Comments on: Why Rachel Alexandra versus Zenyatta might not matter

By: jim

jim — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:09:52 +0000

I am pretty sure if Zenyatta wins HOTY it will be front page everywhere in the Western World.

By: Kevin Stafford

Kevin Stafford — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 02:28:12 +0000

@roblejeune – Good to see you again! Hope all has been going well for you. Looking at Del Mar right now, it’s all about how speed is doing, as it can change from day to day.

@JIm – sorry, can’t understand you. You know…that whole can’t read thing.

By: jim

jim — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 02:23:30 +0000

Well Kevin,

I guess you can’t read. Maybe I can spell it for you.
R-A-C-H-E-L I-S N-O-T G-O-I-N-G T-O T-H-E B-R-E-E-D-E-R-S.

What part of that you don’t understand. Missing the Breeder meant NO CHANCE OF RACING ZENYATTA. THAT IS DUCKING whether you like it or not.

END of STORY.

By: roblejeune

roblejeune — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:31:10 +0000

Ok ok the only answer would be for Zenyatta and Rachel to meet in the filly mare feature at BC on Friday. That way, it’s like a match race and they don’t have to worry about a synthetic track horse stealing the race. Think about that!! The synthetic track surface thing has been a disaster out here in California. Bay Meadows had to close, and Santa Anita is in trouble. I hate the stuff (unless it’s proven to save horses) after being at last years BC. “I’ll be back” there, as Arnie says though because it’s close and I get to do some music in So Cal. I’ll take any suggestions on how to handicap on that (explitive) surface. Speed only, or how about “Euro friendly” only!!??? HAH, maybe that’s a new handicapping term? How about “Turf Footlike”?

By: Kevin Stafford

Kevin Stafford — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:09:20 +0000

Well Jim,

I guess you missed where Zenyatta’s trainer said that he isn’t fond of synthetic surfaces either, and that they are detrimental to the development of a thoroughbred.

Also, how on earth could you watch this filly run (Rachel) and think that they’d be ducking any horse in the world…especially Zenyatta, who has looked a bit vulnerable in her last two starts (though for the record, I give her exemptions by virtue of the weight she carried two back, and her fast final fractions last out).

It’s quite simple to me…one horse has been destroying runners OUTSIDE of her division, another isn’t even ranked in the top 18 earners for the year – still.

Anyhow, you seem to have missed the point of the post. Any racing fan “worth their salt” knows that Rachel has infinitely more “star power” and appeal to the general public than Zenyatta does.

Just take a look at the Preakness results. TV viewership up 30%? Betting handle that day up (despite the recession)? Heck, that single day boosted Pimlico’s earnings for the meet to a better figure than last year – and remember that their attendance was down drastically by virtue of cleaning out the infield of the typical 50,000 college drunks.

Quite remarkable.

I know Zenyatta is the California favorite, but outside of her state (and outside of diehard racing fans), she simply doesn’t compare in terms of name recognition.

If she wins the Classic (the Saturday version, that is), that could change.