One person's take on Zenyatta path

[Risen Star]

This blog by Jason Shandler, on the bloodhorse website, is pretty intriguing. Although he's speculating, based on his interview with Jerry Moss, I think what the writer suggests is very plausible.

Here's the link:

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/breeders ... -path.aspx

[DegenerationX]

The polytrack at Del Mar really is a surface custom built for Zenyatta's running style. It would be one of the great PC's if she were to go.

[Sonyaluvslavaman]

I would absolutely LOVE to see Zenyatta go in the Pacific Classic. Question is....will she?!? Bets anyone?

[Moonwalker]

I hope she goes in the Pacific Classic to get her "race against males" box checked off for the HOY.

Mary MMM

[Risen Star]

I hope she goes in the Pacific Classic to get her "race against males" box checked off for the HOY.

Mary MMM

I don't think this would be enough to get her HOTY unless all the other leading horses run clunkers for the rest of the year, which is very unlikely. Even if she won the PC, then the Ladies Classic, all races this year would be in California. There's nothing wrong with that and not to take anything away from her, she's a great horse, and that's part of the frustration. Not being a HOTY isn't the end of the world either. A lot of great horses didn't win the honor, and besides, Zenyatta is virtually a lock to be Champion Older Female anyway.I personally think Zenyatta could do so much more, (she's already had one of her greatest wins out of state last year when she won the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn), but if she stays in California, so be it. Besides, maybe a HOTY award isn't really what the connections are interested in (I'm speculating of course). As for the other year-end candidates, Rachel has already beaten the boys in a Triple Crown race, will be taking them on again in the Haskell at Monmouth, and in between has destroyed everybody in her division. Not sure at the moment who the other HOTY candidates might be, but with lots of racing left the usual suspects have to be considered.

More speculation, but perhaps what the connections are more interested in, and why they're taking this path with Zenyatta, is because they want her to eclipse Personal Ensign. This isn't taking the easy way out, but it is a reasonable way for Zenyatta to get there. If that's the goal. Keep her record unblemished and surpass Personal Ensign. If she wins the Clement Hirsch, gets her win against the boys in the PC, Del Mar's premier race, then takes the BC Ladies Classic again, that would do it, and pretty good races to achieve that to.

[Beckron]

I hope she goes in the Pacific Classic to get her "race against males" box checked off for the HOY.

Mary MMM

Absolutely, I don't know what RA's path will ultimately be, but thus far she's not running in any race that Zenyatta qualifies. If Zenyatta goes undefeated I can't see any horse knocking her out of HOY. That's not that it's right or wrong, but I just think the voters will reward her accomplishments. Once again, it is not her fault if the Breeders' Cup is in California and no one would ever ask a New York horse to ship to California to race if tbe Breeders' Cup was in New York, it would never be questioned. The bias existed long before synthetics too.

[Risen Star]

The fact that the Breeders' Cup is in California isn't the point. But again--and I'm guessing--perhaps there is another goal for her other than the top Eclipse honor.

[Wilsonvandal]

Folks in various forums and published articles have speculated about "other" horses being considered for HOY - other than Rachel and Zenyatta...what other horse has any "real" credentials to merit HOY consideration at this point? RA may be a beast - and, probably is...but, let's be fair - she's beaten 3 year old company...even though she's beaten the boys in a Triple Crown race, she's simply beating 3 year olds...she dismisses her female counterparts as Zenyatta does, but whose to say the horses she's beating are quality horses? Even Mine That Bird, with the stunning performance turned in on Kentucky Derby day is not getting a whole lot of respect!

Let's see RA beat older horses before we start the coronation process.

Wilson

[Fredo]

The polytrack at Del Mar really is a surface custom built for Zenyatta's running style. It would be one of the great PC's if she were to go.

Would you still consider it a great PC if she loses ?

[Wilsonvandal]

If Zenyatta runs in the Pacific Classic and it becomes part of the pathway to break PE's record (win or lose), it would have to be considered one of the most intriguing or notable Pacific Classic's. The "greatest" or most compelling PC I remember is the 1996 renewal that provided the stage for Cigar to best Citation's mark of 16 straight victories...but, instead falling in a shocking upset to the unheralded Dare and Go and Mr. Alex Solis while paying $81.20!

So, if Zenyatta was defeated - I could see this PC being "remembered" for quite some time!

Wilson