8/8 (AP): Arlington Million (G1); Beverly D (G1); Secretariat (G1)

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

You know how I feel about Gio Ponti but his 4 GI wins have nowhere near the weight that Rachel's do.

If her 2009 campaign were to be over right now the only way GP wins HOTY is if Zenyatta stays in the berry patch division and wins the Distaff and he wins the Classic.

There's not a turf race coming up worth running him in so I'd point him to the Goodwood and if he runs well there then go to the Classic.

NT

As of right now, no, Rachel has the edge, but remember Rachel is going to stop before the Breeders' Cup (or at this point, not run) which will produce a yet-to-be-determined reaction from voters. This is all speculating but there are numerous outcomes which can make it interesting.

Regardless, it's cool that Gio Ponti is doing what he's doing while the dirt elders are winning their first G1's in our most prestigious races.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

As of right now, no, Rachel has the edge, but remember Rachel is going to stop before the Breeders' Cup (or at this point, not run) which will produce a yet-to-be-determined reaction from voters. This is all speculating but there are numerous outcomes which can make it interesting.

Regardless, it's cool that Gio Ponti is doing what he's doing while the dirt elders are winning their first G1's in our most prestigious races.

Mineshaft, Point Given, Charismatic, Holy Bull, Criminal Type, Spend a Buck, and John Henry all won HOY without running in the BC and a Smarty Jones would have if not for Ghostzapper's Classic win. It's unfortunate because I agree with what I think is your opinion of Gio Ponti. He's faced and beaten better than she has and in most years, would be a prime candidate. But she's done more than just win races. She's captured the imagination and that's worth a few more wins. It's going to take something really special to overtake her and I don't know that what he'd need is available out there, especially if she were to do something like win the Woodward or the Travers.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Mineshaft, Point Given, Charismatic, Holy Bull, Criminal Type, Spend a Buck, and John Henry all won HOY without running in the BC and a Smarty Jones would have if not for Ghostzapper's Classic win. It's unfortunate because I agree with what I think is your opinion of Gio Ponti. He's faced and beaten better than she has and in most years, would be a prime candidate. But she's done more than just win races. She's captured the imagination and that's worth a few more wins. It's going to take something really special to overtake her and I don't know that what he'd need is available out there, especially if she were to do something like win the Woodward or the Travers.

IMO, If Zenyatta were to win the Pacific Classic and the BCC nothing Rachel does would matter, as far as horse of the year.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

IMO, If Zenyatta were to win the Pacific Classic and the BCC nothing Rachel does would matter, as far as horse of the year.

Careful on that limb you just climbed onto.

NT

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Careful on that limb you just climbed onto.

NT

I realize Im not going out on a limb, but a lot of people around here act like Rachel is HOY already.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

IMO, If Zenyatta were to win the Pacific Classic and the BCC nothing Rachel does would matter, as far as horse of the year.

I'm guessing that if Rachel retired tomorrow, she wins no matter what any of them do. If she were to win the Woodward or Travers, Zenyatta could win the Pacific Classic, go to NY and win the JCGC, win the Distaff and the Classic on the same day and that might get her a couple of votes. This contest is over.

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I'm guessing that if Rachel retired tomorrow, she wins no matter what any of them do. If she were to win the Woodward or Travers, Zenyatta could win the Pacific Classic, go to NY and win the JCGC, win the Distaff and the Classic on the same day and that might get her a couple of votes. This contest is over.

If Jackson is too chicken sh*t too race in the BC, she doesn't deserve HOY.

No need to respond..I know the responses all too well

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by GBBob

If Jackson is too chicken sh*t too race in the BC, she doesn't deserve HOY.

No need to respond..I know the responses all too well

Oh hush. How about that response?

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

Oh hush. How about that response?

Dirt Rules

happy?

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I'm guessing that if Rachel retired tomorrow, she wins no matter what any of them do. If she were to win the Woodward or Travers, Zenyatta could win the Pacific Classic, go to NY and win the JCGC, win the Distaff and the Classic on the same day and that might get her a couple of votes. This contest is over.

Ok I hate arguing this, because I feel Rachel is better, but I think your wrong.

If Zenyatta wins tomorrrow, wins the Pacific Classic, and The BCC it is all over. If she retires UNDEFEATED and beats OLDER MALES twice it will not matter what Rachel does.

As for her going to The Travers I highly doubt it. She would be far from a lock in that race, Quality Road is really good.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Ok I hate arguing this, because I feel Rachel is better, but I think your wrong.

If Zenyatta wins tomorrrow, wins the Pacific Classic, and The BCC it is all over. If she retires UNDEFEATED and beats OLDER MALES twice it will not matter what Rachel does.

