I would like to be the first to suggest....

[justindew]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

The Classic? However will she be able to match up with Zanjero?

At the end of the day, if Curlin and Big Brown don't run in the BCC, who is there to be afraid of?

[justindew]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Besides Zanjero?

With the race being more than 5 months away, it's a bit tough for me to give you others pointing towards it. It's much easier to throw out names of horses that won't be pointing towards it like you did. However, I don't see her beating Heatseeker. She's very nice, I'm not trying to take anything away from her. But, put her in the Californian yesterday. Does she beat Heatseeker? No way.

I don't think Lukas/Paulson saw Azeri beating Ghostzapper.

There aren't many years where it looks like a good time for a girl to tackle the boys at the Grade I level. But this looks like it could be one of those years to me. That's all I'm sayin'.

[horseofcourse]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Besides Zanjero?

With the race being more than 5 months away, it's a bit tough for me to give you others pointing towards it. It's much easier to throw out names of horses that won't be pointing towards it like you did. However, I don't see her beating Heatseeker. She's very nice, I'm not trying to take anything away from her. But, put her in the Californian yesterday. Does she beat Heatseeker? No way.

Look at the fractions of the two races side by side. She could have gone a little faster. Yeah, she can run with Heatseeker.

[hockey2315]

I'm just hoping the Euros send over some good turf horses to run in the classic to make this thing even remotely interesting.

[horseofcourse]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Seriously?

Yeah seriously. Tell me the major differences in the two races yesterday??

[10 pnt move up]

I need to see Zenyatta in a fast pace race, I mean like a 115-120 type pace to see how she would do, on pure talent though she is scary, she runs by horses like they are tied to the hitching post, even when those horses are Ginger Punch and got nice soft cushy perfect trip leads.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

The difference is Heatseeker crushed Tiago and Surf Cat. Zenyatta beat Santa Teresita and Kris' Sis. I'd say that's a pretty major difference.

Tiago could not beat Zenyatta with a head start, IMHO.

[horseofcourse]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

The difference is Heatseeker crushed Tiago and Surf Cat. Zenyatta beat Santa Teresita and Kris' Sis. I'd say that's a pretty major difference.

Tell me the difference in how the races were run and the times?? I'd say there is virtually zero difference. At this point in his career I'd say beating Surf Cat is not a major accomplishment. Beating Tiago is nice but that one is hardly a slayer type t-bred. Basically, Heatseeker beat the 2nd best horse in Shirrefs stable.

Again, zero difference basically in the two races if you eliminate the names of the horses.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by philcski

If Big Brown and Curlin aren't in the Classic, Heatseeker is the favorite... end of story.


Zenyatta is a SUPER nice filly, obviously the best out there right now. Almost Azeri-esque. Overcame a LOT today and still won for fun. But I'm not sure she's ready for the Classic... yet.

If BB and Curlin aren't there and Heatseeker is the favorite, even if he beats her, running second in the race wouldn't be bad at all. A second or third in the Classic would be better on her resume, IMO, than a win in the Distaff.

[10 pnt move up]

How about the dopes on TVG....saying its been a long long time since Hollywood has seen a filly like this....um Azeri raced there 4 years ago, man people just cant help but getting caught up in todays moment.

[King Glorious]

I posted earlier without thinking things through. Upon further thought, I'd take Zenyatta over Big Brown at this point. She's been every bit as impressive and has beaten better horses. Ginger Punch is light years better than anything Big Brown has beaten and she looked like a claimer against Zenyatta. And before anyone reminds me that Big Brown has much more room for improvement considering that he's only run five races, think about how many Zenyatta's run.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

The difference is Heatseeker crushed Tiago and Surf Cat. Zenyatta beat Santa Teresita and Kris' Sis. I'd say that's a pretty major difference.

Just a slight one.

[justindew]

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

Just a slight one.

Ashley!!!!

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

And before anyone reminds me that Big Brown has much more room for improvement considering that he's only run five races, think about how many Zenyatta's run.

How about reminding you that Big Brown has run at 9f or further 3 times while Zenyatta hasn't been further than 8.5f.

Also, Ginger Punch, a weak champion in a weak division last year has been subpar even for her in all 3 of her 2008 starts. I'd predict an impending retirement as soon as she lines up against another decent horse this year.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

How about reminding you that Big Brown has run at 9f or further 3 times while Zenyatta hasn't been further than 8.5f.

Also, Ginger Punch, a weak champion in a weak division last year has been subpar even for her in all 3 of her 2008 starts. I'd predict an impending retirement as soon as she lines up against another decent horse this year.

I'm not sure how that addresses the fact that both have only run five times and have further room for improvement. In fact, I'd even say that means that Zenyatta has more room since we already know what BB can do at 10f but haven't seen Zenyatta try it yet.

As weak as you may think Ginger Punch is, do you think any of the 3yo's that Big Brown have faced this year are better than her?

A dead closer against the boys? Uh no.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I'm not sure how that addresses the fact that both have only run five times and have further room for improvement.

It doesn't, but it does address a significant difference between BB and Zenyatta, the latter whom you consider "every bit as impressive" as the former. I took the basis of your post to be a comparison between those two horses as far as facing each other in the BC Classic goes.

Maybe I was mistaken and it was just meant to let everyone know that Zenyatta had only run 5 times. Because no one but you had realized this.

And just to stir the pot a little more, what raises more questions as far as physical condition and susceptibility to injury goes, a 3yo with only 5 career starts or a 4yo (that happens to be about 17 hands) with only 5 career starts?

In fact, I'd even say that means that Zenyatta has more room since we already know what BB can do at 10f but haven't seen Zenyatta try it yet.

So basically, you are trying to sugar-coat the fact that Zenyatta has more question marks on paper than Big Brown?

As weak as you may think Ginger Punch is, do you think any of the 3yo's that Big Brown have faced this year are better than her?

Wasn't the point I was trying to make. The point was that the form Ginger Punch showed at Oaklawn wasn't the form that garnered her the 2007 Eclipse. Was Gayego's Arkansas Derby a stronger performance than Ginger Punch's 3rd in the Apple Blossom? Yes. Does that somehow mean that BB, who crushed Gayego unceremoniously in his last two, is better than Zenyatta? No.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by justindew

..that we might see Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
(unless somene else has already suggested this)

I don't know if you saw the interview with Shireffs after the race today. Christina O. asked him if he has considered running Zenyatta in the BC Classic. He responded, "Not at all."

[Scav]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

I don't know if you saw the interview with Shireffs after the race today. Christina O. asked him if he has considered running Zenyatta in the BC Classic. He responded, "Not at all."

LOL....She didn't look that impressive today either, if the 1 didn't have to steady and then go outside, I think she wins.....

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by Scav

LOL....She didn't look that impressive today either, if the 1 didn't have to steady and then go outside, I think she wins.....

I agree that she was not overly impressive today. And as you said, the other filly may have beaten her with a clean trip.