A Sad Day For Racing

[Handicappy]

Originally Posted by Dunbar

I agree with a lot of what you said here, and yet I'm still glad Zenyatta got HOY. I don't feel it's either sad or terrible to take "body of work" into consideration. There's plenty to NOT like about Zenyatta's 2010 campaign. But, Zenyatta's connections DID bring her back and they DID run in the Apple Blossom, announcing it early enough for any mare in the country to challenge her. They DID run in the BC Classic, finishing a close enough second to take nearly everyone's breath away who watched the race.

If Blame had run more than 5 races, I might feel differently. But his campaign did not not blow me away.

All this lamenting the future meaning of the awards is an over-reaction, IMO. The award was given to a charismatic 19-1 mare with a 1st and a (close) 2nd in successive BC Classics, I don't think we will have to face a similar situation again in our lifetime.

--Dunbar

Excellent balanced view. I hope that those that discredit Zenyatta have the opportunity to discuss their views with the Allan Jerkins', Bafferts etc. So many of the horseman who train and work with these athletes have been very open with their opinion on Zenyatta's greatness. We all have our opinions but ask those that are far more credible than most of the posters here. Some of the best minds in the sport are in the camp that she was deserving and was the best horse running last year.