I am a Rachel Alexandra fan, and have been from the beginning.  It’s safe to say she is probably not the same horse as she was last year.

She was able to put away Life At Ten with relative ease running through moderate fractions in the Personal Ensign, but was unable to sustain her momentum to the wire to hold off the late rally of Persistently.  She was as game as could be in defeat.  The mile-and-a-quarter is a bit too far for Rachel Alexandra at this point in time.

She is still a champion and has accomplished things that no other 3-year-old filly in the history of thoroughbred racing has.  It will be a very long time before we see anything like what we saw last year.  She was just simply dominant on all levels.

As for the Zenyatta Vs. Rachel Alexandra nonsense, hopefully people will come to their senses and take each horse for what they are.  I think it’s actually a good thing these two will never met, and likely never will. There is nothing to prove in a race between them anyway.

The Horse of The Year debate is old and tiresome. Rachel Alexandra deserved to be crowned the 2009 Horse of The Year, however I thought both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra should have in the very least shared the title.  The powers that be nixed this idea.

We know what type of horse Zenyatta is. We know what type of horse Rachel Alexandra is. They are both champions.

I love Zenyatta and think she is one of the very best thoroughbreds I have ever watched.  She is simply brilliant.  She has her eyes set on back-to-back Breeders’ Cup Classic wins, and from everything I have seen so far this year, her chances continue to improve by the day she will have every opportunity to win it again.

In the eyes of some, Zenyatta might have been robbed of Horse of The Year last year, but she holds the trump card this year for that top honor. It’s her’s for the taking.

I hope Rachel Alexandra recovers nicely from these last two hard races, and has something big left for the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic, or whatever race they decide she will run in.

I don’t think there would be anything finer than seeing both of these two wonderful champions go out winners in this year’s Breeders’ Cup.

It’s funny how some people like to diminish Zenyatta’s competition, instead of realizing what a big race St. Trinians ran. St. Trinians did just that in the Vanity Handicap, and Zenyatta had to come from far behind to get her.  She really had to make up a ton of ground while going wide to get it done—while giving away 9 pounds to St. Trinians. She was awesome in winning—as usual.

Anybody who thinks lightly of winning 17 consecutive races without a loss, and winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic does not fully understand or appreciate the greatness of this once in a life time mare. It’s plain and simple.

Who did Eclipse beat? He beat them all. He retired undefeated—an accomplishment that will live on forever in the annals of thoroughbred racing history. No one knows for sure if Zenyatta will leave racing undefeated, but we do know she has finished ahead of every single horse she has faced up until now. And that is mighty accomplishment indeed.

Zenyatta has one of the longest strides I have ever seen in a thoroughbred. It’s thrilling to watch her cover the amount of ground she does when she is extended. Does anyone see that when they watch her run? I don’t care who she runs against. She will rally in that final furlong no matter what. She just covers more ground faster because she does things no other horse can do.

Physical handicapping is an important aspect in my evaluation of thoroughbreds—she is without a doubt one of the most physically impressive horses I have ever seen. There are not enough adjectives to describe her. Physically she is a gifted horse who stands out heads and shoulders above the rest—a very unique thoroughbred in many ways. We should be lucky we have been able to witness such and amazing phenomena.

There is only one word to describe Zenyatta. Perfect.

This is a post I made from a thread at Pace Advantage.

ThoroughbredZone’s Best of 2009

2-Year-Old Colt – * Lookin at Lucky is ThoroughbredZone’s top 2-year-old colt of 2009. Lookin at Lucky was a three time Grade I winner in 2009.  He  just missed winning The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) at Santa Anita running second to Godolphin’s Vale of York in a very tight finish. Noble’s Promise had a fine year and was runner-up to Lookin at Lucky in The Cash Call Futurity (GI) at Hollywood Park and finished third behind Lookin at Lucky in The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI). Buddy’s Saint won all three of his career starts in 2009—including The Remsen (GII) at Aqueduct and The Nashua (GII) at Aqueduct.  D’ Funnybone won The Saratoga Special (GI) at Saratoga and The Futurity (GII) at Belmont Park.

2-Year-Old Filly – * She Be Wild is ThoroughbredZone’s top 2-year-old filly of 2009. She Be Wild was a winner four times in her five career starts in 2009.  She was The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly (GI)winner. Blind Luck was a two-time Grade I winner in 2009. Blind Luck captured The Oak Leaf (GI) at Santa Anita and The Hollywood Starlet (GI) at Hollywood Park. Hot Dixie Chick won The Schuylerville (GIII) at Saratoga and The Spinaway (GI) at Saratoga.

