What from my post highlighting some of Shirreffs' now perennial politicking in the press suggests any feeling or judgment I have with regards to Zenyatta as a racehorse?

If you do a search, I was probably one of the earliest to suggest that the only way we'd see Zenyatta back east was for her to be stabled there for an extended period.

That doesn't mean that Team Zenyatta get's to merely mention campaigning her in a serious manner and get a free pass when things "don't work out".

Talk is cheap.

And for the record, I don't care if she were to be "beaten up" prior to the BC Classic. It's not the only race that counts.

Just a second, the greatest horse ever to look through a bridle finished third in that BC Classic.

If she races in The Beldame or Jockey Gold Cup prior to the BC Classic, I think these type of threads will be a distant memory. I'm all for it and I truly hope it happens.

I'm pretty sure the term "hung" was invented to describe the various efforts of Ittasak.

He was a giant among horses.

This was the point of my initial post.

You're being took in with this NY BS, just like you were with the Rockies excuse.

Team Zenyatta has no intention of running in NY. They've been saying that they "might" for 2 years running now.

The only question remaining is whether or not she starts again after the Hirsch prior to the BC.

But seeing how there's a race available to her in CA actually called the "Zenyatta" and it is likely to be run at her home track of Hollywood Park (remembering Oak Tree is considering running its meet in Inglewood this year), I think its a safe bet she will make a start. If for no other reason than running in a race named for you trumps even a day of bobbleheads.

If I were reading this from a NYRA point of view, I would bend over backwards to get her whatever they needed to make this happen, as Cella tried to do with RA for the AB. I do recall Sheriff's saying he tried calling their office to inquire about stalls or something and they just referred to him to look it up on the website. I would say a personal touch would be more successful if they want Zenyatta at Belmont this fall.

There is no reason for them to go there.

Quality Road's races should count more than Zenyatta's because they are bigger and more important races. It used to be that a filly had to have an extraordinary year in a year where no male horse stood out (like last year). Zenyatta's campaign the last two years should only have held merit if there simply wasn't anyone else to give it to (like the year Kotashann, a turf horse, won). The award voters got it right last year because the breeders Cup shouldn't be the end all. RA was clearly ahead on the ballots leading into the BC and while she may have been a victimized in the final count by emotion and a little "out of sight, out of mind" mentality. But this year there is a clear cut leader in the older horse category who is following a traditional path who should be the HoY if he wins out regardless of the BC.

Eliminate the detention barns, and they might think about it.

I'd think Team Zenyatta would be bending over backwards to try and win the HOY that has eluded them the last 2 years.

They seem hell-bent on playing the arrogant "you come to us" card which is not the way racing works. No one wants to play ball with Zenyatta, so no one's gonna come. Go outside the comfort zone, and one or two are going to get a little brave and take you on. And if the horse is as good as she appears, then she'll mop the floor with them, even if she's not as sharp under the non-ideal conditions. Even a loss, were she to take on too much all at once, would probably enhance her reputation if she performed admirably.

But Team Zenyatta doesn't show their confindence or their arrogance on the racetrack, they only show it in the press.

Zenyatta is a fantastic racehorse, but thanks to connections, she's a meek champion.

I was swept away in the moment at the BC when she won and as time passed to look at it objectively I thought "Which would be more unfair, denying RA or Zenyatta?" I felt the right choice was made.

I feel we all are getting ahead of ourselves just a bit. Ultimately what everyone wants to see (I would hope) is a race with Zenyatta,RA,QR and Rail Trip all at the top of their game. (At least in my fantasy world)

If that means the connections of Zenyatta decide that in the best interest of their goal of winning the BCC she should take the most comfortable Grade 1 F&M races in their own backyard then so be it. If she wins the BCC and is denied HOY there will be plenty of people freaking out with Moss at the top of the list. Personally it's no skin off my back.

This weekend's races are just awesome. Topped off by a Mare who makes every race she runs in dramatic.

Sounds like Sheriffs has been chatting with Mullins on the subject.

Its more that Jackson already experience with Tiago that he doesn't want Zenyatta to experience. I don't blame him on that.....they should get rid of those barns.

Still a long way to go for the china doll known as QR

Pretty funny that Pletch has him back on the shelf … again

Holding off that killer (MM) at Bel must've wiped him out


Hell, they even shortened the Suburban for him this year and he'll probably still stay in the barn … LOL

And Pletcher, Asmussen, and Dutrow would object to this? I don't ever recall Sheriff's having a positive, this stuff gets stranger by the day.

oh the irony

Mullins being the most obvious anti-NYRA detention barn detractor out there. No, I guess you're right, I can't see the connection between two West Coast whiners.

Just when it appeared you couldn't be any more idiotic.

yes, ironic. he's a huge fan of a six year old making her 17th lifetime start while bashing a horse for being on the shelf....wow