Why retire her?

[justindew]

Zenyatta seems to be at the top of her game, or at least still capable of beating the best (and by "best" I mean all that we have in America). I think if you re-run the Classic 10 times, she wins it just as many times as Blame, if not more. So why not keep her in training and point for the Dubai World Cup and then the 2011 Classic? Retiring her makes little sense to me.

She's 6 years old! Might turn to dust out there as a 7 year old!!

[packerbacker7964]

She's gave her all for a 19 of 20 record. She needs to get herself a stall near the road where all of her fans can get a good look at her.

[ateamstupid]

Why bring her back? So they can lie about showcasing her to the country/world, keep her sheltered all year and then try to intimidate voters into finally gifting her HOY? If we have any decent handicap horses next year (probably a big if), she'd get drowned in the Classic. Bring back Goldikova instead.

[justindew]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Why bring her back? So they can lie about showcasing her to the country/world, keep her sheltered all year and then try to intimidate voters into finally gifting her HOY? If we have any decent handicap horses next year (probably a big if), she'd get drowned in the Classic. Bring back Goldikova instead.

A) That's partly my point. It's an enormous "if".

B) What are you basing this on?

[Travis Stone]

I'm not sure about the whole retirement deal, but she doesn't get by Blame yesterday if you run the race w/same or similar trips 10x. She didn't have a bad trip and even if she gets clear a few strides earlier... he dug-in when he heard her coming, and galloped-out past her as well. I don't think she ever had a nose down in front. The close-up ESPN kept replaying shows how Blame dug-in and didn't let her by.

Basically, she finally met someone who could finish their run to the wire... she ran hers, but it was a nose short. No shame.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by justindew

A) That's partly my point. It's an enormous "if".

B) What are you basing this on?

Are you serious? I'm a big Blame fan, but he would get drowned in most years too. It was a horrendous year for the handicap division.

[justindew]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Are you serious? I'm a big Blame fan, but he would get drowned in most years too. It was a horrendous year for the handicap division.

Becasue his Beyer Speed Figures aren't that high?

[packerbacker7964]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

I'm not sure about the whole retirement deal, but she doesn't get by Blame yesterday if you run the race w/same or similar trips 10x. She didn't have a bad trip and even if she gets clear a few strides earlier... he dug-in when he heard her coming, and galloped-out past her as well. I don't think she ever had a nose down in front. The close-up ESPN kept replaying shows how Blame dug-in and didn't let her by.

Basically, she finally met someone who could finish their run to the wire... she ran hers, but it was a nose short. No shame.

x2 I said this also.When Go Go Gomez saw her coming he moved Blame out (slowed him a little) so Blame could see her coming. Once Blame got n eye full of her he rebroke. Z didn't pass him in the cool out either. They both were in full stride at least 50 yds after the wire with Blame still ahead. The only way she wins this race is Blame gets a worse trip IMO.

[miraja2]

If they brought her back next year she would probably still be a very good horse who could rack up some G1 and G2 wins. Of course, the same was true of Rachel Alexandra and she was retired too.
Most owners, including Zenyatta's, are probably too concerned with their horse's legacy to actually risk losing more races.
It is really too bad. If they actually did that and tried to win the DWC with her, I'd probably be cheering for her for the first time ever.

[MaTH716]

I agree, really with the record not being perfect anymore you would think that the decision would be easier to keep her on the track.
The only thing is that, after her performance yesterday it would be hard to stay in California and continue to race against some of the talent that she's been beating (on the poly) on a consistent basis. She would need to leave the state a few time for it to be worth while.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by justindew

Becasue his Beyer Speed Figures aren't that high?

yes, pastor, that's part of it. You honestly think those two would've had a prayer in '04, '06 or '07? Child please.

[Thunder Gulch]

It sure looked like she would get there but credit to Blame.

[ManilaRose]

Zenyatta has to be retired. She already signed a contract for Dancing With the Stars for next year. Too late to get out of it now.

[justindew]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

yes, pastor, that's part of it. You honestly think those two would've had a prayer in '04, '06 or '07? Child please.

Probably not. But you said he would "get drowned in most years." You just listed three BCs where he would not have finished 1st. By your logic, only Ghostzapper and Curlin are worthy BCC winners.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by justindew

Probably not. But you said he would "get drowned in most years." You just listed three BCs where he would not have finished 1st. By your logic, only Ghostzapper and Curlin are worthy BCC winners.

Invasor won in '06.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by justindew

Probably not. But you said he would "get drowned in most years." You just listed three BCs where he would not have finished 1st. By your logic, only Ghostzapper and Curlin are worthy BCC winners.

I skipped the two synthetic BCCs because they're completely nonsensical. Forget finishing first. They wouldn't have been better than 4th in '06, might have been a distant third and fourth in '07 and couldn't have finished in the top half of the field in '04. Pleasantly Perfect would've destroyed them too. Maybe they could've competed in '02. How far do you want to go back? They're extremely inferior handicap horses historically. I can't even believe you're arguing this.

[slotdirt]

Now that she's lost, if the Mosses really were sporting, we'd finally see her run on freaking turf. Anybody think she couldn't have won the F/M turf race on Friday?

[Princess Doreen]

Originally Posted by ManilaRose

Zenyatta has to be retired. She already signed a contract for Dancing With the Stars for next year. Too late to get out of it now.

First laugh of the day. Thanks!

[justindew]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

I skipped the two synthetic BCCs because they're completely nonsensical. Forget finishing first. They wouldn't have been better than 4th in '06, might have been a distant third and fourth in '07 and couldn't have finished in the top half of the field in '04. Pleasantly Perfect would've destroyed them too. Maybe they could've competed in '02. How far do you want to go back? They're extremely inferior handicap horses historically. I can't even believe you're arguing this.

I really don't want this to turn into another epic DT argument-where-there-doesn't-need-to-be-one, but what exactly do you think I am arguing? I think Blame is 2010's version of St. Liam, Mineshaft (yes, I realize he didn't run in the Classic), and Pleasantly Perfect. I don't think he's on par with Ghostzapper, Curlin, or Invasor. Well, maybe Invasor. But so what? Blame is a very good horse. And Zenyatta proving she is every bit as good as him tells me that she can still compete with and likely beat whomever the Handicap Division throws her way next year. So she shouldn't be retired.

For what it's worth, Blame would probably dominate the HD too next year.