ZENYATTA – 2009 Breeders Cup Classic + Post Race
Perhaps the Horse of the Year title is not a foregone conclusion. Zenyatta gave the crowd what they waited for–and the patrons responded by cheering, clapping, and waving–as she ran her unbeaten streak to 14 with a magnificent performance in the Breeders Cup Classic (gr. I) Nov. 7 at Santa Anita. Zenyatta looked uncomfortable for the first 200 yards and was last the first time by the stands, but she was flying down the stretch the second time and rolled by Gio Ponti to win the $5-million race. Most voters had Rachel Alexandra penciled in as Horse of the Year but Zenyattas victory over males has re-opened that argument. Zenyatta was a bit reluctant to load, but the assistant starters had no problem getting her in the gate once they locked arms behind the big daughter of Street Cry and coaxed her forward. www.bloodhorse.com
Beyer speed figures LIE to us. 18 for 18, that’s the one that doesn’t. 18-0 is THE TRUTH. That’s the only numbers I need when handicapping her races. The first place finishes all across her past performances. Not something we should make more complicated. The DRF is already in the trash can by the time she races. Just helps fans like myself get a better price on Zen when the others are getting duped by Andrew Beyer.
She glides across conventional dirt just as easy, or even easier than she does synthetics. Just look at either one of her Apple Blossom replays, and clear as crystal that Zenyatta doesn’t have any problems handling conventional dirt. The players may be a little different this year. But the ultimate outcome is going to be the same. Because there’s not one colt that’s going to be in the Classic that Zenyatta doesn’t have a gear for. A gear to run them all down, pass them, and find the wire first.
Sure is amazing how Zenyatta can pull the strings of folks to argue against her from all over the world. Love it. Go Z, whoop their fannies again in the BC Classic.
I hope she wins again in the Classic this year to show how wrong Beyer is. He did not pick her in the Classic last year. He did not pick her for HOY. He did not give her fair credit for winning so many races. He constantly argued that Zenyatta won because her liking of the track and her oppponents disliking of the track.
See, Rachel? Are you taking notes? This instructional video to you just showed on how to win a 10F race at your first try! The fastest final quarter in BCC history and Zen looks around after the gallop-out like it is a stroll in the park. La di da…
the most impressive part of this whole thing is that she looks like she never even ran a race. I mean, she honestly looks like she just breezed 6f. Damn, she seriously isn’t even blowing.
Maybe the route that John Shirreffs has taken with Zenyatta is why this great 6yr.old race-mare is still healthy, and still winning races pretty much at her own leisure. Using whatever gear she deems necessary to get herself across the wire first. You can’t logically say that she dodges anyone. Because she always shows up at the Breeders Cup to face the best in the Classic divisions. Which is what the Breeders Cup was set up for. A day for the world’s best to face and race each other.
@guitarlegend32, You’re correct about Gio Ponti. In America, he’s a multiple G1 winner on turf. In Europe, he’d struggle to be a G2 turf horse most likely. That’s not really a knock at Gio Ponti. I’ve always liked the horse. But he’s clearly not run as well in 2010 as he did in 2009. He was just beaten by Debussy. Who’s considered a G3 horse in Europe. Debussy came into the Million with one G2 win in France in 2009. And a G3 win at Chester this year. The turf talent in Europe is tougher for sure
I never ever get tired of watching that mare’s talent and the skill of Mike Smith aboard
@guitarlegend32
thanks… I hope it changes after the Arlington Million.
@valmicha2 The website for reference is ‘International Reference of Horseracing Authorities’ just google it.The info is very good(breeding,surfaces etc) but only goes back to last year.
