Handle says it all

[Show Me the Wire]

Handle on Zenyatta's race approximately $1.9 mil. Total handle around $12 mil., plus admissions and concessions With millions to be made So. Cal. Race tracks aren't letting this money machine go anywhere.

As her trainer said today we thought about racing elsewhere, but the timing of those races have been wrong. ;)

[PaceAdvantage]

Well then, I suppose Moss isn't interested in winning HOY after all...

She is cementing herself as a regional phenom...that's ok I guess..a major league version of Pepper's Pride...

At least Cigar traveled all over...do you know he visited 9 different racetracks during his streak? East coast...West Coast....Middle of the country...Dubai....

Zenyatta's been to 4 different racetracks since August 2008...and only once stepped out of Southern California...

[Show Me the Wire]

PA:

Money makes the world go round not HOYs. Besides, as of now, QR is a lock for HOY, so might as well chase the undefeated record and line the pockets with purse money.

[Niko]

Well then, I suppose Moss isn't interested in winning HOY after all...

She is cementing herself as a regional phenom...that's ok I guess..a major league version of Pepper's Pride...

At least Cigar traveled all over...do you know he visited 9 different racetracks during his streak? East coast...West Coast....Middle of the country...Dubai....

Zenyatta's been to 4 different racetracks since August 2008...and only once stepped out of Southern California...

You've done it now.... :p

[Edward DeVere]

As her trainer said today we thought about racing elsewhere, but the timing of those races have been wrong. ;)

A number of trainers in this country can sling it with almost any politician you can name. It must be part of the licensing requirement.

[Grits]

Big Mare's a money makin' machine for SoCal racing. Wonder how many of her bobbleheads will be up on Ebay for sale within the next 24 hours???

Maybe SoCal racing's paying Moss & Co. to keep her in town. :lol:

(Like he needs the cash.)

[Zenyatta To Crush]

I'm confused...How can Hollywood Park only draw 12,000 people for Zenyatta Day? Isn't Hollywood only like a 40 minute drive from Santa Anita? Yet Santa Anita draws almost 4 times as many fans when Zenyatta races.

Apparently people out in Cali are too lazy to make the extra half hour drive.

[Grits]

You've done it now.... :p

Didn't he????? :lol: Kinda think he does it on purpose, too.

[PaceAdvantage]

Hollywood isn't as pretty as Santa Anita...maybe that's it...those California types are all about the image.... :lol:

[ronsmac]

I wouldn't call these 250k stakes as chasing the money.If it was just about the money they would have run on the synthetic in Dubai for 10 million.

[Dahoss9698]

Well then, I suppose Moss isn't interested in winning HOY after all...



He is. He just doesn't want to win it on the track. Wants it to be a popularity contest.

I get why California will do everything in their power (like not weighting her down appropriately today) to keep her there. But won't the handle and attendance be way up if she were to show up in the Hollywood Gold Cup or Pacific Classic also? Or are we to believe fans only come out for the filly and mare races?

[Grits]

I wouldn't call these 250k stakes as chasing the money.If it was just about the money they would have run on the synthetic in Dubai for 10 million.

:lol: For real??????:lol:

As a thread header notes, they won't ship her across the Rockies, the peaks of Donner Pass, what the hell makes one think they're gonna ship her halfway around the world to Dubai?

Its the record, darlin', the record.

[Show Me the Wire]

I wouldn't call these 250k stakes as chasing the money.If it was just about the money they would have run on the synthetic in Dubai for 10 million.


Let me clarify this misunderstanding. It is the tracks not the Moss' chasing the money. The Moss' are benefitting So. Cal. racing by staying at home. Handle and profit increase and then purses increase for the locals.

And yet the Moss' get to win purse money, camapign a great race mare, receive recognition, etc. It is win-win for everyone, except for NYRA and CD which are salavating for a piece of the Zenyatta money making machine.

[DeanT]

Its the record, darlin', the record.
If they were so concerned about going undefeated, why did they run her in the BC Classic instead of the Distaff?

[Dahoss9698]

If they were so concerned about going undefeated, why did they run her in the BC Classic instead of the Distaff?

Because they knew it was the only shot she had to win HOY. Luckily, those that voted for the award didn't give it to her based on one race.

