The road to the 2010 Horse of the Year honors will go down as one of the most heated battles ever. On one side, you have the blueblood bred Blame who won 3 G1's including the BC Classic. On the other side, you have the bluecollar bred Zenyatta who won 5 G1's was runner up in the Classic. Most people assumed that the 3 time Older Female Champ would come just a bit short for the third year in a row for the highest accolade of the night. However, it turned out that they where wrong.
Zenyatta becomes the third Female this century to win Horse of the Year honors behind Azeri and Rachel Alexandra. She also becomes the third HOY to win the award the year after winning the Classic (Cigar who lost in his defence of the Classic, but had won HOY the year before as well and Skip Away who lost HOY in 97 to Favorite Trick, but won HOY in 98 after losing the Classic to Awesome Again). Blame was a very close second, while Goldikova got more votes then people expected she would finishing in third.
While people are dispointed and upset with Blame not winning HOY, in a way it maybe a good thing he did not win. Since 1990 only 8 horses who won the Classic, have gone onto win Horse of the Year honors. Those that are left:
1990- Criminal Type (did not participate)
1993- Kotashaan (won the Turf)
1994- Holy Bull (did not participate)
1996- Cigar (3rd in the Classic)
1997- Favorite Trick (won the Juvenile)
1998- Skip Away (6th in the Classic)
1999- Charismatic (did not participate)
2001- Point Given (did not participate)
2002- Azeri (f) (Won the Distaff)
2008- Curlin (4th Classic)
2009- Rachel Alexandra (f) (did not participate)
2010- Zenyatta (f) (2nd in the Classic)
Now in Charismatic and Point Given's defence, both suffered career ending injuries. Still they did not take part in the BC their respective years. That doesn't mean Blame didn't deserve HOY, he absolutly did. But it's just a title, the horse's themselves don't care about it. In a way, too much pressure is put on the horse. Should Blame's fans be dispointed? Tt really depends on who you talk to. Him not getting Horse of the Year is not going to deminish the fact that he defeated Z on the track where it counts. His trainer Al Stall was gracious in defeat which is different from last year when Jerry & Ann Moss post awards show basically threw Rachel under the bus.
Valerie of Foolish Pleasure and Fillies First put together a nice list of Champion Females from around the world from this past year.
As for the other awards of the night:
2yo Champions: No suprise that Awesome Feather and Uncle Mo took them. Both deserved them off their wins in the BC.
3yo Champions: Again no suprise that Blind Luck (one vote away from being unanimous which I found suprising) and Lookin at Lucky won. Shame Lucky has been retired, and "Clover's" 4yo didn't start out as expected.
Older Champions: Suprised that Blame was unanimous, you would think Zenyatta would be? Nope. At least this year it was Goldikova and not some random horse like Icon Project that got the vote.
Sprinters: Not suprised by Dubai Majesty, but Big Drama was a little bit of suprise at least for me it was.
Turf: Gio Ponti was a bit of a suprise, I felt that Winchester should have won since he did defeat him. However, that was seemed to be the tone of the night. Goldi won for the Females which was no suprise at all.
Steeplechase: Slip Away which is also no suprise.
In all it was basically chalky last night. Personally I'm glad that it's finally over, Z has ridden into the sunset the ultimate champion and we can now focus on horses that will be running this year.
At least until November comes around.
Showing posts with label Blame. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blame. Show all posts
January 18, 2011
January 17, 2011
My Pick for Horse of the Year is...
So here we are, the Eclipses will be announced tonight. I gave who I think will be the winners when the finalists where announced, except for Horse of the Year. The past couple of months I've been going through the 3 finalists: Blame, Goldikova and Zenyatta. Orginally I was going with Blame because he defeated Z. Then I went to Goldi thanks to her third win in a row in the Mile. Then I decided on Z because well she's Z.
