Giant Oak Steps Up & Power Rallies To Win A Competitive Renewal Of The Donn Handicap. Giant Oak Stopped The Clock In 1:48.23 For The Mile & An Eighth–YouTube Replay
Dialed In Storms Home To Win The Holy Bull. Dialed In Stopped The Clock In A Sharp 1:35.19 For The Mile. The Nick Zito Trained Son Of Mineshaft Lived Up To The Hype After His Impressive Come From Behind Win In His Career Debut. Dialed In Has Now Established Himself As A Horse To Be A Force On The Road To The Kentucky Derby-YouTube Video
Zenyatta Wins The Eclipse For 2010 Horse Of The Year!
2-Year-Old Male– *Uncle Mo was the best 2-year-old male of 2010. Uncle Mo was a two time GI winner in 2010. He won the Champagne GI and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile GI with dominating performances to establish himself as the early favorite for the 2011 Kentucky Derby. Boys At Tosconova won the Hopeful GI back in September at Saratoga. To Honor And Serve captured a pair of GII races at Aqueduct. He won the Nashua GII and the Remsen GI. And possibly the most talented of the 2-year-old group was Kanthros, who was retired do to an injury. He won all three of his races by a combined 28 lengths, including the Saratoga Special GII.
2-Year-Old Filly– *Awesome Feather was a perfect 6 for 6 in 2010. She capped her perfect 2010 season off with a dominating win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, defeating 11 other fillies in the process. She also swept the Florida Stallion series. R Heat Lightning won the Spinaway GI at Saratoga back in September. Turbulent Descent was a perfect 3 for 3 including a win in the Hollywood Starlet GI.
3-Year-Old Male – *Lookin At Lucky was the best 3-year-old of 2010. He won a pair of GI events, which included the Preakness Stakes GI, and the Haskell GI. He won 4 races overall in 2010 and earned over $2 Million. Paddy O’ Prado had a great year on the turf. Paddy O’ Prado alsoran 3rd over the sloppy going in the Kentucky Derby GI. He swept Colonial Downs two marquee grass events, the Colonial Turf Cup GII and the Virginia Derby GII. He also won the Secretariat GI at Arlington Park. Eskendereya was on his way to being the favorite in the Kentucky Derby before an injury ended his career. He won the Fountain of Youth GII, and ran-away with the Wood Memorial GI. Sidney’s Candy won 5 races in 2010. He won two Kentucky Derby preps in California. He took the San Vicente GII, San Felipe GII, and Santa Anita Derby GI. He also set a new turf course record in the La Jolla GII at Del Mar- ran a game 6th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile GI.
3-Year-Old Filly –*Blind Luck was the best 3-year-old filly in 2010. She racked up 5 wins, including three GI’s, and finished 2nd in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic to Unrivaled Belle. Blind Luck’s biggest wins in 2010 came in the Kentucky Oaks GI and Alabama GI. She earned $1,679,662 in 2010. Evening Jewel had a solid 2010. She captured the Del Mar Oaks GI on turf, and the Ashland GI on synthetics. Devil May Care captured two GI’s in 2010. She won the Mother Goose GI, and the Coaching Club American Oaks GI. Havre de Grace defeated Blind Luck in the Cotillion.
Older Male –*Blame secured his spot as the best older male of 2010 with his win over Zenyatta in the $6 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic GI. Blame was a three time GI winner in 2010. He also won the Stephen Foster GI and the Whitney GI. Quality Road had a solid 2010. He was a three time GI winner in 2010 as well. He captured the Donn Handicap GI, Met Mile GI, and the Woodward GI. Haynesfield had a solid 2010. He won the Jockey Club Gold Cup GI over Blame. He also won the Suburban GII. Richards Kid took a pair of GI’s in California. He won the Pacific Classic GI and Goodwood GI.
