A Sad Day For Racing

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

If its such a horrible choice, and I am not saying its not, can anyone explain why the experts in the field found a majority amongst them to vote for her?

Because they aren't experts save a few. And because they caved into the pressure of a facebook page. The horse racing media save a few is embarrassing.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

If Zenyatta had run the better race in the Classic, she would have won. I'm so sick of this argument.

In terms of setup, she got a much worse one than Blame did. Clearly, after all these years of race calling, one would assume that you'd at least grasp that much.

[AeWingnut]

Originally Posted by herkhorse

I was working and not really paying attention, but I thought I heard someone call in to ATR and say the only reason she lost at all was that she misjudged the finish line.

Blame was never going to let her by.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

In terms of setup, she got a much worse one than Blame did. Clearly, after all these years of race calling, one would assume that you'd at least grasp that much.

I've only been calling for a handful of years... enlighten me.

[my miss storm cat]

I'm sorry but I just finished catching up on this thread and headed over to Equidaily.

The headline is pretty funny...

http://equidaily.com/

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

I've only been calling for a handful of years... enlighten me.

As soon as he gets back to the library he'll respond.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

If its such a horrible choice, and I am not saying its not, can anyone explain why the experts in the field found a majority amongst them to vote for her?

If this was typed with a straight face, you're the dumbest person in the history of human life.

Everyone, if you want to celebrate Zenyatta's award, by all means, go ahead. But please do me one favor: Cut the bullshit that this was ever a fair fight and that, maybe if Blame had won the JCGC or won one or two more Grade I's, he'd have gotten HOY hands down. Blame was never going to win that award in a million years.

There is no way in hell that this should have even been debatable, and yet, there was a debate. The production of the two horses in 2010 were on different planets. Zenyatta won, not partly, solely because a bunch of easily manipulated douchebags bought into the ridiculous notion that her lame ass streak of beating tomato cans (and the fact that she's a girl) somehow improved and elevated the sport in the public consciousness in any meaningful way.

It's a giant lie, one that was gleefully perpetuated by the Mosses, John Shirreffs and Hollywood Park, among others. Just because a contingent of mouthbreathers and paste-eaters who seemingly get paid to find absolutely zero ways to improve the sport bought that bullshit, that doesn't mean the rest of us are supposed to believe her accomplishments were in the same ballpark as Blame's and that Blame was just an inch or two from winning the award.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

If this was typed with a straight face, you're the dumbest person in the history of human life.

Everyone, if you want to celebrate Zenyatta's award, by all means, go ahead. But please do me one favor: Cut the bullshit that this was ever a fair fight and that, maybe if Blame had won the JCGC or won one or two more Grade I's, he'd have gotten HOY hands down. Blame was never going to win that award in a million years.

There is no way in hell that this should have even been debatable, and yet, there was a debate. The production of the two horses in 2010 were on different planets. Zenyatta won, not partly, solely because a bunch of easily manipulated douchebags bought into the ridiculous notion that her lame ass streak of beating tomato cans (and the fact that she's a girl) somehow improved and elevated the sport in the public consciousness in any meaningful way.

It's a giant lie, one that was gleefully perpetuated by the Mosses, John Shirreffs and Hollywood Park, among others. Just because a contingent of mouthbreathers and paste-eaters who seemingly get paid to find absolutely zero ways to improve the sport bought that bullshit, that doesn't mean the rest of us are supposed to believe her accomplishments were in the same ballpark as Blame's and that Blame was just an inch or two from winning the award.

You should break into the business if your opinions are so much better, why limit your talents to a message board.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

Because they aren't experts save a few. And because they caved into the pressure of a facebook page. The horse racing media save a few is embarrassing.

Most of them are unqualified hacks, of course I think the majority of todays media are hacks so why limit it to racing?

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

You should break into the business if your opinions are so much better, why limit your talents to a message board.

That's all you can do is deflect. That's all you've ever done during these arguments.

[Cannon Shell]

The biggest farce is that there are supposedly 260+ members of the hose racing print media who are qualified to vote on year end awards.

