Zenyatta Training Well

[reenci]

Best horse since MAN 'O WAR.......period.

[TJ]

Zenyatta puts in a strong move for the Lady's Secret. TJ


http://drf.com/news/zenyatta-works-five ... ullet-time

[diomed]

something that R.A. will never have
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz2kvJf22gs

Ugh..It's bad enough that the video was made with "yee-haw" music but the worst thing was yet another dig at RA. Why? Get over it Karen, seriously immature.


Now, back to what is going on with Zenyatta now; What other horses plan on entering the gate for the Ladies Secret? Not that it matters...

[Georgerz]

Two or three modest allowance mares, that won't have a slight chance of making this one a horse race.

[kimberley mine]

If they're looking at a horse of the year run, they'll have to either step up their game into unrestricted races OR hope that Z can win the BC classic again.

LOL... ...YOUR KIDDING RIGHT?.......who is the competition ?

Blame and Quality Road. Possibly Lookin at Lucky, although I'd say that's an outside chance at this point.

Historically HOY is given to the best older dirt male, and only given to mares when there isn't a standout in the male handicap (read: willing to go 10f on dirt) division. Turfers, sprinters, and mares usually are at a disadvantage. I don't see this year being any different, even though Zenyatta still has nothing in the L column.

What happens if Quality Road wins the BC? Or Blame? QR will have won 2 Gr 1's and second by a short head in another before the Woodward this weekend. Blame has won 2 Gr-1s and a Gr-3 in a carefully spotted campaign.

If somebody who is a Nice Horse but not one of the name-brand top three wins the BC (e.g. Richard's Kid), probably Zenyatta will get HOY. If QR, Blame, or LOL win it? HOY goes to them.

[jagger]

Has it occurred to anyone that Zenyatta may not run in the Classic? Here's what I am thinking. In the abscence of a dominant colt this year, does she NEED a victory in the BC Classic to get HOY? In this era of caution, it would not be entirely a "cop out" to race against Rachel at whatever race they choose for her. It would be what the public has wanted for some time - a RA vs Zenyatta showdown. And, choosing to race against the HOY can hardly be considered a sign of weakness. If it is the Ladies Classic, it would even be at Rachel's best distance, 9f. Can any colt who wins the BC Classic beat Zenyatta for HOY if she wins her third consecutive BC race? All of this is assuming that Rachel will surely not enter the Classic based on her last performance at that distance. I would just like to see Zenyatta end her career with a victory and a 20-0 record and still "save face" with a victory over last year's HOY. Or, she is the only horse to have won 2 different Breeder's Cup races, I think. How about being the only horse to win 3 different Breeder's Cup races and enter her in the Filly and Mare Turf?

[Daisy Jal Dastur]

Has it occurred to anyone that Zenyatta may not run in the Classic? Here's what I am thinking. In the abscence of a dominant colt this year, does she NEED a victory in the BC Classic to get HOY? In this era of caution, it would not be entirely a "cop out" to race against Rachel at whatever race they choose for her. It would be what the public has wanted for some time - a RA vs Zenyatta showdown. And, choosing to race against the HOY can hardly be considered a sign of weakness. If it is the Ladies Classic, it would even be at Rachel's best distance, 9f. Can any colt who wins the BC Classic beat Zenyatta for HOY if she wins her third consecutive BC race? All of this is assuming that Rachel will surely not enter the Classic based on her last performance at that distance. I would just like to see Zenyatta end her career with a victory and a 20-0 record and still "save face" with a victory over last year's HOY. Or, she is the only horse to have won 2 different Breeder's Cup races, I think. How about being the only horse to win 3 different Breeder's Cup races and enter her in the Filly and Mare Turf?

I, for one, would LOVE to see Z on the turf. Everything about her suggests she would be better on the green (which is a scary thought!!)

[wangkw]

[wangkw]

Anyone would agree with me that this year top title fight is one of the most boring ? Maybe no one will even care.

Zenyatta's record is so outstanding and I believe if she will bag nothing out of November she still stands the best
chance..I can think of only two closer contender..LOOKIN AT LUCKY..2 wins at 3 year old classic G1 ...his chance
will get a big leap forward if he takes the prized Classic...Quality Road is next on line..again..still needs something extra.