3-Year-Old Colt – * Summer Bird is ThoroughbredZone’s top 3-year-old colt in 2009. Summer Bird had a solid 2009 campaign.  A year that included wins in The Belmont Stakes (GI) at Belmont Park, The Travers Stakes (GI) at Saratoga and  The Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) at Belmont Park.  He ran second to Rachel Alexandra in The Haskell (GI) at Monmouth Park  and was a solid a fourth in The Breeder’s Cup Classic behind Zenyatta.  Speedy Quality Road was plagued by quarter crack issues in 2009 that forced him to miss The Kentucky Derby.  He came back to break two track records at Gulfstream Park in The Florida Derby (GI) and Saratoga in The Amsterdam (GII). Blame surged late in the season to win The Fayette Stakes (GII) at Keeneland  and The Clark  (GII) at Churchill Downs.  Pioneer of the Nile won Robert Lewis (GII), The San Felipe (GII) and The Santa Anita Derby (GI) all at Santa Anita Park.

Summer Bird

3-Year-Old Filly – * Rachel Alexandra is ThoroughbredZone’s top 3-year-old filly in 2009.  She put together one of the most impressive campaigns of any 3-year-old filly in history.  She was a perfect 8 for 8 and defeated colts on three separate occasions in 2009—The Preakness Stakes (GI) at Pimlico, The Haskell (GI) at Monmouth Park and the Woodward (GI) at Saratoga. Careless Jewel was a winner five times in her seven races in 2009.  She won The Delaware Oaks (GII) at Delaware Park and The Alabama (GI) at Saratoga. Flashing was two-time Grade I winner in 2009—winning The Test (GI) at Saratoga and The Gazelle (GI) at Belmont Park.

Rachel Alexandra

Fillies And Mares 4 and Up – * Zenyatta is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 Top older female.  She capped her perfect career by  winning  The Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Santa Anita with a stunning last to first move—becoming the first mare in history to win the race.  She was five for five  in 2009, which  included four Grade I wins.  Zenyatta won The Vanity Handicap (GI) at Hollywood Park, The Clement L. Hirsch (GI) at Del Mar, The Ladies Secret (GI) at Hollywood Park.  She will retire with a perfect record of 14 wins in 14 races.  Simply put—she was super again in 2009. Life is Sweet was able to break through finally with the absence of Zenyatta by winning The Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (GI) with a strong effort. Music Note was a two-time Grade I winner in 2009.  She won The Ballerina (GI) at Saratoga and The Beldame (GI) at Belmont Park.  Seattle Smooth was a perfect three for three in 2009.  She won The Bed O’ Roses (GII) at Aqueduct, The Shuvee (GII) at Belmont Park and The Ogden Phipps (GI) at Belmont Park.  All of her wins were early in the year.

Turf Male – * Gio Ponti is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 top male turf horse. Gio Ponti was a four time Grade I winner in 2009, and placed twice in two other Grade I races.  He won The Fred Kilroe (GI) at Santa Anita, The Manhattan (GI) at Belmont Park, The Man o’ War (GI) at Belmont Park and The Arlington Million (GI) at Arlington Park. Gio Ponti also ran a solid second in The Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) Zenyatta. Presious Passion had another busy 2009—running 9 times in total.  He was a repeat winner of The United Nations Handicap (GI) at Monmouth Park.  He was an impressive front running winner in The Clement Hirsch (GI) at Santa Anita in his final race before The Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI) where he ran a strong second to Conduit. Conduit repeated as the Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI) winner.  Midships was a winner of The San Luis Rey (GII) at Santa Anita, The San Juan Capistrano (GII) at Santa Anita and The Charles Wittingham Memorial (GI) at Hollywood Park.

Gio Ponti

Filly And Mare Turf – Ventura is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 Top Filly and Mare Turf horse.  The fabulous mare finished her racing career with a win in The Matriarch (GI) at Santa Anita—a win Bobby Frankel would have been proud of.  She was a three time Grade I winner in 2009—winning The Santa Monica (GI) at Santa Anita and shipped north of the border to defeat colts in The Woodbine Mile (GI) at Woodbine with a powerful rally.  In her three losses of 2009 she was solid—finishing behind the top male turf horse in the country Gio Ponti in The Fred Kilroe (GI) at Santa Anita and was runner-up to the speedy top rated filly and mare sprinter in the country Informed Decision twice in The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (GI) and The Madison (GI) at Keeneland. Magical Fantasy had a superb 2009 campaign winning three straight Grade I events in California—The Gamely (GI), The John Mabee (GI) and The Yellow Ribbon (GI). *  Goldikova was fabulous again as she went on to win The Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI) for the second consecutive year in a row with a powerful late rally.  She will try for three in a row in 2010. Diamondrella was a two time Grade I winner in 2009.  She won The Just A Game (GI) at Belmont Park and The First Lady (GI) at Keeneland.

Sprinter –  *  Kodiak Kowboy is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 sprinter of the year. This was one of the tougher categories to choose a winner. Kodiak Kowboy had a strong year.  He was a three time Grade I winner in 2009. Kodiak Kowboy won The Carter (GI) at Aqueduct, The Vosburgh at Belmont Park (GI) and The Cigar Mile (GI) at Aqueduct. Zensational reeled of three straight Grade I wins in California—winning The Triple Bend Handicap (GI) at Hollywood Park, The Bing Crosby (GI) at Del Mar and The Pete O’Brien (GI) at Del Mar.  He was fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) as the odds on favorite. Dancing In Silks was The Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) winner—making that his fourth straight win in 2009—the other three were California state bred races. Fabulous Strike won a pair of Grade II races—The True North (GII) at Belmont Park and The Vanderbilt (GII) at Saratoga.  He finished a close second twice to Kodiak Kowboy in The Carter (GI) at Aqueduct and The Vosburgh (GI) at Belmont Park.

