[Edit]

2012 New Orleans Ladies (LS)

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Date/Track:

3/17/2012, Fair Grounds Race Course

Post Time:

4:50 PM CT

Distance:

1 1/16 m (Dirt)

Age/Sex:

4+ F

Time:

1:42.79

*Rank is current Power Ranking among all active horses, based on highest HRN rating. Rating is based on HRN member voting.

Fin

Silks

Horse / Sire

Rating

Trainer / Jockey

Last Start / Next Start

1st

Havre de Grace
Saint Liam

8.21

J. Jones
R. Dominguez

1st, 2012 New Orleans Ladies (LS)

Aug 21 - Alabama Stakes (G1)

2nd

Juanita
Mineshaft

6.67

M. Maker
R. Napravnik

8th, 2012 Claiming Crown Tiara Stakes (LS)

Oct 1 - Indiana Oaks (G2)

3rd

Sterling Madame
Unbridled Energy

4.45

T. Amoss
J. Graham

5th, 2012 Iowa Distaff (LS)

Sep 4 - ElP MSW (9/4/2011-R8)

4th

Distorted Love
Distorted Humor

4.39

H. Pitts
R. Eramia

7th, CD AlwOC (11/8/2012-R9)

May 4 - CD Allow (5/4/2011-R8)

5th

Annabel Lee
J Town

K. Schwartz
J. Jacinto

8th, AP AlwOC (7/13/2012-R6)

May 1 - Tam AlwOC (5/1/2011-R3)

What the Nation is saying about the 2012 New Orleans Ladies (LS)...

Goodbye to Gracie

While writing my congratulations blog to Johnny V on his recent induction into the National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame I learned the disappointing news of Havre De Grace. While trying to be upbeat and excited for Johnny V finally getting the nod to join our Hall of Fame, I am fighting back fee...Read More

Show All 7 Comments
BrianZipse · Grace was nothing but consistent excellence over the past three years. She will be missed ... Congratulations to Johnny V! · 392 days ago ·

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railbird33 · Nice tribute Brian, the toughest thing in this sport is watching horses exit early. We always expect them to finish their time after more racing. · 392 days ago ·

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BrianZipse · This was written by Angie. · 392 days ago ·

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Capper · Hope with all the 2yo males from last year's BC making it to the Derby, some will progress even more and fill HDG's shoes by the end of the year. · 392 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · Angela, that was very well written, with a lot of love showing through. You captured the emotions Grace brought up with your very fine blog. Great job. I will miss her, too. Very respectful to all the fine ladies of racing in the past few years, Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, Blind Luck and Havre De Grace. (by age) · 392 days ago ·

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AnnaK · A lovely tribute. Given that she only ever added to racing, gave her best and did so well, and we were expecting at least another year,(too short!) very sorry to read this is it. She is truly admirable. Wish her a long happy life. · 392 days ago ·

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TampaBayDowns Fan · who is she breedin too? · 392 days ago ·

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Havre de Grace takes the path of least resistance

As compelling, or not, you found her seasonal debut, I believe the more interesting thing is all the talk surrounding where her connections chose to make her first start of the year.Read More

Show All 105 Comments
AndyScoggin · I don't think HDG will be dodging any competition this year! · 429 days ago ·

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stevebiscuit · My problem is that Zenyatta was castigated for supposedly taking the path of least resistance in 2010, despite running exclusively in grade 1s and giving plenty of weight to her rivals. My feeling is that Grace will get a pass for doing the same thing, minus running only in grade 1s and carrying weight. Kind of a double standard. She's proven she can beat a so-so group of males as we saw in the Woodward(which has been reduced to a mere prep for the Classic), so it wouldn't surprise me if they opted for the Breeders Cup Distaff this year. · 429 days ago ·

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zatt · Steve, I didn't rip in to Zenyatta in 2010, saying all along that if she ended up in the Classic, that would be enough for me. But the point of this article is for much the same thing ... I have seen the ruthless talk already beginning, just because Grace began the season in an ungraded stakes race. · 429 days ago ·

