Shirreffs says Zenyatta deserves '10 Horse of the Year

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

What bothers me the most about Team Zenyatta is they think everyone has the horse racing acumen of Smooth Operator.

This is the team that was responsible for the travelling over the rockies comment earlier. Then Rail Trip was the highest mountain. Now regardless of her finish, in the race they coddled her for all year, she deserves HOY? Amazing.

HOY isn't some kind of lifetime achievement award. That's what the Hall of Fame is for and she'll be in there in due time. HOY is for the horse who has accomplished the most over the course of the year on the track. IMO a case could be made that even with a win in the Classic she doesn't deserve the award this year.

Anyone who doesn't think Team Zenyatta doesn't care about HOY is fooling themselves. They desperately want it, to fuel their own ego.

I agree with most of your points, but.... For a while Rail Trip was the highest mountain out there, sure the connections are lame and should have won the Pacific Classic, but whatever... A lot of people really liked Rail Trip, and thought he would move way up on dirt, BTW being one of them.....What Rail Trip has done since, should not take away from his form when they did duck him. Win the Classic and still not be HOY, that is totally absurd. The group is deep, all the major players will be there.... If she runs 2-3 and anyone but QR, Blame, L@L win it, she still might be HOY.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

I agree with most of your points, but.... For a while Rail Trip was the highest mountain out there, sure the connections are lame and should have won the Pacific Classic, but whatever... A lot of people really liked Rail Trip, and thought he would move way up on dirt, BTW being one of them.....What Rail Trip has done since, should not take away from his form when they did duck him. Win the Classic and still not be HOY, that is totally absurd. The group is deep, all the major players will be there.... If she runs 2-3 and anyone but QR, Blame, L@L win it, she still might be HOY.

They were ducking Rail Trip. I don't care how good he looked, it's Rail Trip. It was ridiculous then and even more so now. But that is what they do. What was so special about his form before that makes it logical to duck him? Because he could run a little?

Sorry, I don't believe in rewarding ducking and making 1 real start per year. You do and I find that absurd.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

They were ducking Rail Trip. I don't care how good he looked, it's Rail Trip. It was ridiculous then and even more so now. But that is what they do. What was so special about his form before that makes it logical to duck him? Because he could run a little?

Sorry, I don't believe in rewarding ducking and making 1 real start per year. You do and I find that absurd.

I dont think HOY is about who you duck and race. If she wins she is still undefeated and will have defeated the best group of the year. She also showed up at Oaklawn.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

I dont think HOY is about who you duck and race. If she wins she is still undefeated and will have defeated the best group of the year. She also showed up at Oaklawn.

Oh she showed up at Oaklawn? Give her the award....forget the BC. Just give it to her now.

[iamthelurker]

OH EM GEEEE ZENYATTA'S BLEEDING!!!!!

oh wait i know nothing about this game......come on people turn off the secretariat movie.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

Oh she showed up at Oaklawn? Give her the award....forget the BC. Just give it to her now.

Where did I say that? I was very specific about how I think she wins the award. If QR, Blame or Lucky win the Classic, she wont be HOY.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Where did I say that? I was very specific about how I think she wins the award. If QR, Blame or Lucky win the Classic, she wont be HOY.

You didn't say it. I did. You brought it up as an example of why she should be HOY. I just wanted to match the absurdness.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

You didn't say it. I did. You brought it up as an example of why she should be HOY. I just wanted to match the absurdness.

IC

[CSC]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Where did I say that? I was very specific about how I think she wins the award. If QR, Blame or Lucky win the Classic, she wont be HOY.

Honestly I don't really care who wins HOY, to me it's rather tiring to have these discussions, but I would really like to hear from all those that wouldn't vote for Zenyatta even if she went on to win the BC Classic, if not her then who? At times I think the logic here is to say let's punish a horse for not travelling all but for 2 races and let's reward HOY for the mediocrity in QR and or Blame have shown in their last 2 races especially if they do not go on to win the BC Classic. Are these 2 more deserved of HOY? It makes absolutely no sense to me.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by CSC

Honestly I don't really care who wins HOY, to me it's rather tiring to have these discussions, but I would really like to hear from all those that wouldn't vote for Zenyatta even if she went on to win the BC Classic, if not her then who? At times I think the logic here is to say let's punish a horse for not travelling all but for 2 races and let's reward HOY for the mediocrity in QR and or Blame have shown in their last 2 races especially if they do not go on to win the BC Classic. Are these 2 more deserved of HOY? It makes absolutely no sense to me.

In my opinion if Blind Luck or Proviso were to go on and win their respective races, they would have had as good, if not better years than Zenyatta. They traveled and faced better competition more consistently. I don't believe in rewarding ducking.

Sitting out, while the best run against each other, then sweeping up at the end doesn't do it for me. Just my opinion and I'm sure I'm in the minority. That's ok.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by CSC

Honestly I don't really care who wins HOY, to me it's rather tiring to have these discussions, but I would really like to hear from all those that wouldn't vote for Zenyatta even if she went on to win the BC Classic, if not her then who? At times I think the logic here is to say let's punish a horse for not travelling all but for 2 races and let's reward HOY for the mediocrity in QR and or Blame have shown in their last 2 races especially if they do not go on to win the BC Classic. Are these 2 more deserved of HOY? It makes absolutely no sense to me.

Anyone who would vote for any horse other than her if she wins the BC Classic has an axe to grind.

There's nothing similar to the situations that prevent a BC Classic winner from winning HOTY in place this year. I mean if Proviso wins the Mile (which will lead me to have a heart attack) then she should get some admiration but the vote ought to be unanimous.