Rachel vs. Zenyatta: Which run the better race?

[JerseyJ]

Originally Posted by declansharbor

For those that thought maybe they would meet up this summer:

“Every venue has its idiosyncrasies that are risky,” noted Moss. “We had a very bad experience with Giacomo going to the detention barn at Belmont, which threw him out of his game for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). He went nuts (finishing seventh, beaten nearly 18 lengths). At Saratoga, you have the detention barn, plus tight turns that would compromise Zenyatta given her running style of coming wide from behind.

The detention barn threw Giacomo off his game for the Belmont Stakes? That could be as laughable of a quote as I have ever seen. More like faster and better horses threw Giacomo off his game for the Belmont Stakes. Moss is in la-la land if he thought it would have mattered if Giacomo was in the Detention Barn or not that year for the Belmont Stakes against Afleet Alex. But they can think and believe all they want.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

In the previous 24 months, Todd has won with only 4 2YO firsters in dirt sprints at all NYRA tracks.

Yeah - ever since they did away with the Keeneland July Select sale back in 2003 - he doesn't seem to care as much about having as strong of a showing at Belmont spring/summer leading into that super important sale.

He can at least take pride in knowing that he got a classic placing with the nations highest priced yearling in Dunkirk .. and he got big debut wins out of both Munnings and Mr Mistoffalees .. who were the 2nd and 3rd highest priced horses out FT Calder behind only Desert Party.

It's too bad he didn't have as much luck from the super expensive non big ticket items.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by JerseyJ

The detention barn threw Giacomo off his game for the Belmont Stakes? That could be as laughable of a quote as I have ever seen. More like faster and better horses threw Giacomo off his game for the Belmont Stakes. Moss is in la-la land if he thought it would have mattered if Giacomo was in the Detention Barn or not that year for the Belmont Stakes against Afleet Alex. But they can think and believe all they want.

Giacomo was moving like a winner after 9.5 furlongs and stopped like he got shot with a bebe gun at the top of the stretch.

I doubt the detention barn had anything to do with it - but something obviously went badly wrong with him inside the quarter pole. With a grinder - You don't look like your loaded and under a hold while passing the leader on the far turn ... only to have claiming and allowance horses you went by beat you home.

[King Glorious]

Did this incident happen with Giacomo in the last couple of days or did he know it before he went off spouting about how he just may ship to NY? He had no intention of shipping. They said so earlier when they said that it's too late in the year to ship since the BC is at their home. So why did he even mention shipping the other day? Then to come back with a lame excuse like the track? Is he really serious? Does he think we are that stupid? He runs at 9f Hollywood Park......and at 8f Santa Anita....but Saratoga is too small? Ok, then go to Belmont. Surely those turns aren't too tight.