Shirreffs' latest gem

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

Just to repeat what I said in an edited post earlier, I understand where you are all coming from. The grade 1s against fillies on the west coast are not very challening races for Z. As others have said, these races are almost like exhibitions. It is somewhat boring to watch Z beat up on medicore fillies. I agree with that. I see where you're all coming from. I understand why you would be frustrated. I don't blame you. But by the same token, I understand why the connections are doing what they are doing and I can't really fault them at this point. If they would have refused to face RA in the AB earlier in the year, then I would have faulted them. But they were actually eager to face RA. At this point, it's different. They are very close to their goal and they don't want to do anything to screw it up. I can't blame them . I see where they're coming from. I also see where you are all coming from and I understand your frustration.

Here's another fallacy you Zen folks can't seem to get through your heads. It isn't about facing Rachel Alexandra. Get that. It's about PROVING you are a great horse by beating the best competition in the best races. The owners of the best horses always looked for the best races to show their stuff in, but these guys are different. They are more interested in protecting a record than running against the best horses. The filly crop of older horses is pathetic, but at least they could try to beat Misremembered in the Big Cap. That shouldn't be a problem if she is all you think she is.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

Here's another fallacy you Zen folks can't seem to get through your heads. It isn't about facing Rachel Alexandra. Get that. It's about PROVING you are a great horse by beating the best competition in the best races. The owners of the best horses always looked for the best races to show their stuff in, but these guys are different. They are more interested in protecting a record than running against the best horses. The filly crop of older horses is pathetic, but at least they could try to beat Misremembered in the Big Cap. That shouldn't be a problem if she is all you think she is.

BUT HOW MANY TIMES DID PERSONAL ENSIGN BEAT MALES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! SHE'LL DIE IF SHE FACES MALES THAT OFTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Just because your boner from being at Santa Anita and 'hearing the crowd roar' still hasn't gone down, doesn't mean we can't be dissatisfied with her campaign. If she beats Rachel and wins the BCC, it'll make me sad, not 'comedy'. Not sad because she proved me wrong or some other nonsense. Sad because we had a truly great horse whose talent was completely wasted for four years running on a joke surface against almost nothing but crows.

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

Here's another fallacy you Zen folks can't seem to get through your heads. It isn't about facing Rachel Alexandra. Get that. It's about PROVING you are a great horse by beating the best competition in the best races. The owners of the best horses always looked for the best races to show their stuff in, but these guys are different. They are more interested in protecting a record than running against the best horses. The filly crop of older horses is pathetic, but at least they could try to beat Misremembered in the Big Cap. That shouldn't be a problem if she is all you think she is.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

Here's another fallacy you Zen folks can't seem to get through your heads. It isn't about facing Rachel Alexandra. Get that. It's about PROVING you are a great horse by beating the best competition in the best races. The owners of the best horses always looked for the best races to show their stuff in, but these guys are different. They are more interested in protecting a record than running against the best horses. The filly crop of older horses is pathetic, but at least they could try to beat Misremembered in the Big Cap. That shouldn't be a problem if she is all you think she is.

You say, "The owners of the best horses always looked for the best races to show their stuff in, but these guys are different."

That is untrue. Most of the great mares usually run against mares. Some of them run against the boys sometimes, but that's not really expected and that's not really the norm. If you look at the records of most great mares, the majority of them usually ran against mares. It may be a little different in Europe, but not over here.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

You say, "The owners of the best horses always looked for the best races to show their stuff in, but these guys are different."

That is untrue. Most of the great mares usually run against mares. Some of them run against the boys sometimes, but that's not really expected and that's not really the norm. If you look at the records of most great mares, the majority of them usually ran against mares. It may be a little different in Europe, but not over here.

I knew it.

Find me a great mare who ran against the level of dreck mares that Zenyatta is running against, and you might have an actual point. Otherwise it's apples and oranges and yet another excuse for her.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

You say, "The owners of the best horses always looked for the best races to show their stuff in, but these guys are different."

That is untrue. Most of the great mares usually run against mares. Some of them run against the boys sometimes, but that's not really expected and that's not really the norm. If you look at the records of most great mares, the majority of them usually ran against mares. It may be a little different in Europe, but not over here.

Doesn't Zenyatta's reputation transcend her gender?

There was a big blow up when she was compared to Lava Man a few months ago.

Doesn't the vast majority here think she is more than capable of shouldering the principle components of his '96-'98 campaigns (ie Big Cap, Hollywood Gold Cup, Pacific Classic) and come out the other end at least as successful as he was?

If you still want to play the gender card, didn't most of the top mare's of the modern era travel to a much greater extent than Zenyatta? Let's ignore Personal Ensign, who's "light" campaigning (in fact she was raced in intense fashion playing "catch up" as a 3yo) was the result of a major injury as opposed to a conscientious trainer.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Doesn't Zenyatta's reputation transcend her gender?

There was a big blow up when she was compared to Lava Man a few months ago.

Doesn't the vast majority here think she is more than capable of shouldering the principle components of his '96-'98 campaigns (ie Big Cap, Hollywood Gold Cup, Pacific Classic) and come out the other end at least as successful as he was?

If you still want to play the gender card, didn't most of the top mare's of the modern era travel to a much greater extent than Zenyatta? Let's ignore Personal Ensign, who's "light" campaigning (in fact she was raced in intense fashion playing "catch up" as a 3yo) was the result of a major injury as opposed to a conscientious trainer.

Lava Man ran that long ago??? Man I feel old

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

Lava Man ran that long ago??? Man I feel old

I stopped following racing after the '98 BC Classic, sorry about the gross error. Lava Man is still arguably the best horse on the backstretch at Hollywood Park.

Speaking of the '98 Classic, isn't Blame's campaign thus far this year eerily similar to Awesome Again's?

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I stopped following racing after the '98 BC Classic, sorry about the gross error. Lava Man is still arguably the best horse on the backstretch at Hollywood Park.

Speaking of the '98 Classic, isn't Blame's campaign thus far this year eerily similar to Awesome Again's?

no need to apologize, I wasnt trying to point out an error.. was just confused (doenst take much for me)

98 Classic was awesome. Blame will be a tough horse at Churchill this year also.