The choice of running in this race, coupled with the declaration that they will not ship or run against males anytime soon certainly seems to be all about preserving a record.

[depalma113]

If they were so concerned about going undefeated, why did they run her in the BC Classic instead of the Distaff?

Because they didn't plan on ever running her again.

[Dahoss9698]

It is win-win for everyone, except for NYRA and CD which are salavating for a piece of the Zenyatta money making machine.

I laughed.

[Show Me the Wire]

Well then, I suppose Moss isn't interested in winning HOY after all...

She is cementing herself as a regional phenom...that's ok I guess..a major league version of Pepper's Pride...

At least Cigar traveled all over...do you know he visited 9 different racetracks during his streak? East coast...West Coast....Middle of the country...Dubai....

Zenyatta's been to 4 different racetracks since August 2008...and only once stepped out of Southern California...


Actually, the Moss’ are acting in a noble manner placing the well being of So. Cal. racing in front of the personal goal of HOY.

[Stillriledup]

Actually, the Moss’ are acting in a noble manner placing the well being of So. Cal. racing in front of the personal goal of HOY.

They just want to keep her undefeated, so they're avoiding real competition for the most part. Hopefully Rachel will get her shot at this horse. If Rachel can run a 100 Beyer, she'll beat Z.

[Show Me the Wire]

I laughed.


I thought it was good line

[kenwoodall2]

He is. He just doesn't want to win it on the track. Wants it to be a popularity contest.

I get why California will do everything in their power (like not weighting her down appropriately today) to keep her there. But won't the handle and attendance be way up if she were to show up in the Hollywood Gold Cup or Pacific Classic also? Or are we to believe fans only come out for the filly and mare races?
How much weight is enough for this mare? She gave 9 lbs while JS said her last 2 works were not that good, comments on blowing. How well would she have shipped?

[thaskalos]

Didn't he????? :lol: Kinda think he does it on purpose, too. Either he loves irritating Zenyatta fans, or he gets paid according to how many times he can mention Peppers Pride and Zenyatta in the same sentence......

[Dahoss9698]

How much weight is enough for this mare? She gave 9 lbs while JS said her last 2 works were not that good, comments on blowing. How well would she have shipped?

The weight thing was discussed ad nauseum earlier in the week.

[horses4courses]

Zenyatta's been to 4 different racetracks since August 2008...and only once stepped out of Southern California...

2 Apple Blossoms count as just one trip??

All being well, we should see her at Churchill.

By your tone, you'd think they have been shaking in their boots about shipping her outside California. They have done the right thing with her,
sticking to their targets each year. The East Coast sway was just too much for her to be HOY the past 2 years....that may be the case again this year.

Zenyatta will never get your respect, PA.
Even if she sat down and gave an interview.

[David-LV]

PA:

Money makes the world go round not HOYs. Besides, as of now, QR is a lock for HOY, so might as well chase the undefeated record and line the pockets with purse money.

What happens when Zenyatta beats Quality Road on dirt at Churchill in the BC Classic, who becomes horse of the year??

You see I believe that Big Z is much better on dirt, because it does not take as long for her to get into gear on a real racing surface.

It does not matter fast or slow, dirt or synthetic Big Z will mow them down.

Quality Road is not in the same class as the Big Z when it comes to the last 1/4 mile of any race a mile and an eight or more.

BTW: This goes double for Rachel, if she shows up.
________
David-LV

[BluegrassProf]

The East Coast sway was just too much for her to be HOY the past 2 years....that may be the case again this year.Oh good gravy....you're totally gonna give us bias-banter flashbacks.

Fabulous. :faint:

[Show Me the Wire]

What happens when Zenyatta beats Quality Road on dirt at Churchill in the BC Classic, who becomes horse of the year??

You see I believe that Big Z is much better on dirt, because it does not take as long for her to get into gear on a real racing surface.

It does not matter fast or slow, dirt or synthetic Big Z will mow them down.

Quality Road is not in the same class as the Big Z when it comes to the last 1/4 mile of any race a mile and an eight or more.

________
David-LV


I did say "as of now". Too much east coast voting bias, unless Zenyatta defeats QR heads up or QR loses the rest of his races.

