Ahmed Zayat has had Derby contenders the past few years. In 2009 he what looked like he was on his way to win his first Derby (trainer Bob Baffert's fourth) with Santa Anita Derby winner Pioneerof the Nile. Unfortnally for him and his jockey Garrett Gomez, Mine That Bird had other plans spoiling the chance for Baffert to win the Derby the same year he would go into the Hall of Fame. Then came the Preakness where it looked like Pioneerof the Nile would be able to get revenge on the Derby winner. Except Rachel Alexandra came calling after Zayat's effort with Mark Allen to keep her out of the race. That would be the last race for Pioneerof the Nile in his career.
It didn't get much better as after a poor Breeders' Cup Sprint, his horse Zensational was denied Champion Sprinter. He then removed his horses from Bob Baffert and gave them to other trainers. Unfortanlly one of those horses Thorn Song had a horrible race in one of his first starts for his new trainer and for a while was feared deceased by fans of the horse (the last I heard he was in a hospital, but not sure about that). Then came the lawsuits and Zayat Stables going bankrupt. It didn't help that his best horse Eskendreya was injured and retired after his Wood Memorial win only to see his trainer Todd Pletcher win the race with Super Saver.
However, could a horse that just cost $2,500 finally change Zayat's luck? Black N Beauty won today by 2 1/2 at a mile at Gulfstream. Trained by Dale Romans (of Kitten's Joy, Paddy O' Prado and First Dude fame) trains this son of Devil His Due. Time will tell weather he will be a solid Derby contender, but he has faced Brethren who is currently #6 on the ThoroughChat Derby Top 20. He may end being a non contender for the Derby, so it may be a moot point. The good news for BNB, he's an ON bred which makes him eligible for the Queen's Plate. It will certinally be interesting where he ends up next.
Showing posts with label Ahmed Zayat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ahmed Zayat. Show all posts
January 7, 2011
April 25, 2010
Zayat Karma strikes again!
Did you hear something Sunday morning? That my friends was people tearing up their Derby future tickets with Eskendereya on them. Today, Esky was declared out of this year's Derby due to an injury. For now, Jackson Bend is on the bubble and Backtalk could be the last horse out. The reason why I say for now is that if Interactif and Devil May Care both go to the Derby (Instead of American Turf and the Oaks repectivly), then both he and Paddy O Prado would be out. Before I talk about why I think Interactif belongs, but Devil May Care doesn't in a paragraph, however I'm going to explain why I think Esky's departure is a case of a little thing I call Zayat Karma.
If you remember from last year, Ahmed Zayat and Mark Allen tried to pull a stunt which would have left Rachel Alexandra on the outside looking in for the Preakness. This would have given Zayat's Pioneerof the Nile, the runner up from the Derby a better chance to turn the table on Allen and Dr. Lenoard Blach's Mine That Bird who won the Derby. MTB would have gotten back his jockey Calvin Borel. Of course that was foiled by Marylou Whitney how said she would not enter Luv Gov if it was going to keep Rachel out. Rachel got in, and well the rest they say is history. Since then, things haven't gone exactly right for Zayat. Here is an example:
The two horses to keep an eye on if they go are Interactif and Devil May Care, both are trained by Todd Pletcher (as are Rule (who is now questionable for the Derby, hopefully he pulls out. I think a mile and quarter is too far for him. Plus he had a horrible work yesterday dispite getting the bullet), Super Saver, Mission Impazable, Esky and Discreetly Mine). Interactif is owned by the same connections of Goldikova, the 2 time BC Mile winner. While he hasn't won this year, Interactif has something that Sidney's Candy doesn't: a win over dirt. He probley is a little bit better on turf/synth, but he's by Broken Vow who of course is the sire of Unbridled Belle (another Pletcher trainee), out of a Broad Brush mare who in turn is out of the great late Personal Ensign. So he's got the female family to go a mile and quarter and he's got a sire who has a G1 winner who has won at a mile and a quarter. Devil May Care however, should not. Dispite being by Malibu Moon out of Regal Ransom mare, I'm not sold of her going. Her half brother is Regal Ransom, and dispite being by one of the hottest sires around in Distorted Humor, he failed at the two times he ran at a mile and a quarter. The other thing is, she has been inconsistant throughout her career. Yes she's a G1 winner, but since then she has put together 1 good race, defeating Amen Hallujah who is likely a sprinter, and Christine Daae who ended up being overhyped. Yes DMC is running faster then the males in workouts, however races are a different monster. She's not even the best 3yo filly, that honor belongs to Blind Luck who should also be Derby bound, but will be the overwhelming favorite for the Oaks instead.