@valmicha2 He was joint 7th last year on his fine BCC 2nd,which to me was far better than any of his turf victories
@valmicha2 ….Quality Road,Zenyatta and Eskenderaya.This is only though till the end of July so with Blame,LAL etc this will probabley alter.Gio Ponti is joint 35th.It was different 10 years ago when U.S horses dominated and will be so again in 10 years times or so.Of the top 11 only 2 are dirt performers,so as it is the best horses in the world appear to be grass runners of which Gio Ponti isn’t even close.Again in 10 years time 8 of the top 10 will be U.S dirt horses.
@guitarlegend32
Is Gio Ponti on that list or was he last year?
@valmicha2 Look,Gio is obviously a good horse,but he’s not what I call ‘special’.The U.S is not known for their turf champions as a rule,the amount of European champs who venture to your back yard and win on turf shows the gulf between American animals who are suited to grass versus dirt.There are 10 times dirt races compared to turf in America and as it is at the moment,regardless of national bias,there are only 3 American horses in the top 16 on the International Ratings Committee….
@guitarlegend32
Sea the Star and Zarkava were both freaks of nature, so i don’t see your point there. Just saying that horses can be special even if they don’t win every single time. The best horses don’t always have to win to be called special, If Gio is not special by your standards, then there is only what, 2-3 special horses in the entire world?
@valmicha2 Did I say undefeated or win more than they lose.STS beat what were the best horses in Europe and being the massively highest rated horse in the world last year why should he have to travel abroad?They should have to come to him,they had ample oppurtunity.All I hear is that he didn’t go to the BC last year?You could count on one hand the amount of U.S,Hong Kong,Austrailian and South African horses travelled outside of their safe backyard’s but it’s not o.k for STS?Hypercrites….
@guitarlegend32
So that’s your definition of a special horse, one who wins far more than losing against the best. Well Zarakva and Sea the Stars both stopped early at the age of three, making them undefeated without a trip to America, Hong Kong, Japan, Dubai etc., whereas a horse like Cigar, Curlin, Fantastic Light, John Henry kept on going but lost many races on the way. I mean heck, then Pepper’s Pride should be on the list since she beat the best New Mexico offered her.
@valmicha2 …an argument against his undisputed greatness.All of a sudden now,all over youtube,Rip is being augered as a guide to Zen’s greatness.Slightly hypercritical?Also if he is the best U.S turf horse in a long time,it doesn’t say much for the turf racers there does it.
@valmicha2 No,a special horse is one who wins far more than he loses against the best there is on offer.Twice Over ,Rip Van Winkle and Gio Ponti clearly don’t fall into that category.Rip’s heart was broken in pieces last year by one I have no need to mention,as was Twice Over.In Europe this year no matter what they do,they will always be in his mighty shadow.Isn’t it funny though,after last years BCC when Rip clearly ran way below his best the American’s were using him as a guide to STS and….
@guitarlegend32
You’re right, he’s not a special horse. Only made 4million+ dollars in 20 races, won 5 grade 1′s and still going, arguably the best American turf horse in a long long time. Twice Over just ran a gutsy second last night, Rip won, guess that BCC is just getting better and better
@valmicha2 If he was special the fractions would be meaningless.Exactly though, he’s only won five of his ten races and only won one of his last six.That isn’t the profile(nor Twice Over,2 from 10 in group 1 company) of a special horse.The form of the BCC has been badly let down.
@guitarlegend32
Not so sure he got beat fair and square in Dubai… when they went a half in over 52 seconds and had to go wide. Anything special? Just over a 4 million dollar earner, won 5 of his last 10 races (all grade 1 wins) and is the big favorite in the Arlington Million.
I’m just getting caught up on this thread, and I still can’t tell if ashleycole is a man or a woman. Whatever you are, you’re quite the C*NT, no? I think you are a woman, so you need to tuck your penis in, and buck up a bit. If you are a woman (and not a lesbian), you should probably go get laid; you might be a little less testy that way. If you’re a man, well, I guess I’m sorry for you.
Most of you folks pay no attn. to the groom… the fella walking this horse!!! This is the man that has to step in if the horse gets out of order…. Cu does to him!!