Bill Finley on the subject of Zenyatta needing to win the Classic for HOY

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/hor...ill&id=5739463

Nobody is building a case against her if she wins. They are clearly pointing out that she dosen't belong in the discussion with Secretariat and others, but nobody can deny she's a Hall of Famer and will win HOY with a win next week. That said, to this point others have done more this year by winning more competitive races. It's Sheriffs and Smith (and a bunch of casual fans) who are making the case otherwise. They think they should have it sewn up when they haven't done as much to this point.

So the final work is coming up. Announcement they're ducking tomorrow afternoon?

I have not encountered one single person that " hates " Zenyatta. Not a soul. What I have encountered are a lot of loose cannons that in their fear of seeing Zenyatta accurately assessed have labeled all those with an unbiased opinion of her to be " haters " and have resorted to as many diversionary tactics as they could possibly dream up. They obfuscate the truth by ignoring competition, surface, race restrictions, and mostly by introducing complete non-sequitors on a continual basis ( i.e. last year's HOY Award and most notably Rachel Alexandra ). Karl Rove would be proud.

Zenyatta is a VERY good horse. However, she will never be as good, based on her actual racetrack performances, as some want us to believe. Nothing wrong with that, as some want us to believe she is the greatest horse of all time, and nothing could be further from the truth. An impressive win in this BC Classic would prove a lot, and certainly elevate her lofty status, but by the same token, a mediocre performance should be viewed as exposing her weaknesses that heretofore have been either ignored or strongly denied.

What the hell is wrong with being an exceptional racehorse? Why is it so important to manufacture praise that isn't necessarily warranted to enjoy talent these days? And why are those that question the overzealousness suddenly " haters " when they are actually nothing more than realists?

Well said

And what happens if she doesn't run due to a last minute "issue"? I just have that feeling...

Then she retires as a "VERY good horse", as Andy stated.

:tro:

i'm pretty sure this latest round of discussion began because it was said that zenyatta deserved HOY even if she lost. there is no way her campaign with a loss next saturday would warrant that award-or even being one of the finalists.

:zz:
Diversionary tactics and a non-sequiturs!

Glenn Beck would be proud of you for exposing the conspiracy.

Shirreffs was on Down the Stretch this AM

Sounded like he and Zenyatta are going to BC

might be gas?

She's going to KY no matter what. They can easily ship her to CD, come up with a phantom problem, and then ship her to a farm to be bred next year.

Hopefully to Indian Charlie.

Good point - does BC pay for shipment? Because that would seem to make sense.

I say Colonel Mustard in the Library with the Candlestick :p

My guess her withdrawal will be due to the small showers forecast for Friday, and how they had to do something with tractors on the dirt that makes it unfavorable for closers on the next day.

Though, that might meet with some backlash.

Perhaps the ole stepping on a nail trick will be used?

This is nonsense. I haven't seen one person say Zenyatta sucks. Which would be the other, illogical extreme. Show me one of these 'east coasters' who said it. One.

I totally agree. I think all this hate/suck accusations come from her losing HOY in 2008 and 2009 and anyone who tried to debate the issue that both Curlin and Rachel deserved the award immediately got labeled a Zenyatta hater.

Brownie!

BC ratings in '84......5.1
Last year...............0.6

One thing that comes across in these discussions is that some seem to be speaking a completely different language than others.

Like if some say Zenyatta doesn't deserve HOY if she doesn't win the Classic, it gets taken as that person thinks she sucks....wrong.

If you don't think she is an all time great, you are a hater...wrong.

I have yet to see one person say she sucks...ever. I've also never seen anyone not say she isn't a really good, maybe even great horse. Where the disagreement lies is in her place among the greats and the all time status she has been granted while beating up on mediocre (being nice) competition.

If there is emotion on the side of the realists (haters) it's because some awfully good racehorses have been pushed aside in an effort to crown a horse that has not proven it on the track. Sorry, there is more to a record.