2/13 (SA): Las Virgenes (G1); Bob Lewis, Santa Maria, Strub (G2's)

[The Indomitable DrugS]

She should have to give a massive chunk of weight away - but even at level weights it will still VERY much be a race.

But - Level weights should even further discourage competition from entering a 250K Grade 1 that includes both of those horse. You're basically running for 3rd and a 25K check.

I'd expect no more than a field of 5 - I'd expect St Trinians to have the needed seperation while in a comfort zone and feel no pressure to move until Rosario wants to.

If Zenyatta gets even she's leaving - and if she's ahead you're dead - but she's struggled to beat absolutely pathetic competition when they've been capable of getting comfortable early seperation in easy-run races. St Trinians has clearly demonstrated for the third time in a row that she's a real horse.

[Danzig]

here it is:

Change in stakes would benefit Zenyatta
By Jay Privman
ARCADIA, Calif. - Santa Anita officials on Friday said they are "discussing the possibility" of changing the conditions of the Grade 1, $250,000 Santa Margarita Invitational on March 13 from a handicap to a stakes race, a development that could result in Zenyatta carrying a much more favorable weight assignment.

Zenyatta is scheduled to make her first start of the year in the Santa Margarita and will use that as a prep for a potential meeting April 9 with Rachel Alexandra in the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park.

"We're discussing the possibility," Rick Hammerle, racing secretary at Santa Anita, said in his office Friday morning. "The race is under discussion. We don't want to be the reason why Zenyatta doesn't run. She's potentially going to run for $5 million carrying 123 pounds. Why would she carry 130 pounds for $250,000? It doesn't make any sense."

Mike Harlow, Santa Anita's director of racing, added: "We think everybody in the country wants to see those two horses meet. We want to align ourselves with that."
The Santa Margarita, at 1 1/8 miles, has been part of Santa Anita's stakes calendar since the track opened in the winter of 1934-35. It has been run as in invitational since 1968 and counts among its roster of winners such greats as Busher, Two Lea, Bed o'Roses, Silver Spoon, Gamely, Susan's Girl, Tizna, Glorious Song, Lady's Secret, Bayakoa, Paseana, and Azeri. The race was won last year by Life Is Sweet, who, like Zenyatta, is trained by John Shirreffs.

All of Santa Anita's Grade 1 stakes races for 4-year-olds and older during the winter meeting are run under handicap conditions. But at the fall Oak Tree meeting, similar races - most of them preps for Breeders' Cup races - are run under weight-for-age allowance conditions, similar to the Breeders' Cup.

"I've always been a traditionalist, but the trend in the industry seems to be to get away from handicaps in Grade 1 races," Harlow said. "We're certainly looking at it here."

Zenyatta has not raced since capturing the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 7.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Bobby Frankel was against Grade 1 Races being Handicaps. Aren't you going to respect the wishes of a man who has only been dead for 3 months? Have some respect. Fk tradition. Damn lazy acceptance of tradition is why Zig gets same number of U.S. Senators (in her bush state) as Ca.,TX., and NY have. If you think the lasso-twirling St. Trinians can beat Z, then stop looking for help doing it. Like I said, St. T will probably hurt herself again. With Mitchell in charge, she probably can barely feel her hoofs during a race. Z didn't get any weight break beating males. She gave the 3 year olds colts 3 pounds. If S.T. is such a saint, then shut the f up, n' bring it.

[NTamm1215]

They probably won't have to worry about changing the weights around cause Mitchell is running St. Trinian's in the Big Cap. Zenyatta should have to carry 140 against the tomato cans she'll face in the Santa whatever on March 13.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/110801.html

[Smooth Operator]

No-brainer

Try to take down the Big Cap with the sharp beast

Beats running second to Big Mama…

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Smooth Operator

No-brainer

Try to take down the Big Cap with the sharp beast

Beats running second to Big Mama…

Actually it's just a trainer making a sensible move with his in-form horse even if it's deemed by some unconventional. Imagine if Shirreffs had done this over teh last two years with Zenyatta and she had won races like the Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic? You'd be so much more insufferable now if that had happened.

NT

[Smooth Operator]

Consider keeping your computer turned off for a few days beginning on Friday, April 9th, NTamm1215.