Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Susan — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:04:32 GMT

Dear Lenny,

Great writing! Between the fruitcake the watched- pot analogies, and the way the piece knit together, it was a fast, fun read!

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Edmer — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:24:12 GMT

I strongly agree with "Zenyatta is truly the Queen", The Queen of California and Oaklawn and the 5 other entries she beats, that sure is classy. In her span of 18 wins in a row, Zenyatta beat a whopping average of, 5 also rans.

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

The Deacon — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:01:21 GMT

I do hope that I am wrong about Zenyatta going to the Classic. Maybe at this point winning back to back Classics is such a milestone that they will race her. It's true I do not have a crystal ball but I was just thinking out loud. I did predict Blame over Quality Road in the Whitney so I feel pretty good about that one. Heck, it stands to reason that most of us are wrong as much or more then we are right when it comes to making predictions about this sport.

My deepest sympathy go out to all the connections of the brilliant mare Tuscan Evening. Her death is such a tragedy.

Congrats to Zenyatta for another beautiful performance. You are truly the Queen and one classy lady.............

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

derbyfan — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 11:55:18 GMT

congrats zenyatta you big beautiful mare.

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

kathleen o — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:06:05 GMT

Lenny, I agree with you re the timing of the CH. Zen and her connections don't like that track surface, but the PE would prove to be logistically impossible. First, Zen doesn't travel well, so if they ship to NY, they're not going to bring her back to Cal with only two months before the BC. Shirriffs is a Calif based trainer and can't split his time between 2 coasts for just one horse. Unlike with Assmussen and RA, there is no dedicated assistant trainer for Zen. Second, if they come to NY at all before the BC, the Beldame makes far more sense, better timing, less impact on Shirriff's entire operation.

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

maryann727 — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 03:50:59 GMT

In response to The Deacon's comment: "My intuition tells me that the connections of Zenyatta won't run her in the Classic this year. I just feel that they value the winning streak more then they want to risk her losing in this years Classic."---None of us has a crystal ball, nor can we read the minds of Zenyatta's connections, but I really think that their goal this year has been to have Zenyatta defend her 2009 BC Classic win and to end her stellar career with a repeat victory at the 2010 BC Classic. I hope the weather gods are kind and that she runs and that she is victorious.

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Edmer — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 03:29:58 GMT

Thanks Lenny and Steve for signing my program at BC 2009 at Santa Anita by the entrance at the benches surounded by the oak trees.

And They're Off is the best show out there. HRTV and TVG can't come close, not even by a nose.

Also you guys are so fan friendly.

Thanks, your buddy,

Edmer

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Zookeeper — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:28:58 GMT

Lenny,

Great blog! I love your enthousiasm. You are right, we've had great racing so far this year and even better coming up. We are one lucky bunch of fans!

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Mike Relva — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:21:24 GMT

LENNY:

Thanks to you and Steve for giving great respect for Zenyatta. Unlike some bloggers' you give her just due.

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

The Deacon — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:07:19 GMT

Mr. Relva: I am not sure I understand your point. My intuition tells me that the connections of Zenyatta won't run her in the Classic this year. I just feel that they value the winning streak more then they want to risk her losing in this years Classic. The Mosses are so uncommital with her. No one seems to know where she is going next. These blogs are about having an opinion and sharing the conversation with others. Obviously I could be wrong, so could everyone.

Secretariat:

I don't necessarily agree with you regarding Looking at Lucky. I do agree that Baffert does want to run him as a 4 year old but a lot can happen to a horse in 16 months. If he is a monster now, I say let him have his chance. Rachel was a monster last year and has tailed off as a 4 year old, or so it appears. No guarantees in this sport. If LAL is the best horse now, then let him run.

I am not convinced Quality Road can get the 10 furlongs or beat Blame, but of course that will be answered soon enough.

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Shelby's Best Pal — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:29:34 GMT

Thanks, Lenny. You're a blast. I love reading your articles and listening to you and Steve.

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Ray Jay — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:20:36 GMT

I'm dreaming of the best filly & mare race of ALL TIME! BC Ladies Classic with Rachel,Zen,Devil May Care,Blind Luck,St. Trinians,Zardana,Evening Jewel,etc..they should raise the purse to 5mil for this race!

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Lenny — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:17:40 GMT

Ranagulzion,

The only reason I can think of is Zenyatta's connections like the timing of the Hirsh and don't want to wait another 3 weeks to run her. Considering she doesn't like Del Mar, that's the only conceivable reason I've got as to why no Personal Ensign for her.

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Mike Relva — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:05:26 GMT

THE DEACON:

Here's a newsflash for you! Zenyatta WAS THERE for A. Blossom when Jackson and Co. attempted to rush RA. Or did you forget that little detail? Right.

