Now I Have Zero Respect Left for Shirreffs

[TheSpyder]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8BWB...eature=related

You sir are crazy as a a Coconut!

Originally Posted by King Glorious

“I think because Zenyatta is undefeated and beat such a strong field, she should strongly be considered for Horse of the Year,” Shirreffs said.

Asked if Zenyatta should have been in the Classic in order to vie for Horse of the Year against the best in the world, Shirreffs referenced the breakdown of Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby.

“On the heels of some of the things that happened earlier in the year, it was in the best interest of Zenyatta, and in the best interest of racing, to run in the Ladies’ Classic against the best fillies in the world, and they all showed up,” Shirreffs said.

“It’s always in your mind when filles cross over, not just Eight Belles,” he said. “I just didn’t feel it was the right thing to do. I felt it was important for her to win a Breeders’ Cup race and be a champion. That was more important than racing in the Classic.”
___________________________

Complete and absolute bullshit. He could have run her in the Classic and made his case. As was talked about in another thread, if you want to run in the Distaff, feel free. But don't do your campaigning in the media afterwards when you had the opportunity to do it on the track. And then to reference Eight Belles in his reasoning for not taking on males? Is he ****ing serious? Did he not see Zarkava win her race? What about Goldikova win hers? Do female horses only break down when they face males? He's got to be kidding right? So, if he had a horse that won the Derby again, would he then skip the Preakness because of what happened to Barbaro? What about if he won the Derby and Preakness, would he skip the Belmont because of what happened to Charismatic? For that matter, why did he even run in the Distaff? Didn't he see what happened Go for Wand?

I heard his defenders talking about how he's brought her along slowly and because she's only run 9f once, taking her to a 10f race against the best in the world wasn't practical. Then we watched two 3yo's who had never been past a mile and were trying a new surface for the first time and shipping across the ocean to do it run 1-2.

Shirreffs just wanted to take the easiest path. He didn't want to take any chances with her and that's his right. But again, don't go campaigning in the media when you had your chances on the track. That's completely bushleague.

[Round Pen]

King were you having a bad day holy Cow

[GenuineRisk]

"Obviously that decision would be up to the Mosses as well, but it really goes against my nature to run fillies against males," said Shirreffs. "I've never done it during my career. The boys play a lot rougher than the fillies do and I wouldn't want to put her through that. To me, the risk would not be worth the potential reward."

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/hor...ory?id=3663674

I'm with KG on this one. Shirreffs plays it very, very safe with her (and has done a terrific job, no question). But he seems to be saying, "She beat all the best fillies, but any colt would have been too much for her because they play too rough." By that standard, Goldikova should be HOTY.

Of course, Zenyatta won't care either way. Neither will Curlin.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

"Obviously that decision would be up to the Mosses as well, but it really goes against my nature to run fillies against males," said Shirreffs. "I've never done it during my career. The boys play a lot rougher than the fillies do and I wouldn't want to put her through that. To me, the risk would not be worth the potential reward."
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/hor...ory?id=3663674

I'm with KG on this one. Shirreffs plays it very, very safe with her (and has done a terrific job, no question). But he seems to be saying, "She beat all the best fillies, but any colt would have been too much for her because they play too rough." By that standard, Goldikova should be HOTY.

Of course, Zenyatta won't care either way. Neither will Curlin.

If according to his own words, the risk is not worth the reward......then he shouldn't receive the reward. Come on.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

If according to his own words, the risk is not worth the reward......then he shouldn't receive the reward. Come on.

You dont understand the award.

The award goes to the horse who accomplished the most in the sport for the calender year, not who was the "best" horse. The two are often synonymous but not always.

Kotoshaan was horse of the year, I highly doubt he was a better horse then Bertrando or Best Pal, but they ran in separate divisions and their accomplishments are weighted separately.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

You dont understand the award.