Rachel Alexandra has proven those who gave her Eclipse votes terribly wrong...Will Z gain on compassion ground ?

I do hope.

[TJ]

I think Zenyatta must win the Breeders Cup Classic to be crowned HOY. You have to figure it's her last year of racing and Champions prove that by chasing after the best and handing them a beating. There is a stigma attached to California racing....compounded by the introduction of the synthetic tracks. There are two legitimate California contender's for 3 YO honors this season. They are Blind Luck and Lookin at Lucky....they left their comfort zone and came east to race on the dirt. Their connections know that is a prerequisite to winning a championship. Zenyatta was beaten last year for that reason, she is predominently known as a restricted California, synthetic track horse. Why her connections never bothered to prove that she is so much more, I'll never know. This has hurt Zenyatta so much and it has deprived her fans from seeing how great she is. On the other hand.....they want the race streak record, for what again...I don't know....it will be forgotten soon after it's broken. Staying in California assures that record. Meanwhile she has an opportuninty to come to Belmont and run on the dirt in a very prestigious race, The GRI Beldame, won by the greatest distaffer's of all time only to be blown off for the Lady's Secret. There is absolutely no reason for Zenyatta not to come to NY and prove her worth against the best around. It's aggravating that she isn't given the opportunity. If she won the Beldame, I think all she would have to do is run a big race in the BC Classic (without having to win) and that could clinch the HOY title for her. If she doesn't make this move (which she isn't), she will once again be in the same position as she was last season and once again under the gun to win the Classic to secure HOY. The distinction this year over winning the Classic last year is that she will be winning the Classic over the dirt against the best dirt horses in the country. Getting Z's name in the history books along side of Personal Ensign, Susan's Girl, Lady's Secret, Desert Vixen, Gamely, Waya, Shuvee, Go For Wand, Cicada, Ruffian (to name a few) as the winner of the Beldame is more important then getting in the record books for number of consecutive races won (that's a record that has to fall sooner or later)....makes no sense. TJ

[dublino]

The distinction this year over winning the Classic last year is that she will be winning the Classic over the dirt against the best dirt horses in the country.

Best Dirt Horses? Where?
Quality Road is the only opposition she has, the rest are mediocre.

[TJ]

The distinction this year over winning the Classic last year is that she will be winning the Classic over the dirt against the best dirt horses in the country.

Best Dirt Horses? Where?
Quality Road is the only opposition she has, the rest are mediocre.

Hi Dub,
If you owned Blame, would you say that? Ya know. it is what it is.....you can only run against what's out there.....Do you think Zenyatta can handle Quality Road on the dirt? TJ

[jagger]

I am following what you say, TJ, and agreeing with most. But, you are also helping make my point/arguement that she should not face QR et al in the Classic. I guess it depends what Zenyatta's connections hold the most dear. Is it the 20-0 record? Or, to win HOY. Or, just to win another Breeders Cup race. How best can she accomplish some or all of these goals. I think by racing in the Classic, she risks everything. The surface is the key unknown. No one really knows how she will handle CD dirt. I do NOT think that she can win HOY by merely a good showing at the BC, unless Blame, QR and Lookin At Lucky and a few others also do poorly. The only way a 2nd place in the Classic gets her HOY is if some 30 - 1 longshot wins. If however, she beats Rachel in the Ladies Classic, she will be giving the public what it has wanted for the last 2 years, a showdown. So is beating last year's HOY, who's not having a good year, enough to get HOY if one of the leading colts wins the Classic? I think there may be a few voters who would vote for her given the chance who voted for Rachel last year as they may now regret their vote.

[dublino]

Hi Dub,
If you owned Blame, would you say that? Ya know. it is what it is.....you can only run against what's out there.....Do you think Zenyatta can handle Quality Road on the dirt? TJ

Jury is still out on Blame.
Z is too strong for the 3 year olds over that distance.

What about Quality Road over the classice distance?
Will Z mow him down, would like to see that match up lets hope it happens.

[jagger]

I think QR is not a 10F horse and based on yesterday's race, not even up to his earlier form at 9f with a 1:50. Agree...Blame is an unknown...but has the pedigree .