Bortstein: A race for Zenyatta

No question, with Zenyatta in the Classic, Jess Jackson is certainly a worried man.

RA is not in the BREEDERS. She don't have run to be HOTY, She has already won the title by money
won,
She has made the most money of any horse in the US Almost 3 Million

Asmussin know when to give a horse a rest and don't run to break them down.

RA will win 3year old Filly divison and Horse of the Year

Zenyetta will in older mare
Zenyetta is not on the top 100 horses as money won
Zenyetta NEVER had the competition as RA ran against.
Zenyetta never ran all Graded 1

RA will be running when Zenyetta is in the breeding shed.
Zenyetta is a nice horse but RA is just a good horse
Beleive Jess Jackson has nothing to worry about.

He knew the stradgy and he has the best trainer in the business

I agree RA has already won HoY... She did it when she won the Preakness.
But I disagree that it's entirely because of her record and earnhings.
She has won it because most in the horse racing community feel they still owe a debt to Jess Jackson for Curlin.

As far as her "needing a rest" goes, that's pretty bogus. She's certainly just as durable as any of the other top horses out there (if she's not, she doesn't deserve HoY), so I suspect JJ is ducking the BC Classic more because of the way Curlin had his head handed to him than for any other reason.

Jess Jackson does not have to worry that Rachael will not win HoY. What he has to fear is the *judgement of history* if Zenyatta wins the BC Classic.

HoY won't mean much then, because folks will always question if the BEST horse REALLY won.

No, I suspect he'll have a sleepless night or two before the big one this Saturday.

Curlin when he ran on the turf slamed his stifel leaving the starting gate,this was not published.

They were considering not to run him in the Breeders., but they did any way.

You really don't understand.
Grade 1 races won, money won and the fact that a female running multiple times in a Grade 1 with the boys and winning.
No reason for Jackson to be worried.
What does he have to worry about.
Curlin was HOTY last year without winning the Breeders.
On a 25 % scale
winning in the Breeders will give a horse 5 points

Grade 1 wins
Conditions of the race
Females running against the boys
Running in a TC race and winning.
Most purse wins in money
Is what decides HOTY

No doubt that Zenyetta will take older female title.
Horses are NOT machines They need a break especially at 3.
RA is 3 and has been in tough training and racing. Why break any horse down to prove a point.

RA HAS NOTHING TO PROVE. She is the top money winner in the country.

Asmussen and company know the business/
Like I said RA will still be running while Zenyetta is in the shed.
I just hope Zenyetta runs and comes back ok

I'll let you on a little secret. Zenyetta has issues.That is why she is doing slow in hand breezes.
She has had issues back in her last 2 races., but ok to compete

Zenyatta has won her last races by less and less of a margin. That last one was by a nose to a n1x. She won't look as bad if she enters and loses to the males in the BC Classic. If she gets her hiney handed to her by another filly in the LC she is going to look pretty bad. I got someone here telling me that he thinks Cocoa Beach is peaking and has been pointing towards the Lady's Classic. He has Cocoa Beach as the winner regardless if Zenyatta enters it or not. She almost got beat last time by her. I thought she already lost to Zenyatta twice if memory serves me right but I'm getting told Cocoa Beach is going to get her this time! I gotta do my race thinking before I make up my mind who I think is going to win.
Racheal is the top of the heap if she runs or not. All that has to happen to prove that is one of the horses she stomped in a race beating Zenyatta. Which will probably be a Bird. I really think Moss is weak in the knees right now with his stomach gurggling. Probably just downed a whole bottle of Pepto. I'm saying this also. I SWEAR I saw a bad step last out and I thought Zenyatta was going to wash out and be finny/kapoot/done. I know even on contest horses that kind of action should sideline a horse or you risk a breakdown. That could of ripped or tore supporting tissue. We will see if she is sound. She has only had a few races this year. I was not impressed with the last one. I also never saw the photo and question the "win". I think she got beat and the stews chose the "shot" and angle for the public. Keep the majority happy they won 20 cents so they will come back type of thing.
As always. I can't wait for all the action to begin.

Hay Gloria where have you been. I see you guy have the slot debate going on in Ohio.Sure hope it goes through. It will help racing and put people to work.
Over here we are voting table games. Most likely will go through. More jobs and the racing purses goes up again.
As for the 2 mares. A lot of people are trying to make this entire thing East VS West.
Like I said before both are nice horses but RA is a little better. Just hope Zenyetta runs well and stays safe.
Jackson with the top horse and the top trainer in the country has nothing to worry about. A part of RA purse money is going to CA research.
We had the Classic here and Asmussin won all 3 races that he was in.
The man has a horse shoe up you know where.

TRAINER wrote:

Grade 1 races won, money won and the fact that a female running multiple times in a Grade 1 with the boys and winning.
No reason for Jackson to be worried.
What does he have to worry about.
ok

You're missing my point entirely.
It's not being denied HoY that will keep Jackson up at night, that's a lock.

It's the judgement of history five, 10 years down the road and the relative status or legacy of the two horses and their connections that's gotta eat at him right now.

All the stats you mentioned are fine, but will they have the legs to overcome the emotional impact of a victory by Zenyatta in a race that most say belongs to the Euro's?

We can argue the relative merits of each horse all we want, but the fact is that in the gut, a win by Zenyatta in the Classic WILL diminish Rachael in the eyes of history and people will forever debate if the best horse REALLY won HoY 09.

Sorry my neighbor in VA. I differ with you. Just because the fact that RA ran against the boys in a TC race and won.She broke a multiable decade record for a filly winning
This will leave a lasting impresson more so then running in the breeders.
O yes the Euro's They know how to condition a horse.
Even though I am an American trainer I feel that European and South American horses are better conditioned.They seem to take their time in getting a horse fit and pay's attention to details

They generally don't start a horse untill they can go at least 2 miles in a good work.
The only American trainer which conditions in this manner is J. Shephard.Who has a large training center in PA
American trainers will run a horse in a distance race off a 4 or 5 FL work. not good
This weekend will be exciting

TRAINER wrote:

Hay Gloria where have you been. I see you guy have the slot debate going on in Ohio.Sure hope it goes through. It will help racing and put people to work.
Over here we are voting table games. Most likely will go through. More jobs and the racing purses goes up again.
As for the 2 mares. A lot of people are trying to make this entire thing East VS West.
Like I said before both are nice horses but RA is a little better. Just hope Zenyetta runs well and stays safe.
Jackson with the top horse and the top trainer in the country has nothing to worry about. A part of RA purse money is going to CA research.
We had the Classic here and Asmussin won all 3 races that he was in.
The man has a horse shoe up you know where.

Hi TRAINER! The slots issue passed! Also the livestock issue. More big brother telling people how to run farms. I'm happy about the slots issue. The people up here that are against it are really passionate conservatist who think we will get more crime. I wonder what in the world they blame for all the crime up until this point? I know they will have a new scapegoat soon. The Cleveland Casino. I think it is a good thing to keep the money in the state to help balance the budget. The County I live in is broke and they attack and steal from people any which way they can set somebody up. The going price is about a 40G screwover. Then a trip to Kangaroo Court where State Laws mean didley as the same old good old boys here write their own laws. So Im happy the skinny cow of a government will have a little cud to chew and keep it busy.
I think RA is the best horse between the two mares. I also think she is the most beautiful, stunning mare I have ever seen. It is exciting to know that she will throw little horseys into the gene pool and I will have good horse race entertainment until I grow old and senile. God I love this sport and the betting on the ponys is just a small part of the addiction. It is also in all the breeding and following the horses offspring. Rachael will reproduce champions or another "sire of sires" someday. I hope Im around to see it happen.

Im looking at the 8 the 7 and the 2 in the Classic. That 2 should raise some eyebrows and maybe a few laughs. We'll see. Nothing has started yet and I don't know how the track is playing yet.

Good luck everybody!

Col John could do it.
I like Rip Van Winkle. He had a foot problem, but Don't think it's that bad. The 8 Einstein I alway like but I think he is a tired horse.
I woulden't leave out Quality Road to be on the board.
Good Luck Hope every bet is a winning one

Oh my GAWD! Number 2 in the Classic. Life is Sweet!!!!!!!!!! got a live horizontal too. One more! One more One more. You guys know the feeling.

Agree with the 10 Rip Van Winkle even thou he has never ran on plastic. Disagree Einstein is tired. I think he is a threat and has a chance. The real sleepers I think who have a chance to hit the board today is Gio Ponti or Mine That Bird. Might not happen but the 11 might run alright. Been argued down about him but the way I handicap his number came up with the 9 as well. Even though 9 has never did the distance and never ran against this type or quality of feild. So tossing them and structuring a bet on the others.
If it does go 3 or 12 I'm gonna kick myself in the hinny. Good Luck!

I don't think Zenyatta is gonna do anything but get run down. She never streached out this far and I hope this is NOT another 8Bells scene because the sport does not need that again. If she tires I hope the Jock eases up on her and lets her coast. If she does hit the board i will truley be surprized.

I was always a Einestein fan. His last race he just diden't seem to be himself. He has had some time off.maybe he will fire I like Julian on him.
RVW has quarter cracks. Who known.
Quality Road I think may be a threat also.
I hope all run well and return homes safe.
I feel a long shot will be the winner. Would be funny if MTB jumps up to take it all.
We will soon know.

This pick six is gonna be a boxcar. Track is playing different from yesterday. I think MTB has a chance. Its his distance. No excuses after this one if he gets smoked.

I think they are dumping a lotta water on the track.

WOW! Zenyatta was truley something and I never figured her getting Gio Ponti. That was an awesome race. The pick six is a carry over. Nobody even got five of six.
That Helicopter is what scared Quality Road, if they would of muffed his ears he would of calmed down thinking the "thing" went away. Heck, to that horse it probably sounded like a humungous hornet nest. Then it took forever for that starter to yank that hood. Too bad. Hope he is alright. Looked like he was bleeding thru his wraps.
This HOY thing. Racheal beat the boys at a longer distance. In the mud too. She still is my HOY.