However last week when I was getting ready to write a post onto why Blame should be HOY, but I can't. I know it's supposed to be Horse of the Year and not Horse of the past Three Years, but Zenyatta may have just enough to finally get HOY. While Curlin lost twice and Rachel was undefeated, Blame actually has a weaker camapagin then the both of them combined. Look at who Zenyatta defeated this year compared to Blame. With the exception of 2 (Haynesfield and Quality Road), none of the horses Blame defeated came back to win. Zenyatta meanwhile defeated Switch who finished second to Dubai Majesty in the F/M Sprint and won the La Brea to close out her 3yo season and St. Tritians who gave Zenyatta the toughest race to date was done for the year after her hard battle. Also Zenyatta once again won every major Southern California female race, along with the Apple Blossom which would have been the setting for the expected match-up between Rachel and her.
Blame also had the hometrack advantage, which is the same thing that happend to Z in 09 when it was held at Santa Anita which is near what was her true hometrack Hollywood Park. I think if Mike Smith had moved two seconds earlier, she probley would have been the Classic winner.
I would not be suprised if Blame wins, but I also would not be suprised if Goldikova wins either. That being said, my pick for Horse of the Year is Zenyatta.
However last week when I was getting ready to write a post onto why Blame should be HOY, but I can't. I know it's supposed to be Horse of the Year and not Horse of the past Three Years, but Zenyatta may have just enough to finally get HOY. While Curlin lost twice and Rachel was undefeated, Blame actually has a weaker camapagin then the both of them combined. Look at who Zenyatta defeated this year compared to Blame. With the exception of 2 (Haynesfield and Quality Road), none of the horses Blame defeated came back to win. Zenyatta meanwhile defeated Switch who finished second to Dubai Majesty in the F/M Sprint and won the La Brea to close out her 3yo season and St. Tritians who gave Zenyatta the toughest race to date was done for the year after her hard battle. Also Zenyatta once again won every major Southern California female race, along with the Apple Blossom which would have been the setting for the expected match-up between Rachel and her.
Blame also had the hometrack advantage, which is the same thing that happend to Z in 09 when it was held at Santa Anita which is near what was her true hometrack Hollywood Park. I think if Mike Smith had moved two seconds earlier, she probley would have been the Classic winner.
I would not be suprised if Blame wins, but I also would not be suprised if Goldikova wins either. That being said, my pick for Horse of the Year is Zenyatta.
December 17, 2010
Horse of the Year Chat- The Animated Edition
When looking at something not related to horse racing, I stumped upon this website called Xtranormal where you can create animated movies. The voices are computer generated and they didn't pronounce Zenyatta correctly, but here is a little video of HOY of the year descussion.
September 21, 2010
Is Apart the New Blame?
Last year around this time, the Al Stall trainee Blame had only a listed stakes to his name. One year later, he is a multiple Grade 1 winner and possibly the favorite to win Horse of the Year. Blame made his graded stakes debut in the Super Derby where he finished second behind Regal Ransom. That would also be the site of his last loss. The question is can Apart get revenge for his now highley successful stablemate? If he wins the Super Derby, he will.
Like Blame, Apart is trained by Al Stall (he is owned by one of Blame's co-owners as well). Also like Blame he enters the Super Derby off 5 starts and a stakes win (the Super Derby Prelude in his case). Most importantly he could be peaking at the right time. The distance shouldn't bother him, as I think a mile and eighth will be in his scope.
The one thing that might have him finishing second in this year's Super Derby is that Prince of Wales winner Golden Moka is among the entires. He upset Big Red Mike who had won the Queen's Plate as well as Hotep the full brother to last year's QP winner Eye of the Lepoard. This will be Golden Moka's first start in the US (he ran once in Canada and was a star down in South America). He is undefeated, but this will be the toughest set of horses he's ever met, and I think Apart can beat him. It should be a very intersting Super Derby to say the least.
Like Blame, Apart is trained by Al Stall (he is owned by one of Blame's co-owners as well). Also like Blame he enters the Super Derby off 5 starts and a stakes win (the Super Derby Prelude in his case). Most importantly he could be peaking at the right time. The distance shouldn't bother him, as I think a mile and eighth will be in his scope.