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WesWhite · Facts are hard for some people to swallow, unfortunately this could start another one of those debates again, there is no doubt that the quality of the field that Grace ran against yesterday was pathetic, but that's happened 1 time in her career, Zenyatta on the other hand faced the likes of much less than Juanita 10+ times in her career, if you can explain away the Gambler's Justices and Cherryblossommiss's on the resume of Zenyatta then it would be ok to say that if FHF seeks out and intentionally looks for the weakest of filly and mare competition that a comparison could be made, unfortunately it can't, Zenyatta never once faced males from Jan-Oct 31st of the year, alas two classics, and while that is or was ok for some, she was never put through a true championship campaign, and for many others that was not enough, Grace has a open company win on dirt against males in a legit race during the actual season of racing, not ducking races and consistently taking on weaker fillies and mares, Zenyatta doesnt have credentials of this nature because Jerry Moss wanted to Prep all year long and not even challenge her before the first week in November. This method is not considered championship racing, its called ducking the rest while they beat up on each other, so when Grace continues to seek out mediocre fillies and mares 2 or 3 more times in 2012, then we can draw a comparison, until then just enjoy the Grace of the "Queen of American horse racing" Havre De Grace. · 429 days ago ·

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AmbitiousD · Brian, this article hit the nail right on the head. I would rather watch a slow comeback to 2012, then seee Gracie retired. She has a lot of good races left in her, and I can't wait for when she meets what is starting to look like a great male handicap division. · 429 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · I love Grace. Tired of this race already. Moving on to better things for her. · 429 days ago ·

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andiggs · Nothing wrong with an easy tune up on your first time back. How effortlessly she looked was what impressed me. · 429 days ago ·

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footlick · Sorry andiggs, but everything about this race was wrong. As Mary Z said, let's just move on instead of rehashing old arguments, as Wes would like to do. · 429 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · It was her first race back, I really don't mind that she ran here first time back as long as the rest of her campaign is competed in grade two, grade one...I say grade two because of the Del Cap, which should be a grade one. Personally I think she will take to Santa Anita better than CD. In her two attempts at that track she has raced "ok" just not her normal knock out punch. · 428 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · It was just a tune up,,, Shes gonna face the boys 2-4 times this year i believe. These connections know they have a beast in their barn and fear no horse. Im not saying she will win every race she is entered but she is super consistent and it will take a great performance to beat her by any horse in 2012 · 428 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · BIG differnce between HDG and Z ... HDG will race on different tracks and face the best multiple times in 2012. Not wait for 1 race. · 428 days ago ·

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bellesforever1 · Grace has nothing to apologize for..thought this was a settled matter as her connections ran her outside the comfort zone last year .How does anyone argue with her time? · 428 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · for the short memoried revisionist individuals who posted prior to me, i seem to recall that z raced in all graded races leading up to her appearances in the breeders cups. · 428 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · Graded or not they · 428 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · were fairly uninspired where as we have multiple big races with HDG to look forward to · 428 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · this article was good until the mention of zenyatta, which made for a very poor analogy since z always raced in graded races, and always gave away pounds. · 428 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · I believe the article was making an indirect statement about HDG and Z.. Even if it didnt no one wants her to do the Z and play it safe in 2012.. Heres to HDG and another championship campaign.. · 428 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · I have no problem with this as a prep race, as you mentioned in the old days many trainers would bring a horse back off a layoff in an allowance race. The difference is back in those days the horse would run 7 or 8 more times in a year. Racing today is different, many of the top horses only race 4 or 5 times and rarely face other top horses before the Breeders Cup. This years group of older female horses is one of the deepest in years, lets see how many times Havre de Grace, Awesome Feather, Royal Delta and the other top fillies face each other before the Breeders Cup. If recent history is a guide it will not be too many times, and this is one of the biggest problems in racing. · 428 days ago ·

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cpsoren121 · Can't we just enjoy HDG and what she represents? · 428 days ago ·

