Zenyatta v. Rail Trip??

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by smuthg

I haven't read all the way through all 8 pages of this post, but does a start in the Vanity preclude a start in the Gold Cup? The plan was to take on Rachel in the Apple Blossom off 3 to 4 week layoff. Why not get to 17 with a Vanity win and then worry about the Gold Cup. It seems pretty clear that they don't want to run at DelMar, thus they could make a trip to the east coast and still have a chance to get one last prep at Santa Anita prior to the Breeders' Cup.

You're right, it doesn't have to, but apparently, it does: http://www.drf.com/news/article/112840.html. If Shirreffs perceives the Hollywood Gold Cup as the "highest mountain possible," then we now why Zenyatta's connections seem to place her in "mole hills" of races.

[smuthg]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

You're right, it doesn't have to, but apparently, it does: http://www.drf.com/news/article/112840.html. If Shirreffs perceives the Hollywood Gold Cup as the "highest mountain possible," then we now why Zenyatta's connections seem to place her in "mole hills" of races.

I hadn't seen that, thanks for posting...

[cmorioles]

That is just sad. Rail Trip is the highest mountain possible? What a clown.

[NTamm1215]

John Shirreffs is a terrific trainer and seemingly a nice guy but he has now provided us with two incredibly stupid statements in the last month regarding where Zenyatta will run.

NT

[cmorioles]

Rail Trip and the Rockies, boxing equivalents to Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali, and both apparently mountains too tough to climb.

[slotdirt]

Waiting for the Jay Hovdey defense of all things Zenyatta at drf.com in 3, 2, 1...

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Waiting for the Jay Hovdey defense of all things Zenyatta at drf.com in 3, 2, 1...

How can it be possible the winner of the BC Classic is now afraid to tackle the mighty Rail Trip? This has to be a bad dream. I'm sure Mr. Krone will lend some support.

[Port Conway Lane]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

How can it be possible the winner of the BC Classic is now afraid to tackle the mighty Rail Trip? This has to be a bad dream. I'm sure Mr. Krone will lend some support.

I'm very disappointed to hear this.

It appears as though he's thinking that when you're holding a pair of aces don't risk them against a possible 456 flop until you get to Churchill.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Port Conway Lane

I'm very disappointed to hear this.

It appears as though he's thinking that when you're holding a pair of aces don't risk them against a possible 456 flop until you get to Churchill.

I hope he has a pair of aces because he certainly doesnt have a pair of ballz

[smuthg]

I wouldn't say "embarrassed" but I'm disappointed... If you believe in the "goal" (the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill) then I think they get a bit of a pass, but the passes are running short...

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by Cardus

The other gem in that article is Sheriff's quote regarding the Vanity: she will run in the Vanity "if the weights are good."

Aside from Zenyatta fan Parsixfarms, are there any other Zenyatta fans in Internet Land who are embarrassed by the stream of nonsense emanating from Sheriff's mouth recently?

Recently? This has been going on a lot longer than since her supposed retirement.

[Danzig]

What I find exceedingly tedious about this entire protracted discussion is that the bc is being used as the only measure of these two horses total worth in '09. Zenyatta gets a pass for an otherwise uninspiring year because she won. Rachel is vilified because altho she had an exceedingly rare campaign for a 3 year old filly, she skipped the bc. Its unbelievable and defies logic. And somehow, were rachel to manage to win the bc this year, I imagine the zenyatta booster club would be less enthused then thhey were last year.

As for hoy this year, neither mare has done anything thus far to warrant being included on the ballot.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Waiting for the Jay Hovdey defense of all things Zenyatta at drf.com in 3, 2, 1...

He snuck this one past you when you weren't looking.

http://hovdeyblog.drf.com/hovdeyblog/

[slotdirt]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

He snuck this one past you when you weren't looking.

http://hovdeyblog.drf.com/hovdeyblog/

What is with this dude? Seriously, everything he posts on his "blog" ends up being a slam on Jackson and his horse or blatantly unwarranted praise for all things Moss and Zenyatta. I'd wager that there is a far larger percentage of horse racing fans who question Zenyatta's creds than there were George Bush defenders circa 2007 or so.

[TouchOfGrey]

Shirreffs was asked if there was any chance Zenyatta would run in the Hollywood Gold Cup against males. Shirreffs responded, "No. We're not looking to climb the highest mountain possible. She's proven herself now."

DRF|Don't expect Zenyatta to challenge Rail Trip

ETA: Sorry, didn't see this link was already posted.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

John Shirreffs is a terrific trainer and seemingly a nice guy but he has now provided us with two incredibly stupid statements in the last month regarding where Zenyatta will run.

NT

I don't look to trainers (or jocks or owners) for intellectual stimulation. Shirreffs has this mare 17 for 17. That and showing up in the BC is enough for me. When ANYTHING that has run to this point in time this year does something NOVEL, something Horse of the Year novel, someone wake me up.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

I don't look to trainers (or jocks or owners) for intellectual stimulation. Shirreffs has this mare 17 for 17. That and showing up in the BC is enough for me. When ANYTHING that has run to this point in time this year does something NOVEL, something Horse of the Year novel, someone wake me up.

So, running a 3YO filly in the KY Oaks, Preakness, Mother Goose, Haskell and Woodward, as part of an eight race campaign, isn't novel.......but running five races, four against cupcakes, with one tough race is novel.

I got so much to learn about this game.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

So, running a 3YO filly in the KY Oaks, Preakness, Mother Goose, Haskell and Woodward, as part of an eight race campaign, isn't novel.......but running five races, four against cupcakes, with one tough race is novel.

I got so much to learn about this game.

That was last year. Let the aforementioned filly show up this year and we can discuss this again. I'm sure the Z camp will probably reevaluate, should this happen. If they're giving this year's award for last year's performance, then maybe they can also take away last year's award based on this year's performance. Seems only right to me.

I mean, let's face it, even if Z beats the high Beyer numbering RT, Mike the EUNUCH and his group would still want to see a high Beyer on dirt. So, the argument still remains for the cultists. Z gains NADA by beating RT (at least here, and PA, which is where it really counts ).

Note this year in my post.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

That was last year. Let the aforementioned filly show up this year and we can discuss this again. I'm sure the Z camp will probably reevaluate, should this happen. If they're giving this year's award for last year's performance, then maybe they can also take away last year's award based on this year's performance. Seems only right to me.

I mean, let's face it, even if Z beats the high Beyer numbering RT, Mike the EUNUCH and his group would still want to see a high Beyer on dirt. So, the argument still remains for the cultists. He gains NADA by beating RT.

Rachel Alexandra has faced tougher horses in 2010 than Zenyatta....and even you know that.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

John Shirreffs is a terrific trainer and seemingly a nice guy but he has now provided us with two incredibly stupid statements in the last month regarding where Zenyatta will run.

NT

Unfortunately, this one is dumber.

"All options are open," Asmussen said. Under the heading "Next Start Undecided".