Sorry we have been absent for longer than we would have liked. I am itching to start back!

We are doing some things with TCI that have caused this delay. Looking for Show No. 1 to be this Wednesday! Cannot wait to dive into the 2011 Triple Crown Trail!

Learn something about Zenyatta (from W. Cothran “Cot” Campbell from Dogwood Stable). Born in New Orleans in 1927, Campbell came from a racing family and has a little more “wisdom” than you do.

In fact, you should just sit down, shut up and listen to his Podcast about who should be “Horse of the Year”:

http://www.dogwoodstable.com/podcast/mp3s/2010_breeders_cup.mp3

Opening Move just ran 3rd on Sunday at AQU. I’m not saying he would have beaten the winner, who won easily, but he had more gate issues. I think maybe he was spooked by his 2nd race, where he fell on his side after stumbling. Buffum is very talented; he ran a 96 BSF in his debut – that’s impressive. Gallant Dreams is nice – not quite top level now, but he’s eligible to improve. I saw Biondetti’s race on replay – not bad at all. He’s going to be a nice little horse for Godolphin because he’s so versatile. Stay Thirsty? I still love him, but what coud you expect running off a layoff since September – a 7 furlong race at that? I wish he was owned and trained by anyone other than Repole and Pletcher because all they are concentrating on is Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty will always be 2nd banana in that barn. I really like him.

Following the Derby is my favorite, so you can bet I’ve already started! Can’t wait to start back on Triple Crown Insider and start following it weekly up to the first Saturday in May. Uncle Mo should top any list because no horse will be faster…it’s sjust a matter of how far Mo can go. There are a handful of Bernardini colts I like and will follow closely as they develop…To Honor and Serve, Buffum, Biondetti, Stay Thirsty, Gallant Dreams, Opening Move, etc. — all talented and well-bred colts with a liscense to be really good 3YOs (Yes, I am and have always been a Bernardini lover, I admit it!)

So what’s your top 20 for the derby?

I agree with regards to Fly Down. He is THE 3yo who I am most anticipating for next year because I think he will improve and be a top Classic contender. Lookin At Lucky, who I obviously love, may have been exposed some Saturday as to how far he wants to really go. Baffert was always concerned that 10 furlongs was a bit of a stretch for the horse and I think we saw that play out some…but with that said, he too should be better next year at 4 and will be a killer in all of the big 9-furlong races around the country. Morning Line is also intriguing and should improve…a beautiful and talented black colt that should handle several distances… I would make him your favorite for the 2011 Donn Handicap right now (to take an early look at the first big handicap race in 2011).

Uncle Mo is simply the fastest 2YO I’ve seen in quite some time. I really wondered how he’d handle stretching out around two turns with pace pressure Saturday, but he not only passed the test – he aced it. Wow, what a colt. Obviously, I will now speculate on exactly how far he’ll want to go…cann he handle the classic distances?? I think we can expect him to be just fine at 9 furlongs…10 will be the question mark IMO. But he is simply brilliant…his speed figures are off the charts for such a young and inexperienced horse.

To Honor And Serve is certainly one bred to handle more ground, so he’s intriguing…he just has that “big horse” look to him the way he moves, and I love how much natural pace he has for a horse that should stretch out. Overall, this crop of to-be-3YOs is exciting… a lot to look forward to in 2011!

I missed Uncle Mo’s performance, but he’s tremendous. I was very, very happy with Fly Down. I was high on him since late last year and even though he hasn’t won much, he generally always runs well. He should only get better as a 4 year old, so hopefully he’ll stay with Zito.