Older Female – *Zenyatta remained the dominating force of this division. She was the best in 2010. She tied a North American record with her 19th consecutive win-tying Peppers Pride, and won 5 consecutive GI races in 2010. Zenyatta also broke the all-time North American female earnings record. She retired with career earnings of over $7 Million to pass Ouija Board. Zenyatta’s only defeat was by a head in the Breeders’ Cup Classic GI to Blame. Unrivaled Belle captured the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic GI over Blind Luck. Life at Ten was a 5 time winner in 2010, including wins in the Ogden Phipps GI, and the Delaware Oaks GII.
Turf Male –*Gio Ponti repeats as ThorougbredZone’s best male turf horse in the country in 2010. Gio Ponti was a two time GI winner in 2010. He won the Man o’ War GI overcoming a turtle like pace. In September he won the Shadwell Turf GI mile at Keeneland. He ran 2nd in three other GI’s in 2010-including a 2nd place finish to Goldikova in the Breeder’s Cup Mile GI. And was 4th in the $10 Million Dubai World Cup. Paddy O’ Prado had a big 2010 on the turf. He was a winner four times in 2010. He won the Colonial Turf Cup GII and the Virginia Derby GII. And the Secretariat GI. Winchester was a two time GI winner in 2010-wins included the Manhattan GI, and the Turf Classic GI. Champ Pegasus took the Del Mar Handicap GII and the Clement Hirsch GI in California.
Filly And Mare Turf – *Goldikova gets the nod this year for being the best female turfer in the land. She only raced once in the US in 2010. She won the Breeders’ Cup Mile GI for an unprecedented third consecutive year in a row. I normally do not think that awards should be given to horses with only one race in North America, but she was spectacular, and proved she is a one of a kind thoroughbred. Proviso (GB) was a four time GI winner in 2010. She won the Fred Kilroe GI, Just a Game GI, Diana GI, and the First Lady GI. She had a super year.
Male Sprinter – *Big Drama’s win the Breeders’ Cup Sprint GI secured his spot as the best sprinter in the land in 2010. He also won the Smile Sprint GII at Calder back in July. Majesticperfection was on his way to being the best in 2010, until and injury derailed that bid. He was an impressive winner in the Vanderbilt GI at Saratoga. Discreetly Mine had a big 2010 until he was injured and retired. He won the Amsterdam GII and Kings Bishop GI at Saratoga.
Filly And Mare Sprinter – *Dubai Majesty capped her 2010 campaign by winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint GI. The win makes her the best filly and mare sprinter in the land for 2010. In all Dubai Majesty won four times in 2010, and earned over $1 Million. New York bred Fanny Freud won the Prioress GI, but was injured and retired. Rightly So won the Ballerina GI at Saratoga.
Horse Of The Year– *Zenyatta is the best horse in the land for 2010. She was a five time GI winner in 2010. Her only blemish was a narrow head loss to Blame in the Breeders’ Cup Classic GI. She tied a North American record last year winning her 19th consecutive race. She also became the all-time leading female money earner. She was once again phenomenal, as she has been in every one of her career races. Blame had a great year as well. He won the Breeders’ Cup Classic GI by a hard fought head over Zenyatta. In all Blame was a three time GI winner in 2010. The battle for top honors is close, but Zenyatta deserves to be called the best horse in the USA in 2010. You can read more here-Zenyatta Earned 2010 Horse Of the Year On The Track
Steeplechase –*Slip Away edged out Arcadius in this department. Slip Away was a 25 length winner in the Colonial Cup GI at Camden, SC. He earned $191,500 in 2010. Arcadius won the Helen Haskell Sampson Stakes GI. He earned $124,500 in 2010.
Race of The Year– *The Breeders’ Cup Classic GI. The race captivated a nation, and it delivered a thrilling finish as Blame edged out Zenyatta. The memories of this race will last a lifetime. (NTRA Moment of the Year)
Top Trainer – John Shirreffs guided Zenyatta through another nearly perfect 2010 campaign, and was a portrait of class, and an ambassador of the sport throughout Zenyatta’s career. He is a world class horseman, and he gets best trainer in 2010. Todd Pletcher and Steve Asmussen of course had more wins, and bigger earnings, but John Shirreffs did a brilliant job with Zenyatta.
