Zenyatta

[MaTH716]

I'll admit at the end that I was a little disapointed that she didn't get up, even though it would have cost me money. It would have been so much easier if she didn't lift a hoof, which it looked like very early. But she came from the absolute clouds and ran a tremendous race.
It does amaze me that in the 19 prior races, Mike Smith came up the rail once to win and in what might have been her most important race he thought about doing it again (and mind you it was dead). She was just as good as Blame today, but I really believe that Smith just gave her too much to do against a very good horse who got a pretty good trip himself. She really deserved to win that race today.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

I'll admit at the end that I was a little disapointed that she didn't get up, even though it would have cost me money. It would have been so much easier if she didn't lift a hoof, which it looked like very early. But she came from the absolute clouds and ran a tremendous race.
It does amaze me that in the 19 prior races, Mike Smith came up the rail once to win and in what might have been her most important race he thought about doing it again (and mind you it was dead). She was just as good as Blame today, but I really believe that Smith just gave her too much to do against a very good horse who got a pretty good trip himself. She really deserved to win that race today.

With a perfect trip, she obviously wins the race. But when you are a dead-last come-from-behinder, you're not going to always get a perefct trip in a 12 horse field. That's the big disadvantage of having that type of running style.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

With a perfect trip, she obviously wins the race. But when you are a dead-last come-from-behinder, you're not going to always get a perefct trip in a 12 horse field. That's the big disadvantage of having that type of running style.

But my point about Mike Smith is that he has never been shy about going wide with her. Granted, he's not going against 12 horse fields most of the time. But in this case, I really feel this one time he tried to save some ground with her it might have cost her the race. Also because it seemed like the middle of the track was the place to be.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

But my point about Mike Smith is that he has never been shy about going wide with her. Granted, he's not going against 12 horse fields most of the time. But in this case, I really feel this one time he tried to save some ground with her it might have cost her the race. Also because it seemed like the middle of the track was the place to be.

I didn't mind where Smith had her early. I also didn't mind when he 'panicked' and ask her to close the gap on the end of the pack on the backstretch. Especially since he put her in a nice, inside drafting position. But having to wait slightly for a horse to go by when they entered the stretch and then go around it, cost her the race. I realize Blame is game and I realize that he had the lead for a long time. However, as she 'pushes the biggest gear' in the race, Smith needs to get her outside of horses and make a sustained run. Saving ground, having to wait and go inside out, is not exactly the way the best finisher in the race is supposed to be ridden. I've read where there's almost a consensus that her ride didn't cost her the race. And, it's not about getting a perfect INSIDE stretch run. She's doesn't need that. Having to wait and not getting outside till late is just not a good trip for her. This is why, in track cycling, for example, those able to spinner the higher gears faster don't **** around with trying to save ground the final turn or straight, they take the outside route and spin it home. Hard to believe that Smith either doesn't get this or is just unable to put it into practice --- especially with all her previous wide trips.

[Smooth Operator]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

I didn't mind where Smith had her early. I also didn't mind when he 'panicked' and ask her to close the gap on the end of the pack on the backstretch. Especially since he put her in a nice, inside drafting position. But having to wait slightly for a horse to go by when they entered the stretch and then go around it, cost her the race. I realize Blame is game and I realize that he had the lead for a long time. However, as she 'pushes the biggest gear' in the race, Smith needs to get her outside of horses and make a sustained run. Saving ground, having to wait and go inside out, is not exactly the way the best finisher in the race is supposed to be ridden. I've read where there's almost a consensus that her ride didn't cost her the race. And, it's not about getting a perfect INSIDE stretch run. She's doesn't need that. Having to wait and not getting outside till late is just not a good trip for her. This is why, in track cycling, for example, those able to spinner the higher gears faster don't **** around with trying to save ground the final turn or straight, they take the outside route and spin it home. Hard to believe that Smith either doesn't get this or is just unable to put it into practice --- especially with all her previous wide trips.

Yeah, a little cleaner trip coming off that turn and she probably gets up.

Nevertheless, she ran like the champion she is in the lane again today.

Take nothing away from the winner, tho … a very nice runner which had a terrific overall record … with multiple scores at CD.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by Smooth Operator

Yeah, a little cleaner trip coming off that turn and she probably gets up.

Nevertheless, she ran like the champion she is in the lane again today.

Take nothing away from the winner, tho … a very nice runner which had a terrific overall record … with multiple scores at CD.

Starting to get your excuses all lined up huh?

Don't forget to blame Bailey's ride on Eddington....that's always a popular one for this sort of thing.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

But my point about Mike Smith is that he has never been shy about going wide with her. Granted, he's not going against 12 horse fields most of the time. But in this case, I really feel this one time he tried to save some ground with her it might have cost her the race. Also because it seemed like the middle of the track was the place to be.

He would have had to go 5 wide all the way around the turn and I don't think he could have won today doing that.