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Originally Posted by Cardus
In what way -- in terms of Eclipse voting -- does 2008 matter in 2009?
There is a ballot where both years matter: Hall of Fame voting.
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I don't get this "horse of two years" argument, as if it's a knock on Zenyatta in the 2009 HOY debate. In my mind, her win in the Distaff (er, Ladies' Classic) in 2008 was as impressive a race as there was in North America last year. Unfortunately, her summer campaign caused a number of people to forget how brilliant she was/is. She reaffirmed her brilliance in the race formerly known as the Lady's Secret and again in the Classic. And let's not forget that many writers, such as Steve Crist, said that she should pass the Classic, as she had everything to lose there. In some respects, taking on the Classic and risking her undefeated record was akin to Ted Williams refusing to sit out on the last day of the 1941 baseball season. I think that those circumstances do factor into the equation.
I think Goldikova has a better shot at 2009 Champion turf filly because of her victory in the 2008 Mile than she would have without it in the back of voters' minds. How is that any different than the HOY debate? The fact that Tiznow was the "defending champ" helped him win HOY in 2001 despite some suspect efforts in the Woodward and Goodwood that fall.