Summer Bird pointed for The BC

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

On this, we agree. Some people want to play both sides of the fence, on one hand talking about how bad this group of older horses is but then on the other side giving her extra credit for taking them on. I know I'm a broken recordon this but what should be looked at is the level of competition and not the age or sex. Facing the boys or facing older doesn't automatically mean it's a harder assignment. Say the Breeders' Cup was being run on dirt at Churchill this year. As much as we've been clamoring for Zenyatta to face males and run in the Classic, if Jackson were to put Rachel in the Distaff, wouldn't that be the bigger challenge for Zenyatta to take on and not the males in the Classic?
While this is the toughest field and deepest one she's faced, let's not go overboard and call it a tough challenge. Sure, any horse can lose any race but going in, she's by far the best horse and any loss would be considered a huge upset. Since when is it considered such a huge obstacle to overcome a field in which you are 1-2 on the morning line?

not necessarily. if sea the stars was to come, i think zenyatta would have a hard time. also, a full field might pose problems due to her running style. rail trip might even be too much. but the classic point is most likely moot, as i don't see zenyatta going vs the males.

besides, the surface is a question for rachel. i think that's why everyone wants a matchup on dirt, since both have proven ability on the real thing.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Danzig

not necessarily. if sea the stars was to come, i think zenyatta would have a hard time. also, a full field might pose problems due to her running style. rail trip might even be too much. but the classic point is most likely moot, as i don't see zenyatta going vs the males.

besides, the surface is a question for rachel. i think that's why everyone wants a matchup on dirt, since both have proven ability on the real thing.

That's not what I said. I said if the Classic were at Churchill on the dirt this year and Rachel was running, then it would be a tougher matchup for Zenyatta to run in the Distaff than in the Classic against the American older males. I was using that to point out how it's not always such a big deal facing males and sometimes staying in your own division can be tougher. People are going overboard with all this hype about Rachel facing older males but this race probably wouldn't be as tough as a Beldame with Zenyatta, Icon Project, and Seventh Street in it.