tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post6957029106071347949..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Eclipse Voters to BlameAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-27896340028172755632011-01-19T22:40:51.294-05:002011-01-19T22:40:51.294-05:00My point is no one was beating Haynesfield that da...My point is no one was beating Haynesfield that day on that surface with that pace scenario.<br /><br />jp, the key question is where would Z's vanquished foes finish in the BC, or any of Blames other races?<br /><br />Who faced better overall quality opponents this season?<br /><br />Blame ran the much more aggressive campaign.<br /><br />That is my argument and I am sticking with it.<br /><br />In a perfect world Z would have won in 2009 and Blame in 2010.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-71549160132568306732011-01-19T18:48:40.021-05:002011-01-19T18:48:40.021-05:00Alan,
Help me out. Hasn't Zenyatta led every...Alan,<br /><br />Help me out. Hasn't Zenyatta led every NTRA poll throughout 2010 and even the poll conducted after the Classic?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-74899326325593189152011-01-19T13:39:49.173-05:002011-01-19T13:39:49.173-05:00So now Z finished third in a race she didn't r...So now Z finished third in a race she didn't run in. But wait, didn't Blame beat Fly Down by a length in that race and subsequently both Z and Blame beat Fly Down by several lengths in the BC Classic. Hmm. -jpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-41910844208816866612011-01-19T09:57:57.612-05:002011-01-19T09:57:57.612-05:00That Belmont race was a classic prep for Blame (a ...That Belmont race was a classic prep for Blame (a classic Classic prep, actually). Unfortunately, when horses race as infrequently as they do today, every loss is amplified, even if it perfectly serves its purpose as in this case. So I don't think it's unfair to cite that race in this argument....but it doesn't change my opinion.<br /><br />And she might very well have been third in that race!alannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-35617826695758701782011-01-19T09:33:11.912-05:002011-01-19T09:33:11.912-05:00Since the Classic was such a close race the logica...Since the Classic was such a close race the logical next step is to compare the rest of their seasons.<br /><br />If you lined up all of the runner ups in all of their other 2010 victories for a mythical race, I suspect those vanguished by Blame would fill out the Superfecta.<br /><br />Z's camp always refers to Blame's defeat at Belmont, but realistically, if Z had been added to that field where do you think she would have finished over that speed favoring surface with that pace scenario? <br /><br />I am fairly confident she would have been third.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-85787091296629897832011-01-19T08:52:39.639-05:002011-01-19T08:52:39.639-05:00It's not as cut and dry as some Blame supporte...It's not as cut and dry as some Blame supporters would lead you to believe. Yes he beat her, but there was nothing remotely decisive about the win. It was accomplished in a situation Blame had been in before on a surface he ran on all year long. Zenyatta had trouble handling the track early and made one of the most remarkable late runs you will ever see. Earlier that year, she also won her 17th race in a row, in dramatic fashion, becoming the first horse to do so in top company in 128 years. That race had more historical importance than anything Blame has ever done in his life. Zenyatta's races were attended by 10s of thousands of people who heaped adulation on her, while Blame maybe had one or two people snap his photograph and never had to deal with the stresses of being a hero to so many people. Just take a look at her trip over from the paddock before the BC. You can find it on youtube. People were in her face and screaming every step of the way. <br /><br />Basically I think Blame deserved his narrow win in the BC Classic. There was nothing cheap about it. I think you could make a logical case for him deserving HOY and I don't begrudge anyone who voted for him. But I also think you can make a logical case for Zenyatta, given the loose nature of the award in the first place. Conclusion: Zenyatta a most deserving winner and the position of those who call the award and/or the vote a "farce" or a "fraud" is way off base. Things aren't that cut and dry and those who jump to such knee-jerk conclusions lack credibility. -jpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-56587439426373994562011-01-19T04:09:42.464-05:002011-01-19T04:09:42.464-05:00steve in nc