[PurplePower]

Well then, I suppose Moss isn't interested in winning HOY after all...

She is cementing herself as a regional phenom...that's ok I guess..a major league version of Pepper's Pride...

At least Cigar traveled all over...do you know he visited 9 different racetracks during his streak? East coast...West Coast....Middle of the country...Dubai....

Zenyatta's been to 4 different racetracks since August 2008...and only once stepped out of Southern California...If the California tracks were still dirt would that make a difference in your opinion? I have been remiss in my checking on the board and other racing publications and did not know that Only running in Grade I races on dirt on the East Coast were considered quality races.

I hope they bring Zen to the Midwest or East for some dirt races and that she wins them. I hope she doesn't face Quality Road, Rachel, Rail Trip or Goldikova (oh wait, not one of the all time greats -- has only run on turf) until Breeders' Cup Classic. If she does I'll enjoy the race, but I'd like for them all to be undefeated from this point on and meet in a throw down HOY Breeders' Cup Classic.

Also, I have told people all around this country that were hoping to make the move from casual horse player to serious handicapper that this board had the best handicappers in this country as members as far as I was concerned. Now, however, after seeing all the "plastic track" bashing I will amend my reference to "some of the best DIRT track handicappers" I know. Just like with the horses I guess, if a handicapper on this board can only do speed (and/or pace) figures for dirt and can only make a positive ROI on DIRT tracks, or God forbid, he/she chooses to only play two or three tracks where his/her figures produce a profit then that person is just a second class handicapper and cannot be considered one of the greats in this country. :rolleyes:

[PaceAdvantage]

2 Apple Blossoms count as just one trip??Please note the date I cited...since August 2008.Zenyatta will never get your respect, PA.
Even if she sat down and gave an interview.More nonsensical baloney from someone who thinks they know me.

Zenyatta will get my respect as the beat mare ever when she finally beats a fast horse on the dirt. You don't get "best ever" titles from me if you have simply proven to be a regional phenomenon for the most part, or a 2nd (turf) or 3rd (synthetics) surface specialist in a game where the 1st surface (dirt) still rules supreme in the United States.

[PaceAdvantage]

What happens when Zenyatta beats Quality Road on dirt at Churchill in the BC Classic, who becomes horse of the year??Easy. Zenyatta.

[PaceAdvantage]

Tell me Reid. Why in most years are turf horses not considered for year end HOY honors unless the dirt horses are particularly weak?

How many turf HOY have their been?

Do you not consider synthetics a THIRD, separate and distinct surface? Or do you handicap it just like dirt? Do you also handicap turf just like dirt as well? Of course you don't.

Do you see what I'm getting at here?

You can throw all the sarcasm you'd like at my reply, but the facts I present ring loud and clear.

[lamboguy]

Well then, I suppose Moss isn't interested in winning HOY after all...

She is cementing herself as a regional phenom...that's ok I guess..a major league version of Pepper's Pride...

At least Cigar traveled all over...do you know he visited 9 different racetracks during his streak? East coast...West Coast....Middle of the country...Dubai....

Zenyatta's been to 4 different racetracks since August 2008...and only once stepped out of Southern California...
there is probably good reason for them not wanting to ship her like all the great ones before her. she certainly is great, but when you ship a horse it takes its toll especially on older horses. each and every time they come home they lose weight and it gets tougher and tougher to put it back on. truthfully, if they never take ZENYATTA out of california, i think that she would win these types of so. cal graded races at age 10. also keep in mind that her home base is california, and for her to ship 3000 miles away every time to race would end her career in a short time.

[WinterTriangle]

when you ship a horse it takes its toll especially on older horses. each and every time they come home they lose weight and it gets tougher and tougher to put it back on.

How much weight do you think she dropped? She did look thinner........

Next question, since you obviously have experience shipping....how would you handle her at this point?

also keep in mind that her home base is california, and for her to ship 3000 miles away every time to race would end her career in a short time.

How much "career" is really left for her at this point anyway? I'm sure there is no desire to race her til 10, when she could be in the breeding shed, right? I'm thinking the rest of this year, tops, and only IF she maintains/gains weight, condition, etc. There is no real surety that she will even make it til 7 on the track?

