Let's Meet August 1st?

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by dean smith

They seem to be the ones ducking? What world do you live in?

"Uh, well, um... We don't run on poly."

"Even after two preps, we still aren't happy with her 'fitness.'"

The world where real champions aren't proven on that bullshit surface Zenyatta makes her home on. Two preps? She should've run in the Vanity this weekend? No, sorry, that's not how it works. You want to prove yourself in America, you run on dirt, not recycled tires.

[Smooth Operator]

Well, MR, when your filly only has a single win … in a G2 contest, no less … on the year, ya gotta start takin' some chances.


We'd love to see RA in SoCal…

[ManilaRose]

Originally Posted by Smooth Operator

Well, MR, when your filly only has a single win … in a G2 contest, no less … on the year, ya gotta start takin' some chances.


We'd love to see RA in SoCal…

Great point. As big of a Zenyatta fan as you seem to be you should fully understand what "takin' chances" is all about.

RA's next start will likely be at Saratoga. Whether she flies or is vanned she'll have to travel over or through both the Appalachian and Allegheny Mountains. Don't even get me started on crossing that Ohio River. Talk about takin' chances.

[dean smith]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

The world where real champions aren't proven on that bullshit surface Zenyatta makes her home on. Two preps? She should've run in the Vanity this weekend? No, sorry, that's not how it works. You want to prove yourself in America, you run on dirt, not recycled tires.

So Zenyatta has to be shipped all over the country to prove herself? She's already tried dirt twice. She likes it. 2-2, with two Grade I's. The last time out on dirt, she actually showed up at the playground after school.

And I really don't understand why people keep saying she hasn't beaten anyone. "Zenyatta has defeated Grade I or Group 1 winners Gio Ponti, Twice Over, 2009 Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird, Colonel John, Richard's Kid, 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, Rip Van Winkle, Einstein, Ginger Punch, Hystericalady, Life Is Sweet, Tough Tiz's Sis, Romance Is Diane, Double Trouble, Sealy Hill, Cocoa Beach, Santa Teresita, Carriage Trail, and Music Note." [Wikipedia ]

Hey, I fell in love with Rachel Alexandra last summer like everyone else. She's my girl. I just don't see how people can dismiss Zenyatta so easily or say she's overrated. If I were Team Rachel, that horse would scare the $hit out of me.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by dean smith

Hey, I fell in love with Rachel Alexandra last summer like everyone else. She's my girl. I just don't see how people can dismiss Zenyatta so easily or say she's overrated. If I were Team Rachel, that horse would scare the $hit out of me.

For the umpeffingteenth time, no one's dismissing her or saying she's overrated. But she's won all of one truly quality race, and she did it on her home track on a surface many dirt horses don't take to. I don't think anyone's "ducking" anyone, but Zenyatta's connections have mapped out a completely chickenshit done-to-death schedule for her, and the onus is not on a dirt horse to prove herself against a synthetic horse on synthetics. Dirt is the proving ground, the equalizer, and that's why I wouldn't ship Rachel west either.

[slotdirt]

Am I the only one that had to look up who the heck a few of those horses were that Dean Smith named in his post? Romance is Diane? Double Trouble? I mean, I consider myself a somewhat learned person in the world of thoroughbred racing, but those are some obscure GI winners, that's for sure. RIght up there with Colonial Colony in the annals of recent GI winners who never lifted another foot on the racetrack.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

For the umpeffingteenth time, no one's dismissing her or saying she's overrated. But she's won all of one truly quality race, and she did it on her home track on a surface many dirt horses don't take to. I don't think anyone's "ducking" anyone, but Zenyatta's connections have mapped out a completely chickenshit done-to-death schedule for her, and the onus is not on a dirt horse to prove herself against a synthetic horse on synthetics. Dirt is the proving ground, the equalizer, and that's why I wouldn't ship Rachel west either.

when they start talking about secretariat and man o war, and that she's the greatest mare ever, that's when i think she's overrated. otherwise, no she's absolutely not dismissed or overrated. now, her campaign has sucked, but she clearly is a special horse. but, problem is, as soon as you say rachel also has done some special things, you get shot down by those who think that there can be no room on the good horsie pedestal for two.