January 17th will officially bring to a close the 2010 racing calender. Miami Beach's Fontainebleu Hotel will host the 40th annual Eclipse Awards dinner. A night for American racing to showcase, and honor the stars of their sport, by awarding winners in seventeen equine, and human categories.
This year's presentation once again promises to have it's share of "locks", mixed with the usual drama surrounding the "Academy Awards" of racing. The true extent of this year's drama will not be played out until well into the evening when the final award, the 2010 Horse Of The Year award is handed out. All indications are that it will come down to a Blame vs. Zenyatta vote that once again promises to divide voters and fans alike.
There's no secret to any follower of "The Quarter Pole" about my fondness for the brilliant race mare Zenyatta. In fact, I've often stated that she should have been a two time Horse Of The Year winner already. Unfortunately, due to Politics, and "regionalism", she is still in search of her first HOY trophy.
This year (perhaps surprising to some), I feel could be her least deserving yet.
Blame is a magnificent race horse with a spectacular resume. My HOY arguments in the past have always centered around the Breeders' Cup. I'm a believer that, whenever possible, we should embrace the year end event, and reward horses that RUN, and are SUCCESSFUL on our championship day (sorry Mr. Jackson). For that reason, I found it easier to make a case for Zenyatta's two previous campaigns, as opposed to this year's.
Not to "re-hash" the last two votes, but an unbeaten 2008 campaign, culminating in a Breeder's Cup win, should have outweighed a "flawed" 2008 racing year, ending with a fourth place BC finish for Curlin.
At least he showed up! Last year's HOY winner was praised for greatness without ever having to show up to racing's championship event.
This year, the two finalists are deserving of their stature as they come in with a combined 11 starts, 8 Grade one wins, 2 Grade one seconds, and 1 Grade three win. Ultimately facing each other in the "race of the year, for horse of the year".
My "objective" brain finds it hard to deny a BC Classic winner, with the resume Blame has, a Horse Of The Year honor. That's not to say Zenyatta doesn't deserve it on her own merits. Unbeaten in five Grade one races prior to the Breeders' Cup, and performing like a true champion on championship day, Big Z has a feasible argument to the title as well.
This year's vote truly is one for the ages. As stirring as their "classic" Classic was on the track, their showdown off the track continues to excite and thrill us all.
Even though I'm a traditionalist, and wouldn't want a "sympathy" vote to sway the HOY results, my "subjective" mind leaves me torn. Does a win by Blame on Monday mean that for the first time in three years the voters "got it right"? Does that even matter at this point?
If Zenyatta were to lose the vote, and be runner up for the third straight year, what would that do to her legacy? We would see, quite possibly the greatest race mare in history, never take home a Horse Of The Year trophy. This after putting up three HOY worthy campaigns, two of them being flawless. A winner of nineteen of twenty, with only six inches separating her from perfection, and a close to unanimous vote for Horse Of The Year.
Perhaps that would be the greater injustice........
Showing posts with label Blame. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blame. Show all posts
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Here Comes Santa Claus
Here we are on the eve of the greatest gift giving day on the calendar. A day where it is said, it is better to give than to receive.
That being said, I would like to share with my readers my very own list of gifts to the horse racing community.
Appropriately, I start with,
SANTA ANITA - I give a 2010-2011 season of immeasurable success.
Traditionally the start of the racing calendar in California, the day after Christmas will see Santa Anita begin it's 74th racing season. This meeting will most certainly attract as much attention, if not more, than any of it's other 73.
This year Santa Anita will usher in a new/old surface. They will race on a traditional dirt track for the first time in three years following a "spotty" trial with a synthetic main surface. In doing so, the eyes of the racing world will be on the Arcadia track to see if it can return even partially to it's former glory. Here's hoping it will!
To The CALIFORNIA HORSE RACING BOARD - I give improved, and state of the art testing facilities that most certainly will be overworked this winter.
"Super Trainer" Steve Asmussen recently announced his intentions to bring thirty horses to race at Santa Anita this winter.
This is in addition to the So. Cal. mainstays Doug O'neill, Mike Mitchell, and John Sadler who regularly push the CHRB to the limits. These trainers have somehow gained all the power, and have the upper hand when it comes to staying one step ahead of the spineless CHRB policing tactics.
To the HORSE RACING INDUSTRY itself - I give two gifts. (After all, it's a big industry). First, I give a united governing body.
North American horse racing is in desperate need of organization, and leadership! For too long, there's been a mentality of reaping without sowing. Each year the harvest is getting leaner, and leaner because of it, and this mindset MUST stop before the sport implodes on itself like a black hole.
Impossible as it may seem, the only way I see racing getting back to where it needs to be, is by having a strong, trustworthy individual from within the sport rise up, and get the industry to follow.
In organizing, the industry can attain mass appeal by showcasing a more superior product instead of the watered down, mediocre product that is currently being displayed.
Second, I give racing a Triple Crown winner. Thirty two years is more than enough time to wait, and a TC winner would give racing a "shot in the arm" it so desperately needs.
To the European racing dynasty that is COOLMORE - I give a top stable jockey to replace Johnny Murtagh.
For years, The Coolmore racing conglomerate headed by MESSRS. John Magnier, and Michael Tabor has dominated the European racing scene. Along with their North American presence, they have become arguably the most powerful racing team in the world. Challenged only by the Dubai based Godolphin organization.
Their recent division with Johnny Murtagh leaves one of the top jobs in the industry up for grabs. Names like Ryan Moore, Christophe Soumillon, and Pat Smullen have been bantered about. All fitting of an organization of their stature.
To jockey DANIEL SANDOVAL - I give recognition and success.
A name most racing fans will be unfamiliar with is that of rider Daniel Sandoval. Unheralded, and vastly underrated, my hope is that by this time next year, he will become a rising star in the world of racing.
He is currently based at Los Alamitos Race Course in California. While riding a handful of thoroughbred, and quarter horse races a night, he has quickly impressed me with his ability. He looks well balanced, and multifaceted in his race riding.
As time goes by, he is starting to receive mounts at the "big" meetings in So. Cal. Even though the So. Cal. circuit is often a graveyard for even the most talented riders, the arduous task of riding against some of the best in the world can sometimes benefit a talented rider. Assisting in the honing of his craft.
And finally, last but definitely not least. To my girl. BIG Z! The one and only ZENYATTA - I give a happy, successful retirement. With a happy life of motherhood..........oh yeah, and a Horse Of The Year trophy.
I know some may feel she doesn't deserve it this year. I know the arguments for both sides. I can honestly say I'm not sure if she deserves it this year or not. My heart wont allow me to ponder that argument. The one certainty is that it would be a far bigger injustice for her to have never won a HOY, than for Blame to be denied this year's trophy.
To all my readers I wish a very merry Christmas, and prosperous new year. Let us all remember why we celebrate this time of year, and the glorious birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
God bless you all, and see you in 2011
That being said, I would like to share with my readers my very own list of gifts to the horse racing community.
Appropriately, I start with,
SANTA ANITA - I give a 2010-2011 season of immeasurable success.
Traditionally the start of the racing calendar in California, the day after Christmas will see Santa Anita begin it's 74th racing season. This meeting will most certainly attract as much attention, if not more, than any of it's other 73.
This year Santa Anita will usher in a new/old surface. They will race on a traditional dirt track for the first time in three years following a "spotty" trial with a synthetic main surface. In doing so, the eyes of the racing world will be on the Arcadia track to see if it can return even partially to it's former glory. Here's hoping it will!
To The CALIFORNIA HORSE RACING BOARD - I give improved, and state of the art testing facilities that most certainly will be overworked this winter.
"Super Trainer" Steve Asmussen recently announced his intentions to bring thirty horses to race at Santa Anita this winter.
This is in addition to the So. Cal. mainstays Doug O'neill, Mike Mitchell, and John Sadler who regularly push the CHRB to the limits. These trainers have somehow gained all the power, and have the upper hand when it comes to staying one step ahead of the spineless CHRB policing tactics.
To the HORSE RACING INDUSTRY itself - I give two gifts. (After all, it's a big industry). First, I give a united governing body.
North American horse racing is in desperate need of organization, and leadership! For too long, there's been a mentality of reaping without sowing. Each year the harvest is getting leaner, and leaner because of it, and this mindset MUST stop before the sport implodes on itself like a black hole.
Impossible as it may seem, the only way I see racing getting back to where it needs to be, is by having a strong, trustworthy individual from within the sport rise up, and get the industry to follow.
In organizing, the industry can attain mass appeal by showcasing a more superior product instead of the watered down, mediocre product that is currently being displayed.
Second, I give racing a Triple Crown winner. Thirty two years is more than enough time to wait, and a TC winner would give racing a "shot in the arm" it so desperately needs.
To the European racing dynasty that is COOLMORE - I give a top stable jockey to replace Johnny Murtagh.
For years, The Coolmore racing conglomerate headed by MESSRS. John Magnier, and Michael Tabor has dominated the European racing scene. Along with their North American presence, they have become arguably the most powerful racing team in the world. Challenged only by the Dubai based Godolphin organization.
Their recent division with Johnny Murtagh leaves one of the top jobs in the industry up for grabs. Names like Ryan Moore, Christophe Soumillon, and Pat Smullen have been bantered about. All fitting of an organization of their stature.
To jockey DANIEL SANDOVAL - I give recognition and success.
A name most racing fans will be unfamiliar with is that of rider Daniel Sandoval. Unheralded, and vastly underrated, my hope is that by this time next year, he will become a rising star in the world of racing.