I dunno. Every time I talk to somebody who ships, they tell me about all the little problems the horse starts having. Everything from skin allergies to breathing allergies to weight loss, dehydration, etc.

[lamboguy]

one thing we can all agree on is that ZENYATTA is great. like i state before racing is about perception. pace eluded to the fact that she has only shipped out of california once in her career. the great horses had to do it all the time and overcome the shipping. it is a big deal. i don't have any idea how to ship a horse and bring the horse back and not lose weight.

the people that are associated with ZENYATTA reitired her and brought her back. they obviously felt that she loves her routine, and felt that racing her in so. cal is better than her standing on a farm producing babies. the horse just loves to run in races. they have taken the course to make it easier on her to run and stay in california as much as possible.

last year the breeders cup was in their back yard, this year its not. we will see if she shows up to kentucky this year.

[rwwupl]

Talk,talk,talk....People will have their opinions,but what we are witnessing is a mare who will go down in history as among the greatest of our time.

The Owner is a class act,who enjoys to see his horse run...and has not shied from any challenge,and is not swayed by the dollar rewards.

If people are not satisfied with the truth,eat your heart out...no one needs to defend Zenyatta, her record speaks for itself.

rwwupl

[DJofSD]

I'm confused...How can Hollywood Park only draw 12,000 people for Zenyatta Day? Isn't Hollywood only like a 40 minute drive from Santa Anita? Yet Santa Anita draws almost 4 times as many fans when Zenyatta races.

Apparently people out in Cali are too lazy to make the extra half hour drive.

Spoken like some one that's never been to Inglewood.

[Horseplayersbet.com]

Talk,talk,talk....People will have their opinions,but what we are witnessing is a mare who will go down in history as among the greatest of our time.

The Owner is a class act,who enjoys to see his horse run...and has not shied from any challenge,and is not swayed by the dollar rewards.

If people are not satisfied with the truth,eat your heart out...no one needs to defend Zenyatta, her record speaks for itself.

rwwupl
When you take her running style into consideration, and the fact she is undefeated, I have to say that she is the most amazing horse I've ever seen in over 40 years of following horse racing.

40 years?, wow! I started out as a child in the 60's going to the track every chance my parents had.

[Hedevar]

Moss doesn't give a hoot about money he's fine on that count. He is trying to keep Zenyatta undefeated and win Horse of the Year. There he is not fine. He can run against fillies and mares in California and probably keep her undefeated for another two races (no guarantees eg.yesterday). But what does he do at Breeders Cup time? Come up with some nonsense and not run, come up with some other nonsense and run in the Distaff or shoot crap and go in the Classic. Interesting choices.

[NTamm1215]

I'm confused...How can Hollywood Park only draw 12,000 people for Zenyatta Day? Isn't Hollywood only like a 40 minute drive from Santa Anita? Yet Santa Anita draws almost 4 times as many fans when Zenyatta races.

Apparently people out in Cali are too lazy to make the extra half hour drive.\

The attendance on March 13 (Santa Margarita day) and October 10 (Lady's Secret) at Santa Anita was just over 20k both days.

The SoCal racing fans must not have gotten Todd Schrupp's memo about how Zenyatta is the horse that brought racing back to the forefront of the American sports world.

NT

[Robert Goren]

Moss doesn't give a hoot about money he's fine on that count. He is trying to keep Zenyatta undefeated and win Horse of the Year. There he is not fine. He can run against fillies and mares in California and probably keep her undefeated for another two races (no guarantees eg.yesterday). But what does he do at Breeders Cup time? Come up with some nonsense and not run, come up with some other nonsense and run in the Distaff or shoot crap and go in the Classic. Interesting choices. That is why he went to Oaklawn and even agreed to having the race move back a week to accommodate RA. He even honored his word to Oaklawn after RA backed out and ran her for lot less money. Look at the facts before you post this kind of drevel.

[DeanT]

It's always something eh Robert?

They apparently are trying to protect a win streak, so they go to the Breeders Cup Classic, instead of the 1-5 layup in the Distaff.

They agree to the Oaklawn race two races later (in February) against Rachel, but they are still apparently protecting a win streak.