The one thing that might have him finishing second in this year's Super Derby is that Prince of Wales winner Golden Moka is among the entires. He upset Big Red Mike who had won the Queen's Plate as well as Hotep the full brother to last year's QP winner Eye of the Lepoard. This will be Golden Moka's first start in the US (he ran once in Canada and was a star down in South America). He is undefeated, but this will be the toughest set of horses he's ever met, and I think Apart can beat him. It should be a very intersting Super Derby to say the least.
June 14, 2010
What a Weekend!
I'm going to do something different for this week. Since there where some great races weekend, I'm going break down each race one by one.
Ogden Phipps: There is finally a challenger to Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra. Life at Ten upset Unriveled Belle and Funny Moon. It will be very interesting where Todd Pletcher goes next.
Obeah: Miss Singsix won with Morena who was second in this race last year, finishing second again. While this was her first win in this race, this is Team Valor her owners third win in a row in this race. They owned Unbridled Belle who had won the previous two years. She'll be one of the favorites in this year's Delaware Handicap.
Skip Away: This one is at Monmouth not the Graded one down at Gulfstream. Cool Coal Man is a horse for a course. He's 2 out of 3 there and the only time he didn't win, he finished third. Obviously last year's Woodward took more out of Bullsbay then it did Rachel who had another poor showing.
Californian: Unless Zenyatta's connections change their mind and not go to the HGC, I think Rail Trip will defend his HGC title with no problem. He was dominate in this race with Sanagree (Congagree's little brother) finishing second for what seems the ummpteenth time to Rail Trip.
Stephen Foster: Two words: Blame Wow! That was very, very impressive race to close against Battle Plan like that. Blame could be the horse to challenge Quality Road as top older male, a division until really this week looked watered down. And how about General Quarters! All aways there when he's healthy, makes you wonder with a better trip in the Derby last year where he would have been? I'm wondering something is wrong with Macho Again because this is his fourth poor race in a row.
Woodbine Oaks: Sometimes horses coming in undefeated can be overhyped, I'm not going to say that's the case of Embur's Song, but it could be very close. Roan Inish won the race, but heart broke for the runner up Moment of Majesty. A head is all that sperated them and would have given her co-owner former Toronto Maple Leaf Curtis Joseph the biggest win of his horse racing ownership career. As for the winner, she'll move onto the Queen's Plate where she actually could win it, I'm hoping that Moment of Majesty goes on to. Reason being is I would LOVE to see Saint Liam sire a Classic winner and this is his only chance.
Vanity: One of these days, Mike Smith is going to overestimate the field and cost Zenyatta the race. Thankfully yesterday was not it. Big Z was able to get win #17 and in thrilling fashion. I gotta give some love to the runner up St. Tritians. If Zenyatta ever loses, she could be the horse to beat her. Hopefully this never happens, but you never know. While technically Pepper's Pride holds to record for consecutive wins, they where all against state bred company (New Mexico). Zenyatta has broken a record hold by 2 legends, Cigar and Citation (along with a few others, but those are the big two). It will be interesting where she goes next.
Flur de Lis: SHE'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rachel Alexandra returned to her winning ways and back to her typical destroying of the field. People will say she didn't beat much, but you know what? It doesn't matter to me, to see her back in the Winners Circle for me is more important. Is she the same horse as last year? No, but she has done something that other 3yo fillies who where Horse of the Year failed to do. That's win at 4. Keep in mind, her two losses where not as a bad as you think. What changed, I think going back to her perfered mile and eighth and getting the Figure 8 off where big. Having her regular rider Calvin Borel on was also huge. A huge confidence builder and I'm excited to see where she goes next.
Later this week I will have a post on Rachel and Zenyatta. This article will talk about how niether of them where expected to be the glamor girls of their crops.
