Oak Tree renames the Lady's Secret the Zenyatta

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by Kasept

This is a central point in the wrong-headedness of renaming stakes. Whether it's naming this race for Zenyatta, or let's say the Kilroe Mile after Bobby Frankel, you effectively diminish the accomplishments of the previous moniker-holder and quash the intended honor of the entire process. It demonstrates complete and utter disregard for the history of the sport. As I said last night, by doing this, it says that when a horse comes along better than Zenyatta in 20 years, they'd paint over Zenyatta too... It's a self-defeating action that cheapens what should be your most sacrosanct events. It's pathetic.

Thank you. I was upset when great mares like Firenze and Maskette were erased by the NYRA. Why was there a need to change the Santa Susana S, which had years of history, to the Santa Anita Oaks? Because we idiots couldn't figure out that the Santa Susana was their Oaks race? Ditto the Oak Tree Derby (and Volante is actually buried on the grounds, so rolling over in his grave when his name was taken off the race might have had an effect!)