Hey Zenyatta fans

[Marat]

[quote="Joel"].

If Jess Jackson, or most any other owner, owned Zenyatta she would have been retired LONG ago.

[quote]

There is not a shred of evidence to support your contention that Jess Jackson would have retired Zenyatta long ago.

[Fredo]

The Grade 1 Pacific Classic is exactly 4 weeks after the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch..I think ya'll will finally get your wish. Can't wait to see Zenyatta destroy Einstein and Rail Trip in the PC..

Delyatta,

Be careful for what your axing for Einstein to come West again. I'll buy you a 18.00 Del Mar margarita if the amazing Zen even goes in the PC against Einstein. And I will call my cousin in Vegas to put up a prop bet , who finishes higher Einstein or Zenyatta . Come and get some !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fredo]

Oh boy, know I'm going to get flamed here, but I do know the connections, and it's my impression they are doing what they think is best for the horse. What do they need to prove? They were thrilled to death with Zenyatta's accomplishments for last year. Anything this year is just icing on the cake before she goes to the breeding shed.

That may be the case, but the connections flapping their gums after one win in 2009 about Zen getting HOY this year if she goes 4-0 is hysterical. As I said before, same path as 2008 and she'll get less votes.

[Rosethorn2]

HOY will be Rachel Alexandra......who beat all comers, male and female. You heard it here first....

[Dgstan]

HOY will be Rachel Alexandra......who beat all comers, male and female. You heard it here first...

Actually, we heard it here first...

http://www.dmtc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=240

[Apad]

It amazes me the criticism that Jerry Moss is getting for "babying" Zenyatta.

If Jess Jackson, or most any other owner, owned Zenyatta she would have been retired LONG ago.

Moss was surpised he didn't get HOTY honors last year. If you want the top prize, you have to run with the best. Zenyatta would tower over most of her male competition and she's run fast enough to compete with them. What's the hold up? If they wanted a pet a hamster would have been alot cheaper.

Jess Jackson kept Curlin in training after his three-year old championship campaign when he had every reason to retire him after winning the BC. He's already said RA would come back at 4. He's got more game in him than any other major owner in the country.

[Maui]

Paseana ran in the Pacific Classic.

here's a visual aid if anybody really cares.
http://z.about.com/d/horseracing/1/0/J/Y/paseana.jpg

[Risen Star]

Bayakoa was runner-up to Quiet American in the 1990 San Diego Handicap while she carried seven more pounds. I don't think Go For Wand ever faced males, although perhaps she might have if her life hadn't been cut short; however, even if she hadn't, what she'd already accomplished made her great. Azeri was mentioned as having ran fifth in the BC Classic in '04, which was a very respectable fifth, considering the strength of that field, none of whom, IMO, and in hindsight, really had much of a chance against the race's eventual winner.

I have mixed feelings about females having to run against males to prove their greatness. In one respect, a win against the boys can be a highlight and a defining moment in her career, and thus affirming her greatness, but not simply because she faced males, but because she faced a strong field. I also think it can be demeaning to suggest that a filly or mare must compete against males to prove she is truly great when males are never asked to compete against even the best females to prove just how good they really are.

In Zenyatta's case, I think it's logical that she face males because she's beaten everything else in her division, so a contest against the boys can only serve to enhance her fame. But I don't necessarily think it's absolutely critical that she face males to prove she's a great racemare, and personally I'd much rather see her face Rachel and/or compete out of state. After all, Zenyatta is an Eclipse Champion, which is the same thing as saying she's a "national champion", representing the entire country and not just California. Having said that, it's still the owner's right to direct his horse in whatever manner he thinks is best for her, so even though there are things I'd like to see Zenyatta do, I respect the owner's rights to their horse, as long as he loves and cares for her, which the Mosses clearly do with Zenyatta. That's what's really important.

[DegenerationX]

ZENYATTA FOR HOTY

[Vince P]

Let's peek at some RagHead numbers for each of these nags' last 6 races which were all wins. Vince P will be the judge and jury to decide who's best.

Btw, the dumbest comment I read in here was that Jackson was playing chicken with Rachel or something crazy like that. The dude runs Rachel against the best available boys, so give me a break on that comment. Whoever said that should be banned.

And the next person who says,

"….he (not sure who they were referring to) is doing what's best for the horse" will personally get an awkward visit by me next time I see them. Ulgh, I can't stand hearing that. If they really were "doing what's best for their horse," their horse would be living on a farm in a life of leisure, making whoopee and being a family pet. This is horse racing where horses are trained like slaves and get whipped every day - at least that's what Todd B told me. So, no, you ain't doing what best for your horse by running in easy races. Have a clue.

In any case, here are those silly numbers JB and Nags use to make real life big-time wagers:

And I quote Len Friedman, "Rachel and Zenyatta are two of the fastest fillies I've ever seen."

(Don’t forget, the lower the number, the better)

Rachel:
Washington Stakes: 3
FG Oaks: 6
Fantasy: 5.25
KY Oaks: .25
Preakness: 3.25
Mother Goose: .50

Total Average: 3
Average last 3 races: 1.33

Zenyatta:
Vanity: 5
Hirsch: MINUS .75 (incredible as these are Rags, NOT Thorograph numbers which are generally lower)
Lady's Secret: 2.75
BC Classic - Girls: 2
Milady: 3
Vanity 0

Total Average: 2
Average last 3 races: 1.67

Bottom line is that Rachel has run faster THIS year and if they were to meet soon on real American genuine soil, Rachel would win by a length or so; if they were to meet in the BC Lady's Classic at Santa Anita, Zenyatta might beat her by a head if Rachel don't like no fake dirt.

Vince P