Quote:
Originally Posted by Port Conway Lane
There is a difference in logistics when comparing east coast racing to west coast. Major stables in the east will move from Belmont in the fall to Gulfstream in the winter to Kentucky in the spring, where the big money races are.
In California there isn't a track within 2,000 miles other than Oaklawn that provides the purse money that California does.
Shirreffs isn't the only trainer staying at home where purse money is as lucrative as anywhere else. There are countless stables in the east who have graded synthetic winners staying in the east because it makes no sense to ship to California when there are races at home that offer the same money. The only difference is that Shirreffs has the highest profile horse in training.
I realize he's ducking males in California and elsewhere and I understand why.
He holds the cards. If there is a filly or mare good enough to beat Zenyatta then come out to California and prove it. She continues to defeat mediocre competition because 75% of the best synthetic fillies are staying home back east. Shirreffs is making no more of an exception in regards to shipping Zenyatta than he has done with any of his horses.
The bottom line is that Zenyatta is owned and trained in California. Is it fair to the horse and fans that they are choosing the easy road ? Of course not. If Zenyatta was trained by (fill in the blank) back east she would be running the majority of her races in New York. Would anyone expect an east coast trainer to seek out the best horses in California ?
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I tend to agree. And it's still early in the season if you're planning to make it to the Breeder's Cup. I think I'll hold judgement on Z's campaign until it's complete but I'm sure hoping she'll see real dirt or face the boys at least once before the Classic.