Breeder –*Adena Springs continued to roll along as one of the best breeding operations in the land. Adena Springs bred winners earned $13,638,355 on the track in 2010.
Top Owner - *WinStar Farm was best in 2010. They won the Kentucky Derby with Super Saver, and the Belmont Stakes with Drosselmeyer. WinStar Farms top the charts in the earnings department as well. WinStar Farm horses earned $5,183,379 in 2010. Midwest Thoroughbreds led the nation with most wins. They had 310 winners from 1,157 starters.
Top Sire- Giant’s Causeway is the 2010 best sire of the year. He once again had another super year. His progeny continued to win at a high rate.
Top Jockey- *Ramon Dominguez is the best jockey of 2010. Ramon Dominguez led all jockeys in the US in earnings in 2010. His mounts brought home $17,411,880. He was also 2nd in the nation with wins. He had 369 wins from 1,475 mounts. Garret Gomez had $16,889,037 in earnings. John Velasquez brought home $16,743,328 in earnings.
Top Apprentice Jockey– *Omar Moreno led all apprentice jockeys in wins and earnings in 2010. He won 144 races from 1002 mounts. His mounts brought over $5 million in earnings. Angel Serpa won 78 races from 604 mounts. His mounts brought back $2,484,983.
The deadline to vote for this year’s Eclipse awards is January 4, 2011. In 2009 there were a total of 271 ballots sent out by mail, but of that number, only 231 were returned. That means 40 people opted not to vote for whatever reason. The outcome of 2009 Horse of the Year was cause for a wild, back and forth, and sometimes nasty debate between people who backed Zenyatta, and the people who backed Rachel Alexandra. Raw emotions took over any objectivity in regards to the matter. It was a nasty, bitter argument that lasted well into 2010. As the years go by, I think it will be safe to say they got it right. Rachel Alexandra was super, and she deserved to win the 2009 Horse of the Year.
That was 2009. Here we are talking about 2010, and it’s DeJa Vu all over again, as the great Yogi Berra would say. Zenyatta is once again in the mix for Horse of the Year with Blame, the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner. He defeated Zenyatta by a head in one of the most dramatic horses races in the history of the sport. The race captivated a nation. And with his win many will argue that Blame should be crowned the 2010 top horse solely based on that feat.
I firmly disagree with this notion that he should win it simply because he won the Breeders’ Cup Classic, by a head over Zenyatta. Did not Zenyatta win the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2009? Yes she did, in spectacular style. She was denied Horse of the Year because the 3-year-old filly had one of the greatest 3-year-old campaigns a filly can have. Zenyatta did all she could, but it was the wrong year for her to win it.
2010 is the right year. This is not about raw emotions, or being jaded by who the more popular horse is, or what speed figure one earned. Zenyatta earned it on the track, and the facts speak for themselves. The numbers point to Zenyatta. She had a stellar 2010 campaign. She chalked up 5 Grade I wins. Blame had 3 Grade I wins, and a Grade III win. And he was a distant 2nd to Haynesfield in the Jockey Club Gold Cup GI at Belmont Park. Zenyatta tied the North American all-time record for most consecutive wins by a thoroughbred. Zenyatta also broke the all-time North American female earnings record. She passed Ouija Board with career earnings of over $7 million. And ran an amazing race in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, coming up a head short in an epic stretch duel with Blame.
Many point to the fact that Blame beat Zenyatta on the track, and that is all there is to it, but there is more, much more to it. Horse racing is unlike any other sport. Wins and losses are not determined by points, or judges rather by performances on the track. Blame’s win over Zenyatta was not enough to do it. He had to beat her convincingly to win it. To become a champion in boxing, not only must a fighter win, he or she must do it convincingly, batter the opponent, crush the opponent. An obvious whooping must be delivered. Zenyatta was not whooped at all. In fact she ran a great, great race to just miss by a narrow margin.
