2010 BC Classic - Will Zenyatta Win?

Will Zenyatta win? YES!

I think.

1. I've never heard that Zenyatta doesn't ship well. From what I understand, Zenyatta shipped very well during her two trips to Oaklawn. She was fresh for the race and returned home healthy and happy. I think the mare would have shipped out of California a lot more in her career if the Breeders Cup hadn't been there for the past 2 years. What's the point of shipping 3000 miles across the country when the biggest race of the year is in your own backyard?

2. I have no idea which surface Zenyatta prefers... she's undefeated on synthetics, but she's also undefeated on dirt! Obviously, she's had more practice on synthetic, but her dirt starts have arguably been the most impressive of her career... the winning margins on dirt were better than her margins on synthetic. Admittedly, her competition in her 2010 Oaklawn start was not very good (but outside Zenyatta, the older female division is very weak). However, her 2008 start was against none other than Ginger Punch who was reigning champion older female... and Ginger Punch had an excellent 2007 and 2008 campaign, so you can't say that she was a flop in 2008, a la Rachel Alexandra.

3. I agree that synthetic favors closers a bit (some synthetic tracks more than others). And I hope that Mikey has Zenyatta moving around the turn rather than waiting for the stretch like he did last year. It's Zenyatta's last race, so there's no reason to keep anything in the tank... let he mare run and see what she can do. In several of Zenyatta's starts, Mikey has had a bit too much confidence in his mare and in the weakness of the competition. He gets within a few lengths of the lead and he quits riding because he thinks that running down the leader will be easy. That said, Zenyatta's running style on synthetic is slightly different than on dirt. In her dirt starts, she tends to be closer to the pace than her synthetic starts. I think that means she likes the dirt surface... she's willing to be more involved early in the race. Then she'll start pulling Mike to the lead a bit earlier than she moves on synthetic.

4. I agree that her competition is better this year, but I believe that Zenyatta can beat anything. The way I look at it, Zenyatta's by far the best closer, so if any horse can beat her, it's not going to be one with the same running style... look at what she did to Life is Sweet. The first time they met, Zenyatta circled around horses while Life is Sweet cut inside at the rail and Zenyatta never gave up any ground to her. Zenyatta's strides are huge, so other horses have to take 2 or 3 strides when she takes one, so no horse is going to beat her without a head start... so I don't think Blame can beat her. I don't think that Quality Road would have beaten Zenyatta last year, and I certainly wouldn't say that Zenyatta got lucky because he was scratched. He's a nice horse, no doubt, but he faded in the stretch, losing to Blame who is also a nice horse, but, like I said, Zenyatta's the best closer, so if Quality Road can get beat by Blame, he can get beat by Zenyatta too. I really like Looking at Lucky... his race in the Haskell was fantastic. But his race in the Indiana Derby was hardly impressive. Lucky was running against a bunch of second rate horses, barely cantering through a slow race, in a ridiculously wet and sloppy track. There was nothing to take away from that race. So does the poor excuse of the prep race take its toll, or does his talent and the strength of his resume earlier this year carry him to a win in his first ever start against a field of older horses that includes a giant undefeated mare who has already won two Breeders Cup races? As for me, I think Zenyatta's got his number.

I could sit here all day and explain the reasons that Zenyatta will win the Classic, and I believe them all to be true... I really believe that Zenyatta's the best horse I've seen racing in my lifetime and she might just be the best horse in the history of American racing. But when she walks into the paddock at Churchill Downs, puts her saddle on, has Mikey on her back, and walks into the starting gate, I'll be as nervous as anyone... I'm always nervous when this mare races... and when she's in the stretch and she hasn't taken the lead at the 1/8 pole, I start screaming at Mikey for waiting too long, but Zenyatta has always come through.

I think Zenyatta has as good a chance to win as any other horse in the race, for the reasons stated above by just about everybody. Obviously, anything can happen in a horse race, and luck plays a part.

That said, I believe she is the most physically gifted horse in the race, QR and Blame included. She is tall, and has a huge butt and an enormous stride. She will also have a weight break compared to the older males, though not against Lookin at Lucky ot the other 3-year-olds. Mike Smith swears he has never gotten to the bottom of her; if this is true then no one knows how fast she can actually run. She always finishes strong and looks like she could go right back in the gate and win again.

The only thing that might be a challenge for her would be an off track. I don't believe she will be scratched even if it rains cats and dogs (Shirreffs has said as much), but she has never run in slop. If it's really wet anything could happen. I will still bet on her to win, but I would also put a few bucks on LaL.

I've got my tickets!

Let's take a look at the obstacles you mentioned.

1) She doesn't travel well - She has traveled in the past to Arkansas and won, twice.

2) Dirt is probably not her preferred surface - Zenyatta is better on dirt than on synthetics. She has won easily twice at Oaklawn, a track that is a good comparator to Churchill. The two largest margins of victory in her career (4 1/2 and 4 1/4 lengths) came at Oaklawn.