While I'm not a huge huge fan of fillies going against the boys (yes I know it's done in Europe and it was done in the US more often before, but that's not the point I'm making), I can understand why they want to face the boys now. However I would love to see DMC in the Preakness, if they want to take on the boys. Yes it's a sixteenth shorter then the Derby, but it's a smaller field (only 14 are allowed, which is the same for the Oaks and Belmont as well), most of the runners are also rans, the winner, and fresh faces, and she would have 1 extra day of rest then the rest of the field. With that being said, this year's Preakness maybe tougher then useal because horses such as Backtalk, Sutsuko maybe left out. We'll find out tomorrow where she lands.
As for this weekend's races, it was a matter of what the heck happend to D' Funnybone? He got a horrendous ride in the Withers. I'm happy for Afleet Again after throwing some clunkers, and Ibboyee, all that work and he settles for second and how about the third place finsher. IMO Ibboyee is now the best 3yo sprinter (IMO Afleet Again can run at longer distances), with D' Funnybone being a little bit behind. With that being said, at a shorter distance I think D' Funnybone can turn the tables on Afleet Again. At Churchill, Calvin Borel showed... that he's the King of Churchill! Now if things go his way on Friday on a certin 4yo filly, we could see her back in the Winners Circle (it was confirmed that Rachel will go the La Trioanne next).
And with that, Derby Week offically begins. Everyday until except Thursday which will be the Live Chat and Saturday also a chat day, a new post will be posted. So check back tomorrow for Derby talk.
If you remember from last year, Ahmed Zayat and Mark Allen tried to pull a stunt which would have left Rachel Alexandra on the outside looking in for the Preakness. This would have given Zayat's Pioneerof the Nile, the runner up from the Derby a better chance to turn the table on Allen and Dr. Lenoard Blach's Mine That Bird who won the Derby. MTB would have gotten back his jockey Calvin Borel. Of course that was foiled by Marylou Whitney how said she would not enter Luv Gov if it was going to keep Rachel out. Rachel got in, and well the rest they say is history. Since then, things haven't gone exactly right for Zayat. Here is an example:
- Pioneerof the Nile retiring due to injury after the Preakness
- Thorn Song bolting in a stakes race, then going MIA (I believe he is at a hospital in California right now)
- Zensational losing the BC Sprint, then losing the Eclipse for Male Sprinter to Kodiak Kowboy.
- And to top it off, he got sued
The two horses to keep an eye on if they go are Interactif and Devil May Care, both are trained by Todd Pletcher (as are Rule (who is now questionable for the Derby, hopefully he pulls out. I think a mile and quarter is too far for him. Plus he had a horrible work yesterday dispite getting the bullet), Super Saver, Mission Impazable, Esky and Discreetly Mine). Interactif is owned by the same connections of Goldikova, the 2 time BC Mile winner. While he hasn't won this year, Interactif has something that Sidney's Candy doesn't: a win over dirt. He probley is a little bit better on turf/synth, but he's by Broken Vow who of course is the sire of Unbridled Belle (another Pletcher trainee), out of a Broad Brush mare who in turn is out of the great late Personal Ensign. So he's got the female family to go a mile and quarter and he's got a sire who has a G1 winner who has won at a mile and a quarter. Devil May Care however, should not. Dispite being by Malibu Moon out of Regal Ransom mare, I'm not sold of her going. Her half brother is Regal Ransom, and dispite being by one of the hottest sires around in Distorted Humor, he failed at the two times he ran at a mile and a quarter. The other thing is, she has been inconsistant throughout her career. Yes she's a G1 winner, but since then she has put together 1 good race, defeating Amen Hallujah who is likely a sprinter, and Christine Daae who ended up being overhyped. Yes DMC is running faster then the males in workouts, however races are a different monster. She's not even the best 3yo filly, that honor belongs to Blind Luck who should also be Derby bound, but will be the overwhelming favorite for the Oaks instead.