The logic that says a horse must win the Breeders’ Cup Classic to win Horse of the Year is as holey as a pair of 15-year-old socks. If this was in fact the case, Zenyatta should have won it in 2009. Curlin won Horse of The Year in 2008, and he was 4th in The Breeders’ Cup Classic. So that exact same argument can be used against Blame. Call it being a victim of circumstances, as in the case of Zenyatta in 2009. She had a great year, but Rachel Alexandra was a tad better.
The numbers above speak for themselves. 5 Grade I’s beat 3 Grade I’s. Blame won the Breeder’s Cup Classic, by a head. Is that head good enough to edge out one of the greatest thoroughbreds of our lifetime for Horse of the Year? I don’t think it was. Blame needed to add about 10 more heads to his margin of victory. He needed to pull away from her in the stretch. He did not. He won in a courageous, hard fought battle. This is not about popularity, as some will have you believe. This is about performance on the race track. Zenyatta did not win, but you can’t say she did not run a tremendous race, rallying from so far out of it, it looked as if she would need a taxi to come pick her up to even have a chance. All things considered, Zenyatta had the better year. There will be some voting for her based on their affection, and affinity for her, others will be voting for Blame because of their disdain for Zenyatta. Both are completely wrong reasons to base a vote on.
Zenyatta finished up her amazing career with 19 wins from 20 starts. She will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest race mares of all-time. Blame had a great year as well. A championship year in just about any other year, like Zenyatta had in 2009. If Zenyatta fails to win the top award, it is a safe assessment to say that she will be one the greatest horses of all-time to not win Horse of the Year. And you could also say it would be a shame if she is deprived again of the top honor.
Zenyatta in 20 career starts only lost once, by a mere head in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic. The same can not be said for Blame, who was thoroughly defeated by Haynesfield in the Jockey Club Gold Cup GI at Belmont Park. If you want a tie-breaker, take a good close look at that race. The performance was far from Horse of The Year materiel. Even though it might have been considered only a prep, it was still a Grade I race. You run to win the race. And on paper it was not a win. Anyone who tells you different about the race is missing the point. Zenyatta was never smoked in 2010 the way Blame was, and his head is just not big enough to get him the Horse of the Year. In fact Zenyatta was never smoked in her entire career, let alone in 2010. Zenyatta earned it-on the track. Hopefully they will get it right this time around as well. History will remind us if they do not. She is the 2010 Horse of the Year.
****
On a side note, one of the horses Zenyatta defeated in a thriller was Switch in The Lady’s Secret Stakes Grade I at Hollywood Park. Switch came back to decimate a good field in The La Brea Grade I the day after Christmas. Switch is certainly proved she is no tomato can.
Below is a list of some of my favorites from this past decade. I was going to do a best of the decade, but felt that would be a little bit too debatable. There were many great performers, and there really is no way to prove who is better. We all have opinions on this. Almost like in boxing. Who was better? Joe Louis or Muhammad Ali. There really is no way to come to a conclusion, considering they will never fight each other. Same goes here for these horses. And I was able to have some fun remembering these great horses, and the moments they gave me.
