Comments on: A Look at the 2009 Horse of the Year Picture http://farewelltokings.com/2009/10/a-look-at-the-2009-horse-of-the-year-picture/ Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:36:31 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: 30,000 Foot Look at the Breeders' Cup | http://farewelltokings.com/2009/10/a-look-at-the-2009-horse-of-the-year-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-27 30,000 Foot Look at the Breeders' Cup | Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:22:01 +0000 http://farewelltokings.com/?p=154#comment-27 [...] written extensively about the Breeders’ Cup as it pertains to Horse of the Year, Breeders’ Cup Beyer Speed Figures and  Fixing the Breeders’ Cup, but I’ve [...]

[...] written extensively about the Breeders’ Cup as it pertains to Horse of the Year, Breeders’ Cup Beyer Speed Figures and  Fixing the Breeders’ Cup, but I’ve [...]

]]> By: uberVU - social comments http://farewelltokings.com/2009/10/a-look-at-the-2009-horse-of-the-year-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-24 uberVU - social comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:37:29 +0000 http://farewelltokings.com/?p=154#comment-24 <strong>Social comments and analytics for this post...</strong> This post was mentioned on Twitter by FTKRacingBlog: New Blog Post - A LOOK AT THE 2009 HORSE OF THE YEAR PICTURE ... http://bit.ly/3SgM1A #fb...

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by FTKRacingBlog: New Blog Post – A LOOK AT THE 2009 HORSE OF THE YEAR PICTURE … http://bit.ly/3SgM1A #fb…

]]> By: Darrell http://farewelltokings.com/2009/10/a-look-at-the-2009-horse-of-the-year-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Darrell Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:59:56 +0000 http://farewelltokings.com/?p=154#comment-14 Steve, Thanks for the comment. I agree that it would be a tough beat for Summer Bird to lose HOY if he wins the BC Classic, but I have to hold against him the fact that Rachel beat him decisively the one time they faced each other, that this is a less meaningful BC Classic than usual, and that he really has nothing going for him Pre-Belmont. As you said, the course Jackson took with Rachel is something that racing NEEDS to reward in an otherwise close contest. From a public policy perspective you definitely want to send a message to owners and trainers that campaigning aggressively and seeking challenges will be recognized and rewarded. Steve,
Thanks for the comment. I agree that it would be a tough beat for Summer Bird to lose HOY if he wins the BC Classic, but I have to hold against him the fact that Rachel beat him decisively the one time they faced each other, that this is a less meaningful BC Classic than usual, and that he really has nothing going for him Pre-Belmont.

As you said, the course Jackson took with Rachel is something that racing NEEDS to reward in an otherwise close contest. From a public policy perspective you definitely want to send a message to owners and trainers that campaigning aggressively and seeking challenges will be recognized and rewarded.

]]> By: Steve M. http://farewelltokings.com/2009/10/a-look-at-the-2009-horse-of-the-year-picture/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Steve M. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:37:23 +0000 http://farewelltokings.com/?p=154#comment-13 I basically agree with everyone thing you said, especially that Zenyatta is out of the discussion. However, if Summer Bird were to win the BC Classic in a field that included Zenyatta, he at least merits consideration for Horse of the Year. Understand that's two big "IFs" - if Zenyatta runs in the Classic and if S-Bird wins; but it could happen. Summer Bird is a different horse with Desormeaux riding but the big question is how he handles pro-ride. You would have to compare Rachel's 5 G1 wins: KY Oaks, Preakness, Mother Goose, Haskell (over Summer Bird), and Woodward against Summer Bird's 4: Belmont, Travers, Jockey Club Gold Cup and BC Classic (over Zenyatta, maybe). The races S-Bird will have won are generally more prestigious. However, what Rachel has done as a 3-year old filly is truly unprecedented. Personally, I'd give the award to Rachel to reward Jess Jackson for being a true sportsman. If he'd never bought her we'd never get to witness these historic performances and achievements. I basically agree with everyone thing you said, especially that Zenyatta is out of the discussion. However, if Summer Bird were to win the BC Classic in a field that included Zenyatta, he at least merits consideration for Horse of the Year. Understand that’s two big “IFs” – if Zenyatta runs in the Classic and if S-Bird wins; but it could happen. Summer Bird is a different horse with Desormeaux riding but the big question is how he handles pro-ride.

You would have to compare Rachel’s 5 G1 wins: KY Oaks, Preakness, Mother Goose, Haskell (over Summer Bird), and Woodward against Summer Bird’s 4: Belmont, Travers, Jockey Club Gold Cup and BC Classic (over Zenyatta, maybe).

The races S-Bird will have won are generally more prestigious. However, what Rachel has done as a 3-year old filly is truly unprecedented. Personally, I’d give the award to Rachel to reward Jess Jackson for being a true sportsman. If he’d never bought her we’d never get to witness these historic performances and achievements.

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