While I'm not a huge huge fan of fillies going against the boys (yes I know it's done in Europe and it was done in the US more often before, but that's not the point I'm making), I can understand why they want to face the boys now. However I would love to see DMC in the Preakness, if they want to take on the boys. Yes it's a sixteenth shorter then the Derby, but it's a smaller field (only 14 are allowed, which is the same for the Oaks and Belmont as well), most of the runners are also rans, the winner, and fresh faces, and she would have 1 extra day of rest then the rest of the field. With that being said, this year's Preakness maybe tougher then useal because horses such as Backtalk, Sutsuko maybe left out. We'll find out tomorrow where she lands.
As for this weekend's races, it was a matter of what the heck happend to D' Funnybone? He got a horrendous ride in the Withers. I'm happy for Afleet Again after throwing some clunkers, and Ibboyee, all that work and he settles for second and how about the third place finsher. IMO Ibboyee is now the best 3yo sprinter (IMO Afleet Again can run at longer distances), with D' Funnybone being a little bit behind. With that being said, at a shorter distance I think D' Funnybone can turn the tables on Afleet Again. At Churchill, Calvin Borel showed... that he's the King of Churchill! Now if things go his way on Friday on a certin 4yo filly, we could see her back in the Winners Circle (it was confirmed that Rachel will go the La Trioanne next).
And with that, Derby Week offically begins. Everyday until except Thursday which will be the Live Chat and Saturday also a chat day, a new post will be posted. So check back tomorrow for Derby talk.
May 10, 2009
Dear Mark and Ahmed (Warning: Language)
(Note: Superfecta did something simlar, in writing a "letter" to Jess Jackson. And I appologize for the language.)
To read what Allen and Zayat are trying to convince Marylou Whitney to do here is the link
Dear Mr. Allen and Mr. Zayat,
First off, congrats on your win and second place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Mine That Bird and Pioneerof the Nile ran awesome races. While I agree with you that Rachel Alexandra should not be in the Preakness, and wait for the Belmont, I do think that you entering horses, just to keep her out is wrong. First to you Mr. Allen, the only reason why Mine That Bird won the race was because of Calvin Borel, not anything else. While I did not watch the Derby, Mr. Woolley should have been a bit nicer to the media, as the trainer of the Derby winner. However, I understand that horseman are not always the media friendly. Also I find that your father being connected to a convicted felon, Sen. Ted Stevens is fucking disgusting. Mine That Bird will not win the Preakness, even if Rachel doesn't get in.
As for you Mr. Zayat, of all people that would be wrong. Considering some of your horses are trained by Rachel Alexandra's new trainer, Steve Asmussen. Secondly, if you think Bill Mott or Bob Baffert would do such a thing is ignorant, these are two Hall of Famers who probley would be vilified for doing such a thing. And also do you really think D. Wayne Lukas, wants to get beat by 20 again. But then again, it is D. Wayne Lukas, but how dare you force Mrs. Whitney's hand in entering a horse into the Preakness just to keep Rachel out. Look Pioneerof the Nile won't win the Preakness, as I hope my two picks Friesan Fire and Take the Points (If Rach doesn't get it in), run by them and give Larry Jones and Todd Pletcher a 1-2 finish.