I just don’t know how many times I can tell you that I was more disappointed in Zenyatta’s ride than her performance, which is what I said in the show. And again, nobody is disputing she had an unfortunate trip that may have cost her the race…but whether she lost by a nose or a furlong, that doesn’t matter in this case…the only thing that matters is that Blame won and that cannot be taken away from him. In my opinion, he deserves to be Horse of the Year because of that win and having a greater body of work in 2010 on the racetrack. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me

Again, no double standard. I take BODY OF WORK FOR THE YEAR to determine the horse I think should be Horse of the Year. That is the criteria I believe applies. And I believe Rachel had a historic 2009 campaign worthy of winning HOY…I also believe Zenyatta did. Unfortunately, they only give the award to one horse so somebody had to lose. In 2010, I feel like Blame had the best campaign of any horse on the racetrack. Again, I do not have a vote, just an opinion.

I disagree with your East Coast conspiracy, personally. The proof is in the pudding. Blame – whether or not he was based in Canada, Mexico or wherever, had the best year IMO…he won the Foster over a top horse at the time (Battle Plan), the Whitney over a top horse at the time (Quality Road) and then the BC Classic over the best horses, including Zenyatta. That’s a pretty strong trifecta of wins…and they were all against open company with wins at three different tracks in three different states.

Opposite of what you say, I would think many would believe there was a West Coast bias if California-based voters didn’t vote for Blame on the Horse of the Year ballot

No axes to grind. I was responding to your comment in the video that Zenyatta’s performance was “disappointing.” I am not sure which race you were watching. Blame benefited from a dream trip in his own back yard, and he needed that trip to win by a nose. He won the race, fair and square. But there is no question that Zenyatta turned in the better performance and is the superior horse. She covered far more ground than Blame, and encountered far more traffic issues, and finished with nearly the same time.

There is a growing consensus that Zenyatta turned in the best performance and is deserving of Horse of the Year. Honestly, you remind me of someone, a literalist, who would claim that Exceller had a better performance in the 1978 Jockey Club Gold Cup because he finished in front of Seattle Slew.

Re: Stall, I do not know him. No doubt he is a superb trainer. But there was no need for him to make that remark. No need. Blame’s ears were pinned to the back of his skull in the win photo. Zenaytta ran a longer race, and finished with her ears pricked straight up. Zenyatta, a late foal, is also a six year old mare, not a 4 year old colt. Blame is being retired at an age when Zenyatta’s career was just beginning. I wish the two could have a rematch.

Zenyatta turned in the superior performance for the second year in a row in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. I just find it astonishing that you are employing the double standard: you claimed before that Rachel Alexandra was more deserving of the 2009 Horse of the Year, yet her connections ducked the signature event, the Breeders’ Cup Classic. (For the record, both fillies should have shared the award).

If Zenyatta were based on the East Coast, won five Grade 1 filly races, and then turned in the same performance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, there would be no debate that she was deserving of Horse of the Year. But since she’s based on the West Coast, the goal posts are moved, and the double standard is imposed.

Peace.

You seem to have an axe to grind. But not with me. I cannot comment on what other media/analysts are saying because they’re not saying those things on this website, nor am I aware of any of those things being said.

Bottom line for me is you award the horse that WON …not the horse that almost won. I do understand that. Blame won, so he is Horse of the Year IMO. Opinions on who should have won or ran the best race should not apply in Horse of the Year voting IMO. Only results.

I know Zenyatta has deserved HOY honors in the past so it’s hard for some of her fans to accept her possibly going another year without winning it. But you have to give it to the horse with the best results on the track this year and that’s Blame. Hopefully we’ll see Zenyatta back next year to try again. What a great thing that would be for our sport.

I do agree Zenyatta has done a TON for the sport. But I also think you are overreacting when you talk about her impact. Great stars come and go and all have had their impact on getting horse racing into the mainstream, which is a terrific thing and something we rely on. I can think of Smarty Jones, Funny Cide, Barbaro, Big Brown, Rachel, Zenyatta, etc. in recent years… Europeans will say the same for Goldikova, Sea the Stars, etc. So we rely on those big stars. But at the same time, when one leaves the sport it just breeds opportunity for the next one to come along. