tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post4144540638348968764..comments2023-03-26T02:23:43.274-05:00Comments on Zipse at the Track: And the Horse of the Year is …Brian Zipsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08592017304873334271noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-35602874588897500592010-11-17T09:38:25.510-06:002010-11-17T09:38:25.510-06:00ZATT needs a like button, so I can like Grice'...ZATT needs a like button, so I can like Grice's last comment. I'd punch the button til my fingers bled!Silent Sundayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15767966715650118420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-11265853080013502642010-11-16T20:12:44.263-06:002010-11-16T20:12:44.263-06:00You do realize it's possible to have an incred...You do realize it's possible to have an incredible career but never have the best single season, right anonymous? And that it's possible for someone to "appreciate" Z but still think Blame earned HOY? My God, you're annoying.Sarah Gricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05052334092664089641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-91658205391458381012010-11-16T10:25:17.582-06:002010-11-16T10:25:17.582-06:00Difficult for Zenyatta to find a lot of Grade 1 wi...Difficult for Zenyatta to find a lot of Grade 1 winners in her diviosion to run against considering she has dominated it for the past 3 years......Seems that she beat the same Grade 1 winners that Blame did. He won the race but he hardly beat her as the photo just after the wire. Hardly a horse that was soundly beaten, but rather an unlucky head bob. <br /><br />Nobody is likely to change their mind on the subject, but I am confident that 30 yrs from now that people will still talk about Zenyatta and compare others to her. Unless Blame becomes a star in the breeding shed, very few will remember much about him at all other than how people now remember Upset. Highly unlikely he will ever be in the HOF. How sad it would be for her to be in on the first vote and not have been HOTY. Even sadder for those of you that didnt appreciate her while she was running. I take comfort in the fact that real horsemen appreciate her and what she has done...seems to be the touts, railbirds and handicappers that can't pull their nose out of their forms long enough to recognize a great horse...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-55717664970171676242010-11-16T09:08:56.860-06:002010-11-16T09:08:56.860-06:00Also, the fact that zenyatta didn't travel is ...Also, the fact that zenyatta didn't travel is a tangible, not an opinion about something the owners said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-71814103300983900812010-11-16T09:01:40.269-06:002010-11-16T09:01:40.269-06:00Those tangibles you collected about zenyatta sure ...Those tangibles you collected about zenyatta sure look weak when you compare them to the # of grade 1 winners<br />Blame beat this year. And the small fact that Blame beat Zenyatta when they met up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-32237080139315660252010-11-15T09:52:36.112-06:002010-11-15T09:52:36.112-06:00So, if you want to stick to tangibles....here ya g...So, if you want to stick to tangibles....here ya go. <br /><br />She ran in more races this year<br />She won more races<br />She won more Grade 1 races<br />She raced over two different surfaces<br />She ran at more tracks<br /><br />Like it or not she IS a female and she thoroughly dominated her division. HOTY is like a best in show win. She was the best horse running in North America this year. Period. Thirty years from now Blame will be little more than a footnote in history. She will be a first round HOF horse. Its doubtful he will ever be HOF. <br /><br />Are those enough tangibles for you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-58559275421808970972010-11-15T07:26:34.867-06:002010-11-15T07:26:34.867-06:00Anonomous, many who vote for Blame HOTY will be do...Anonomous, many who vote for Blame HOTY will be doing so because they don't like the campaign Zenyatta took, a vote against Zen's owners. Zenyatta never ventured to the east coast and some will hold that against her. So the vote is emotional any way you look at it. And by the looks of things, it's going to get ugly.markinsacnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-25824853277361840602010-11-15T00:20:04.939-06:002010-11-15T00:20:04.939-06:00"Lastly, with all things being equal, Seth Ha..."Lastly, with all things being equal, Seth Hancock's tasteless and crass comments immediately following the race should cost Blame the honors. "<br /><br />If that's the case then the Mosses' tasteless reactions at the Eclipse awards last year should cost Zenyatta the honors this year. Do you see how silly this logic is? Why should cocky behavior from owners affect the cold hard stats from the year? Don't even bring crap like this into the argument. Brian clearly said that he based his opinion on Zenyatta's work this season vs. Blame's work this season. I disagree with his conclusion, but I can respect how he came to it. He certainly didn't claim that one horse should win because he likes their owners better, so please don't bring that to the table here. Let's stick to tangibles.<br /><br />Sarah GAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-89373626292791966892010-11-14T22:58:32.654-06:002010-11-14T22:58:32.654-06:00Blame may have won the BCC but he did not beat Zen...Blame may have won the BCC but he did not beat Zenyatta. If not for the head bob, he wouldn't have won either. No horse could have done what she did coming down the stretch that day.....<br /><br />What people need to consider is that there is a lack of Grade 1 fillies and mares for her to run against because she has so thoroughly dominated her division for the past three years. She did run at Oaklawn and most chose to duck her. Blind Luck's connections even chose to ship out of her home state so as not to have to hook her in her final start before BC. <br /><br />Blame gives the illusion of running against better company because his division is so average that they all took their turns. He was soundly and thoroughly beaten by Haynesfield with no excuses. Zenyatta smoked Haynesfield like a cheap cigar (as did Blame that day) in their only match up. Zenyatta has never been soundly beaten. <br /><br />Lastly, with all things being equal, Seth Hancock's tasteless and crass comments immediately following the race should cost Blame the honors. Seth appears to be the only person at Churchill that thought Blame won easily that day. Everybody sitting in my section seemed to be under the impression that Blame got very lucky and the horse that truly beat Zenyatta was Quality Road stopping like he'd been shot in front of her. <br /><br />I want to see Zenyatta's connections be rewarded for their horsemanship and great love of their animal and the sport. Her record may say 19-1, but for me, they were all perfection in any way you look at it...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-47861588225021273672010-11-14T18:12:10.541-06:002010-11-14T18:12:10.541-06:00I have to soften on this one, Blame won, and you p...I have to soften on this one, Blame won, and you picked Z HOTY. What do you think the odds are on HOTY? It looks like it will be as heated as last year! But if Zen wins HOTY, it will make a perfect ending for her movie.<br /><br />Unless she DOESN'T RETIRE! The Mosses haven't said anything definite yet. Hey, can you get something started for a Rachel going away party, perhaps at Churchill or Keeneland? I think she deserves it. She and Zen made old horseplayers care about the sport again, not just what the tri payed. I just don't like her owner all that much. He's sneaky.markinsacnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-49932707477627784772010-11-14T18:00:57.985-06:002010-11-14T18:00:57.985-06:00Mark, After all these months, don't tell me yo...Mark, After all these months, don't tell me you are softening on me! LOL In all seriousness, I appreciate your comment, but please feel free to let me have it next time you feel I am way off base.Brian Zipsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08592017304873334271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-681775696519559432010-11-14T17:54:34.998-06:002010-11-14T17:54:34.998-06:00Brian, i've disagreed with you on many occasio...Brian, i've disagreed with you on many occasions. I called you "Biased", and criticized your "Blame" pick in the Classic. I was wrong on both occasions! If anybody is biased, it's me and the rest of the Zealots. But Zenyatta will do that to you. Winning the Classic is no slam dunk for HOTY. Look at the last 2 years. It was a great Classic, one that will be remembered for decades. I take nothing away from Blame, he showed true grit, much like Rachel did last year in the Woodward. But Zenyatta is a better horse, she overcame MANY obstacles to get into a photo with her rival, in doing so, she still beat 10 quality males on a foreign surface, that Blame seems to relish. I know that some EASTERN writers are agreeing with you. So I'll have to back off on the biased claim. As soon as Zenyatta retires, so goes the left coast. California is in shambles and Aqueduct will steal away our talent with the slots money. New York racing will be king. Congratulations, expect big things. I read your column every day and find it different and entertaining. Keep up the great work. And one of these weekends, come out and visit us! The weather is great year-round.markinsacnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-39190184950871288702010-11-14T11:21:36.761-06:002010-11-14T11:21:36.761-06:00Did somebody really just call anybody who thinks b...Did somebody really just call anybody who thinks blame should win hoy "haters?" I think your blog comments just reached the lowest possible point, Brian! Lol!Sarah Gricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05052334092664089641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-54811003278432310572010-11-14T09:16:50.897-06:002010-11-14T09:16:50.897-06:00Facts:
For those who keep claiming Blame had a hom...Facts:<br />For those who keep claiming Blame had a homecourt advantage. Of the 5 times he ran this year, including the BC, only 2 were at CD. He still traveled to Maryland and NY twice. And Keeneland is where he was based at, on polytrack, not dirt at CD. Why can't he get that respect, that he is that good of a horse.<br /><br />For those claiming that it is hard to travel east, ask Blind Luck and her connections. They did it 6....6...yes 6 times this year and she showed up everytime firing. L@L also traveled 6 times. I'm all for opinions, but when they are defunct of fact, they become nonsensical ranting. I hate that I got sucked back into this argument, as I really have become to not care who wins HOY, because ultimately as a fan I win...Z is in history and hearts forever, and yes too many, so is Blame and we witnessed their great race which is all as fans we could ask for. Go Z, Go Blame...HOY, go wherever.Silent Sundayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15767966715650118420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-5891220507557772652010-11-13T19:58:56.080-06:002010-11-13T19:58:56.080-06:00Zenyatta certainly did beat grade 1 winners this y...Zenyatta certainly did beat grade 1 winners this year, except she waited til the end to beat them, they were all running way behind her when she passed them in the BCC. I think they were the hottest colts in racing this year.<br />And she only came up inches short of beating the one colt in his own backyard on his on surface.<br />Quit being a Zenyatta hater.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-70750309812584119332010-11-13T16:18:25.916-06:002010-11-13T16:18:25.916-06:00afleetalexforever, how many times have you bet aga...afleetalexforever, how many times have you bet against Zenyatta and lost?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-16629363905930999642010-11-13T14:26:40.426-06:002010-11-13T14:26:40.426-06:00I am SO sorry for the repeat posts! I was getting ...I am SO sorry for the repeat posts! I was getting error messages saying the comments didn't post!<br /><br />I'm very sorry and very embarrassed!Staceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05778624212957731623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-76247185962537324802010-11-13T14:21:20.960-06:002010-11-13T14:21:20.960-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Staceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05778624212957731623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-84740604526866427742010-11-13T14:21:03.922-06:002010-11-13T14:21:03.922-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Staceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05778624212957731623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-23655990502275187772010-11-13T14:20:32.057-06:002010-11-13T14:20:32.057-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Staceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05778624212957731623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-18806411342680875552010-11-13T12:46:00.251-06:002010-11-13T12:46:00.251-06:00Funny how for two years I hear about Zenyatta'...Funny how for two years I hear about Zenyatta's Synthetic home track advantage. Yet Blame is a far far better horse at Churchill then anywhere else he raced.Oh well. Truth is. Zenyatta lost because her Jock failed to warm her up pre race. He instead spent that time loving on her like a high school kid behind the bleachers.Every trainer on the west coast knows Zenyatta has problems behind. It takes time for her to warm out of her soreness. The chilly Ky afternoon only made things worse.If you watch the race. Her action the first half mile was horrible. You also have to wonder why she was out grazing all day? In 40 plus years on the backside. And another 20 plus years as a fan. That was something I have never seen on raceday.Bloodstocknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-15210927981813790902010-11-13T11:44:29.604-06:002010-11-13T11:44:29.604-06:00From fencebored@Pa forum.
Here's a quick lit...From fencebored@Pa forum.<br /><br /><br />Here's a quick little thing I threw together. I'd appreciate mistakes being noted.<br /><br />As of 11/9/2010 the summary of accomplisments looks like this.<br /><br />Zenyatta 2010 Record<br />6 -5-1-0 (all grade 1s)<br /><br />Defeated 23 unique opponents in her victories<br />Key races won: 0<br />3 next out winners (excluding subject)<br />2 next out stakes winners (0 Graded)<br /><br />For the year those opponents combine for:<br />155-26-18-29 (17% winners, 47% ITM)<br /><br />Stake win totals: 13 total, 5 graded<br />00 G1s<br />05 G2s<br />00 G3s<br />08 Ungraded stakes<br /><br />===================================<br /><br />Blame 2010 Record<br />5-4-1-0 (four Grade 1s {three wins} and one G2)<br /><br />Defeated 28 unique opponents in his victories<br />Key races won: 2<br />6 next out winners (excluding subject)<br />5 next out stakes winners (2 Graded {both G1})<br /><br />For the year those opponents combine for:<br />153-51-29-19 (33% winners, 65% ITM)<br /><br />Stake win totals: 40 total, 30 graded<br />14 G1s<br />09 G2s<br />07 G3s<br />10 Ungraded stakesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-39448157128961232222010-11-13T11:05:29.542-06:002010-11-13T11:05:29.542-06:00Personal Ensign facing and defeating males and goi...Personal Ensign facing and defeating males and going 7 for 7 in 88 that’s HOY material.<br />Winning Colors 1988 year Kentucky Derby, Santa Anita Derby 2nd in BC Distaff is HOY material<br />Rachel Alexandra 3 wins against males 2 races with a combined margin of over 40 lengths HOY Material<br />Zenyatta’s 2009 is way more impressive than her 2010 with the BCWin but a better horse with a better resume won, in 2010 she lost a race head to head and that horse deserves HOY due to his open company wins against the best available, Zenyatta’s connections ducked the best all year and put their eggs in the BC basket and she lost, sentimentality is the only way a person would in any way vote for Zenyatta for HOY, some will and others will be objective and award the connections who took chances and won the biggest races of the year with their horse. That’s what HOY is about. And I am sorry that some have let the heart strings be tugged to want to GIVE the connections of this horse an award that they are and “NEVER HAVE BEEN DESERVING OF”!!!!Afleetalexforevernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-89361265319376132582010-11-13T11:04:13.356-06:002010-11-13T11:04:13.356-06:00You know I have been a FB friend of Brian for a wh...You know I have been a FB friend of Brian for a while now, and I have seen him take a number of different stances on a number of different topics, I have backed him at times and I have disagreed on others, unfortunately this is one of those times where I disagree and I am quite confused about his decision with regards to backing Zen. In the years past, a HOY has had to go above and beyond through out the year and show by means of great performance after great performance that he or she is deserving of HOY. Then there are times when no one in the older division stands up and a two year old or filly or mare sneaks in and gets the votes. <br />My reasoning is simple, the connections of Zenyatta made a statement earlier this year and that statement was, “WE are not chasing HOY”, unfortunately they are Liars and now are begging for HOY after running in ho hum unknown races, and taking the absolute easiest path possible to get to the BC. I do not EVER remember the connections of any top tier horse taking the unimaginative path that they did with this great, competitive, talented mare. <br />I think that unfortunately Zenyatta may get a number of votes for HOY due to the sentimental aspect of things, which would be the only way that I could see her getting the votes she gets. For anyone to compare the year that she had to that of Blame or Quality Road, or even Looking At Lucky you would have to think back to the argument that Zenyatta fans had for the last 2 ½ years, “She’s Undefeated”, well she’s not anymore and the luster on that statement is gone. Unfortunately the fact is these people had the ability to step out of the box more than twice in her 20 race career and they failed to do so, in 2008 they were scared of Curlin, who didn’t run as well on synthetics, in 2009 they were scared of Rachel which is surprising due to having a 5 year old and being scared of a 3 year old, and in 2010 they were worried about passing Pepper’s Pride. Pepper’s Pride, that’s right they were more worried about passing Pepper’s Pride, not Secretariat or Ruffian or anyone of importance, they were confused, let’s face Rachel head to head, that didn’t happen, Rachel lost and you know what, lets go back to Cali and get comfy again and try to get the HOY award in the back door like we tried in 08 and 09, taking 1 shot, that being the BCClassic. Let me tell you how I feel, I have enjoyed Zenyatta for a long time, actually April of 08 was when I saw her at the Apple Blossom at My home track, Oaklawn, no one knew her back then, but here is the unfortunate part no one knew of her up until about 3 weeks ago in the normal family home also, until the BC and 60 mins started their PR quest, why because they hid her in Cali for 18 of 20 races, and had the nerve to make the statement that “They had to play at home sometimes”, The Cowardice of Jerry Moss and John Sheriffs “IS NOT DESERVING OF HORSE OF THE YEAR” in any year, Zenyatta on her own merit is deserving of an award and that’s called the Hall of Fame, HOY is for horses that have run in ambitious campaigns all throughout the year, it’s not about the 5 or 10 thousand fans extra she brought out to the BC. She is an amazing horse, an amazing athlete and a wonderful ambassador to the sport, for the last month or less that she was giving the spotlight, is that HOY material, no absolutely not, not even close. Because nothing that was done on the track in 2010 by Zenyatta or her connections was in anyway even close to deserving of HOY. Here is an example of HOY thoughts from a filly.Afleetalexforevernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000505714543202206.post-12763441546626966202010-11-13T10:13:56.483-06:002010-11-13T10:13:56.483-06:00I agree 100% and yes she ran in her own back yard ...I agree 100% and yes she ran in her own back yard this year but Blame ran in his as well. I saw were Ragozin did his thing and said it would have been a dead heat. No horse deserves it more than Zen.Annnoreply@blogger.com