Kodiak Kowboy Beat Fabulous Strike In Vosburgh

Filly And Mare Sprinter – * Informed Decision is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 top filly and mare sprinter.  She had a dominant year, winning three Grade I stakes at three different tracks.  She won The Madison (GI) at Keeneland, The Humana Distaff (GI) at Churchill Downs and capped the year with a strong win over a determined Ventura in The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (GI). Informed Decision only lost once in 7 starts in 2009 over a sloppy track at Saratoga in The Ballerina (GI). Game Face had a solid 2009 campaign.   She was a winner of fours sprint stakes in 2009 that included The Princess Rooney (GI) at Calder and The Honorable Miss (GII) at Saratoga.

Horse Of The Year – *  Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are both ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 Horse of the Year. These two very special horses dominated their competition in 2009 like no other filly and mare ever have. Rachel Alexandra was a perfect 8 for 8 in 2009. Rachel Alexandra was a winner of 8 races at 7 different tracks including five Grade I stakes races. Rachel Alexandra had the most dominant 3-year-old filly campaign in history.  She captured The Kentucky Oaks (GI) at Churchill Downs, The Preakness Stakes (GI), The Mother Goose (GI) at Belmont Park (GI), The Haskell (GI) at Monmouth Park and capped 2009 with a win against older males in The Woodward (GI) at Saratoga.  She became the first filly in 85 years to win The Preakness Stakes (GI) and the first filly ever to win the Woodward Stakes (GI) against older males.   No other 3-year-old filly has ever accomplished what Rachel Alexandra has in 2009. Zenyatta won five races in 2009, including four Grade I stakes races.  She won The Vanity Handicap (GI) at Hollywood Park, The Clement L. Hirsch (GI) at Del Mar, The Ladies Secret (GI) at Hollywood Park and capped her perfect career by winning America’s richest race The $5 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Santa Anita with an unbelievable rally from last to first.  She finished her career with a perfect undefeated record—winning 14 races out of 14 starts.  To choose between either one of these two great champion thoroughbreds is nearly impossible.  Neither one of these great champions deserves to come in second—when they always come in first. They had a combined record in 2009 of a super 13-0! They both put together history making years that we might not ever see again in our lifetimes. Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta were simply the best of the best in 2009—

***The Great Zenyatta Will Run In 2010—Retirement On Hold***

Rachel Alexandra

Older Male – * Gio Ponti is ThoroughbredZone’s Top male turf horse of 2009. Gio Ponti put together a super year that included four straight Grade I wins. Gio Ponti won The Fred Kilroe (GI) at Santa Anita, The Manhattan (GI) at Belmont Park, The Man o’ War (GI) and The Arlington Million (GI) at Arlington.  He also ran a game second to Zenyatta in The Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI), although that was not run on turf. Presious Passion had another busy and productive year in 2009.  He found his best form yet in 2009 by winning two Grade I stakes races.  He was a repeat winner in The United Nations (GI) at Monmouth Park and ran a super race in The Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI) finishing second to repeat winner Conduit. Presious Passion earned over 1.5 million on the sod in 2009. Conduit came back to do it again—win The Breeders’ Cup Turf (GI) at Santa Anita. Furthest Land won The Kentucky Cup Classic (GII) at Turfway Park and The Breeders’ Cup Dirt/Poly Mile.  Furthest Land won 6 races in 2009.

Steeplechase – * Mixed Up is ThoroughbredZone’s top jumper in 2009.  He had a solid year winning four races out of eight starts in 2009 and led all jumpers with earnings of $184,495. Left Unsaid was a winner of three races from six starts and was third in earnings with $ 137,700.

Race Of The Year – There were several great races in 2009 in the world of Thoroughbred Horse Racing.  2009 was truly the year of the filly and mare.  A few  races stand out in particular in 2009. Rachel Alexandra became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness Stakes (GI) in a thrilling front running win at Pimlico holding off Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.  She went to the lead with speedy Big Drama and put him away.  She ran through solid fractions all the way to the wire in a very impressive performance.  The Woodward (GI) was one of the most exciting races of the year, and one the most exciting races  in memory.  Saratoga erupted when she crossed the finish line first. Rachel Alexandra became the first filly to ever win The Woodward in an absolutely thrilling ding-dong battle over Macho Again.  She was on the lead most of the way as usual—ripping off snappy fractions.  It was a game win for the 3-year-old filly as she defeated older males.  The Breeder’s Cup Classic will go down as one of the most thrilling races in Breeders’ Cup history. Zenyatta, the home town hero was far behind in the early stages of the race and throughout and looked like she was seemingly out of it.  She then began to commence a stunning rally from last to first as she gobbled up ground with her huge stride. Zenyatta rallied down the middle of the track to the roar of the crowd at Santa Anita as she went on to win.  Her win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) was her biggest, most impressive wins of her career.  Both the Woodward and Breeders’ Cup Classic are ThroughbredZone’s races of the year for 2009.

