Rachel Alexandra a go for La Troienne

[Revidere]

And can Rachel Paint?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Moneigh-Painting...item2c5431e1fb

[Smooth Operator]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

Have you gotten into the sherry? Can we stop the HOY retroactive-apalooza? People had an opinion, they were entitled to vote based on that opinion as it related to 2009, it's done. Two valid horses were up, not 1 and a mule. It was a judgment call and a fair one. You can claim whatever you want within the context of 2009. This year proves nothing about the last.

This is a new year, there are new consequences to everything, and the only vote that can be affected is that of 2010.

Almost always a mistake, in my estimation, to give the big prize to a younger horse when you have an outstanding older horse … in this case, an unbeaten champion older horse, no less … in the mix.

Unfortunately, we saw this kind of lunacy from the voters back in '97 … and history served up a generous helping of egg on their faces.

Despite what the RA spin doctors keep saying about her campaign last year, she never had to face any really good competition.

So, your misguided statement aside … this year means EVERYTHING as far as proving whether or not she is overrated … and was undeserving of that HotY award.

And she ain't off to a real good start...............

[JerseyJ]

Originally Posted by Smooth Operator

Almost always a mistake, in my estimation, to give the big prize to a younger horse when you have an outstanding older horse … in this case, an unbeaten champion older horse, no less … in the mix.

Unfortunately, we saw this kind of lunacy from the voters back in '97 … and history served up a generous helping of egg on their faces.

Despite what the RA spin doctors keep saying about her campaign last year, she never had to face any really good competition.

So, your misguided statement aside … this year means EVERYTHING as far as proving whether or not she is overrated … and was undeserving of that HotY award.

And she ain't off to a real good start...............

Oh god, will you shut your fvcking piehole already...she didn't face any good competition. I guess Anabaa's Creation is considered good in your twisted little world? She also whipped Summer Bird convincingly on his preferred surface whereas in the Classic on a surface that Summer Bird doesn't really handle, he got closer to Zenyatta than he got to Rachel. Is it the air out in Southern California or is USC that produces ****** after retard?

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by Revidere

And can Rachel Paint?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Moneigh-Painting...item2c5431e1fb

About equal merit as most arguments recently.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

Shirreffs expresses his hesitation about Zenyatta crossing the Rockies again anytime soon, and the Zealots largely remain silent. Not a peep from the usual suspects. However, when a thread is started about Rachel running on Friday, the Zealots awaken and quickly turn the thread into a Rachel-bashing party. Can someone please explain to these people that Zenyatta's accomplishments will stand on their own merits, and their efforts to marginalize Rachel's accomplishments only make them appear even more foolish.

Saying Rachel is very good horse, but not necessarily a great one is termed bashing? As is believing Zenyatta is the superior horse regardless of the critaria one wants to use considered bashing? Explain to me how have the so called zealots bashed Rachel in this thread?

[Revidere]

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

About equal merit as most arguments recently.

Oh come on.....I'm just trying to quell the anger. When words such as douche and fvcking are being posted, it gets personal.

I've plunked down the $ 1,425.00 for my masterpiece.

Oh you're so above it all. Post some photos.

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by Revidere

Oh come on.....I'm just trying to quell the anger. When words such as douche and fvcking are being posted, it gets personal.

I've plunked down the $ 1,425.00 for my masterpiece.

I know you were making a joke -- I was too, because it doesn't seem all that far-fetched that CSC may at some point use "Zenyatta is a famous painter, too" as a reason that she's better or why HOY was stolen or why Jess Jackson is the anti-christ and therefore Rachel is the Queen of Hell or whatever figures to fly out of his mouth next. It really wouldn't surprise me.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by JerseyJ

Oh god, will you shut your fvcking piehole already...she didn't face any good competition. I guess Anabaa's Creation is considered good in your twisted little world? She also whipped Summer Bird convincingly on his preferred surface whereas in the Classic on a surface that Summer Bird doesn't really handle, he got closer to Zenyatta than he got to Rachel. Is it the air out in Southern California or is USC that produces ****** after retard?

Why is it that the Zenyatta fans hold their composure alot better than the Rachel fans do? By the way do you think Munnings is only a half length the better than Summer Bird is as a horse at 1 1/8th?

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

I'm not deflecting anything: Z won the BC classic last year. Other were welcome to try her. She made the trip to OP this year; others didn't. If you think that she needs to leave CALI to add to her resume, you'll also probably agree that she needn't do it except where it works to her advantage. Why ship the horse for meaningless races? She'll ship for the BC, at least. What else does she really need to prove? If she beats the dirt best at CD, then she's done about all she needs to.

