Oak Tree renames the Lady's Secret the Zenyatta

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by Kasept

This is a central point in the wrong-headedness of renaming stakes. Whether it's naming this race for Zenyatta, or let's say the Kilroe Mile after Bobby Frankel, you effectively diminish the accomplishments of the previous moniker-holder and quash the intended honor of the entire process. It demonstrates complete and utter disregard for the history of the sport. As I said last night, by doing this, it says that when a horse comes along better than Zenyatta in 20 years, they'd paint over Zenyatta too... It's a self-defeating action that cheapens what should be your most sacrosanct events. It's pathetic.

A different tune will be sung when they name a race after RA.

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

A different tune will be sung when they name a race after RA.

No one's criticizing naming a race after Zenyatta. They're criticizing renaming the Lady's Secret after Zenyatta. There are races with names that are frankly less controversial if you wanted to rename something but I'm sure they wanted to rename a G1. The Mosses should've gone with their first instinct.

Was there any reluctance to start a new race based on things like having to make the minimum purse for a G1 or having to go through the effort of getting the race up to that level without the momentum the Lady's Secret has? I guess if they take a G2 or G3 and slap her name on there, trying to get it up to G1, there'd be a gap for non-G1 horses trying to get a graded win.

Rachel will undoubtedly get a race named after her but there are ways to go about it that are better than others. We'll judge that situation when it happens. Gonna take a guess we're looking at CD, Pimlico, or Saratoga although Monmouth is certainly not beyond the realm. It's just the Oaks, Preakness, and Woodward were particularly stunning within her own personal history. At least that's what I figure, but her whole career's pretty incredible. I dunno what Saratoga's general habit has been with naming races after horses as compared to CD or Pim.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

No one's criticizing naming a race after Zenyatta. They're criticizing renaming the Lady's Secret after Zenyatta. There are races with names that are frankly less controversial if you wanted to rename something but I'm sure they wanted to rename a G1. The Mosses should've gone with their first instinct.

Was there any reluctance to start a new race based on things like having to make the minimum purse for a G1 or having to go through the effort of getting the race up to that level without the momentum the Lady's Secret has? I guess if they take a G2 or G3 and slap her name on there, trying to get it up to G1, there'd be a gap for non-G1 horses trying to get a graded win.

Rachel will undoubtedly get a race named after her but there are ways to go about it that are better than others. We'll judge that situation when it happens. Gonna take a guess we're looking at CD, Pimlico, or Saratoga although Monmouth is certainly not beyond the realm. It's just the Oaks, Preakness, and Woodward were particularly stunning within her own personal history. At least that's what I figure, but her whole career's pretty incredible. I dunno what Saratoga's general habit has been with naming races after horses as compared to CD or Pim.

exactly! zenyatta may deserve a race, but why suddenly doesn't lady's secret?

[letswastemoney]

Something like the NYRA Mile being renamed the Cigar Mile was a good idea, since it didn't already have a legendary horse in its title in the first place.

[Merlinsky]

Is anybody actually naming a race after Bobby or was that just part of an example to make a point?

[copying]

I think they should name the 4th race at Charlestown for RA -- formerly known as the "Jimbo's Bar & Grill" purse...

[alphanumeric1]

Zenyatta should come out of retirement (if she really is retired) and win the Grade 1 Zenyattta next year. It will be the first time a horse has won a race named after themselves. Then if she goes to Churchill and wins the Classic next year, we should go back in time and award her the HOY for both 2009 and 2010.