Top Trainer –  *  Steve Asmussen is ThoroughbredZone’s top trainer in 2009.  He led the nation in earnings with $21,821,225 and wins with 648.  The Asmussen train rolled on in 2009.  Todd Pletcher was second in the earnings department with $15,358,011.  Scott Lake was second to Steve Asmussen in the win department with 307.

Top Jockey – Ramon Dominguez and * Julien Leparoux are both ThoroughbredZone’s top jockeys in 2009. Julien Leparoux had a super year. He was second in the nation in earnings with $18,560,565. Ramon Dominguez was third in the nation in earnings with $18,256,045 and was second in the nation in wins to Russell Baze with 388. He dominated almost all year in New York. Garrett Gomez— last years ThoroughbredZone’s  jockey of the year led the nation in earnings again with $18,571,171.

Top Apprentice Jockey – Luis Paez is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 Top Apprentice jockey in 2009.  He won 104 races out of 472 mounts and earned $1,715,887. Luis Paez won at an impressive rate of 22%.

Breeder – * Juddmonte Farms is ThoroughbredZone’s top breeder of 2009.  They had a stellar year that saw them win 6 GI stakes races in 2009 and amassing $4,413,243 in total purses.  Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs had another big year.  Adena Springs led all Breeders in starts, wins and earnings.  They had 3825 starters in 2009—with 550 winners and earnings of $12,721,458.

Top Owner – *  Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Godolphin Stable  is ThoroughbredZone’s top owner of 2009.  Godolphin captured 8 Grade I stakes in 2009 and amassed $3,768,896 in total purse money.  WinStar Farm had a big year.  They won 41 races out of 231 starters and led the nation in total purse money with 7,138,456.

Top Sire - Birdstone is ThoroughbredZone’s 2009 top sire.  He produced the Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Mine That Bird and The Belmont Stakes (GI), Travers Stakes (GI) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) winner Summer Bird.  He became the first sire in history to accomplish this.

Best Moment in 2009 – 2009 simply put was the year of the filly.  Four special fillies and mares proved they were champions by etching their place in the history books in 2009. Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, Ventura and Goldikova all defeated males in Grade I stakes competition in 2009.  In no other year in memory have we seen such dominating fillies and mares compete in the same year.  They were all sensational and accomplished things we may never see again on the track.  They all produced memorable moments in 2009 that will most certainly last a lifetime.  Each time one of these special ladies stepped onto the track, they gave us all something to remember in 2009. Mine That Bird pulled off one of the most improbable upset wins in Kentucky Derby history.  He rallied along the rail to win at odds of 50/1 to become the 2nd-biggest  longshot to ever win the roses.

Better Talk Now was retired in 2009 at the ripe old age of 10. He was a true warrior and a great champion. He won a total of 11 Grade I races in his career and was a Breeders’ Cup Turf Champion. He earned $4,356,664 on the track.

* Eclipse Award Winner

There is no rule saying you have to bet every race, but on days such as the Breeders’ Cup, you still might want to take chances on the races that you might not have the best grip on. If a race does come up that has you a little perplexed, do not be overwhelmingly tentative, spread with horses that you think could have a chance to get it done, and a price horse that could make your day. Last year ThoroughbredZone mentioned Desert Code as a horse who a good chance to win at a price and can be used on pick tickets. He did win and paid a juicy $75. That is the type of a horse you are looking for.

You can also play more than one horse to win in these races. This way of betting is good for long shots. It increases your chance to cash, and get that price horse you think has a shot. If you happened to have a horse you like a lot, and the race, either before or after seems a little tough to figure out, you can always hit the all-button. The all-button assures you of cashing a ticket if your horse wins. Generally, I am not a big fan of using the all-button, or wheeling a horse. However the beauty of the all-button is, if that big priced horse rolls home, you will have it. In these large competitive fields, it can be a good option. The flip side is, if a short priced horse scores, you probably won’t see a big return on your bet. I have wheeled horses in past Breeders’ Cups, and I can tell you, hitting the all-button has paid off nicely. You can either use the all-button with exactas, with your key horse on top, or in a daily double, or a Pick 3. I do not recommend wheeling two races in a Pick 3 however. That can be very expensive, and simply not smart. Or you can just relax and wait until your race or races come up. Patience is a key element all good handicappers should possess.

Deciding in advance exactly what your handicapping strategy will be will help you formulate bets in advance. It will give you an idea of how much the bets you would like to make will cost. Once you have an early idea of what races you like, and how you might go about betting them, you will have already given yourself an advantage. Variables that can affect a race will have to be taken into consideration on the day of races, weather conditions, scratches and so on, but having a solid idea beforehand of what you would like to do helps you in making bets. Pick 3’s and Pick 4’s are a great way to go on Breeders’ Cup day. They offer value, and a chance to get a real nice score if you come up with the right horses. You could also play the Pick 6 if you have a nice enough size bankroll or a group of friends who would like to do it. This is not to say a small Pick 6 ticket can’t win. Graham Stone won $2.7 million in the 2003 Breeders’ Cup on a Pick 6 ticket that cost only $8! And ironically the 2003 Breeders’ Cup was held at Santa Anita.