Horse — Smarty Jones, Zenyatta, Say Florida Sandy
Older Male — Curlin, Ghostzapper, St. Liam, Evening Attire, Presidentialaffair, Tiznow, Left Bank, Chatain
Older Female — Zenyatta, Azeri,Ventura
2-Year-Old Colt — Stevie Wonderboy
2-Year-Old Filly — Dreaming of Anna
3-Year-Old — Smarty Jones
3-Year-Old Filly — Rachel Alexandra
Turf Male — English Channel, Better Talk Now, Presious Passion
Haskell —2003 Peace Rules, 2004 Lion Heart, 2008 Big Brown
Travers —2001 Point Given
Jockey Club Gold Cup — 2002 Evening Attire, 2008 Curlin
Meadowlands Cup — 2001 Gander, 2005 Tap Day
Cigar Mile — 2005 Purge
Met Mile — 2010 Quality Road
Claimer — Arromanches, Spooky Mulder
Announcer — Jim McKay
Race Caller — Tom Durkin
Races — Smarty Jones 2004 Kentucky Derby, Smarty Jones 2004 Preakness. Ghostzapper battles St. Liam to win 2004 Woodward. Ghostzapper 2005 Met Mile. Smarty Jones wins 2004 Rebel. Zenyatta wins 2009 BC CLassic. Zenyatta wins 2009 BC Classic. Smarty Jones Penn Nursery. Smarty Jones 2004 Arkansas Derby, Evening Attire win the Aqueduct Handicap in the snow. Say Florida Sandy wins 2001 Paterson Stakes at The Meadowlands. Barbaro romps in 2006 Kentucky Derby. English Channel wins The Turf Classic with a bold move a long the rail. Curlin wins battle over Street Sense in 2007 Preakness. Curlin outlasts Lawyer Ron in 2007 Jockey Club Gold Cup. Rachel Alexandra wins the 2009 Woodward. Rachel Alexandra wins 2009 Woodward. St. Liam wins 2005 BC Classic, Ghostzapper wins 2004 BC Classic. Tiznow wins thriller over Sahkee in the 2001 BC Classic. Bold Hawk wins 2007 Hawthorne Derby, Quality Road wins Florida Derby. Empire Maker derails Funny Cide’s Triple Crown bid in 2003 Belmont Stakes, Valid Video wins Kings Bishop. Commendable wires the 2000 Belmont Stakes. Carson Hollow/You in unreal battle in Test Stakes. ( There are others )
New York Bred — Say Florida Sandy, Haynesfield
New Jersey Bred — Joey P, Park Avenue Ball, Who’s The Cowboy, Gators N Bears
Sire — Smart Strike, Kingmambo, Not For Love, Elusive Quality
Most Unbelievable Moment — Afleet Alex Wins The 2005 Preakness Stakes After Almost Falling down.
Race Call — Tom Durkin 2004 Kentucky Derby - Smarty Jones, Terry Wallace 2004 Arkansas Derby - Smarty Jones, Tom Durkin 2005 Preakness - Afleet Alex , Tom Durkin 2001 BC Classic - Tiznow, Trevor Denman 2009 BC Classic - Zenyatta, Larry Collmus - 2010 The Wife Race, Tom Durkin - 2001 Kentucky Derby Monarchos, Tom Durkin — 2002 Kentucky Derby - War Emblem, Tom Durkin 2006 Travers - Bernardini, Tom Durkin— 2005 Wood Memorial - Bellamy Road
Biggest Disappointment — The 2004 Belmont Stakes - Birdstone, 2010 BC Classic - Zenyatta just misses, Quality Road misses Kentucky Derby, 2006 BC Sprint - Henny Hughes stumbles out of the gate from the one hole, Fabulous Strike injury, Smarty Jones retires, Synthetic tracks
Saddest Moment — Barbaro Breaks Down In The 2006 Preakness.
Happiest Moment — Smarty Jones wins 2004 Kentucky Derby & all winning bets.
Rift Wins-Arch Traveler 2nd & Simba’s Story 3rd In First Career Starts
It has been a while since I did a First-Time Starter Alert, but here it is.
Race 5 at Aqueduct (2:20ET) on December 11, 2025 is a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds going 6 furlongs on Aqueduct’s inner track.