As for her going to The Travers I highly doubt it. She would be far from a lock in that race, Quality Road is really good.

based on zenyatta making only her third start in the eighth month of this year, i don't see them suddenly getting aggressive with her just to try to win hoy. she'll run one or two more, the last being the distaff, and then she'll retire to be a broodmare. any chance of her being HOY went out the window with their contention she should not face males. they raced her as they saw fit, and zenyatta is a lot of fun to watch. but no way she's put together anything close to an HOY campaign at this point. we know what rachel's done, anything zenyatta could do means nothing.

[Sightseek]

Clement sounds cautious, but it looks like Gio's next few starts could be interesting...

http://www.drf.com/news/article/106261.html

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Mineshaft, Point Given, Charismatic, Holy Bull, Criminal Type, Spend a Buck, and John Henry all won HOY without running in the BC and a Smarty Jones would have if not for Ghostzapper's Classic win. It's unfortunate because I agree with what I think is your opinion of Gio Ponti. He's faced and beaten better than she has and in most years, would be a prime candidate. But she's done more than just win races. She's captured the imagination and that's worth a few more wins. It's going to take something really special to overtake her and I don't know that what he'd need is available out there, especially if she were to do something like win the Woodward or the Travers.

Who has Gio Ponti beat this year that is so good?

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Who has Gio Ponti beat this year that is so good?

I don't think I said that he's beaten anything that's so good. I said he's beaten better than what Rachel has beaten. Ventura alone, who he beat at a mile at Santa Anita is better than anything Rachel's beaten. Einstein is better than Mine that Bird and Summer Bird.

[Gander]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I don't think I said that he's beaten anything that's so good. I said he's beaten better than what Rachel has beaten. Ventura alone, who he beat at a mile at Santa Anita is better than anything Rachel's beaten. Einstein is better than Mine that Bird and Summer Bird.

Agree. Gio Ponti has consistently beaten better horses, and will continue to get ignored by "the public" because hes a turf horse and Rachael is Amercia's horse (and well she should). Both are outstanding horses and we are lucky to have both of them around, and actually run in more than 5-6 races per year.

I thought Gio Ponti was awesome yesterday, running a style of race that probably wasnt his most preferred, most certainly because of the presence of Precious Passion.

Great Arlington Million.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Gander

Agree. Gio Ponti has consistently beaten better horses, and will continue to get ignored by "the public" because hes a turf horse and Rachael is Amercia's horse (and well she should). Both are outstanding horses and we are lucky to have both of them around, and actually run in more than 5-6 races per year.

I thought Gio Ponti was awesome yesterday, running a style of race that probably wasnt his most preferred, most certainly because of the presence of Precious Passion.

Great Arlington Million.

I'll ask again, who is really good that Gio Ponti has beaten? I think he is a very good horse but you guys are acting like he is beating a stellar bunch of turf horses. He's not. And the Million was hardly great yesterday, that was a poor field compared to most any year with one notable exception.

[Gander]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I'll ask again, who is really good that Gio Ponti has beaten? I think he is a very good horse but you guys are acting like he is beating a stellar bunch of turf horses. He's not. And the Million was hardly great yesterday, that was a poor field compared to most any year with one notable exception.

I guess my standards arent as high as yours. I thought yesterday's field was great. Precious Passion, Gio Ponti, Einstein and Just as Well...all very good animals who almost always run very good races.

If you think that was a poor field, you're going to really love what you will see in next weekend's Sword Dancer!

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I'll ask again, who is really good that Gio Ponti has beaten? I think he is a very good horse but you guys are acting like he is beating a stellar bunch of turf horses. He's not. And the Million was hardly great yesterday, that was a poor field compared to most any year with one notable exception.

I'm not sure what's getting lost in translation here. How am I acting like Gio Ponti is beating stellar fields of really good horses? I don't believe I said that and I know I don't think that. I only said that in comparison to what Rachel's beaten, he's beaten better horses. Maybe you think he's beating "C-list" horses. Probably true but that's higher than "D-list".

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I don't think I said that he's beaten anything that's so good. I said he's beaten better than what Rachel has beaten. Ventura alone, who he beat at a mile at Santa Anita is better than anything Rachel's beaten. Einstein is better than Mine that Bird and Summer Bird.

I dont know about that

[CSC]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I don't think I said that he's beaten anything that's so good. I said he's beaten better than what Rachel has beaten. Ventura alone, who he beat at a mile at Santa Anita is better than anything Rachel's beaten. Einstein is better than Mine that Bird and Summer Bird.

You mean Presently?