Finally, another thing you could do, is divide your bankroll and allot a certain amount of money to each particular type of bet you will be intending to make. Pick bets, win bets, exactas, trifectas, superfectas and what ever else you like to do.

If you are on a limited betting budget and can’t really afford to bet too much money, a 10-cent superfecta can be a good way to go. Large, quality fields, with many betting combinations can make a 10-cent superfecta a real good investment. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic 10-cent superfecta paid over $1,000!

1) Decide How Much Your Bankroll Will Be

2) What Races do You like The Best

3) Decide How You Might Bet These Races

These are just a few simple things you can do to get ready for playing the Breeders’ Cup. Things change, bets change. No one is ever locked in to making certain bets. If something pops up you like, or something intrigues you, go for it. Breeders’ Cup day is truly one of the very best days of the year to bet the races. Quality horses, large fields and huge pools. There are 14 races, you will not cash every ticket, but you only have to cash once to get a big score. And most of all, enjoy yourself and the races. With a little bit of preparation, planning and patience, Breeders’ Cup 2009 could be one you will not soon forget.

****2009 Breeders’ Cup Close Up and Preview Coming****

After that go buy a cup of coffee and a NY Post, and/or a Racing Form (should have the form scoped out already) for your big trip in on the A Train. Just do not look at anyone once your on the A Train. You can either look tough or rock back-and-forth mumbling, “I love Elmo” with a blank stare on your face. No one will bother you.

Once you get to Aqueduct you can either take the walk from the subway, or squeeze on the shuttle bus that takes you there with the same people who have been trying to nail down the Mike Luzzi-Jean Luc Samyn early daily double for the past 15 years. There’s some powerful insight on those buses. You can just think of it as a poor man’s Siro’s Seminar. Take it all in and enjoy the ride.

Once you get in, let the good times roll. If you need company-you have plenty of options. The Jamaicans will be more than glad to help out a homie of a different ilk. They will give you some solid pedigree info. No turf racing when it rains or during the cold winter months, but they do dirt and mud as well. You can also get smoked up with them, so regardless if you are winning or losing. You will not give a rat’s ass if you get nipped at the wire and lose that $300 early double. It’s on to the next race! However you might not remember who you bet or whether your are at Belmont Park or Aqueduct, other then that, you should be A OK.

If that is not for you, don’t worry about it. Options abound at the great Big A. You can hang out in the “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons room. You will see some great old-timers in there. Some even saw the legendary Man o’ War race. The stories are great, “ahh the good ole days.” “It sure ain’t like it used to be” and so on. The smell could be a bit much at times. Some of those guys are going on two days without a Depends change. I ask, “who cares?” These guys are great! The last time I was there, I was doing the track announcing for them. I was yelling at the top of my lungs in this one dude’s ear. He also wanted Shoe Info, calks and bends. I told him, that don’t use mud calks anymore. Who knew? Man that got me tired. In addition, I made some coffee runs. They even tried to tip me a nickel. I refused it.

Still have not found the perfect group? You can make yourself at home wandering the grandstand level where you will find some of the strangest, vile, and somewhat sharpest people ever roam freely for hours upon hours staring and yelling at TV monitors. Some can even recite Shakespeare, or go into an in-depth discussion on evolution, or talk about the history of the Middle East, yet they can’t even tie their own shoelaces, let alone tell you when or where the Breeders’ Cup is.

You can try to mingle with the ticket picker-uppers who are an interesting breed—they scan the floor and garbage can dive, sifting, picking, hoping and praying to find a winner. It’s a maniacal quest that never ends from the moment the Big A opens until the moment it closes. One warning, this is not a social group, so I would back off these guys and let them be.

Another interesting group are the tipsters. They usually hang around by the windows or self-service machines. They usually have a fat, half-chewed stogie in their mouth from the day before and a sports coat that was hip in 1977. “I got one for ya, numba 5, can’t miss” is a commonly heard phrase if you listen close enough; of course, it will not always be the number 5. They are a very engaging group. More then willing to tell you a few stories about their hits they had back in the day or claimers they remember from the 60’s and 70’s. In fact, they can go on and on and on, and it can be hard to get a way from them. If the horse comes in they touted, there stuck on you for the rest for the day like that gum you stepped on getting off the A Train. They will eventually ask you for a few bucks as well. However if the horse they touted is up the track, they are outtie like a Saudi.

Still no luck? It does not end there. Go see some Thoroughbreds! This is what going to the track is all about, right? Hang outside with your umbrella that was made by a 5-year-old in a sweatshop in Pang-Hi, China who is making $3 a week and working 15 hours a day. Scan the paddock for that sharp looking colt or filly. See who is on their toes and ready to roll. Detecting sweat will be a bit difficult considering the rain. Here you can chat it up with some of the so-called physical cappers. They will describe every movement of the horse and what it means. Hear the latest gossip from the paddock hang arounders. See what trainer is sporting a tie. Or on the other hand, you just wait to see which horse takes a dump last and run to the windows.

