If Zenyatta wins the Classic

[Gander]

I think Rachael wrapped up HOY by winning the Woodward. When was the last time any 3 year old filly had a campaign like this, and won every single start to boot? For God sakes, she won the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown by beating the KY Derby winner, then she beat the Belmont winner in the Haskell...2 races where you never see fillies run.

Sure Zenyatta always wins, she always runs against the same crop of nothings out in California. Her consistency is amazing but shes done out of the box to capture true national exposure.

I cant believe this is even a debate anymore!

[Indian Charlie]

Well, according to Tool Operator all Z has to do is workout in the morning, since she's the reigning champion.

[Linny]

I don't have a vote but if I did, and Z were to win the BCC over a field that included Sea The Stars she'sbe HOY in my book. Beating males in the "biggest race of the year" outweighs winning the Woodward/Preakness. I don't think Z could beat even the moderate crew that has been taking turns out there are year (Einstein, Rail Trip etc) but if she did, and beat Sea the Stars -esp if he ran huge in defeat- I'd give the nod to the mare.

[TropicalStorm]

Originally Posted by Linny

I don't have a vote but if I did, and Z were to win the BCC over a field that included Sea The Stars she'sbe HOY in my book. Beating males in the "biggest race of the year" outweighs winning the Woodward/Preakness. I don't think Z could beat even the moderate crew that has been taking turns out there are year (Einstein, Rail Trip etc) but if she did, and beat Sea the Stars -esp if he ran huge in defeat- I'd give the nod to the mare.

I agree. The Classic looks like it could be the best field ever assembled if the Europeans come over. It is sort of a shame Rachel is not running in it because if Sea The Stars came over and Rachel and Zenyatta were also in there than the race would be incredible. How funny would it be if Mine That Bird got a rail trip again and won the Classic against those horses.

[Gander]

Originally Posted by Linny

I don't have a vote but if I did, and Z were to win the BCC over a field that included Sea The Stars she'sbe HOY in my book. Beating males in the "biggest race of the year" outweighs winning the Woodward/Preakness. I don't think Z could beat even the moderate crew that has been taking turns out there are year (Einstein, Rail Trip etc) but if she did, and beat Sea the Stars -esp if he ran huge in defeat- I'd give the nod to the mare.

You forgot Rachel also won the Haskell over males, probably beating a better horse in Summer Bird than anything she beat in the Wood or Preakness.

Z beat Einstein? LOL. She barely gets up to beat those slowpoke fillies and mares out west. Its always the same boring lineup- Life is Sweet, Briecat, AllIcansayiswow. Big deal. How on earth could she even come close to passing Einstein (I know you agree with me, just putting this out there).

[Linny]

Originally Posted by Gander

You forgot Rachel also won the Haskell over males, probably beating a better horse in Summer Bird than anything she beat in the Wood or Preakness.
Z beat Einstein? LOL. She barely gets up to beat those slowpoke fillies and mares out west. Its always the same boring lineup- Life is Sweet, Briecat, AllIcansayiswow. Big deal. How on earth could she even come close to passing Einstein (I know you agree with me, just putting this out there).

If Z wins the BCC she too will likely have then beaten Summer Bird as he is expected to start. If Z wins the BCC she will have beaten the two serious US 3yo's in SB and MTB AND beaten the Euro star Sea The Stars AND all the synthetic specialists. To me that is a greater accomplishment.
I'm not confident that Z will even run in the Classic and I'm less confident that if she does, she'll win. However if she does go and does win, she's the HOY in my view.

[slotdirt]

She won't be able to beat Pioneerof the Nile this year, which will really be a negative for her credentials.

[Danzig]

i'm not confident that zenyatta or sea the stars will be there. i'd imagine if sea wins the arc he'll be done; that the only way he ships for the classic is if he loses there and they want to try for redemption-altho with that colts accomplishments this year, i don't see why he'd need redeeming...

the mosses and shirreffs have said all along they don't want her to face colts-why they would change their opinion suddenly i don't know. they don't have to please anyone but themselves, and will do what they think is best for their undefeated mare. having her remain so may be their primary goal, and facing distaffers would arguably give her a much better shot at achieving that.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by Gander

I cant believe this is even a debate anymore!

says a lot doesn't it?