Simba’s Story will debut for trainer Todd Pletcher (20% first-time starter win %). Johnny Velasquez gets the call to ride. Simba’s Story is a homebred son of the super sire Elusive Quality. His dam is Feline Story—Tale of the Cat. This will be her second runner. Her first and only runner to date was Feline Delite, who only raced once. Simba’s Story has been working sharply over at Belmont, and on Belmont’s training track. He has 12 works in all listed since August 24. He does have a gap between September 20-October 24. He has since returned from that break and has had a string of sharp 5 furlong drills, including his last on December 5 was a smoking 5 furlong handily in 1:00 flat over Belmont Park’s training track. It was the fastest work of the day recorded at the distance. Simba’s Story looks ready to come out of the gate running in his first crack at it. He will look to score in his debut.
Arch Traveler debuts for trainer James Jerkens (15% first-time starter %). He is a son of Sky Mesa. His dam is Mettle—Silver Deputy. This will be her 4th runner. She has another one that has yet to race. Her other 3 runners have all won. He is a full brother to a horse named Brady Blue Eyes (7-2-2-0 $96,260). Arch Traveler was a $260,000 purchase in the Keeneland09 September sale. Arch Traveler is trained by James Jerkens and will be ridden by Jose Lezcano. Arch Traveler has shown ability in the mornings. He sports solid back-to-back works on Novemer 19 & November 27. The one on the 19th was a sharp 5 furlong handily in 1:00. The one on the 27th was an impressive 4 furlong handily in a sharp :47 from the gate. It was the fastest recorded work out of 76 that day at the distance. In all, Arch Traveler has 12 listed workouts. He does have a mini gap in works from September 1-September 29. However his recent works indicate he is a horse that is ready to run a good one at first asking.
He’s In the Bag ships up from Maryland for trainer Michael Trombetta (25% first-time starter %) to make his debut. Jockey Julian Pimentel also will make the trip. He’s in the Bag is a gray/roan homebred son of the great Holy Bull. His dam is Bag Lady Jane—Devil’s Bag. This will be only her second runner. Champagne Dream (12-2-2-4 $104,254). She has dropped 6 foals. The four others never made it to the track. He’s in the Bag has been drilling nicely in the mornngs at Laurel. His last was quick 3 furlong gate breeze in :36. Before that he has had three 5 furlong breezes in the 1:01-1:02 range. One was from the gate. He will break from the outside. Michael Trombetta is to be respected when shipping a horse up from Maryland. The board could offer hints. He also has 12 listed workouts. All three of these particular first-timers are trained by guys who have had success first out with their horses.(Pressed Pace, Fell Back To Finish 7th In Debut)
****
There is another firster in here for Nick Zito. Nick Zito actually has two firsters. The geldingRum Row, and Whowonit. Rum Row’ssire is Broken Vow.Rum Row’s dam is Pretty Sweet—Fusaichi Pegasus. This will be her 2nd runner. Her other runner was Chairman Tucker, who had a successful, but short career (9-4-3-0 $111,710). Rum Rowhas a sharp 4 furlong breeze in :47 on December 3. And his four works before that were all 4 furlong breezes in the :48 range. The rail is not always the best place for a firster to break, but this guy has shown some pop in the mornings. Whowonit’s sire is Whywhywhy. He has been working ok in the mornings, but does not stand out as much as some of the other firsters in here. Nick Zito has not been as successful in scoring first out as the above trainers mentioned, but is capable with a good one (6% first-time starter %).
*Watch for possible scratches here as well.
Of the horses who have raced, Rift & Five Sigma Event look to be the horses to beat, along with Kelly Breen’s entry of Galaxy Kat &Golden Temple. Rift will be the possible post time favorite. Rift has plenty of speed, and should get right out. Rift will be making his 3rd career start after finishing 2nd in his two other starts. He comes in with two sharp drills. Five Sigma Event should be close to him. Five Sigma Day ran a superb race first out. He was 4th to a hot firster Lauburu. Two sharp breezes since that. Juddmonte’s Heat Shield ran a respectable closing 5th. He was only one length behind Five Sigma Day in that race. He ripped a strong work on November 30. He is eligible to improve. The firsters will have to show some ability at first asking to beat Rift & Five Sigma Day.