Watching the race outside has some advantages as well. They run right by you, so you can see them powerfully stride home up close and personal. You are right in front of all the heart pounding Thoroughbred action! The flip side is when a can or bottle gets thrown in total disgust by a dude who blew his last $5 on a 75/1 John Candlin-Jose Espinoza 7,500 claimer. Heads up can be commonly heard yelled phrase. Just cover your head with a form or program and duck.

If you are of the solitary kind, then don’t fret. It’s a paradise for those who like to roam alone. And with the right behavior, it will be a nice worry free day at the Big A. Examples like swearing jockeys names, use of the word pig a lot and loud, using the program like a whip on your leg, desperately banging away trying to get your horse home first, and saying why did he wait so long? This type of behavior will make you fit right in. Also, constant talking to oneself and wild body movements is also key. You will look like a hardened veteran tracky. Keep as many forms and papers visible under the arms and stuffed in your back pockets. Have a look of utter disgust and agitation at all times, as if you are one more brutal at-the-wire beat away from going bonkers. Make sure your hair is all messed up too. No one would even consider asking or bothering you for anything. This assures a carefree day at the Big A.

Hope this helps. Good luck and go cash some winners!

Make sure after you leave, all this is left at the track. You could get institutionalized in real society with this behavior.

**** (This is a satirical attempt at humor; The Big A is not that bad place at all. In fact it’s a great place! I would encourage one to go there for a day at the races, or for that matter any race track!)****

He ran Curlin last year, knowing it was not a race he had anything to gain by running him in it and there was a good chance he would not run as good on a synthetic surface, as he had on dirt. He ran good on turf, but not nearly as well as he had on dirt. There was a risk—a big risk—and he ran him anyway. He gets a big kudos for that as well. He knows and understands that Thoroughbreds belong on dirt, not on some man-made, synthetic surface. Win, lose, or draw…Should a 5-million-dollar championship race be run on a synthetic surface in the first place?

Two consecutive years in a row some of the best horses in the country will be deprived an opportunity to be their best and/or take part in racing’s richest day, because of the surface. What’s wrong with that picture?

What about Fabulous Strike, one of the fastest sprinters in the country, if not the fastest? The Connections have already stated they will skip the BC this year as well because of the surface, and last year’s poor effort over it. Wait a second, what’s the point of having the Breeders’ Cup, if the best of the best won’t even show up because of the racing surface?

Don’t blame the Connections, blame the plastic. The synthetic surfaces have begun to impact the sport in a very profound way, and people in the industry should sit down and a take a real close look, if this truly is the best thing for the sport.

The World Championships of Thoroughbred Racing is going to be missing some great ones this year. It’s unfortunate. The good news it returns to Churchill Downs in 2010. It will be back on dirt, the way it should and was meant to be.

It’s time California finally starts to think about going back to dirt.

The good news is Rachel Alexandra is running, and she is running this Saturday at Belmont Park on dirt in the Mother Goose. And if one is close by or in the area, stop by. It’s free admission and the train is back. ThoroghbredZone will post pictures from Saturday, and have some other surprises are planned for Saturday. Stay tuned!

***ThoroughbredZone still thinks it is a strong possibility that Rachel Alexandra will be pointed the Haskell Invitational on August 2,2009 at Monmouth Park…We Will Know Soon***

There is not much anyone can do about horses not sticking around.  Owners can do what they want—it’s their investment not ours.  So I ask, what can anyone do?  I can start by saying there are things so-called media experts can stop doing.  Let’s start with the all-knowing Paul Moran who recently wrote a blog entry stating that bloggers themselves are not part of the “new media”  Okay, yet Mr. Moran sees fit to have a blog.  Why, because he is smarter, more educated, and in the know from years of being in the industry.  Or so one may think.  Anyone who places a bet, or follows racing, is part of the industry regardless of how Mr. Moran or anyone else feels about it.

Paul Moran’s blog entry on January 7, 2009 What exactly is racing’s “New Media?” was weak, filled with presumptions, and flat-out insulting to the world of online bloggers, whether one calls themselves an Internet journalist or blogger.  The fact is simple and straightforward.  I think Paul Moran has superb credentials, but is no more qualified to write a blog than anyone else.  And further more he is not in a position to dictate whether bloggers are part of a so-called “new media”.  The fact of the matter is they already are and have been for a good period of time.  And this goes for all bloggers, not just horseracing bloggers.  Mr. Moran states the only qualifications for anyone to have a blog is simply owning a computer and having some spare time.  As if to say anyone who does have a blog is nothing more than a person who owns a computer and has nothing better to do.  If that’s the case, the same can be said of Mr. Moran, who as we know owns a computer, so we think.  Sometimes I wonder if Mr. Moran owns a cell phone, or chooses to still communicate via smoke signals.  The generalizations made in his blog entry are inaccurate and unfair.

