Zenyatta assigned 129 pounds for Vanity

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by Port Conway Lane

I don't disagree with any of what you said above. I wasn't trying to make excuses for their choice of schedule,I was only pointing out the reality of the situation. She is their horse and they have no obligation to anyone to run her against males or to ship her anywhere they feel would not be in the best interest of their long term goal.

If she stays healthy and continues the easy pickins schedule she will give it one shot at Churchill Downs in November,on dirt, and against males. If she does not win HOY shame on them.

But a lot of people will still freak out if she continues the current path and doesn't win. Much like last year, Horse of the Year isn't decided in a day. What happens if Quality Road continues to set track records all over and goes 6 for 6 before sitting out the Breeders Cup? I'll give it to you that if Zenyatta won the Classic at Churchill on dirt, it would probably trump anything QR could do short of setting 3 more track records, but which would really have a better year.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

But a lot of people will still freak out if she continues the current path and doesn't win. Much like last year, Horse of the Year isn't decided in a day. What happens if Quality Road continues to set track records all over and goes 6 for 6 before sitting out the Breeders Cup? I'll give it to you that if Zenyatta won the Classic at Churchill on dirt, it would probably trump anything QR could do short of setting 3 more track records, but which would really have a better year.

Quality Road's races should count more than Zenyatta's because they are bigger and more important races. It used to be that a filly had to have an extraordinary year in a year where no male horse stood out (like last year). Zenyatta's campaign the last two years should only have held merit if there simply wasn't anyone else to give it to (like the year Kotashann, a turf horse, won). The award voters got it right last year because the breeders Cup shouldn't be the end all. RA was clearly ahead on the ballots leading into the BC and while she may have been a victimized in the final count by emotion and a little "out of sight, out of mind" mentality. But this year there is a clear cut leader in the older horse category who is following a traditional path who should be the HoY if he wins out regardless of the BC.

[Port Conway Lane]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

But a lot of people will still freak out if she continues the current path and doesn't win. Much like last year, Horse of the Year isn't decided in a day. What happens if Quality Road continues to set track records all over and goes 6 for 6 before sitting out the Breeders Cup? I'll give it to you that if Zenyatta won the Classic at Churchill on dirt, it would probably trump anything QR could do short of setting 3 more track records, but which would really have a better year.

I was swept away in the moment at the BC when she won and as time passed to look at it objectively I thought "Which would be more unfair, denying RA or Zenyatta?" I felt the right choice was made.

I feel we all are getting ahead of ourselves just a bit. Ultimately what everyone wants to see (I would hope) is a race with Zenyatta,RA,QR and Rail Trip all at the top of their game. (At least in my fantasy world)

If that means the connections of Zenyatta decide that in the best interest of their goal of winning the BCC she should take the most comfortable Grade 1 F&M races in their own backyard then so be it. If she wins the BCC and is denied HOY there will be plenty of people freaking out with Moss at the top of the list. Personally it's no skin off my back.

This weekend's races are just awesome. Topped off by a Mare who makes every race she runs in dramatic.