They have said time and time again the BC is the goal this year, but they are still supposedly protecting a win streak.

They have succeeded in keeping a win streak, but saying yes to the BC (a race no mare has won in its history), the AB against the reigning HOY, and another BC in less than 12 months sure as hell makes me think they are doing a pretty bad job of wanting to protect it.

[andymays]

One reason for the handle numbers was that quite a few people thought that the Z was vulnerable yesterday. That helped the handle for that race a bit.

[rastajenk]

Speaking of layups, there was another sporting event important to Angelenos going on at just about the same time, wasn't there? One that could account for some of the more casual fans taking on pass on racing? A pivotal game in the NBA finals?

[Dahoss9698]

Talk,talk,talk....People will have their opinions,but what we are witnessing is a mare who will go down in history as among the greatest of our time.

The Owner is a class act,who enjoys to see his horse run...and has not shied from any challenge,and is not swayed by the dollar rewards.

If people are not satisfied with the truth,eat your heart out...no one needs to defend Zenyatta, her record speaks for itself.

rwwupl

So we're going to have our opinions, but you're going to tell us the truth.

Gee thanks. Forget about the laughable competition for a second. How about that 15 of her 17 races have been on a surface most of the world runs their 3rd and 4th string horses on. There is some truth for you.

[SoCalCircuit]

Don't know if you guys caught sportcenter last night but even they squeezed in a little 20 second shot of Z winning the vanity. Gotta give it to her for atleast doing something to keep racing in the public spotlight. I can tell you QR's huge win in the Met, Blame's win in the Foster, and RA's Fleur got zero seconds of airtime on espn...

[FenceBored]

That is why he went to Oaklawn and even agreed to having the race move back a week to accommodate RA. He even honored his word to Oaklawn after RA backed out and ran her for lot less money. Look at the facts before you post this kind of drevel.

On January 18th, "a day after owners Jerry and Ann Moss announced undefeated champion Zenyatta would return:"
Shirreffs told DRF that no decision has been made on Zenyatta's schedule, but indicated that they would like to return to Oaklawn Park for the Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) in Hot Springs, Ark., on April 3.
-- http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/54862/zenyatta-back-to-work-at-hollywood-park
The Apple Blossom was always their plan. Look at the facts before you post this kind of drivel.

[Hedevar]

That is why he went to Oaklawn and even agreed to having the race move back a week to accommodate RA. He even honored his word to Oaklawn after RA backed out and ran her for lot less money. Look at the facts before you post this kind of drevel.

Get with it maybe you should have gone shopping. My post does not reference anything older than yesterday. It is forward looking not a look at Moss' past motives but what his future actions will be and why. Drivel my butt.

[cj]

Let me clarify this misunderstanding. It is the tracks not the Moss' chasing the money. The Moss' are benefitting So. Cal. racing by staying at home. Handle and profit increase and then purses increase for the locals.

And yet the Moss' get to win purse money, camapign a great race mare, receive recognition, etc. It is win-win for everyone, except for NYRA and CD which are salavating for a piece of the Zenyatta money making machine.

If she races in SoCal a few more times, maybe there purses will reach the heights of a Penn or Philly Park!

[cj]

\

The attendance on March 13 (Santa Margarita day) and October 10 (Lady's Secret) at Santa Anita was just over 20k both days.

The SoCal racing fans must not have gotten Todd Schrupp's memo about how Zenyatta is the horse that brought racing back to the forefront of the American sports world.

NT

I was driving last night from OKC to Gatlinburg, TN...don't ask. Anyway, I forgot about the race, but after listening to the NBA finals I was trying to find out if she won. I have XM, so I had Fox, ESPN, and all kinds of sports stations. I couldn't find a peep about it anywhere for hours. I must have heard 50 sports updates on 5 different channels.

I finally heard the result on a replay of TVG. I even listened for a couple hours on "The Quarters", no dice. (What a painful listen that was, BTW!)

The sad truth is, outside our little racing clique, nobody cares about the sport....NOBODY.

[owlet]

Baseball has leaders like Derek Jeter and Dustin Pedroia; basketball Dwayne Wade and LeBron; football Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

We have guys like Harvey Pack and the Magic Man as our leaders. Do I need to say more?