Comments on: A Discussion Worth Having for Horse of the Year http://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/2009/11/14/a-discussion-worth-having-for-horse-of-the-year/ THE ODYSSEY OF A HORSE RACING ENTHUSIAST AND AMATEUR HANDICAPPER Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:18:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Rachel, Zenyatta, and the real fans of horse racing « THE ASPIRING HORSEPLAYER http://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/2009/11/14/a-discussion-worth-having-for-horse-of-the-year/#comment-6919 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:08:02 +0000 http://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/?p=1785#comment-6919 [...] knows better than the Eclipse Award voters….yet everyone cowered like frightened schoolgirls when we suggested opening up the voting process to the public (far easier to sit back and criticize whatever happens in the voting from a safe distance, I [...]

]]> By: Kevin Stafford http://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/2009/11/14/a-discussion-worth-having-for-horse-of-the-year/#comment-6444 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:49:51 +0000 http://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/?p=1785#comment-6444 Can’t argue with any of that logic, JH. I guess the only thing I’d offer as a counter (for the sake of discussion) would be that Rachel is 3 – and it’s not like many 3-year-old fillies have ever put together the kind of campaign she has. It might be a bit much to even ask a 3-year-old filly to win the Classic – although if anyone could do it, it would have to be her.

You’re probably right though about the overall class of this year’s Classic. The North American older male division isn’t exactly star studded, and in all likelihood the top Europeans may be less inclined to race on dirt in 2010. That would suggest that if Rachel has 10 furlongs in her, 2010 should be her year.

As for who Rachel faced, she was flattered for quite a bit fairly regularly by those she beat (for many months the “last time out faced Rachel” angle was one of the stronger angles out there).

Judging from everything I’ve read (apart from the NY Times vote) and from the folks I’ve talked with – I’m pretty sure Zenyatta gets the nod here in the end.

]]> By: John Horton, Jr. http://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/2009/11/14/a-discussion-worth-having-for-horse-of-the-year/#comment-6439 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:59:10 +0000 http://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/?p=1785#comment-6439 In the debate for HOY honors I’d like to add my 2 cent’s worth. Both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra have had tremendous year’s in racing, no doubt about it. Rachel winning five Grade 1 races and two Grade 2 races. Zenyatta winning four Grade 1 races and one Grade 2. Not a great deal to separate the two number’s wise. So somewhere in this debate the “quality of competition factor” has to play in. In that regard, Zenyatta, absolutely has the edge. Facing 9 Graded Stakes winning males, most multiple Graded Stakes winners, at a distance never tried, 1-1/4, and beating the best the world had to offer at the time. Rachel, in three races against the boy’s has not faced anywhere near that number of Graded Stakes winners. Frankly, the field that Zenyatta beat in the Classic is 10 fold tougher than any male field that Rachel ever has or likely ever will race in what’s left of her racing career. Beating such a loaded field, at the Classic distance, and remaining undefeated in the process. How do you not reward perfection with HOY honors?

]]> By: Kevin Stafford http://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/2009/11/14/a-discussion-worth-having-for-horse-of-the-year/#comment-6394 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:22:33 +0000 http://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/?p=1785#comment-6394 Check this out – while not fully democratic, looks like even College Football has gotten behind the “fan vote” initiative.

http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/contests/theheismanvote/2009/

Whoever wins the “fan vote” will receive one additional vote for Heisman, along with the votes from former trophy winners and sports writers.

]]> By: Brian Appleton http://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/2009/11/14/a-discussion-worth-having-for-horse-of-the-year/#comment-6378 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:35:55 +0000 http://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/?p=1785#comment-6378 Ok, call me a “fickle pickle”, but I’ve changed my mind again! I love the points brought up by Mr. Del Mar and Steve M. That’s a real plan, and sounds like it could really work and bring a whole bunch of like-minded fans together. We all want the freedom to be heard, and this could be the first step down that road. If I can help in anyway, let me know, I’d be more than happy to post something on my blog as well.

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