Camp Zenyatta had a plan for HOY--make a token trip out-of-state again (which, no fault of theirs, had to be scratched), beat up on a bunch of tin cans in-state thereafter, and take the BC Distaff (as I still call it) on home field. If they could keep her together, it would have worked, unless some 3YO freaked.
And a 3YO has freaked. Worse, it is a filly that has now offered up three historical performances in a row, in big showcase races. And she is threatening to do more. If she were to do the Haskell or Travers, or--heaven help her-- both, it would be a ridiculous accomplishment. The sentiment for her would be overwhelming for HOY, and deservedly so. Zenyatta would have to come out and face her, BC be damned, to keep her HOY shot alive. The writers are going to reward the daring-do of RA if she pulls off a couple of more historical performances. People like that stuff. More boring stakes races on the California poly circuit you can get any weekend.
Zenyatta's only other alternative would be to start stepping out herself--but they've already said no to the Pacific Classic, opting for the Clement Hirsch. Here's a bulletin: nobody outside of California really cares about the Clement Hirsch--it is just more of the same, in year when a filly is doing things that definitely are NOT the same. Maybe going to the Goodwood might work. Certainly the BC Classic would do the trick. But unless RA falters, then Zenyatta & Co. MUST call an audible of some kind, or risk having an undefeated twice champion who couldn't make HOY.
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