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travel_vic · No knock on the quarter horses as I spent my youth following Kaweah Bar at Los Alamitos.......ONCE the casinos get their foot in the door, THEIR MBA;s start working out how to get rid of horse racing, THAT is the point · 428 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · @tim.....sorry, but you have no idea what you are talking about. · 428 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · I believe alot of peolple share the same opinion as myself.. Id way rather have Larry Jones Train my horse than Sadler... At leasat · 428 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · he is not afraid to take a chance with his star. · 428 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · i personally like grace, but i want to see 2 things out of her before i entertain the trash talkers. (1)come west and win a grade one race. (2) win a breeders cup race. then and only then will i entertain thoughts of her being great. most horses can win a woodward. but step up and win a bc classic, or at least a bc ladies classic. i'm rooting for her to do so, though she won't have a chance against game on dude. but any comparison of grace to zenyatta is just lunacy at this point. you're comparing an 8.5f horse to a 10f superstar. · 428 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · I personally like zenyatta but out of two races at 1 and 1/4 miles she had ran twice and only won 1. Does this make you a superstar? lol But this id a HDG discussion and I cant wait to see her in 2012 and 2013! · 428 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · tim....is that the best you've got? has grace even won a 10f yet? 2012 will be grace's final season. you heard it here. · 428 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · I haven't seen any comments in which HDG has been called great. Why not just post, "I love Zenyatta over all else." at her sites? · 428 days ago ·

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dubby30 · Its amazing to see the word lunacy from Craig Bradshaw who just touted a horse as a superstar at a certain distance that only won at the distance 1 time in her 20 race career. I laugh so hard at some of the posts people make, its like they have only been around the game for 2 or 3 years and ONLY know Zenyatta. Consider the fact that her connections ducked the top 10furlong races at her home track to run in 8.5f elongated sprint distances at which she recorded some mediocre times is the reality of the matter.And everyone of the races that she ran in out in California other than the 2 BC races that currently have ******* listed by them due to the surface she won the races on being removed were all Optional claimer in Quality. Those fields looked quite similar to the Ladies that Grace ran in over the weekend. But back to the 10 furlong superstar, Zen was 1 for 2 at the distance and 0/1 on dirt, now considering the fact that Music Note and Proud Spell both have a 10 furlong win on dirt, that would make them 10 furlong Mega stars, and here’s an even better one, Blind Luck with 2 mile and a quarter wins would dwarf Zenyatta. Reality evades some people, but the question is where would the Lava Man with 3 10 furlong wins and Curlin with 5 10 furlong wins rank, that’s the real question, would they be super duper mega stars Craig, and before u backtrack let me quote you.“any comparison of grace to zenyatta is just lunacy at this point. you're comparing an 8.5f horse to a 10f superstar.” Your words, no one else’s. Im laughing while im waiting for this response, lol. · 427 days ago ·

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travel_vic · lets not start this tired point. ZENYATTA is and was a phenom almost on par with Secretarit for shear contranergy wonderlust...She should ot be but was · 427 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · tv, help us out. Absolutely no idea on what you said this time. Maybe it was cut off? · 427 days ago ·

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dubby30 · I think he said that he wants to compare Zenyatta to Secretariat but that there is no way he could do that due to the sure lackluster career resume she has at the top level of competition. · 427 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · considering that grace has lost 6 times to females, finished 4 of 6 times behing the better blind luck, has ducked coming to the west coast, has only won the woodard, a notoriously wimpy race, against males, dubby and tim are sure spewing a lot of trash about how great she is. and, of course, dubby, being a stonestreet stables sycophant, is always afraid to mention his horse rachel, ducking zenyatta and the breeders cup. and dubby, didn't zenyatta come closer to winning 2 bc classics than curlin, or did you conveniently forget that to fit your otherwordly agenda? · 427 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · No, I still don't see those comments about greatness, but believe me, I can see all of the agendas. · 427 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · @dubby30, Love may be blind but you dubby have shown me hate can be all consumming. Please get the help you so desperately need. · 427 days ago ·

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footlick · And I thought we were done with this. Silly me.... · 427 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · I saw on Blood Horse that they will not run in the Apple Blossom if the weight is too high. Now I know trainers like to say stuff like this to influence the racing office to keep the weight low on their horse so it will show up, but a Horse of the Year should be willing to carry 124 lbs or so which seems to be the top weights assigned in todays racing. · 427 days ago ·

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boxersdaddy · If I may weigh in on this, this guy Wes "Dubby" White sounds jealous, old, and tired, like his arguments. · 427 days ago ·

