Devastating news for Zenyatta fans

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by Alabama Stakes

really ? an eternity chasing Blame. She'd catch him and mess him up even with a broken leg. brings back memories of Rachel chickening out at Oaklawn.
Any hoss any time at any distance on any surface....Zen will run by . She could come back now and whip these hosses. The only one who stopped her was Mikey and the Sandman. It just never gets old......

1) Other posters are correct, she never does pass Blame.

2) Rachel didn't chicken out. She's a horse, she had no say in what race she entered. It made no sense whatsoever to enter that Apple Blossom based on what she was doing at the time. Better to just avoid the thing. Zenyatta could've come to Saratoga and faced Rachel in the Woodward. She didn't. Top form from both ladies is the goal or I just don't see the point. Besides which, they're both capable of beating males. Put them in an open company race (like the Woodward) and face whoever'll come. Not fillies only. They shouldn't only be thinking about each other as the class of the race. There'd likely be a small field. Open company in a G1 would expand the field size.

3) Mike Smith in no way caused Zenyatta to lose, whatever sword he might try to fall on on her behalf. Her running style did her in when confronted by a horse with enough talent and tactical speed.