Zenyatta assigned 129 pounds for Vanity

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by CSC

I don't want to get into the she will improve at age 4 bravado that was evident prior to her 1st start this year, and now it is convenient to say let's not compare last year to this year. Horses are judged on their career, I never like to look at one race, one year, and say this horse is the greatest thing since sliced bread when the most notable race she won was what she faced in the Woodward, if she had gone on and run in the JCGC or BC, I may feel differently. So my question to you is what absolves her from criticism of not running in one of those races and why is it alright to criticize another?

She had a taxing campaign, taking on the boys and older horses multiple times, shipping to multiple states and no one with a good dirt horse is too keen on running on a crap surface in a race that people like you wrongly determine the be-all end-all. I wouldn't have run her in the BC either. She'd already had a remarkable campaign, dancing every dance, while Zenyatta had a complete yawner of a year before deciding to take a slight step up at the very end. The HOY vote reflected the respective ambition and accomplishment of their campaigns.

Zenyatta has done everything she's slated to do this year. Multiple times. The only notable thing she could possibly accomplish is winning the Classic at Churchill, and even then, it'll be disappointing that they didn't showcase her on dirt or against top competition or out of her backyard more often. They're being chickenshit and boring with this campaign. Again. Rachel isn't facing monsters this year either, but at least they have the excuse of losing two races this year. Zenyatta is coming off of 17 straight wins and they still aren't even willing to face the top male in their state. It's embarrassing.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

She had a taxing campaign, taking on the boys and older horses multiple times, shipping to multiple states and no one with a good dirt horse is too keen on running on a crap surface in a race that people like you wrongly determine the be-all end-all. I wouldn't have run her in the BC either. She'd already had a remarkable campaign, dancing every dance, while Zenyatta had a complete yawner of a year before deciding to take a slight step up at the very end. The HOY vote reflected the respective ambition and accomplishment of their campaigns.

Zenyatta has done everything she's slated to do this year. Multiple times. The only notable thing she could possibly accomplish is winning the Classic at Churchill, and even then, it'll be disappointing that they didn't showcase her on dirt or against top competition or out of her backyard more often. They're being chickenshit and boring with this campaign. Again. Rachel isn't facing monsters this year either, but at least they have the excuse of losing two races this year. Zenyatta is coming off of 17 straight wins and they still aren't even willing to face the top male in their state. It's embarrassing.

As stated multiple times, I am not disputing HOY, again for the 157th time I am fine with her winning it. Fact is it means less to me than for others, so for my sake, anyone who brings this up with me. I don't care about HOY 2009 or 2010. What wasn't answered for me is how good or great she was, I formed an opinion that the jury wasn't even close to being closed on her. Some put a seal on it and slamdunked her greatness. She may have been all the things you state, tired, wiped out..ect..I will accept that. I saw it as ducking. Regardless, we still don't have a clear consensus, I am just glad she returned to racing this year, otherwise she may still be up on that pedestal.

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by CSC

As stated multiple times, I am not disputing HOY, again for the 157th time I am fine with her winning it. Fact is it means less to me than for others, so for my sake, anyone who brings this up with me. I don't care about HOY 2009 or 2010. What wasn't answered for me is how good or great she was, I formed an opinion that the jury wasn't even close to being closed on her. Some put a seal on it and slamdunked her greatness. She may have been all the things you state, tired, wiped out..ect..I will accept that. I saw it as ducking. Regardless, we still don't have a clear consensus, I am just glad she returned to racing this year, otherwise she may still be up on that pedestal.

In your opinion, where does Rachel's 2009 campaign rank among 3yo fillies? Best I've ever seen. Where does it rank among campaigns for any filly or mare? It's hard to find a better one without digging deep. That doesn't mean she would have beaten 4yo colts such as Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, or even Cigar, but I think the season stands alone in 100+ years of American racing. Who knows if she can live up to those standards as a 4yo, but either way it shouldn't diminsh the once in a lifetime accomplishments of 2009.

Zenyatta's 2009 campaign was the best in the 5 year history of synthetic tracks. I will say that it may hold for a long time, as most with an animal of that talent would venture for more ambitious spots, and she will always be remembered for becoming the first female to win the Classic..