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boxersdaddy · BTW, count me in as another who would want to see HDG win a breeders' cup race before the sensationalism about her gets going. As I see it at this point, Game on Dude, and Ruler on Ice, like BL, have the upper hand on her. · 427 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · Wow...Another War about Zenyatta. I love Zenyatta but when people try to compare her to Secretariat, I start hearing the LOONEY TUNE music. "Potential and Reality"! · 427 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · There is a big differences between the two.... · 427 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · If your going to compare Zenyatta to someone go Silky Sullivan. Both west coast stars, Zenyatta just could hold over distances. Silky could fall farther back. · 427 days ago ·

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saracoffey · Zenyatta was overrated. Put her 20 races on dirt and she loses at least 5 of them. Hiding in CA when all the real action is on the East Coast never impressed me. I always said, once they shipped her to the East Coast and entered a legitimate grade 1 she would lose. And she did. End of story. At least Havre earned HOTY on the track unlike Zenyatta. · 427 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · I ought to move to the west coast. Really should. I can't put up with any of this "Zenyatta overrated.. crap crap crap" anymore. Zenyatta was trained like a regular horse, not a champion. Part of her immortality is her training, she went through prep after prep after prep to the final result - the Classic. Any horse, claimer, allowance winner - I don't care, that wins from 20+ lengths back is going to have a bit o' fame. Zenyatta was a devil in the west, almost a ghost from the 50's and 70's. She wasn't our G1 champion like Curlin, who would have had nothing to the 50's and 70's champions, she probably could have beaten or been valiant in defeat, like w/ Blame against most of them. She isn't any Secretariat or Ruffian, but she isn't a Rapid Redux either. · 427 days ago ·

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Floridaf · Normally I avoid the Zenyatta/Rachel Alexandra/Havre de Grace comparisons/arguments like they have the plague, but I have a few things to say. First of all, it’s not just Wes’s arguments that sound tired and old. All of yall’s arguments sound tired and old because they ARE tired and old. Forgive the expression, but yall are beating a dead dog here. This argument has been made a thousand times on dozens of different threads. Secondly, it’s all apples and oranges anyhow because these three great fillies did not face the same competition, for the most part. Thirdly, I actually think Wes’s argument concerning Zenyatta has some merit. Now, before yall start throwing the virtual stones at me, hear me out. Yes, Zenyatta did not always face the highest level of competition. BUT she did not choose her races, so it’s not her fault. Furthermore, horse racing in this economy is about netting returns. Horsemen cannot afford to take the same risks that they could in the Golden Era; therefore, they play it safe. It works out good for their pockets, but it detracts from the glory of the sport for the fans because MOST horses do not face top level competition more than a few times. You have only to look at this year’s Derby prep races to realize that. Since I mentioned the economy, I’ll reiterate another point one more time: the tanking economy has caused regionalism to rise. Most horses are not going to travel from coast-to-coast on a regular basis. It is what it is. When the economy gets better, so will the races because THEN horsemen will be able to afford to challenge their competition on the opposite coast. Lastly, as much as I like Grace, Blind Luck was the better filly. She came out on top four out of the six times her and Grace met on the track. Grace is a nice filly. She’s not nearly as popular as Zenyatta (cue the mob ready to stone me), but she’s still doing great things for the sport. End of story. · 427 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · i can always count on sara coffey to make a dumber than a bag of hammers statement. sara....you are a stone cold idiot! · 427 days ago ·

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Floridaf · Really, Sara? Forgive me, but I don't recall saying all horse owners and strapped for cash. My point is that most are looking for a return in their investment. And you can leave the name-calling in grade school where it belongs. Thank you. · 427 days ago ·

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WesWhite · Actually Craig if you scroll up you will see the most ridiculous statement ever posted, and believe me when i say that the statement that I saw would make one wonder if you'd ever viewed or had a love for Horse racing before ehh, 2009, lol but here's the statement. Let me quote it: "you're comparing an 8.5f horse to a 10f superstar", Craig, I would need u to provide verification by means of listing the Races, that's plural that your 10f Superstar won and had the chance to prove her mettle in. I'll wait, and this is for you to answer Craig. Thanx, i'm waiting. · 427 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · 10 F superstar lol 1/2 · 427 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · @CraigBradshaw -"CraigBradshaw · i can always count on sara coffey to make a dumber than a bag of hammers statement. sara....you are a stone cold idiot!" Maybe is was maybe it wasn't but your statement was pure and absolute rudeness for which there is no excuse! Sometimes tempers run high and things are said but that is extreme, cowardly and just mean.BTW Please stop giving youself a "like" every time you post. · 427 days ago ·

