fallout between baffert and zayat

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:11 pm

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing ... -barn.aspx

being split between steve assmusen and bill mott

Massive Drama
J Be K
Maimonides'

that has to suck. one minute you have a derby horse. one minute you have 3 good chances at derby horses. the next mintue you don't have any. he's got to be hot.

Tesio · Postby **Tesio** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:44 am

Sorry Bdw, I must have missed this post when I sent mine.

horsenuts · Postby **horsenuts** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:39 am

It's harder to find a good owner then a good horse. You can be on top one day but if your owner moves his horses the pinnacle is short lived. Few jobs have less security then that of a race horse trainer.

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:44 am

I think this move is because Bob Baffert simply hasn't produced for Zayat. Baffert can complain all he wants about the artificials, but he still won big races for his other clients - he hasn't won a thing for Zayat.

Zayat's expectations might have been too high, thinking that pouring tons of money into the game produces immediate results (like what Satish Sanan thought with Lukas), but comparing how Bill Mott has done for Zayat vs how Baffert has done for him, this move isn't a real shock.

It also tells me that the news on Maimonides probably isn't very good. Maybe that was the final straw.

Horsenuts is right that owners move around all the time (even Billy Turner lost a Triple Crown winner), but I think that happens when trainers and owners don't think on the same page. If an owner and trainer don't share the same philosophies, they shouldn't be together to begin with.

AscotStud · Postby **AscotStud** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:49 am

hopefully Zayat doesn't turn into a whining baby like Sanan...but I'm sure there will be more on this split in the next couple of days. Funny thing is Zayat doesn't mind running on the Poly up at Woodbine, but then again he is also doing alright there.

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:21 pm

i'm thinking massive drama might have been the final straw yesterday.

majxmom · Postby **majxmom** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:40 pm

I thought there was something up last week when Baffert specially mentioned Zayat as an outstanding owner in an interview last week. Since they really haven't had much success together, I wondered if Baffert was trying to stroke Zayat a little bit.

I wonder if Baffert is considering relocating. This situation in Santa Anita (and the artificial surfaces in general) is killing him. How hard it must be to see Mamonides leave.

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:44 pm

intersting...

it's not the polytrack, can't be, because why would he take massive drama away and give him to romans?

if it were just the track baffert would run his horses elsewhere and travel i would think.

he has followed suit with other clients who aren't satisfied with baffert for one reason or another (hummm.. i wonder what that could be)

i'm sure he doesn't like the idea of having Maimonides being a wasted investment.

AscotStud · Postby **AscotStud** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:53 pm

Maimonides is the 2nd coming of Vindication. I'm sure Baffert would rather have a horse that could stay sound and run every 3 or 4 weeks. Instead of a flash in the pan every 4 months.

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:57 pm

but ALL of his horses are doing the same thing so I will reserve judgment. J "Be K isn't by Vindication and he has less starts than Maimonides.

if you want to use that argument, In Excess is known for throwing unsound horses and Indian blessing is still running (and winning).

AscotStud · Postby **AscotStud** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:10 pm

You could use that if Maimonides was running at all. Aside from his maiden win the horse has been a pretty big disappointment seeing all the hype that followed him.

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:44 pm

Maimonides was being worked like a quarterhorse - Baffert was pissed that he couldn't work the horse :45 on Poly so he went East to do it. I kind of think that the horse did more than just buck his shins.

horsenuts · Postby **horsenuts** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:19 pm

Rokeby Forever wrote:Maimonides was being worked like a quarterhorse - Baffert was pissed that he couldn't work the horse :45 on Poly so he went East to do it. I kind of think that the horse did more than just buck his shins.

Who in their right mind thought the Vindications would stay sound? He ran what 3-4 times himself and was done?! Now why would ANYONE with half-a-brain think his offspring would fare any better?

Genetics plays a LARGE role in soundness and breeding to short lived horses such as Vindication is playing with fire. And especially horses from the last 20 years or so. All those "short lived" pedigrees that have been in vogue are coming home to roost.

AscotStud · Postby **AscotStud** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:27 pm

Word in the pub after the BC at Arlington was that Vindication was a mess following the race. The charade that ensued leading up to his retirement reminds me of what is going on with Maimonides.

Playwithfire · Postby **Playwithfire** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:28 pm

Must be tough for a guy like Zayat who's had success in this sport to see Baffert saddle 2 Breeders Cup winners, him owning neither. Didn't Zayat lead his charges to Saratoga after he disliked Del Mar, but Baff followed? Where did those horses go after that meet was over, did they stay in NY , or come back to Ca (asking, i dont' know). Definitely it has to be more than just surfaces as he could have sent his horses somewhere that Baff has a presence.