Why keep the horse in California? To save on shipping costs? Except for two weak Apple Blossoms and a mediocre BCC, she's won the same four or five races against the same four or five horses two years running. How much more boring can you get running her in the Vanity again? You might as well have kept her retired or turned her into a dressage horse, because the reality is she won't get tested unless she leaves California. But that's the point. They don't appear to want to test her now that she won the BCC and made the Oaklawn appearance. They seem to want to keep her undefeated as long as possible. She's had one major test in her career. She passed it. If that's all there is to prove in your mind, then you've got some low expectations for her.

[JerseyJ]

Originally Posted by CSC

Why is it that the Zenyatta fans hold their composure alot better than the Rachel fans do? By the way do you think Munnings is only a half length the better than Summer Bird is as a horse at 1 1/8th?

I don't care one way or other in terms of being a "fan" of either horse...it's just funny to see the nonsense spouted by Zenyatta's fans about Rachel's campaign when if they really want to see a chicken **** campaign all they need to do is look in the mirror. Rachel was a 3YO filly last year running against Triple Crown 3YOs as well as Top Notch older horses. Zenyatta was running in cozy races on synthetics against allowance horses. It's apples to oranges.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

This post should forever go down in the annals of Derby Trail history. You are the best.

NT

Yeah. But even the best isn't immune to that FAT MAN boot-in-the-butt. See here: http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/sho...highlight=ward

I have an even better one for 46Zilwhatever over at PA.

Maybe we can have CJ make a special appearance and explain again how Mine That Bird DIDN'T move prematurely in the Belmont. (And then Classhandicapper can come over and point out how Bernie didn't move prematurely in the Classic.)

[JerseyJ]

I'll say one thing, even though Azeri lost races once she went to Lukas, at least he gave her every opportunity to test herself even though she might have been a bit past her prime. Azeri was multiple times the horse Zenyatta is.

[Duvalier]

I think Rachel and Jess Jackson are great.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by JerseyJ

I don't care one way or other in terms of being a "fan" of either horse...it's just funny to see the nonsense spouted by Zenyatta's fans about Rachel's campaign when if they really want to see a chicken **** campaign all they need to do is look in the mirror. Rachel was a 3YO filly last year running against Triple Crown 3YOs as well as Top Notch older horses. Zenyatta was running in cozy races on synthetics against allowance horses. It's apples to oranges.

Which top rated older horse did she beat last year? I would like to see your point but she beat a rag/tag group of misfits in the Woodward, until she does I can't agree with your assessment.

[Revidere]

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

I know you were making a joke -- I was too, because it doesn't seem all that far-fetched that CSC may at some point use "Zenyatta is a famous painter, too" as a reason that she's better or why HOY was stolen or why Jess Jackson is the anti-christ and therefore Rachel is the Queen of Hell or whatever figures to fly out of his mouth next. It really wouldn't surprise me.

I'm actually shocked I beat him to it.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by philcski

Both are in the top 5-10 of my lifetime. That's good enough for me in terms of all time greats... your requirements to reach that level might be more stringent.

really? i think they're both good, but i can think of many in my lifetime that i hold in higher esteem. but maybe i'm just a lot older than you?!

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by CSC

Why is it that the Zenyatta fans hold their composure alot better than the Rachel fans do? By the way do you think Munnings is only a half length the better than Summer Bird is as a horse at 1 1/8th?

Because nothing says "holding one's composure" like writing a bunch of disingenuous nonsense, ignoring counter arguments and then running away from the board for months.

[Revidere]

Originally Posted by JerseyJ

I don't care one way or other in terms of being a "fan" of either horse...it's just funny to see the nonsense spouted by Zenyatta's fans about Rachel's campaign when if they really want to see a chicken **** campaign all they need to do is look in the mirror. Rachel was a 3YO filly last year running against Triple Crown 3YOs as well as Top Notch older horses. Zenyatta was running in cozy races on synthetics against allowance horses. It's apples to oranges.

Triple Crown 3 yr olds??? Where were they after the Triple Crown? With the exception of Summer Bird, you couldn't find them with a search warrant.

Top notch older horses?.....Now there's an oxymoron.

[JerseyJ]

Originally Posted by CSC

Which top rated older horse did she beat last year? I would like to see your point but she beat a rag/tag group of misfits in the Woodward, until she does I can't agree with your assessment.

She beat the best older horses that were around last year...certainly better than the pumpkins that Zenyatta was beating up on in the Vanity and the Clement Hirsch, except Zenyatta wasn't beating up on them, she was squeaking by against them.