Featured in NY Times

Ian Tapp — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:53:57 GMT

Hi Susan,

Don't confuse TrueNicks and eNicks. Zenyatta's mating is an A+ from TrueNicks. eNicks has a different system and rates her D+.

re: Nicking Theory Featured in NY Times

Susan from VA — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:43:40 GMT

In the past, when I've checked the Street Cry-Vertigineux breeding on TrueNicks, the Street Cry - Vertigineux mating was rated "A+" - did Zenyatta by herself elevate a "D+" cross to an "A+" cross?

re: Nicking Theory Featured in NY Times

sceptre — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:46:04 GMT

There is plenty of knowledge (including genetic knowledge) already available. Problem is, we don't appreciably attempt to rigorously pursue its application vis a vis our enormous database. If you're awaiting it to be handed to us on a silver platter, don't hold your breath.

re: Nicking Theory Featured in NY Times

maryann727 — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:47:02 GMT

Thank you for calling attention to this article

I read the NYT article and enjoyed its emphasis on the female side of the breeding "equation." This is one of my favorite passages: "...for the first time in memory, public and industry interest has consistently focused not on which grand mares a king would accept to his court, but which king would be worthy of servicing the two queens. Never before in modern times have the careers of two female racehorses overshadowed male contemporaries for consecutive years. And chances are, any success by their offspring will be attributed to the mares’ genetic prowess..." Of course, the author is referring to Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta.

Another excerpt: "... C. V. Whitney, who contended that the surest path to the winner’s circle was “breeding the best to best and hoping for the best”— advice the owners of Rachel and Zenyatta have clearly followed."

And this is the most intriguing for me: "...the vagaries of equine alchemy glaringly represented by the knowledge that the mating that produced Rachel earned an A++ from eNicks, but the mating that produced Zenyatta rated only a D+."

The article at the NYT (The Rail blog)is open for comments and it would be nice to comment to encourage mainstream publications to continue covering horseracing.