He is currently based at Los Alamitos Race Course in California. While riding a handful of thoroughbred, and quarter horse races a night, he has quickly impressed me with his ability. He looks well balanced, and multifaceted in his race riding.
As time goes by, he is starting to receive mounts at the "big" meetings in So. Cal. Even though the So. Cal. circuit is often a graveyard for even the most talented riders, the arduous task of riding against some of the best in the world can sometimes benefit a talented rider. Assisting in the honing of his craft.
And finally, last but definitely not least. To my girl. BIG Z! The one and only ZENYATTA - I give a happy, successful retirement. With a happy life of motherhood..........oh yeah, and a Horse Of The Year trophy.
I know some may feel she doesn't deserve it this year. I know the arguments for both sides. I can honestly say I'm not sure if she deserves it this year or not. My heart wont allow me to ponder that argument. The one certainty is that it would be a far bigger injustice for her to have never won a HOY, than for Blame to be denied this year's trophy.
To all my readers I wish a very merry Christmas, and prosperous new year. Let us all remember why we celebrate this time of year, and the glorious birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
God bless you all, and see you in 2011
Saturday, October 23, 2010
20 And Done, Means No. 1
We are now just two weeks shy from one the most significant races in American racing history. November 6th's Breeders' Cup Classic will mark the final run in the still unblemished racing career of the legendary Zenyatta.
Already the winner of nineteen races in as many starts, Big Z will be looking to win her third consecutive Breeders' Cup race by adding her second BC Classic to her lofty resume. In doing so, she will solidify her standing as the best horse in racing history.
The fact that so much of Zenyatta's legacy lies on one race, is quite astounding, if not a little unfair.
As last year's Horse Of The Year farce proved, Zenyatta is still trying to validate her greatness to the "non-believers" in the racing world. Those made up primarily of east coast lobbyists who refuse to acknowledge the significance of her accomplishments.
Constantly trumping up negative arguments that are usually based on insignificant, if not untruthful details, their disapproval can range from when she runs, where she runs, and even what she runs on.
Don't get me wrong, by nature, horse racing is a subjective sport. Without it, where would it be? Our whole parimutuel system is based on the theory of "my horse will beat yours". Knowing that, I'm quite certain half of my readers will disagree with my assertion of Zenyatta being the greatest ever. You know what they say about opinions.........well here's mine.
To me, the two hardest things in racing are to watch a female rider ride a horse I've wagered on, and the other is trying to compare horses from different eras. The former, is something I'll never be comfortable with. The latter, I'll take a stab at.
The first thing I like to focus on when comparing horses from different eras, is were they easily the best of their generation?
If Zenyatta wins the BC, she will have won the richest, and most prestigious "Handicap" race in North America, two years straight. The quality, and depth of this year's running, (Lookin At Lucky, Blame, Quality Road, and others) should easily make this one of the top five Classics ever run. This, along with the longstanding dominance she's had over her division, puts her at the top of her generation.
The next thing would be the longevity, and stature of her career. Has she been at the top of her division over a long period of time? A winner of twelve grade 1, and four grade 2 races against her division, she has won the highly prestigious Apple Blossom Stakes twice, and the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic once. Two of the biggest races on the racing calendar for distaffers.
The final, and most definitive accomplishment would be Big Z's impeccable resume itself. Twenty races without a loss! No horse has ever been able to finish a career with as many wins in as many races. All but two being grade 2 or better.
The fact that no horse has been able to win as many races in a career without losing should not be taken lightly. Even the likes of Secretariat, Spectacular Bid, Man O' War, and Citation, names that continually come to the forefront of a "greatest" discussion, lost multiple races. To get a horse to run at graded stakes level for eighteen straight, and not get beat, is mind boggling. That's the intangible that solidifies my opinion on Zenyatta.
Unfortunately, without a win in this year's Classic, she will go out as a great female race horse, but not one of the greatest ever. Detractors will continually make their favorite, erroneous argument that "she can't run on a "conventional" dirt surface". Even though, two of her most dominant races have come on the Oaklawn "conventional" surface during her Apple Blossom triumphs. A FACT they refuse to be bothered with.
My argument is based on a win by Zenyatta on the first Saturday in November. Even with a loss I think she's done enough to be considered one of the best. Unfortunately, I suspect there's more than a few people that need to be "convinced" by another win before they allow themselves to believe the same. Because of that, this one start becomes considerably more important than any of her nineteen others, combined.
Without a twentieth win, her uncertain place in racing history will include 19 wins in 20 races, 2 Breeders' Cup wins, 13 grade 1 wins, 4 grade 2 wins, $6.4 million in earnings, more than $300,000 per start over a three year racing career, 3 perfect seasons, and 0 Horse Of The Year trophies.
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