Tomorrow Royal Ascot starts with Goldikova taking on the boys once again. The Americans aren't as strong as they where last year, so I'm not expecting much. Plus for the first time in 5 years, the Ascot Gold Cup will have a different winner since Yeats has retired. Plus it snuck up on me this year. For this reason, I won't be covering the meet as in depth as I somewhat did last year, but hopefully everybody does well in this very prestigous meet.
Ogden Phipps: There is finally a challenger to Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra. Life at Ten upset Unriveled Belle and Funny Moon. It will be very interesting where Todd Pletcher goes next.
Obeah: Miss Singsix won with Morena who was second in this race last year, finishing second again. While this was her first win in this race, this is Team Valor her owners third win in a row in this race. They owned Unbridled Belle who had won the previous two years. She'll be one of the favorites in this year's Delaware Handicap.
Skip Away: This one is at Monmouth not the Graded one down at Gulfstream. Cool Coal Man is a horse for a course. He's 2 out of 3 there and the only time he didn't win, he finished third. Obviously last year's Woodward took more out of Bullsbay then it did Rachel who had another poor showing.
Californian: Unless Zenyatta's connections change their mind and not go to the HGC, I think Rail Trip will defend his HGC title with no problem. He was dominate in this race with Sanagree (Congagree's little brother) finishing second for what seems the ummpteenth time to Rail Trip.
Stephen Foster: Two words: Blame Wow! That was very, very impressive race to close against Battle Plan like that. Blame could be the horse to challenge Quality Road as top older male, a division until really this week looked watered down. And how about General Quarters! All aways there when he's healthy, makes you wonder with a better trip in the Derby last year where he would have been? I'm wondering something is wrong with Macho Again because this is his fourth poor race in a row.
Woodbine Oaks: Sometimes horses coming in undefeated can be overhyped, I'm not going to say that's the case of Embur's Song, but it could be very close. Roan Inish won the race, but heart broke for the runner up Moment of Majesty. A head is all that sperated them and would have given her co-owner former Toronto Maple Leaf Curtis Joseph the biggest win of his horse racing ownership career. As for the winner, she'll move onto the Queen's Plate where she actually could win it, I'm hoping that Moment of Majesty goes on to. Reason being is I would LOVE to see Saint Liam sire a Classic winner and this is his only chance.
Vanity: One of these days, Mike Smith is going to overestimate the field and cost Zenyatta the race. Thankfully yesterday was not it. Big Z was able to get win #17 and in thrilling fashion. I gotta give some love to the runner up St. Tritians. If Zenyatta ever loses, she could be the horse to beat her. Hopefully this never happens, but you never know. While technically Pepper's Pride holds to record for consecutive wins, they where all against state bred company (New Mexico). Zenyatta has broken a record hold by 2 legends, Cigar and Citation (along with a few others, but those are the big two). It will be interesting where she goes next.
Flur de Lis: SHE'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rachel Alexandra returned to her winning ways and back to her typical destroying of the field. People will say she didn't beat much, but you know what? It doesn't matter to me, to see her back in the Winners Circle for me is more important. Is she the same horse as last year? No, but she has done something that other 3yo fillies who where Horse of the Year failed to do. That's win at 4. Keep in mind, her two losses where not as a bad as you think. What changed, I think going back to her perfered mile and eighth and getting the Figure 8 off where big. Having her regular rider Calvin Borel on was also huge. A huge confidence builder and I'm excited to see where she goes next.
Later this week I will have a post on Rachel and Zenyatta. This article will talk about how niether of them where expected to be the glamor girls of their crops.
Tomorrow Royal Ascot starts with Goldikova taking on the boys once again. The Americans aren't as strong as they where last year, so I'm not expecting much. Plus for the first time in 5 years, the Ascot Gold Cup will have a different winner since Yeats has retired. Plus it snuck up on me this year. For this reason, I won't be covering the meet as in depth as I somewhat did last year, but hopefully everybody does well in this very prestigous meet.
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