I know neither of you care about what one fan thinks, but do the right thing and don't enter horses just to keep a super filly out. If it's overfilled, then fine, however if you do go ahead and enter more horses, just because. I will hope that Mine That Bird and Pioneerof the Nile, along with the other horses you enter, finish up track.
Sincerely,
Rachel A. Levine
A fan of Rachel Alexandra
A few other things, no my middle name is not Alexandra, it's Anne. Secondly, once again I appoligze for the little bit of language that is in this post. I'm fuming over this, and as I said in the "letter", while I don't think she should go to the Preakness, and wait for the Belmont. If this does happen, I really hope that both horses lose.
Edit: Ahmed Zayat will not enter a second horse into the Preakness. Lov Gov, Mrs. Whitney's horse however will go. It's interesting, he is not even by Birdstone, but yet she wants to promote him. With a horse whose by Ten Most Wanted, umm yeah, if it where a Stone colt I would agree. But Ten Most Wanted? Link
Edit (again): Mark Allen and Marylou Whitney will not enter their horses into the Preakness. Link Also to the person who left the explictive comment, that was my opinon not fact! I'm a fan, not someone who is in the horse racing bussiness. I know that it is a bussiness, but that doesn't mean I agree with it.
To read what Allen and Zayat are trying to convince Marylou Whitney to do here is the link
Dear Mr. Allen and Mr. Zayat,
First off, congrats on your win and second place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Mine That Bird and Pioneerof the Nile ran awesome races. While I agree with you that Rachel Alexandra should not be in the Preakness, and wait for the Belmont, I do think that you entering horses, just to keep her out is wrong. First to you Mr. Allen, the only reason why Mine That Bird won the race was because of Calvin Borel, not anything else. While I did not watch the Derby, Mr. Woolley should have been a bit nicer to the media, as the trainer of the Derby winner. However, I understand that horseman are not always the media friendly. Also I find that your father being connected to a convicted felon, Sen. Ted Stevens is fucking disgusting. Mine That Bird will not win the Preakness, even if Rachel doesn't get in.
As for you Mr. Zayat, of all people that would be wrong. Considering some of your horses are trained by Rachel Alexandra's new trainer, Steve Asmussen. Secondly, if you think Bill Mott or Bob Baffert would do such a thing is ignorant, these are two Hall of Famers who probley would be vilified for doing such a thing. And also do you really think D. Wayne Lukas, wants to get beat by 20 again. But then again, it is D. Wayne Lukas, but how dare you force Mrs. Whitney's hand in entering a horse into the Preakness just to keep Rachel out. Look Pioneerof the Nile won't win the Preakness, as I hope my two picks Friesan Fire and Take the Points (If Rach doesn't get it in), run by them and give Larry Jones and Todd Pletcher a 1-2 finish.
I know neither of you care about what one fan thinks, but do the right thing and don't enter horses just to keep a super filly out. If it's overfilled, then fine, however if you do go ahead and enter more horses, just because. I will hope that Mine That Bird and Pioneerof the Nile, along with the other horses you enter, finish up track.
Sincerely,
Rachel A. Levine
A fan of Rachel Alexandra
A few other things, no my middle name is not Alexandra, it's Anne. Secondly, once again I appoligze for the little bit of language that is in this post. I'm fuming over this, and as I said in the "letter", while I don't think she should go to the Preakness, and wait for the Belmont. If this does happen, I really hope that both horses lose.
Edit: Ahmed Zayat will not enter a second horse into the Preakness. Lov Gov, Mrs. Whitney's horse however will go. It's interesting, he is not even by Birdstone, but yet she wants to promote him. With a horse whose by Ten Most Wanted, umm yeah, if it where a Stone colt I would agree. But Ten Most Wanted? Link
Edit (again): Mark Allen and Marylou Whitney will not enter their horses into the Preakness. Link Also to the person who left the explictive comment, that was my opinon not fact! I'm a fan, not someone who is in the horse racing bussiness. I know that it is a bussiness, but that doesn't mean I agree with it.
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