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TroyTaylor · Quote from article: " Last year she again took on her top competitor a couple times, before challenging the big boys in the Woodward" The Woodward (Big Boys???). I just have to laugh at you when you say pathetic statements like that. ROTFLMFAO! · 426 days ago ·

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TroyTaylor · Quote from article: a’ la Zenyatta". The only one who avoided the competition and ran off and hid is: Rachel Alexandra. Your 2009 HOTY avoided Zenyatta and a 5 million dollar purse for a reason. Jess Jackson didn't want Zenyatta eclipsing Curlin's earnings record. · 426 days ago ·

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TroyTaylor · The Woodward last year was a joke (...kind of like the clown that wrote this article). · 426 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · Enlightening fb page for TT. · 426 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · Please tell me this is not the Hastings trainer. · 426 days ago ·

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goldmerry · Havre de Grace is a wonderful, beautiful mare. Zenyatta and Rachel are, too. They are all individuals, placed on their racing path by humans. So, instead of dogging out these wondrous creatures, you need to be dogging out their human connections. Even the slowest old plug on the track has dignity, and has given his/her all for your enjoyment. Please give them the respect they deserve, and they all deserve your respect. · 426 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · I understand people having a good debate, but "idiot" and "moron." The person you just called an idiot is one of our bloggers and has some very good points about the economy. If you have ever owned horses, you'll know it's not a cheap business, in fact the expenses almost equal what you may win, unless you have a stallion or a couple like Zenyatta. Have you ever seen what kind of money it takes to nominate, then enter a race like the Derby or Classic? Please look them up, because they cost 10's of thousands. While I do think Zenyatta should have taken more risks, I wouldn't have said she should travel...why? The travel expenses, plus nomination fee's, plus entry fee's add up. If you are going to put your horse on a plane to fly 3k miles, then you had better be dang sure your horse is going to be able to win so you don't end up in the hole. · 426 days ago ·

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TampaBayDowns Fan · Its true actually. they do cost money and lots of it! My friend who is a trainer says just to get one to the track (not including buying, but equiptment, care, etc) cost about 20,000.And you dont even know if they can run! Huge risk · 426 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · If you go to the sales and buy a yearling the chance of that horse actually racing is 5%. The bills come from everywhere, trainer, vet, feed, stable, etc. It's not a business for the faint of heart unless you have suffient funds to start. · 426 days ago ·

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Floridaf · Thank you, TBDF and Icy, for lending some more weight to my argument. People have this glorified image of what they think horse racing is. Unfortunately, it's not all glamour and glitz. There is a lot of risk and a lot of hard work, and most people just don't realize that. · 426 days ago ·

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notobsessed · Horse racing must be really boring if we can't find anything new to discuss...same things over and over and over · 426 days ago ·

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wantwoman100 · It must be nice to have so much time to talk about ,what,were's ,could have's ,should have's..Were on the KYT..Who's run this week ,The inside to day at Aqueduct play for the inside of the Track..Two very intersting Horse running at Santa Anita in the same race,can you guess..? I will give them out later..Lets get on with today..Lots of really good races coming up..Best to all the intersting people on the site..Always good for a laugh.. · 426 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · Except for one all of my horses were standardbreds and even though I had good horses I didn't have any that could run in open company thus saving me entry fees for stakes races that many owners who did pay for but never got to run their horse in. I was always following the Most Happy Fella pedigree and I was sure I would get a champion, never did.I was at the sales at the Meadowlands when On The Road Again was sold as a weanling for only $10,000 but didn't realize it until he made a name for himself years later. Luck seems to be almost everything in life because the guy who bought him was clueless.The horse earned 2.8 million dollars and his progeny 68 million over the years. I bought two colts at that sale whose grand sire was Most Happy Fella and were inbred to the Albatross lineage and paid $45,000 for them. Back to the point, the bills for just those two aforementioned horses were enormous and neither one made it to the races.A lot of them did but I never got the big one.I loved it though.Also at that time the entry fees for thoroughbred stakes races was much higher than standardbred and the catch 22 was that you had a date certain when these fees had to be paid even before you had any idea if your horse would even be running in any race. Hidden cost is everywhere. · 426 days ago ·