(Golden Temple & Rum Row Scratched)
*Sad news. Ed Fountaine reported in Monday’s New York Post (Through The Binocs) that first time starter Rum Row dumped his rider and ran off onto the outer main track at Aqueduct, where he slipped and fell down, suffering a fatal fracture to his upper right leg.
It was a bittersweet day at Hollywood Park on Sunday—but much sweeter, than bitter. The great Zenyatta made one last trip to the winner’s circle yesterday, in a ceremony that lasted about 40 minutes or so. Zenyatta paraded between the 6th and 7th race.
She entered the paddock area first. The Queen had arrived. She stopped and posed several times for the throngs of racing fans who showed up to see her. She has this down to a science. She is a looker like no other. She did her thing, pawing at the ground with her foot. Zenny made sure that almost all who came to bid her a fond farewell got a keeper snap shot. Some fans were even able to reach over the fence to touch her.
Before she came out, the replays of the 2009 & 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic were replayed on the big screen at Hollywood Park. And that sure did send a tingle down the spine. Memories that will last a life time.
Than it was off to the track to parade. As she came out the crowd cheered her on. Chants of “Zen-yat-ta!” rang out. The great Zenyatta was now on the track. And she did what she has done so many times before. She moved with the elegance of a ballet dancer, and displayed the dignity of a head of state. She stopped occasionally to admire the crowd and her surroundings. The track is her domain. She relished the moment.
Zenyatta was then led to the winner’s circle for the final time in her glorious, Hall of Fame career. All of her handlers, Jerry & Ann Moss, Mike Smith, and John Sherriffs were there to enjoy this beautiful send off to one of the greatest race mares of all-time. Kurt Hoover from TVG emceed the ceremony. Lisa G. Fly sang her rendition of “Zenyatta.” Zenyatta even received a Los Angeles Dodgers jersey (#10) with her name on the back.
She took her spot and posed for the cameras that were clicking away non stop. The Big Z took it all in. She was standing tall. She continued to do her thing, pawing at ground with her foot. She was the star of the day—and she knew it. Everyone who was there, and who watched it either on TVG or the live Hollywood Park Stream took it all in as well. This was Zenyatta’s moment—again.
She came back out on the track for one final time. And than, just like that—she was gone—it was on to the next race. The Big Z had left the track. It’s off to Kentucky, and Lane’s End Farm for her new career as a broodmare. We may never get to see her race again, but we will forever cherish the moments that she gave us while she did.
I can say in the time I have followed racing, this mare has had one of the biggest impacts on me of any racehorse I have watched over the years. She was able to transcend the sport and become more than just a super racehorse. She became legend. A star. A horse we can look back on and say, yes, we saw her run, and yes she was that good. A once in a lifetime race mare. A one-of-a-kind thoroughbred. Not only should she be the 2010 Horse of The Year, she should also be the Horse of The Decade. The horse of a lifetime. The great Zenyatta. Be thankful. Be grateful. We may never come close to seeing the likes of her again. Her daughters and sons will carry on her legacy. And that is something to look forward to. Long live Queen Zenyatta.