Congrats you have won the "Put...steve in nc<br /><br /> Congrats you have won the "Putz" award of the month. All the best.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-13425972174256519202011-01-19T03:33:18.316-05:002011-01-19T03:33:18.316-05:00horse of the year is not defined so you can put an...horse of the year is not defined so you can put any qualities in your vote...zenyatta was more important to the public but it is up to you if that matters....as a gambler i would vote for who i make the favorite if they ran another race as the best horse... since the answer to that is it depends on where,when and how i would vote for the horse i like better....]<br />the bottom line is that the cup race dismissed the camp of zenyatta can't tie blames shoes and isnt even close to him on a dirt track.<br />dirt track close....synthetic to z..i vote for zAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-50833455787131422011-01-18T23:01:56.656-05:002011-01-18T23:01:56.656-05:00Alan, I am happy and proud to be a moron like you,...Alan, I am happy and proud to be a moron like you, and I totally agree with your HOTY comments.<br /><br />Zen & Blame both had almost perfect years. Neither was a one race wonder. But neither ran a long and amazing enough campaign to make one race irrelevant. And when they met, Zen put in an great run, but lost fair and square.<br /><br />HOTY boiled down to an American Idol-like popularity contest, and I don't care who wins that either. I like the music that I like, and I don't give a damn if it's popular. And mostly racing works that way too which is part of why I like it. When I bet, they pay off on the actual winner, whether it is a crowd favorite or not.steve in nchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04061356872686618093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-17987696281416965172011-01-18T22:20:18.177-05:002011-01-18T22:20:18.177-05:00Did anyone notice when the nominees for jockey wer...Did anyone notice when the nominees for jockey were announced that Johnny V.'s race action and call was with Life At Ten?<br /><br />I posted that on Ray Paulick's live blog. It was obvious and not a subtle reference. Paulick did not do anything with it. Ray would know who this is because he also did not do anything with the news I sent him about the first ever female racing steward passing away in the past couple of weeks. The woman was over 100 years old, but she became the first ever female racing steward in the U.S. back in the 1970s. I didn't know the woman, but her obituary mentioned integrity and class, etc. I would imagine she would have been appalled at the Life At Ten mess and the failure of a quicker investigation and finding.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-85915717744552538982011-01-18T21:01:54.384-05:002011-01-18T21:01:54.384-05:00I agree with most posters, but to the last dickfac...I agree with most posters, but to the last dickface anon - using your logic, a team (Rachel Alexandra) can win the regular season, not show up for the super bowl, and be "Football team of the year."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-71734831037434377522011-01-18T20:58:48.994-05:002011-01-18T20:58:48.994-05:00Congrats to you Alan for putting it in writing, a ...Congrats to you Alan for putting it in writing, a joke indeed!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-82726266870841537262011-01-18T18:17:50.602-05:002011-01-18T18:17:50.602-05:00At least if the Jets make it to the Super Bowl and...At least if the Jets make it to the Super Bowl and lose, they have a shot at winning Football Team of the Year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-72822206708163206502011-01-18T14:18:04.053-05:002011-01-18T14:18:04.053-05:00Dunno about the Z vote. I probably would have vote...Dunno about the Z vote. I probably would have voted differently, but I’m not going to complain. My complaint is with Pletcher once again getting the trainer award, even after the Life at Ten debacle that risked both the horse and the bettors. Pletcher seems to always get a free pass, which is bad enough, but then to get acclaim on top of it. Ugh.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05233404464030578388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-753578746774269342011-01-18T13:55:41.670-05:002011-01-18T13:55:41.670-05:00"Zuccarello and Wolski pleasant exceptions.&q..."Zuccarello and Wolski pleasant exceptions."<br /><br /><br />And don't forget Stepan!