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Age of Reason · I just had to point out that it is lunacy to say that Secretariat and Zenyatta are not in the same league when Penny Chenery herself told Jerry and Ann Moss that Zenyatta was the female equivalent to Secretariat! ( "I had the boy, and now you have the girl". ) Do you guys honestly think you're smarter than the owner? · 425 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · age......good take, but you will probably have one of the 'geniuses' posting that they do know better, and are smarter than penny or jerry/ann. · 425 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · @Age of Reason: Zenyatta might be awesome but her career is now way close to Big Red. Here is a little fact sheet for you, 3 Race in a span of 1 month, 4 record(3 still stand after 39 years). Go compare Zenyatta career to that... · 425 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · Did I mention that he ran each qtr faster in the derby..... · 425 days ago ·

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Age of Reason · @zxswordxz: Like I said, you think you're smarter than the owner. Do you honestly believe your opinion is more valid than Penny Chenery's? ROFL! Say farewell to your credibility!... · 425 days ago ·

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SteveHerron · I see the haters still have yet to come to grips with the truth. Zenyatta is the greatest female racehorse of all time, probably the best horse since The Bid. No amount of trash talking from the obnoxious minority will erase that fact. · 425 days ago ·

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saracoffey · Personal Ensign was way better than Zenyatta. She didn't hide in CA. · 425 days ago ·

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Age of Reason · @saracoffey: Enough already with the same worn-out East Coast Bias talking points. Winning more consecutive Grade 1s than any other American Horse of the Year (according to Bloodhorse), while carrying up to 129 pounds (Havre de Grace just ducked, what was it, 122 lbs?) is not "hiding" anywhere. Don't forget that Blind Luck, who beat HDG 4 out of 6, chose to ship 3,000 miles away from home to race rather than face Zenyatta in the Lady's Secret (G1). · 425 days ago ·

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stevebiscuit · Age of Reason, thanks for being the voice of reason! · 425 days ago ·

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saracoffey · California Grade 1's are equivalent to East Coast Grade 3 races. I live in TX so I'm not biased. Why race in a 300K race when you can race in a 750K race? That is why Blind Luck didn't race in the Lady's Secret. California racing is not on the same level. Had Zenyatta raced exclusively on dirt in the east she would've been known as just a good mare. · 425 days ago ·

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shadowno · @saracoffey from a Battery Park, East Coast perspective (mine), please tell us a single filly or mare that was campaigned on the east coast who could have given Zenyatta a run for her money? I will wait for your response. · 425 days ago ·

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stevebiscuit · Havre De Grace couldn't even get the better of Blind Luck! Zenyatta would smoke Havre De Grace at any distance on any surface! The favorite for the 2011 Classic would've been at least 20-1 in either of the Classics Zenyatta ran in. · 425 days ago ·

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saracoffey · California Grade 1's are equivalent to East Coast Grade 3 races. I live in TX so I'm not biased. Why race in a 300K race when you can race in a 750K race? That is why Blind Luck didn't race in the Lady's Secret. California racing is not on the same level. Had Zenyatta raced exclusively on dirt in the east she would've been known as just a good mare. · 425 days ago ·

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saracoffey · The only time BL beat HDG she was getting a weight allowance and the effort ruined her. Zenyatta was just a poly specialists. Real horses race on dirt and aren't afraid of flying over the Rockies. · 425 days ago ·

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TampaBayDowns Fan · If you don't mind, Icy, I have a question for you about Standardbreds. · 425 days ago ·

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shadowno · @stevebiscuit. It is now established your friend sara knows nothing with the "only time" statement. No longerworthy of my time or comments, just a troll. · 425 days ago ·

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Floridaf · Saracoffey, that is where you are sadly mistaken. BL and HDG faced each other a total of six times. BL won three of the meetings, HDG won two of the meeting, and BL and HDG finished second and third respectively behind Unrivaled Belle in the 2010 BC Ladies Classic. Additionally, while Zenyatta did run primarily on synthetics, she did race and win on dirt, also. Furthermore, she did fly over the Rockies; she raced at both Oaklawn Park and Churchill Downs, both of which are east of the Rockies. · 425 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Welcome to the club Sara, glad to have a member. Your quite a rookie, but I bet when I'm done with you you'll be fine · 425 days ago ·