Mr. Moran will tell you what he has accomplished on his blog.  On the left side is a long list of his accomplishments and achievements.  Impressive, but for an individual who has long been synonymous with racing, one does not need to tout accomplishment’s in order to prove that their word and opinion is far better then yours or mine.  Many self-proclaimed experts will do this on their blog, and I’m, not impressed.

I will agree that the word blog is a bit ridiculous, and I do not care for the word at all, but it’s no more ridiculous than Mr. Moran’s baseless insults on his own  blog, no less on blogspot.com, a contradictory action in itself.  Mr. Moran, does not like the word blog?  A word of advice to Mr. Moran, get your own website.  That’s what I did.  There are a lot of things in the racing industry we do not  like, and negative feedback from a prominent racing writer is certainly not something that should be embraced, or taken as gospel, when the people that do have a blog are in fact trying to promote a sport, that in some eyes is dying.  That’s an entirely different topic for another day.

Paul Moran’s comments on his blog in regards to current day bloggers as not being part of  “new media” is also an elitist statement in its own right.  Paul Moran’s message is clear and to the point.  He is more qualified to write a blog than you or me.  That’s the message here, and if you read a blog, take it for what it is, some rant from some person that works two jobs to make a living, barely has any real knowledge of the racing game, and is lucky enough to actually own a computer and have some spare time.

What constitutes who and what an expert is I ask?  It’s not someone who will tell you, it’s the person who produces the material.  Certain blogs and or websites have a theme, and focus on what that particular author knows best.  And anyone who has a blog, and or website, should focus on what they  do and know best.

At ThoroughbredZone we focus on the one thing the sport is, and will always be about, the thoroughbreds that run their guts out each and every day throughout racing tracks around the United States.  There are many links to websites that detail the history of the thoroughbred.  We also focus on the big racing days, such as the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup. These are the biggest day’s in racing.  There are also many photo albums that have been taken throughout the years at various tracks on the website.  And we also follow young talented horses as they progress at ThoroughbredZone.  We also try to give a person who is interested in racing an idea of what the thoroughbred is, and there is a section for thoroughbred  newbies.

I do consider myself an expert in the sense that it’s what I do and know.  We don’t necessarily post opinions on a daily basis the way some other blogs do.  And anyone else who has a well-put together blog is no less an expert than Mr. Moran who touts his long list of accomplishments for all to see.

Bloodhorse.com, the preeminent racing website on the Internet, has even added a section for blogging articles on their homepage from the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance.  The Bloodhorse gets it.  Mr. Moran does not.  Some blogs may have more substance than others, but the common theme is they are about thoroughbred racing for the most part.

Another issue that has come to my attention is the way the sport gets covered on the Internet by other websites and media.  Equidaily.com is a popular website that collects its content from other websites, such as links to stories, and occasionally a blogger or two that might post something of interest.  The website is designed in the same way the successful website Drudgereport.com is designed, and there is a distinct similarity in these two websites style and layout. Both are easy to navigate and read.

Equidaily.com is considered a one-stop source by many racing fans for news and information in the thoroughbred horseracing industry, however they too have done their best to treat bloggers as second-rate citizens in the world of thoroughbred racing as well.   Occasionally a blogger will have a link posted, but more often than not, they go unnoticed.

Recently I had submitted photos, that I had taken from the 2008 racing year and posted them on website as ThoroughbredZone’s 2008 Pictures of the Year.  Many of these photos captured some of the biggest racing moments from 2008, but were not considered worthy of being linked to on Equidaily.com.  Promoting and showing pictures of thoroughbred race horses, that one would not normally see, has been deemed not worthy by Equidaily.com, just another example of why the sport lacks the fan base other sports might have.

I sent an e-mail looking for a simple explanation as to why the photos were not considered.  I was answered back with a contradictory e-mail stating that they don’t accept photo submissions.   The only pictures that they would link to are professional quality photos that stand out for some reason.  Or perhaps an amateur photo that offers an unusual take, or goes with an interesting story.  The last sentence basically would qualify anyone who takes a picture at the track to have a photo submission at least considered, since any picture taken is unique and different.  I’m sure racing fans and non-racing fans alike are not too concerned about what camera took the photo.  As in Mr. Moran’s case, the same holds true here, so what qualifies a professional picture?  Viewers do not necessarily concern themselves with things like that, if the photo is a good one.

The err of most racing fans has been usually directed towards owners of thoroughbreds and racetracks.  However that thought process should at least be altered a bit in light of such negative press directed towards bloggers and people who take pictures that can only enhance the popularity of thoroughbred racing throughout the United States.   More mainstream coverage is needed for racing to continue to move forward, and Equidaily.com could be in a position to do that, if they choose to.

To those I say the more blogs and horse pictures, the better.  The sport needs and will continue to need, as much positive press as possible, not negativity towards those that follow the sport.