The Upstart Jersey Town Jumps Up To Win The Cigar Mile (GI) In A Super Stretch Battle Over A Game & Determined Haynesfield In A Sharp 1:34.43! It Was A Thrilling Renewal Of The Cigar Mile At Aqueduct. | Video Replay YouTube
Zenyatta Runs Her Heart Out, But Falls A Nose Short After Making Another Tremendous Rally From Last Place In The 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic. It Was A Thrilling Heart Breaker. Even In Defeat, She Ran An Absolutely Tremendous Race. Hats Off To Claiborne Farm & The Classy Blame-YouTube Video
Master of Hounds comes in for John Magnier and Aidan O’Brien with a classy son of Kingmambo. He will be making his 2nd start off the layoff and will get lasix for the first time. He ran a good 3rd last out in the Racing Post Trophy (GI) at Doncaster. WillcoxInn in will make his turf debut after running an even race in The Breeders’ Cup Futurity (GI) on Keeneland’s poly track. He should be a big price in here. Madman Diaries is another who will try the turf for the first time coming off a two month layoff. This is an ambitious spot to try it for the first time, but this horse is impeccably bred for turf and has been working well . Wesley Ward is going to take a shot. Banned is coming off two big wins on the turf. He was a 5 length winner in an allowance race at Keeneland over a firm turf course. Humble and Hungry shipped up from Laurel to win in his first try on grass at Belmont Park nicely. He draws outside again in here. Should be a big price. Two other Euro horses in here are Mantoba (GB) and Utley. They are both lightly raced, but their connections warranted respect. on their odds, they could be used.
The 3-year-old Prince Will I Am will be coming into The Marathon off a Grade I win in The Jamaica (GI) on grass at Belmont Park. He has rallied strongly in all three of his turf starts in 2010, and has progressed in each race. Prince Will I Am has shown ability on dirt, and finished right behind the 2010 Belmont Stakes (GI) winner Drosselmeyer at Gulfstream Park. He also sports a win at Churchill Downs. Continue reading “2010 Breeders’ Cup Preview | Friday-Day 1″
*I wrote this article last year, and thought it would be a good idea to put it up again with the Breeders’ Cup right around the corner. I have made a few changes and made some additions.
Real Quiet passed away yesterday after a freak paddock accident. He was 15-years-old. The news touched a spot with me. Real Quiet played an instrumental roll in becoming the racing fan I am today. He started it all with his Kentucky Derby win.
Quality Road is back in action today and faces a field of 6 others. Quality Road looks like he will make one more start after today and head to The Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. The field he faces today does not look like there is huge threat to him in it, but nonetheless speedster Quality Road still has to go out there and get it done. Four other horses that could hit the board with good efforts are-Convocation, Arcodoro, Tranquil Manner and Mythical Power. Continue reading “Quality Road Heads The Woodward & A Strong Renewal Of The Forego At Saratoga”
ThoroughbredZone's Kentucky Derby 12 Will Debut In February--Follow The Triple Crown Prep Races On ThoroughbredZone's Quest For The Kentucky Derby--Race Replays Of The Top Prep Races Of The Week Will Be Posted Right Up Until The Kentucky Derby
Horse Racing Capsules: Investigation into BC Ladies' Classic continuing Brownsville Herald HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — After cancelling live racing four days straight last week because of a frozen track, the Oaklawn Park thoroughbred track at Hot ...
HORSE RACING NOTES: Well-rested Win Willy ready to race again Grand Island Independent ... 15 three-year-olds listed on the first Triple Crown poll of the year compiled by Thoroughbred Times, a weekly horse racing magazine in Lexington, Ky. ...
Thoroughbred Owners of California begin search to replace Zetcher Daily Racing Form As chairman, Zetcher frequently attended California Horse Racing Board meetings, was in close contact with Santa Anita officials last fall on the ...
Racetrack proposal for Valley at the gate Youngstown Vindicator ... to bring horse racing to the Mahoning Valley. That company is proposing a $300 million complex on as much as 700 acres that would include a thoroughbred...
National Racing Compact Bill Clears KY Senate BloodHorse Goodell said that after meeting with several racing organizations the last two years, such as the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, The Jockey Club, ...
Toledo Raceway Park to move pending state approval of video slots Toledo Blade The source also confirmed a report that Penn National, based in Wyomissing, Pa., plans to invest $200 million to build a new thoroughbred horse racing track ...
El Camino good race for accidental pairing Santa Rosa Press Democrat Horse racing has a past. The riders wear colorful silks as they did before you were born, and the horses run an oval and when race promoters call a news ...
Loading ...