Zenyatta v. Rail Trip??

[CSC]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

If Team Zenyatta is going to insist on staying California for her next race, who wouldn't want to see her take on Rail Trip, who looked real good yesterday, in the Hollywood Gold Cup? If they opt for the (pointless) Vanity, they deserve all the abuse showered their way.

She has already proven she can handle males on synth, if beating Gio Ponti and gang in the classic was not enough to appease her naysayers what is beating Rail Trip in the Hollywood Gold Cup to prove? Her final test is to beyer 115, win on dirt and beat the classic field at CD's, if she can throw in a race against males in the fall as the Goodward as a prep I can see this being a far more logical campaign that will hopefully make everyone happy

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by CSC

She has already proven she can handle males on synth, if beating Gio Ponti and gang in the classic was not enough to appease her naysayers what is beating Rail Trip in the Hollywood Gold Cup to prove? Her final test is to beyer 115, win on dirt and beat the classic field at CD's, if she can throw in a race against males in the fall as the Goodward as a prep I can see this being a far more logical campaign that will hopefully make everyone happy

Actually, as Cardus points out, there is more to racing than the Breeders' Cup, and who's to say that she'll even make it to that race six months from now.

We all know that she'll probably only have, at most, four lifetime starts. And I think it's a pretty safe bet to say that, if she's racing in the fall, the final two starts of her career would likely be the the race formerly known as the Lady's Secret and the BC Classic. (And for the reason TFM noted above, I'd have no problem with the Lady's Secret, knowing it was a prep for the Classic.) There is absolutely no excuse for her not to run in the Hollywood Gold Cup, unless the mid-season portion of her campaign is simply about ducking meaningful competition until the Breeders' Cup.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

Actually, as Cardus points out, there is more to racing than the Breeders' Cup, and who's to say that she'll even make it to that race six months from now.

We all know that she'll probably only have, at most, four lifetime starts. And I think it's a pretty safe bet to say that, if she's racing in the fall, the final two starts of her career would likely be the the race formerly known as the Lady's Secret and the BC Classic. (And for the reason TFM noted above, I'd have no problem with the Lady's Secret, knowing it was a prep for the Classic.) There is absolutely no excuse for her not to run in the Hollywood Gold Cup, unless the mid-season portion of her campaign is simply about ducking meaningful competition until the Breeders' Cup.

I hear what you are saying; however what she is doing is no different to what other race horses are doing these days. I am actually more dissapointed on her passing the Stephen Foster where this would have been a true test for her rather than facing Rail Trip on cushion. Let's wait to see what the connections have in store for her the rest of the yr before jumping the gun on the critical dept, it is her first race back since running in the Apple Blossom, if she faces a similar fields this year I may join you in being critical of her campaign, it's a long year and atleast there has already been one major difference in her campaign this year, she shipped out east. You can't fault her if no one wanted to face her, that was out of her control, all things considered she will ship out east atleast twice this year and run on dirt twice this year, anything more is pure gravy the way I see it.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I routinely forget that racing is all about the Breeders' Cup. I better get on board, and quick.

That's where the money and 99% of the connections in the world are pointing for, since it is on dirt this year, I thought you would agree.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I routinely forget that racing is all about the Breeders' Cup. I better get on board, and quick.

you know what.. maybe the BC committee making the BC permanently at Santa Anita and making it irrelevant would be the best possible decision the BC committee could make to change horse racing for the better.