The award goes to the horse who accomplished the most in the sport for the calender year, not who was the "best" horse. The two are often synonymous but not always.

Kotoshaan was horse of the year, I highly doubt he was a better horse then Bertrando or Best Pal, but they ran in separate divisions and their accomplishments are weighted separately.

Hmmmmmm...you sure about that?

I have debated this many times and I always thought it was for the "best" horse to run in North America. Is what you are saying written anywhere? It would really put an end to a lot of silly debate.

[blackthroatedwind]

There are no rules, but he is right, it is pretty much based on accomplishment.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

You dont understand the award.

The award goes to the horse who accomplished the most in the sport for the calender year, not who was the "best" horse. The two are often synonymous but not always.

Kotoshaan was horse of the year, I highly doubt he was a better horse then Bertrando or Best Pal, but they ran in separate divisions and their accomplishments are weighted separately.

The idea is basically for the best dirt router in the country. Usually, that's an older male horse. The door gets opened up to others when there is no clear outstanding older dirt male. That was the case when Azeri won it and when Lady's Secret won it. Same as when Kotashaan won it. There usually has to be a strong resume compiled throughout the year but that's not a requirement. As I've mentioned before, Arazi was one of the three HOY finalists in 1991 and that was after winning only the BC Juvenile during his year. This year, Curlin has compiled a good enough resume to win it. It's not the strongest ever presented but it is good enough. I don't think Zenyatta has come close to accomplishing the most in the sport this year. The ironic thing is that there's no doubt in my mind that she's actually better than Curlin this year.

My argument is not whether or not she should win the award. I wouldn't vote for her but I can totally understand those that would. My point is having the opportunity to make your case but chosing not to take it and then campaigning in the media is weak.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I don't think Zenyatta has come close to accomplishing the most in the sport this year. .

I think that statement is very debatable and thus why it will be a close vote, that in the end Curlin will win, for various reasons that are not as clear as one would imagine.

[kgar311]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

The idea is basically for the best dirt router in the country. Usually, that's an older male horse. The door gets opened up to others when there is no clear outstanding older dirt male. That was the case when Azeri won it and when Lady's Secret won it. Same as when Kotashaan won it. There usually has to be a strong resume compiled throughout the year but that's not a requirement. As I've mentioned before, Arazi was one of the three HOY finalists in 1991 and that was after winning only the BC Juvenile during his year. This year, Curlin has compiled a good enough resume to win it. It's not the strongest ever presented but it is good enough. I don't think Zenyatta has come close to accomplishing the most in the sport this year. The ironic thing is that there's no doubt in my mind that she's actually better than Curlin this year.

.

??? Wasnt Lady's Secret beating up on the boys all year long in '86

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

Kotoshaan was horse of the year, I highly doubt he was a better horse then Bertrando or Best Pal, but they ran in separate divisions and their accomplishments are weighted separately.

For reals? You really think that Kotoshaan wasn't a better horse than those two?

I don't know how to respond to that.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

For reals? You really think that Kotoshaan wasn't a better horse than those two?

I don't know how to respond to that.

I can say it pretty confidently actually, go watch the 92' santa anita handicap or the 93' woodward i believe.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

If according to his own words, the risk is not worth the reward......then he shouldn't receive the reward. Come on.

Well, i guess you just lost some respect for Byk also. he is on air eating up every word sheriffs is saying. Dont see how a filly that has only run in restricted races can be considered for HOY.
I have the utmost respect for Zenyatta...i think she may be the best filly/mare in the last 20 years. But let her prove herself against OPEN company. Could you imagine if an European trainer said that his filly should be HOY if she had only raced against females. He/She would get laughed in their face.

[RollerDoc]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

If according to his own words, the risk is not worth the reward......then he shouldn't receive the reward. Come on.

I agree. So if Zenaytta isn't HOY, and Curlin isn't HOY, there is only one other logical choice. And that award goes to _____ ____________

I didn't say it.