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-18823539219586685902011-01-18T12:38:16.962-05:002011-01-18T12:38:16.962-05:00She doesn't deserve it, period.She doesn't deserve it, period.ballyfagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16946523913002020541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-83290390905685598332011-01-18T11:57:59.771-05:002011-01-18T11:57:59.771-05:00I was at the track yesterday, and it looks like Da...I was at the track yesterday, and it looks like Darley is going to keep Fort Hughes going short...they're talking possible next start in the 6F Capossela. I had the same initial thought you did, but it looks like, on first blush, anyway, that he's staying here and sprinting. <br /><br />And congrats on the Jets. Was definitely worth missing another too little, too late Rangers' performance. Zuccarello and Wolski pleasant exceptions.Teresahttp://www.brooklynbackstretch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-75951272107725277692011-01-18T11:27:20.553-05:002011-01-18T11:27:20.553-05:00jp - OK, fair enough. Maybe I got carried away......jp - OK, fair enough. Maybe I got carried away.....it's just that it seemed like a no-brainer to me, and frankly I was stunned that there was even any controversy about it. To me, it's like (and I'll spare you another Jets reference here), if the Saints were awarded a spot in the next playoff round even though they lost to the Seahawks because they accomplished more during the season. The Classic was a definitive matchup of the two best horses, and absolutely, positively should have been the deciding factor. In my opinion of course.<br /><br />And thank you Bill Duncliffe, I appreciate your comment.alannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-51547392015362698242011-01-18T11:05:06.066-05:002011-01-18T11:05:06.066-05:00Alan, it's not simply that you think Blame sho...Alan, it's not simply that you think Blame should have won. You wrote:<br /><br />"Zenyatta is Horse of the Year, and what a joke and a farce"<br /><br />It's one thing to feel Blame should have won, but to call the process a joke and a farce is way over the top and incredibly off base. As I said, you could have made a case for either horse. And GMP, let's wait for the next time a horse goes 19-20 before calling Z overrated. My guess is you'll never see it at that level again. -jpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-1258791700894905302011-01-18T10:50:45.878-05:002011-01-18T10:50:45.878-05:00BC Classic is not the be-all, end-all of a racing ...BC Classic is not the be-all, end-all of a racing season so I guess I have to go along with Zenyatta as HOY to be consistent. However, I believe that Zenyatta is over-rated as she never shipped east and faced the top Grade I contenders in NY. Call this Sox-Pats fan NY-centric, at least when it comes to racing. /S/greenmtnpunterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-29967998309208386692011-01-18T10:48:53.257-05:002011-01-18T10:48:53.257-05:00We all love Z, but I look at HOTY as: Who was the ...We all love Z, but I look at HOTY as: Who was the best in open company racing?<br /><br />This year it was Blame.SaratogaSpahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05181152277681879529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-24058256244657365032011-01-18T10:39:10.671-05:002011-01-18T10:39:10.671-05:00There are so many arguments both ways and I truly ...There are so many arguments both ways and I truly dont care. I thought blame deserved but good for Zenyatta, she was robbed last year.<br /><br />But I saw one argument that I though was absurd in the T Times yesterday.<br /><br />The writer claimed Blame could never have won 19 in a row if he had mostly stayed home and raced on his favorite surface.<br /><br />First, 19 in a row should have no bearing on the argument, the race is for HO THIS YEAR, not horse of the last two years.<br /><br />Next, I suspect that if Blame had returned to the races to run only on dirt in the state of KY versus females next year, he would go undefeated.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-40816478803163467332011-01-18T10:13:33.128-05:002011-01-18T10:13:33.128-05:00jp - If, as you say, one could make a logical case...jp - If, as you say, one could make a logical case for both, then how can I be "way off base?" I think you're just bitter about the Pats. :-)<br /><br />I guess I didn't make clear that I really don't much care about the Eclipse Awards, so there's no bitterness involved. Just think the decision was just plain wrong, and I'm sticking to that opinion. No, the BC Classic is absolutely not necessarily the ultimate deciding factor. But in this case, it should have been.alannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-75892143971921256672011-01-18T09:35:26.087-05:002011-01-18T09:35:26.087-05:00Alan, you are way off base. As Dyan said, the BC ...Alan, you are way off base. As Dyan said, the BC Classic is not the determinant of HOY. It's a highly subjective process and you could make a logical case for both Blame and Zenyatta in 2010. Following the BC Classic, my initial thought was that if I had a vote, it would have been for Blame. But the more I heard the various arguments, I decided Zenyatta was a most worthy winner. Not your finest moment, brau. -jpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-40293334539759394492011-01-18T09:31:12.766-05:002011-01-18T09:31:12.766-05:00The only joke and farce is your STUPID comments. Y...The only joke and farce is your STUPID comments. You moron!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com