Zenyatta's 2009 campaign is a waste

[Gordongarlic]

I'm sure the Mosses are nice people, Shirreffs is a good trainer and it's tough for some to call them out. But I'll do it anyway: now that they've acknowledged Zenyatta will not run in the Pacific Classic, the campaign they've chosen this season is not in the best interest of horse racing. You can say whatever you want about how an owner can do what they wish with their particular horse, but the Mosses got involved with a sport that is fueled by the fans and bettors, and it's in our best interest to see Zenyatta challenged at the highest level. Like I've said many times, she already did the same stuff last year, so what the heck is she proving by winning the same races? Seriously, it's like a great hitter hitting .400 in triple-A... only to avoid the big leagues the next season and hitting .400 again in the minors. Zenyatta's current campaign is without imagination and the only drama is whether she (or her jockey) will mess up enough to get her beat. It's obvious to anyone with an IQ over 50 that she's a million times better than these west coast female horses. Why in God's name does she continue to beat up on these females when the males beckon? We all know she can beat them, and wouldn't it be so, so, so much more fun if she tried? And then, on top of all that, there's actually a possibility that she and Rachel Alexandra will not meet? This situation is so moronic I don't even know why I waste my time writing about it. Zenyatta's handlers should be called out by all the major turf writers, blogs, casual racing fans etc. for their selfishness in not challenging Zenyatta at the highest level where she belongs. All racing fans want to see her take on the boys and, especially, Rachel Alexandra.

[Apad]

I doubt continuing to compete in G1 races is a waste. However, I will concede that Zenyatta MUST face males this year to have any chance at the HOTY title.

As for Rachel Alexandra, she knows where to find Zenyatta if she decides to take on the champ.

[Lurker]

The Breeders Cup was created to provide the solution to the problem you're addressing, it's a day to bring champions together for the good of the sport, the fans and the owners. This year, as in every other year, owners and trainers from all over the world make the decision to travel to meet the best, unfortunately the connections of RA have chosen to sit it out, so perhaps your comments are misdirected at the wrong camp.

I'm just very appreciative that we're able to see an older mare compete for an extra year, it makes for good racing, and there aren't too many owners that are willing to take that risk these days, thanks Mr and Mrs Moss.

[Kermit]

Why ship all over the country looking for races when she can stay home and beat Poodles for all the money?
What's good for the horse vs what's good "for racing"? Isn't it good for California racing that she stays around here?
Is it going to increase her stud value? She will already be bred to the very best. Think maybe the connections don't want any part
of that Amazon RA? She will be available at BC time.

[Theiman]

only to avoid the big leagues the next season and hitting .400 again in the minors.

I guess So. Cal racing has really dropped down that we are now the "minors"?

As Lurker stated--thats what we have the BC for.

Show up at the BC, or is that the minors too?

[Lurker]

Who besides Jackson has a horse that will be less than 10-1 on Breeders Cup day and has announced they are boycotting the event this year?

thanks, justcurious.

[ScrapingThePaint]

The best part about watching Zenyatta is just that -- watching Zenyatta. In the paddock, the walking ring, the post parade. She is drop dead gorgeous and she has an attitude that just wins you over -- with her quirky Spanish steps dance and her posing for the cameras and the crowd. She is the Queen.

But for me, watching her races this year has been like watching summer reruns. Same story line, same locale, same characters, same ending. This last race provided a little more suspense, but most of the plot elements were the same. So it lacked the impact that it might have had.

For horse racing fans who are not as "up close and personal" as Zenyatta's So Cal fan base, they need to see something more from Zenyatta. I suppose the quest to match/surpass Personal Ensign's undefeated record is something that will keep horse racing people tuning in. But it isn't going to keep non-horse racing people from changing the channel.

Rachel Alexandra peaked interest in the mainstream by facing the boys in the Preakness. Has any other filly been featured in Vogue? Her challenge and subsequent victory over the boys in the Haskell only served to increase her popularity.

At the same time, if Rachel just keeps beating up this year's crop of 3yo's, it will become predictable and boring. Hopefully, Rachel's connections alter the script and will pick some new challenging spots for her (older females, open company). We'll stay tuned.

If Rachel and Zenyatta do hook up, I think it will spark mainstream interest because of Rachel. "Fabulous Filly challenges the Queen Mare", or something like that. That would be good for the sport. But Rachel taking on all comers in the Woodward would be intense!

Zenyatta is an amazing animal! If she keeps to the script, continues down her current path and follows Personal Ensign's lead to the Distaff, rather than the Classic, then she will still be an amazing animal and worthy of all the praise that can be lauded upon her. And like Personal Ensign, she will take Female Horse of the Year honors. But she won't get that spread in Vogue.

[Sluggo4171]

I doubt continuing to compete in G1 races is a waste. However, I will concede that Zenyatta MUST face males this year to have any chance at the HOTY title.

As for Rachel Alexandra, she knows where to find Zenyatta if she decides to take on the champ.

champ? I thought curlin and ravens pass were retired?

[Dgstan]

It never amazes me the way people think. Do you think for 1 second if Santa Anita had real dirt that RA wouldn't show up. California has no one but themselves to blame for this. YOU CAN"T DECIDE CHAMPIONS ON PLASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT'S A FREAKING JOKE!!!! Not one horse last year that ran on that garbage that prepped on dirt won one Breeders Cup race. Jess Jackson isn't the only eastern based owner that wont come because of the rubber.

Zenyatta is boring . Shes beaten nothing and always runs the same boring race. Ginger Punch was so overated it not even funny. She was on her way down when they met in Oaklawn. She didnt run too many impressive races in NY either. The only reason and I mean the only reason why Ginger Punch won the breeders cup was because of Bejarano's ride.

It's funyh to listen to radios shows like roger stein and others and all they do is complain about the synthetics and a lot of other trainers do as well. But then they have a problem with Jess not wanting to run on it either.

What makes me more sick is listening to Z's connections. They like to run on glass but oh my god for bid if there is a little water on the track then they go hiding in to their hole like a bunch of mice.

The majority of the nation knows that RA is better and now it's on Zenytta to go and challenge the real champ.

Who in the heck did she run down on Sunday?? One big difference between the 2 is Zenyatta has never closed on a horse like RA. Toally different than the clud she's been closing on in California.

Yes, when you compare California to NY Caifornia is the minors. Sunland Park is close to California.

I nominate this post as the "Best First Post by a New Member". Welcome to the DMFF Husker. Hope you continue to share your thoughts.

[Kermit]

"I nominate this post as the "Best First Post by a New Member". Welcome to the DMFF Husker. Hope you continue to share your thoughts."

I will second that. (as long as he doesn't believe the California fans had a say-so about the track surfaces!)