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AnnaK · Wasn't Z's problem that she made everything look so easy? She made BC 2009 look as easy as any other race. · 425 days ago ·

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AnnaK · And when tvic gets done with you Sara, you'll be even better. · 425 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · AnnaK, have you ever heard of a joke? Have you ever recognised a joke? If I wrote a couple of sentences could you find the joke? · 425 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · @cocoa2, I thought you found joking "disgusting" as you come here strictly to discuss racing? · 425 days ago ·

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andiggs · Do you people not have anything better to do than argue with your keyboards about a retired broadmare? · 425 days ago ·

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andiggs · Broodmare!! · 425 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · @Age of Reason: Its obvious that you're an rookie. Apparently you 're either blind or just stupid and can't understand my comments so let me put it in layman terms so you can understand.. I never discredit Zenyatta ability as race horse, she was a gifted horse. However, I suggest you stopping listening to others and make your own decision in life. You talk about credibility? Here are facts, Win the Triple crown in a month, set 4 record and 3 still stand, won each in 3 different style. Ran each qtr in the Derby fast than the last. Marlboro Cup (new WORLD record), Man O’War Stakes (new course record), Gotham Stakes (tied track record). Those are my credibility not listening to someone that is probably just trying to be polite. Credibility ly in the facts not potential. Did I mention that he did his as a 3 year old not as a 4 or 5 year old? So please think before you run your mouth. · 425 days ago ·

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Age of Reason · @saracoffey: A "poly specialist", by common-sense definition, would definitely not be a horse with multiple Grade 1 wins ON DIRT who lost the Classic ON DIRT by a head-bob. Your true "dirt filly" who was supposed to destroy the Classic field last year and show the Zenyatta fans how a "true dirt mare" wins the Classic never showed; she's ran in two straight Breeders' Cups with every chance to win, and got beat by daylight both times. You're right, Zenyatta and HDG aren't in the same league; a "dirt-track" mare who can't finish within daylight at the Breeders Cup on the most famous dirt track in America is not in the same league as the only horse to win two different Breeders Cup races! · 425 days ago ·

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AnnaK · Ouch cocoa, and here I thought your humour was quite apparent. I've even complimented you on it elsewhere. And for the record, I like when tvic coughs up the info, however he wants to do it. · 425 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · for my all-knowing friend wes 'dubby' i'm turning 31' white. peyton manning has won one of 2 super bowls in much less exciting fashion than zenyatta in 2 bc classics. i don't know of any sports expert who say that peyton is not a superstar. btw, dubby, why don't you ever mention the great cal-bred tiznow, who won 2 straight bc classics, not letting the euro invaders blow his doors off? · 425 days ago ·

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Age of Reason · Does anyone honestly think that California Grade 1 races are only equal to East Coast Grade III's? Amazombie, Game on Dude, Creative Cause, and reigning champion Older Male, Acclamation all might have something to say about that!...(the arrogance is staggering, is it not?) · 424 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Most grade ones are equivalent, but it is just that there are many more grade one caliber horses east of the Mississippi and I am from California saying that. · 424 days ago ·

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Age of Reason · @travel_vic: I gotcha. :) You've got a valid point--though obviously, as you pointed out, quantity does not necessarily equate to quality. · 424 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · BTW...to be politically correct. The horse have nothing to do with what their connection do so shouldn't the title say Harve De Grace connection? Just being a wise guy...ehhehehhe · 424 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · @ 1 1/8 mile Rachel could. Please don't bring up her 4yo season where she was a ghost of herself. · 424 days ago ·

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shadowno · If horses such as Open Mind, Glorious Song, Genuine Risk and even the great Davonna Dale have been critiqued for their late career losses why should any modern animal get special treatment. Did the rules change regarding how the balance of a career is viewed? · 424 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · Were all of them gutted as 3yos as she was also? · 424 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Open MInd never made it to her 4 year old season under D Wayne's great care · 424 days ago ·

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shadowno · An opinion and a moot point, but for the record Open Mind ran 11 times as a 3YO and Glorious song faced the starter 33 times between 3-5. · 424 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · icy.....why is everyone so afraid to admit that ra, in her 4 yr. old season, finally raced against females that were her equal or better, instead of always pulling the "gutted" card? · 424 days ago ·