[dylbert]

In nearly 40 years of following horse racing, last night's HOY selection was one of my biggest disappointments. I finally posted some derogatory remarks about Zenyatta last night. Previously, I had confidence that Blame's body of work would garner him victory. However, Zenyatta's popularity carried her to Eclipse podium.

It is sad day in racing when those charged with making difficult decisions, such as Eclispse Award winners, pander to public sentiment. The baseball writers are showing true grit by policing the steriod abusers from tainted era. What happened to horse racing voters?

Zenyatta will join Hall of Fame which is her rightful and earned honor. However, I will never recognize her as 2010 HOY. Some have suggested that fans vote on these awards just as fans in other sports vote for all-stars. In Major League Baseball, All-Stars play in an exhibition game. Post-season and HOF selections are made by baseball writers.

Tsk, tsk...

[DaTruth]

There was no question that Zenyatta would win the NTRA votes. How could she lose after beating Citation, Secretariat and other greats in the video game?

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

Wow. You really might have outdone yourself here. Blame won at Aqueduct? In what dream? But even if he had, does that mean something bad?

I've been to probably 30+ race tracks across America and Canada. I've never been to Aqueduct. It's not one I've ever wanted to check off my list.

Seriously, if there is something at Aqueduct I should see, let me know. I'll be sure to go. I'm a sucker for nostalgia and history, as any Hialeah fan in 2011 of course would be. I've made Belmont for several "Belmont Stakes," the first being Seattle Slew's win.

Okay, I'll admit in misreading something last night about Blame and Aqueduct.

I just don't see or buy that Garrett Gomez aboard Blame for a 4-1 record in his 2010 races was all that special.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

I've been to probably 30+ race tracks across America and Canada. I've never been to Aqueduct. It's not one I've ever wanted to check off my list.

Seriously, if there is something at Aqueduct I should see, let me know. I'll be sure to go. I'm a sucker for nostalgia and history, as any Hialeah fan in 2011 of course would be. I've made Belmont for several "Belmont Stakes," the first being Seattle Slew's win.

Okay, I'll admit in misreading something last night about Blame and Aqueduct.

I just don't see or buy that Garrett Gomez aboard Blame for a 4-1 record in his 2010 races was all that special.

Is this internet for "I was worng"?

I guess Mike Smith aboard Zenyatta for a 5-1 record was special. Maybe I need to be "special" to appreciate these things.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

Is this internet for "I was worng"?

I guess Mike Smith aboard Zenyatta for a 5-1 record was special. Maybe I need to be "special" to appreciate these things.

Yawn.

You seized and comprehended the thought.


Congrats.

[brianwspencer]

Can we go back now and retroactively make Smarty Jones and Barbaro both Horse of the Year, too?

Based on this year's results, they should've been RESOUNDING winners, since being popular and having the most segments on the nooz is what makes horse of the year these days -- not actually being the horse that accomplishes the most on the racetrack.

It's just absurd. The whole "well, there are no rules, so it's all subjective and it can mean whatever you want it to mean" thing lots of voters have been saying is just a cop-out. Everyone knows what the generally accepted spirit of the rule is, which is to say, put or shut up on the track if you want to win the award. Until this year.

There's a good damn reason Barbaro and Smarty Jones didn't win the award, for two recent comparisons, because despite all of their wonderful human-interest stories, and all of the attention they brought to the game, they got outperformed on the track, where it matters.

If only they had been better dancers. Sure things then.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

Yawn.

You seized and comprehended the thought.


Congrats.

Stick to redboards. No one cares how many tracks you have been to.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

Is this internet for "I was worng"?

I guess Mike Smith aboard Zenyatta for a 5-1 record was special. Maybe I need to be "special" to appreciate these things.

hey now.. all 5 of Zenyatta's victories in 2010 were against the best possible competition in American Racing!

[letswastemoney]

The radical Zenyatta fanbase is a lot crazier than the most radical Smarty Jones and Barbaro fans. If only these 3 were on the ballot, Zenyatta would win in a landslide.