Zenyatta warming up.....

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

She wins - but her performances aren't exactly spectacular.

She was very unimpressive in victory last out over a troubled Tough Tiz's Sis - who is moderate.

A horse like Hystericalady has run several outstanding races - though she doesn't always show up - and is much less effective on synthetic tracks.

Ginger Punch has built up a tremendous resume - and I think she is very moderate.

I think there is more talent in the 3yo filly division than the older female division right now - but many of those talented types are questionable at best at 9fs or further.

John Sherrifs trained a huge filly named Manistique for 505 in the late 90's - she was pretty accomplished winning 11 of 15 starts, 9 of which were grade 1 or grade 2 stake races. I think without question Manistique was more talented than Zenyatta.

That's not to say Zenyatta can't still improve.

I respect your opinion, you know that by now. I think Zenyatta has more natural ability then Azeri, others I know feel the same (hint hint, wink wink-dont respond to that please). She absolutely goofs around in races, so in that aspect she has a ways to go as a race horse, but when she runs like she did in the Apple Blossom she is not beatable. I think she is better on dirt though and these continous slow pace might catch up to her but she will take some serious beating at Santa Anita. Hysterical Lady, again as you know I really think is super, and has been mismanaged, has lost races when the circumstances have been against her, that cannot be said about Zenyatta as of yet.

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

I respect your opinion, you know that by now. I think Zenyatta has more natural ability then Azeri,

than Azeri?
Jeez.
I'm gonna go watch those replays again.
I really like the horse too, but Azeri...

He just said natural ability because it's useless information. What matters is the results on the track...and Zenyatta will never match Azeri because she has a trainer that doesn't run his horses on a regular basis.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

He just said natural ability because it's useless information. What matters is the results on the track...and Zenyatta will never match Azeri because she has a trainer that doesn't run his horses on a regular basis.

agree, but at this point she has about the same exact schedule/record as azeri, and at the end of their four year old year they will have run in almost the same exact series of races.

I did say natural ability because azeri had a great mind to accompany the physical ability, and she was a very sound horse. Zenyatta has a ways to go, but the talent is there.

It will be interesting to see how she performs in a race that
lacks speed up front. If I were Zenyatta's connections I would like to see Ginger Punch with a 40 to 1 runoff horse in every race.

Zenyatta has a very long stride late. It is impressive.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by pgardn

It will be interesting to see how she performs in a race that
lacks speed up front. If I were Zenyatta's connections I would like to see Ginger Punch with a 40 to 1 runoff horse in every race.

Zenyatta has a very long stride late. It is impressive.

looking at the pace figures in her races that has already been happening, I want to see it when the pace is quick and contested up front.

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

looking at the pace figures in her races that has already been happening, I want to see it when the pace is quick and contested up front.

Whatever the pace figures are she has be lounging at the rear
quite lazily, when she decides to leave the gate.
And then deals the move on the turn. By the stretch she
is just striding away, big long strides. Then again she is a big
animal.

Very different style than Azeri anyway.

[Theatrical]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

I respect your opinion, you know that by now. I think Zenyatta has more natural ability then Azeri, others I know feel the same (hint hint, wink wink-dont respond to that please). She absolutely goofs around in races, so in that aspect she has a ways to go as a race horse, but when she runs like she did in the Apple Blossom she is not beatable. I think she is better on dirt though and these continous slow pace might catch up to her but she will take some serious beating at Santa Anita. Hysterical Lady, again as you know I really think is super, and has been mismanaged, has lost races when the circumstances have been against her, that cannot be said about Zenyatta as of yet.

I agree. 2008 is Zenyatta's first year of racing and while she is physically a monster, her maturity level hasn't caught up yet. I think her last race was a learning experience for her and her connections. She ran a 1/16th further for the first time and I think once she cleared the other horses, she felt her job was done and it wasn't. I also believe she was unfocused, which could be attributed to several things, not the least that she is still figuring things out. Impressive as her others? No. But, I give her the benefit because she is like a 4 yr. old 2 yr. old as to becoming a race horse. Her Apple Blossom, which I saw, was a stunning display of power.