7/10 (HOL): Hollywood Gold Cup & Triple Bend H. (G1's)

[Port Conway Lane]

She barely squeaks out a win in the Vanity against a horse who was trounced by males in her previous start and she is supposed to run in the Gold Cup against the best male in California. Makes sense.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Port Conway Lane

She barely squeaks out a win in the Vanity against a horse who was trounced by males in her previous start and she is supposed to run in the Gold Cup against the best male in California. Makes sense.

So you're saying she is clearly not the best horse in training?

[Port Conway Lane]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

So you're saying she is clearly not the best horse in training?

I'm saying that.

[Port Conway Lane]

I'm not alone evidently.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Port Conway Lane

I'm saying that.

Fair enough. Even if it's a step down from what most people envisioned for her 2010 campaign, there has to be some interest in seeing Zenyatta take on St. Trinians a second time in the Clement Hirsch.

It's just disappointing that it will "waste" another start in familiar territory.

[nomad]

Originally Posted by Port Conway Lane

She barely squeaks out a win in the Vanity against a horse who was trounced by males in her previous start and she is supposed to run in the Gold Cup against the best male in California. Makes sense.

you've got to be kidding

[Indian Charlie]

Nomad, these Zenyattards actually believe this stuff that they post here.

They will grasp at any straw to rationalize Zenyattas connections Bullshid.

[Port Conway Lane]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Nomad, these Zenyattards actually believe this stuff that they post here.

They will grasp at any straw to rationalize Zenyattas connections Bullshid.

The people who demand that Zenyatta run against Rail Trip believe she is vulnerable and want to see her challenged. I would like to see that too but whining about the fact they didn't enter her doesn't get her in the race.

If she makes it to to Kentucky hopefully she will run against the best field available. Meanwhile she has her hands full with St. Trinians who not only challenged her but tested her.

My point in the post that Nomad brought up is that if you were a trainer of a mare who was all out against a horse who was trounced by second tier males in her previous start why would you enter her against the best male in a race that may not meet the time frame you have laid out.

The decision not to run her in the HGC isn't a popular one among racing fans. Maybe we can lay out her schedule for him and while we're at it do the same for the other top horses in training.

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by Port Conway Lane

The decision not to run her in the HGC isn't a popular one among racing fans. Maybe we can lay out her schedule for him and while we're at it do the same for the other top horses in training.

Now you're talkin'!

I understand the protectionist attitude even though it irks me. It's been going on for more than just Zenyatta or Rachel, and it's really a tribute to how magnetic and talented they both are that we're griping this loudly. How many owners do the same thing and nobody cares? A trainer will run horses where they can win, and they can get a pat on the back for it. In a situation like this, they get an ear full about how terrible it is that the horse wasn't challenged more.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Port Conway Lane

The people who demand that Zenyatta run against Rail Trip believe she is vulnerable and want to see her challenged.

This is BS. I doubt anyone wants to see Zenyatta run against Rail Trip because she is "vulnerable". That "you just want to see her lose" defense needs to go to the parking lot. People want to see her run against Rail Trip because she's already shown she can go toe-to-toe with top class males.

Now, your point about her maybe not being in top form right now, based on her narrow victory over St. Trinians is well taken, but that doesn't mean that she's not capable of better than that Vanity effort.

In addition, who said St. Trinians showed her best stuff on Big Cap day? Her other races in the U.S. have been outstanding.

[Port Conway Lane]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

This is BS. I doubt anyone wants to see Zenyatta run against Rail Trip because she is "vulnerable". That "you just want to see her lose" defense needs to go to the parking lot. People want to see her run against Rail Trip because she's already shown she can go toe-to-toe with top class males.

Now, your point about her maybe not being in top form right now, based on her narrow victory over St. Trinians is well taken, but that doesn't mean that she's not capable of better than that Vanity effort.

In addition, who said St. Trinians showed her best stuff on Big Cap day? Her other races in the U.S. have been outstanding.

Well I won't speak for anyone else. I think she would be vulnerable.
I agree that perhaps St. Trinians may not have fired that day so that argument is a bit exaggerated.

You say she ran toe-to-toe with top class males. I agree. However (some of) the same people who pretend they want to see her challenged but really want to see her lose will tell you the group of males she beat were a bunch of bums.

I would have loved to see if she was good enough to beat Rail Trip today. It won't happen so I accept it and move on. If she continues to win up to the BCC then her mystique will be unveiled. But even if she wins that race it won't be good enough because she didn't run against males "more than once."

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

In addition, who said St. Trinians showed her best stuff on Big Cap day? Her other races in the U.S. have been outstanding.

I must be the only one that thought St Trinians ran really well in the Vanity.

I personally dont think Zenyatta has looked as good as last year, thought given a fall apart pace scenario she could still win any race.

[10 pnt move up]

Man Gayago is a nice looking horse, not sure how he runs today but he looks great.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

I must be the only one that thought St Trinians ran really well in the Vanity.

I personally dont think Zenyatta has looked as good as last year, thought given a fall apart pace scenario she could still win any race.

St. Trinians effort in the Vanity makes one regret her not having started in the Santa Margarita, not to mention any starts she might have made subsequently had Mike Mitchell not backed off on her following the Big Cap debacle.