I've been following Buena Vista for the last four years and was so glad to see her win the Japan Cup. It was so deserving after last year's disqualification and this year's tough losses where it took track and stakes records to beat her. I still can't believe she went off in the JC at 5-1 here in the States?! Looking forward to her to taking on the Japan Triple Crown winner in the Arima Kinen, one of the biggest races of the year that nobody is talking about?! I'm a big fan of Buena Vista and will miss watching her run.
I think the matchups could materialize to support a "point system" if racing implements a modified version of the old ACS race series where horses would be required to race in more than one race outside of its "home region" in order to encourage more head-to-head matchups. You could also do what Oaklawn attempted to do for the 2010 Apple Blossom and offer huge bonuses to attract matchups. Horses that run in the Breeders Cup should also receive bonus points over horses that chose to skip facing the competition at the Breeders Cup.
I really like the "point system" concept, especially if it takes into account strength of schedule and competition. A Grade 1 win over multiple G1 runners should receive more points than a Grade 1 win over no G1 runners. Unfortunately, I don't think the East Coast media voters will suppoport this concept because it strips them of their power over the HOY winner.
If Blame had not lost to Haynesfield by 4 lengthes in the JC Gold Cup or had beaten Zen by a wider margin than a head, perhaps he may have won the HOY?? Between the HOY award and Rachel's flop, it looks like you "Zen haters" will remember 2010 for a very long time. Enjoy.
Thought my horse Shackleford was looking good entering the stretch and thought he might hold on, but it was not meant to be. I never considered the winner. I thought synthetic horses aren't supposed to win on the dirt?
Icyhot: You "Zen haters" crack me up. Zen loses by a head in the BC Classic in only her third start on dirt and now she sucks?! So does this mean that Haynesfield was superior to Blame since he beat him by 4 lengthes in the JC Gold Cup. And do you consider Persistently superior to Rachel Alexandra since she beat her in the Personal Ensign. Zen was the 2010 HOY so stop your crying.
Luv/T44: This jealousy and bitterness is why fans will probably never get a chance to vote on awards like the Eclipses, unlike the Cartier awards in Europe where fans do get to vote. But what we really need is a point system based on graded stake victories to determine the champions, but I doubt the media would support that since it takes the decisions out of their hands.
Hey, Tim, if you're so annoyed, then why do you keep returning to this Zenyatta site? Can't you, Dummy (AAF), and Thead (CS 101) go find a Rachel web page (if you can find one)?? Go spread your hate and jealousy somewhere else.
If Zenyatta is so overrated, then can anyone else name a female racehorse who has also won at least 13 Grade 1 races while beating 21 different Grade 1 winners plus an additional 14 Grade 2 winners? Since Zenyatta has won more Grade 1 races and beaten more Grade 1 winners than Rachel, then doesn't that make Rachel even more overrated??
If he stays at a mile, think about this potential Breeders Cup Mile matchup: FRANKEL vs. GOLDIKOVA