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travel_vic · a very good friend and long time reporter for the Sratogan used the world "used up" forRA's last run and he was right there and said: too bad theyused up everthing she had in one season.e · 424 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · tv.....if that is the case, and it is strictly observational opinion, then, going by the data, how would a "gutted" horse get 2 100+ bsf's in her 4th yr. campaign? being that the data doesn't support the observation, it just is inconsistent to me. · 424 days ago ·

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footlick · there is a theory that a hard race like that can sour a filly. But I think it was a mixture of both the hard race and the other horses being more mature. · 424 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · footlick, thanks for pointing out the difference the age factor plays in horse reaching physical and mental maturity, have a nice day, foolick. · 424 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · sorry meant have a nice day footlick, I do that a lot, lol. · 424 days ago ·

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Horse Racing Week In Pictures - Mar. 19

Check out the latest images from Eclipse Sportswire, highlighting the best races and horses...Read More

Show All 1 Comments
AndyScoggin · Beautiful photos. Nothing more photogenic than race horses! · 428 days ago ·

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Groupie Doll Set Up for Big Effort in Inside Information

The eyes of the horse racing world are likely to zero in on two races in particular this weekend: a one mile allowance race featuring two undefeated three-year old colts at Gulfstream Park and the mile and a sixteenth New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds featuring the reigning Horse of the Year. While...Read More

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zatt · I'm all in on Groupie Doll! · 430 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · wow, me too, lol. 9,5,6,11 · 430 days ago ·

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Floridaf · I feel that this is her race to lose, but I also like R Holiday Mood. Should be an interesting race! · 430 days ago ·

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GregRiessland · hot summer was so close, dang. but she finally beat groupie doll · 430 days ago ·

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Floridaf · Groupie Doll probably needed a little extra distance, but Musical Romance was best today. · 430 days ago ·

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Havre de Grace Cruises In New Orleans Ladies

Reigning Horse of the Year Havre de Grace began her 2012 campaign with an easy gallop in the New Orleans Ladies at the Fair Grounds.Read More

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icyhotboo · $8.80 tri- talk about xmas in March. · 430 days ago ·

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Havre de Grace Faces Four in New Orleans Ladies

Reigning Horse of the Year Havre de Grace will make her long awaited 2012 debut in Saturday's $150,000 New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds Race Course. Read More

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Mary Z. · Sad. · 433 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · Oh, wait. I'm supposed to be understanding if not thoroughly delighted that she's exercising in this??(I don't have a noun for it) and then she can theoretically go on to win was it 7 grade 1's throughout the rest of the year? I have not been that high in my life, and I will not take that back. · 433 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · In the old day many trainers would bring a horse back off a layoff with a start in an allowance race, this is todays version of a prep race. I am going to bet Rosie's horse, Juanita, you never know, it happened in 2010. · 433 days ago ·

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TampaBayDowns Fan · Juanita won the 2011 Indiana Oaks, right? · 433 days ago ·

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footlick · Mary Z- I agree with you 100%. This race holds no interest for me at all. · 433 days ago ·

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KyOaksRunner · Way too easy of a comeback spot for the Horse of the Year. · 433 days ago ·

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AnnaK · Where is Zenyatta when you need her. · 433 days ago ·

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stevebiscuit · We'll see if I can cash in like I did with Zardana. It's a bit sad that the HOTY is carrying less weight than an allowance horse who only broke her maiden 3 months ago. · 433 days ago ·

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footlick · stevebiscuit- so true · 433 days ago ·

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Cardly Knot · YAWN@New Orlean Ladies Sleepover · 431 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · you'll need 40/1 or better as HDG was not abused as was the other filly. · 431 days ago ·

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HorseDynasty · Perhaps maybe they should just eliminate this race altogether. · 431 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · What about those who don't understand the inner workings of training? · 431 days ago ·

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HorseDynasty · Mary Z, I will not get roped in to an argument you so desperately want, especially by twisting what others try to say. · 431 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · Seems like you have more than once wanted to start something with me just because I noticed your about-face. · 431 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · No twisting involved. · 431 days ago ·

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Age of Reason · Too bad John Shirreffs doesn't have another longshot allowance horse for the race this year... :P · 430 days ago ·

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