The shift of media outlets in this world have transformed greatly over the past decade and will continue to do so with the introduction of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, mobile devices, and more bloggers as we move further into 20th century.  The avenue for the racing fan continues to expand to far reaching parts of the world.  There are also message boards on the Internet that are a place where the common fan and experts a like can mingle, such as Paceadvantage.com, ThoroughbredChampions.com , Dmtc.com and Pedigreequery.com.   Joining one of these forums is always a good way to share opinions and get  feedback   It’s always a good idea to join or look at these particular forums, than to ignore them all together.  The problem is many people don’t know about them.  No links to these sites can be found on Equidaily.com either.

Thoroughbred racing is at a crossroads on how to promote the sport.  The only way for racing to continue to move forward into the 21st century is to embrace this “new media” of Internet journalists who put their time and effort to produce racing material.  Blogs and/or Internet journalists are part of the “new media”, whether Mr. Moran is willing to believe this or not, and will continue to be for many years to come.  Opening the door to this particular group of people will bring new fans into a sport that has yet to find a real way to do so.  A new type of fan, a younger more computer savvy fan can be introduced to the exciting world of thoroughbred racing.  New ideas are what the industry needs, not the same old,  recycled,  information that still continues to be put forward by the same outlets.

ThoroughbredZones 4 top Horses Out The 5 We Mentioned As Horses To Use In The Breeders’ Cup Classic All Hit The Board And Made For A $10,000 Superfecta Score

Raven’s Pass, Harrythenavigator, Tiago and Curlin Run 1,2,3,4

Duke Off The Board

All other American Horses Besides Tiago, Who we mentioned as a horse to use in all bets, were nowhere to be seen.

Big Brown Past Performances

4NJbets.Com Primed For Another BC Failure???

A Breeders’ Cup best bet? A lock? This comes directly from the ‘more things change-more they stay the same’ department. The BC is less the two weeks away and one thing looks for certain. 4njbets.com is primed for another failure on horseracing’s biggest betting day.

New Jersey has lagged far behind in the online betting services for years. A bill was passed to get this going a few years ago, and it took some time to actually get the system in place. It debuted right before the BC a few years ago. Talk about a bad time to launch a new service. It was not ready to handle the volume then, nor has it been able to handle the high volume on big betting days since.

4Njbets made some cosmetic changes over the past couple of years, but the issue of the system’s ability to handle heavy volume seems to have been ignored or just not fixed well enough to handle the issue.

Let me say I use the system, and I find it good overall for what its purpose is. Make wagers and get live video streaming, it sounds easy enough. However the system is next to useless on big betting days.

To this, I say it’s a total disgrace that the system has failed even once for these big events. And to my knowledge no one from NJ has issued an assurance that the system will not go down again. Harsh words, but this is business and all involved should not permit this to happen. Everyone loses here, not just the handicappers.

Two years ago the Breeders’ Cup was held at Churchill Downs. I had capped the card and was ready to make my plays from the comfort of my own home. Early problems plagued the system. It was slow and at times non-responsive. The problem got progressively worse as the card went on. As The Breeders’ Cup Sprint approached, it was more than apparent that the system had failed. It would no longer accept my bets. Thus losing out on Thor’s Echo, who I tried in vain to make a saver wager on. It was futile attempt, met with aggravation and dismay. I was upset. I will leave it at that.

It was off to the Meadowlands. Since I’m literally a stones throw away, I went there. It of course was a mad house with nowhere to sit. Many people standing in long lines at machines, Teletheatres were all rented out well in advance. It seems the regular Joe gets shafted more often then not at the Meadowlands. I had already got shut out of a winner. My day was done—over, kaput—like a horse missing the break in a sprint. I never had a chance to get my head screwed on straight after this debacle.

After that frustration I took no chances last year. I paid the $35 or so, and went to the buffet at the Meadowlands’ Pegasus restaurant. I anticipated another 4njbets.com failure. I wish they would take wagering on this! I would have made a killing. And yes, it went down again! I heard the reports of disgruntled handicappers when I turned my computer on. No web bets, no phone bets. The system failed again as it has in the past. How can this happen on NJ’s biggest racing day in history? The host of the Breeders’ Cup was at Monmouth Park no less. Unacceptable.

I had sent e-mails to a certain higher-up before the Breeders’ Cup asking if the problem had been corrected. I did not get much of an answer. Mind you the system has also had major issues on Kentucky Derby day as well.

So what are the odds of an impending 4njbets.com doom? I would have to say very high. And again, I’ll plan accordingly. Belmont Park is on my radar this year.

This article is an open letter to the state of NJ. Get your act together or maybe consider not even having an Internet-wagering service. I mean what’s the point? The system has failed numerous times, and I expect it to fail again. This is unacceptable on all levels. No excuses justify this. Fix it. The executives are aware of the problem. This is no secret. One would think they would make sure the issue was corrected. Who is losing money?

Here are some contacts on this issue. Maybe, just maybe, someone will get the message and actually do something about it.

Robert Halpin- Director of Wagering Services

rhalpin@njsea.com

201-842-5041

Vernard Bennett- Assistant Vice President of Wagering & Guest Services

vbennett@njsea.com

201-842-5034