tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354333762076619269.post7140273918765130818..comments2023-11-17T12:09:40.494-05:00Comments on Foolish Pleasure: Devil’s AdvocateValerie Grashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02696887655473752690noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354333762076619269.post-22783771656245539372009-08-30T11:14:14.919-04:002009-08-30T11:14:14.919-04:00Anonymous said.. "Moss may have spoken foolis...Anonymous said.. "Moss may have spoken foolishly, but give him some slack; he is hammered by the same questions every day. He and his wife epitomize sportsmanship and class."<br /><br />I don't have a dog in this hunt, but I tend to agree with this fella.<br />As great as RA may be, I just can't get over seeing her as a "commodity" bought by Jess Jackson simply to avenge himself for the fact that Curlin was handed his head in the BC last year.<br /><br />I know that's stupid and unfair to the horse, but I just cannot get over that.the Source of the Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16934367378545953848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354333762076619269.post-84889580312892847322009-08-10T18:40:02.475-04:002009-08-10T18:40:02.475-04:00My point is simple, regardless of whether Zenyatta...My point is simple, regardless of whether Zenyatta ever faces Rachel Alexandra or older males, in years to come, she will still be regarded as one of the finest mares of our generation. Zenyatta’s connections are campaigning their horse; they are not campaigning against the competition. Though I would love to see a matchup, I wouldn’t purposely go out of my way to make it happen, when it might not be in the best interest of my horse. Mr. Moss may have spoken foolishly, but give him some slack; he is hammered by the same questions every day. He and his wife epitomize sportsmanship and class.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354333762076619269.post-23830347911623422512009-08-10T15:44:16.946-04:002009-08-10T15:44:16.946-04:00Thank god folks have come to their senses. While ...Thank god folks have come to their senses. While I still love and respect Zenyatta - I felt like I took a bit of bashing over on Facebook when immediately after the race I proclaimed that "Rachel would destroy her on dirt." <br /><br />As for the comment by her trainer...I don't know...he is only human and he is asked ad nauseum about Rachel this and Rachel that - I just chalk that up to a frustration response and don't really hold it against him. He's seemed a classy enough guy throughout the years, so I'd hate to get too bent out of shape over one comment. <br /><br />Let's not forget he also stated that he's not fond of synthetics and that they are detrimental to a horse's stride - thus arming the Jackson camp with a perfect reason for skipping the BC. <br /><br />I wouldn't read too much into it. He struck me as a guy who loves his horse and thinks she's the best in the world - not hard for me to imagine if I were in his shoes. He noted Rachel as being "brilliant" - but yes, part of that brilliance has been in beating males (something Zenyatta has not done), which is all the more surprising given that the older male division is about as weak and ripe-for-the-picking off as it's ever been. <br /><br />Quite frankly, she (Z) should've been in the Saturday Classic last year rather than the Friday version - but admittedly I've never trained a horse and thus defer to the expertise of those who have her in their care. <br /><br />Agree with you though - Rachel is flattered every time her competitors win. At one point I was worried that her 20 length demolitions would "ruin" the horses she had beaten, and thus "soften" her status with time - surprisingly the opposite is taking place. Flashing and Take the Points? Seriously? Wow...seems any horse beaten by 20 by Zenyatta is a "must use" next out. :-)Kevin Staffordhttp://theaspiringhorseplayer.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354333762076619269.post-30959808909920589852009-08-10T13:09:40.646-04:002009-08-10T13:09:40.646-04:00Quite simply, one horse has raced outside her divi...Quite simply, one horse has raced outside her division and one has not. <br /><br />In fact, one horse barely scraped by to win against her own division on Sunday. Although I do attribute that fact to an atrocious ride.<br /><br />Dumbass statement from Moss.Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04966895737564174215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354333762076619269.post-48036808447751176152009-08-10T12:19:47.168-04:002009-08-10T12:19:47.168-04:00thanks for the post - it was my thoughts exactly. ...thanks for the post - it was my thoughts exactly. ugh, Sheriff's statement just set me off. I think the Sheriff's are doing a disservice to Zenyatta's legacy by their smack talk & for designing an easy schedule that makes it difficult to guage her greatness. This morning Haskin published a BH article stating that a perfect horse is extraordinary & that we should enjoy Zenyatta's 'greatness.' Although Z will probably surpass the 'win' meter of Personal Ensign, PE is still the greater horse in my opinion. You are as great as your competition & PE had a much more difficult campaign, faced several champions, & all did this with a repaired leg.ESPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05692028712359330577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354333762076619269.post-75635688253764174722009-08-10T11:59:44.566-04:002009-08-10T11:59:44.566-04:00Can't argue with anything said so far. I woul...Can't argue with anything said so far. I would add that the big sweeping move from far back against Rachel Alexandra would leave her lengths back at the wire. Maybe this was the wake up call that Smith needs to make sure he's a bit closer to the pace and not take her big close for granted?<br /><br />As I've said before, these days we have dirt racing, turf racing and synthetic racing and I fault no owner and trainer that want to keep their runners on the prefered surface. But Admit it, shut up and move on - this goes for both of them, though Jackson has said as much while Moss is sounding a wee bit hypocritical as leg has pointed out.Theodore L. Grevelishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04440633649225153286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354333762076619269.post-4061862990091242782009-08-10T10:34:59.816-04:002009-08-10T10:34:59.816-04:00What a dumb statement for Jerry Moss to make. I ha...What a dumb statement for Jerry Moss to make. I had to rewind my DVR three times to confirm he really did say that stupid comment. <br /><br />Sounds like they're trying to dig up any excuses they can think of now to keep Zenyatta away from Rachel Alexandra. Zenyatta is a sensational mare and deserves to face the very best competition, and she's not going to find it in California, at least not until the Breeders' Cup. And if she doesn't go into the Classic, she would've had the softest 5-year-old campaign ever. These are poor tests for a champion and are a disgrace to her legacy. She needs to face capable males, and only then can we see what she's really got inside of her.Ghostsnapperhttp://ghostsnapper.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354333762076619269.post-59793520915003818922009-08-10T10:04:45.434-04:002009-08-10T10:04:45.434-04:00Hot Dog that was too close for comfort. I sure wou...Hot Dog that was too close for comfort. I sure would have hated to see Zenyatta lose that race. I agree with Leg, about Moss making comments regarding Rachel Alexandra. I believe Moss is afraid Rachel will ruin Zenyatta's perfect record. Too bad Moss won't bring Zenyatta to the east coast & prove which is the better horse. I support Jess Jackson for not wanting to send Rachel to the Breeder's Cup. Rachel has already proven she can beat the colts!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1354333762076619269.post-63415827501922288532009-08-10T09:40:47.093-04:002009-08-10T09:40:47.093-04:00Agreed. Moss has no standing to make comments abo...Agreed. Moss has no standing to make comments about Rachel racing in restricted company when Zenyatta's spent her entire career doing the same. I think Zenyatta is fabulous and probably the best horse on the West coast, possibly in the country. I would love to see her have the chance to prove it.legnoreply@blogger.com