BS: Zenyatta! A Mare to be Remembered

Subject: BS: Zenyatta! A Mare to be Remembered
From: GUEST,Ebbie, housesitting
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 02:27 PM

Is anyone else watching this Thoroughbred? A six-year-old, she now has 19 consecutive wins and lookin' stylish.

I've just come from You Tube- I was sitting here crying like a baby. Does anyone else love to see a horse in action?

Subject: RE: BS: Zenyatta! A Mare to be Remembered
From: gnu
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 02:56 PM

HOLY MOLY!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Zenyatta! A Mare to be Remembered
From: gnu
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 03:04 PM

2010 Clement Hirsch Stakes.... DITTO!!!

What's #19 Ebbie?

Subject: RE: BS: Zenyatta! A Mare to be Remembered
From: gnu
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 03:06 PM

Hahahaa... I just found it. It's the one that reads 19th win.

Subject: RE: BS: Zenyatta! A Mare to be Remembered
From: gnu
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 03:12 PM

I'd admit to a few te... ah, sniffs of joy but I am a good ol boy and we don't admit.

What a joy to watch! An amazing horse.

Just me or did it look like she was bowing her head in appreciation of the accolades from fans before the gate in the 19th win? or was that the groom pulling her reins?

Subject: RE: BS: Zenyatta! A Mare to be Remembered
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 03:26 PM

What a Beauty!! Thanks, Ebbie, I've got tears rolling down, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Zenyatta! A Mare to be Remembered
From: GUEST,Ebbie, housesitting
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 03:49 PM

All smiles here now- I don't really know why it made me cry but I'm glad that I'm not the only one who reacts that way. Pure beauty to watch.


When I was growing up, my father was a horse trainer so we had tons of horses. Among them were a few exceptional ones.

One was 'Trueboy', a retired thoroughbred trotter. My family has lots of stories about him- a very human-oriented animal.

So yes, I can vouch for the fact that they- or at least some horses - know when they';ve won- and when they have mightily pleased their people.

Subject: RE: BS: Zenyatta! A Mare to be Remembered
From: open mike
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 05:35 PM

wow...i didn't think i would, but i got excited, too,
seeing her come from behind and pass them all!! (win # 17)

Subject: RE: BS: Zenyatta! A Mare to be Remembered
From: clueless don
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 08:56 AM

As I have been given to understand it (the truth is that I don't understand it - I am almost completely unknowledgeable about horse racing), the knock on Zenyatta is that she hasn't shown that she can win on dirt tracks (I'm repeating what Washington Post columnist Andrew Beyer has written.) The big test is supposed to come this November at the Breeder's Cup - on a dirt track.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Zenyatta! A Mare to be Remembered
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 11:36 AM

A bit of the Alydar about her. I love come from behind horses. Or maybe I love quirky horses.............Seattle Slew hated training, always exercised very poorly, a trainer's nightmare until the race---where he ran out front and simply destroyed the competition. I think he's the only triple crown winner that was never beaten.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Zenyatta! A Mare to be Remembered
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 12:19 PM

I don't know enough about her history but found this on last year's Breeders Cup site. Unless they misspoke, she has won on dirt tracks.

"Strengths: Massive filly can make her own race, not needing pace help, and finishes with a flourish like few before her. She's a picture of perfection over varying racing surfaces and circuits, winning on dirt and all-weather tracks. Has exhibited the ability to put away her competition and win with ease where expected. Zenyatta owns a clear-cut victory over reigning Champion Mare Ginger Punch on a neutral track at Oaklawn Park.

"Weaknesses: Immense talent has scared many challengers away, so she's not well-versed against a big field of top-class rivals. Given her late-running style, she could be challenged if a big field showed up at the Grade 1 level; though she did rally to beat 11 sprinters in her maiden debut. Simply put, there are few flaws."

http://www.breederscup.com/bio.aspx?id=30441

One thing I consider against her: her age. At 6 she is in her prime but she is a good three years older than most of the up and coming racers. She wasn't in the Triple Crown competitions; she didn't even start racing until the end of the year she turned 3.

One of the amazing things about her is her size. I have seen 17 hand geldings before but never a 17 and a half hand Thoroughbred mare. When she bursts into gear, her stride eats up the track.

Subject: RE: BS: Zenyatta! A Mare to be Remembered
From: gnu
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 02:17 PM

Yes, she is tall and the stride is deceptive. Her float time in the last stretch almost seems to vary, ever so slightly, depending on what she needs to do to win. Now, I don't know what I am talking about but that's the way it appears to me. Has my comment any merit?

In any case, she is thrilling to watch.