3) (3) speed horses can run faster on dirt, than polytrack. So, this is going to affect her usual running style - Zenyatte didn't change her running style when she ran at Oaklawn. Also, horses coming from Poly/synthetics normally don't change their running style for dirt. With a lot of speed in the race, Mike Smith has been known to keep Zenyatta closer to the pack. When Zenyatta hits that far turn, she automatically speeds up and she has a 1200’ stretch to work her magic. They are not saving her for her next race, she is getting that long stretch and she should be coming like a freight train at the end. Additionally, stalkers and closers are the preferred method for winners of the BC. at Churchill.

4) She's facing some tough competition - She faced tough competition last year too. Quality Road will be on or near the lead along with Haynesfield. Quality Road has twice failed to get 1 1/4 miles - tiring both times to be beaten a total of 3 1/2 lengths. Haynesfield is a horse for course and was on a totally uncontested lead when he won the Jockey Club Gold Cup. He won't get an easy lead to nurse in the Classic. Lookin At Lucky is a legitimate threat. He can be placed anywhere. Blame regressed noticeably in the JCGC. IS he over the top or will he be another threat?

In her last two races, Zenyatta ran the last quarter faster than the other three. She has heart, the will to win and she can boast one thing that the rest cannot - she is unbeaten.

Zenyatta has a good chance to win the Classic and be HOTY. Just check the Goodwood and Lady's Secret races. The Goodwood was run at 1:48.39 and the male horses here were all out, jockeys flailing their whips, pushing their horses to the max. In the Lady's Zen's time was 1:42.89 not even whipped and ridden out. She wasn't even running. There is the big difference!! Even Rachel had a hard time at the grade 2 Woodward against a grade 2 Macho Again. She was whipped 21 times. That is probably more whipping on Rachel than Zenyatta's been whipped in her entire racing career. Look there is not a single horse from that grade 2 Woodward in the Classic. Tells you how weak that Woodward was.

I'm with YOU here, and without laying out many of the solid facts, for we all know them. Zenyatta is the most dominant force in horse racing today, on & off the track, and has earned the right to prove nothing. Zenyatta is an amazon, her size is astonishing..I mean have you see her in person..she makes other horses look like ponies, and that’s the biggest factor regarding Zenyatta that a lot of non-believers are totally not considering. Zenyatta is as big or bigger than most of the best male horses in the world!!!!! So, regarding her physicality, and the fact that some say she isn’t strong enough to handle the boys or otherwise, should be put to rest.

She’s awesome, has a heart of hearts! I too hope she wins, above all I wish her safety, and to retire healthy and sound. As a horse racing fan I will cherish her for the rest of my life..she's is what horse racing is all about, and for sure a blessing!

Zenyatta, you go girl.. :)

:)

Well, you know horse racing..always risky..however, I believe she has what it takes to win the BC Classic AGAIN!! Zenyatta is all around exceptional, her performances on the track is undeniable and her unbelievable close finishes is just amazing. Zenyatta certainly keeps me on the edge of my seat when she races...every time. I love her closing style, her shocking closing kick that always leaves me in amazement after the race...always close wins..that's her signature style. Blame looks to be hot here too, he beat Quality Road earlier this year..however, I'm a fan, and a believer that Zenyatta will win again..if not, there's nothing that will stand in the way of the awesome memories. Be safe Zenyatta.

Binary options let users trade in currency pairs and stocks for various predetermined time-periods, minimal of which is 30 seconds. Executing trades is straightforward. The system uses user-friendly interfaces, which even an 8 years old kid, can operate without having to read any instructions. But winning trades is Not easy.

Binary trading is advertised as the only genuine system that lets users earn preposterous amounts of money in ridiculously short period of time. Advertisers try to implicate as if you can make $350 every 60 seconds; if it was true then binary trading would truly be an astonishing business.

However, does it make any sense? Can every trader make tons of money in binary trading? Who is actually paying all the money or the profit to traders?

The first challenge is finding a trustworthy binary broker; secondly, you need to find a binary trading strategy, which you can use to make profits consistently. Without an effective trading strategy, there is no way you can make money in this business.

Learning a profitable trading strategy is possible, You should watch this presentation video https://tr.im/16635

It's probably the best way to learn how to win with binary option

I have little doubt that she will win as there is no opposition from Europe and has shown she can beat almost evey American horse running.

I would like to see Zenyatta run over turf to prove whether or not she is as good as she is thought to be. I would also like to know why she wasn't retired far earlier or is there not much demand for mare breeders in the states?

I really hope she wins, it will probably be really close, she seems to like making people sweat when she races. The race will be the toughest race of her whole career her biggest foe will be Quality Road.

I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best and a safe trip for all horses.

I have this strange feeling inside that's telling me she will suffer the first loss of her career and head to the breeding shed shortly after. Hopefully, I am wrong. But then again, I might be right!.....

*** It's apparent that some people here are big Zen fans and can't handle constructive or negative opinions...lol. I will have embroidered Zenyatta crying towels available for a nominal fee after the BC Classic if needed!.....

** Boy! ..It sure doesn't take much to get people riled up especially if it has anything to do with Zenyatta. Ms. Miami, that is not being rude. It's merely my personal opinion, just like you and everyone else had the opportunity to give. And BTW, keep those thumb-downs flowing, I kind of like them. :- )

**...Nor did I give you a thumbs down, much to your sneaking suspicions of me swinging that way! In fact, I gave a thumbs up to some of the answers!

....Billy Ray "Meikyo"