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Sylvester — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:45:05 GMT

Anyone touting Luckin at Lucky needs to quit reading these glowing articles by clueless equine journalists. His time in the Haskell was slower than Rachel’s time in the Lady’s Secret. The Haskell was run under cloudy skies in 75F while the Lady’s Secret was run under a blistering sun in 103F. Same track, same distance, just a week apart. The jockeys also said the track on Haskell day was in much better shape. Also note that Rachel carried more weight than LAL and she came out of that race under brutal conditions in excellent condition while LAL didn’t. I’d also like to point out that Queen Martha the runner up in Rachel’s race had a faster time than the Haskell runner up Trappe Shot. So forget about Rachel’s “disappointing” performance and LAL’s “spectacular” first place finish. The same can also be said about Blame. Rachel ran a faster time on the same track and same distance on the same day in the Fleur De Lis than he did in the Stephen Foster while she carried more weight. So forget about him too. I also don’t give Zenyatta a chance either since she was stretched to her maximum to beat St Trinians who is a good mare but she’s no Quality Road or even Rachel. Plus her owners are petrified to send her out East to run on dirt after saying they were going to showcase her talent to the country. I don’t buy that garbage she doesn’t travel well. It’s an excuse and not true. However, both Rachel and QR are untested at 10 furlongs so it will be interesting to see if they can get that distance.

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Mary Reynolds — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:54:07 GMT

I'm a MTB fan, too & am waiting for another great performance from him, (circa 2009 K. Derby).

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Mary Reynolds — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:51:42 GMT

I, too, live in race-deprived NC & was delighted to watch the Haskell on ABC. There's just nothing like seeing a race live (real-time), besides being there!

I've been a LAL lover since watching him as a 2 year old & was thrilled w/his Haskell. Finally, he reminded the world why he was Champion 2 year old!

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Oh Really — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:14:41 GMT

Lookin at Lucky has been one of my favorites. I would really like to see a two year old champion repeat as the three year old champion!

The BC Classic....lots of racing before then and three year olds are improving. We will see how Rachel progresses. I am looking forward to the Blind Luck/Devil May Care match up.

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Marcelo — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 06:53:44 GMT

All the above mentioned races will be great but The Classic is a done deal as Zenyatta is a cut above the rest in 2010!

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Jim C. — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 06:03:38 GMT

I am disappointed in the Blood Horse. The headline of the Blood Horse story on the David Carroll incident read: "Carroll Fined for 'Unacceptable' Temper."

Stop it with the euphemisms. Please. The headline should state: "Trainer David Carroll Fined for Striking Filly on the Head."

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Nancy — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 01:37:29 GMT

Hi Lenny,

Great article. Thank you for pulling it all together! I have printed it out, so I can make sure I see each race video (as I live in God forsaken North Carolina).It is a great year for racing with all of these stand-out Stars we are lucky to have. Win or lose, may the racing Gods smile upon them and bring them home safe and sound as they thrill us again with their glory.

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

METMILER — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 01:00:56 GMT

ALL THESE ACCOLADES GIVEN TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED HORSES SHOULD ONLY APPLY TO ONE HORSE...THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED IN THE HORSE OF THE YEAR CATEGORY 2 YEARS RUNNING. UNBEATEN, PERFECT, UNBELIEVEABLE...TO ADD A FEW THEY ALL APPLY. ONLY ZENYATTA HAS NEVER LET ANYONE DOWN. THE HAS TO BE A PRICE FOR PERFECTION.

PERSONAL ENSIGN AND ZENYATTA DOES'NT GET BETTER THAN THAT.

"NOW PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT"

THANKS FOR ALL THE COMMENTS....ITS A GREAT GAME WE ALL HAVE A PASSION FOR AND WE ALL SUPPORT THE HORSES, WE JUST HAVE DIFFERENT FAVORRITES.

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Billy Boy — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:58:38 GMT

Just a friendly reminder Lenny - Kentucky Derby Winner

Mine that Bird is back on Dirt in the Whitney!

"Mind Your Birds" Lenny

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

Convene — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:51:23 GMT

Couldn't have said it better! There's a lot of talent out there and more than enough to thrill us all. Me? I'm just enjoying watching some really good horses putting on some terrific shows. In fact, one of the most WOW performances I've seen this year came in a dinky little Ft. Erie cup race for local horses. Daverick devastated a field of sprinters with quarters in .21 and change, .22 and change and a final eigth in 12.02! Lots of great racing at every level. Yeah, I love Rachel and I'd like to see her meet Zenyatta but my year won't be ruined if it doesn't happen. Personally I think too much was made of this matchup all along. I'd rather just enjoy both of 'em, wherever they run. Thanks for the reminder of how great this sport is. Always!

re: Gotta Match? - By Lenny Shulman

maryann727 — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:26:34 GMT

It will be interesting to see if Rachel can get the 1 1/4 mile distance of the Personal Ensign. If so, maybe she will contest the BC Classic. Two big IFS.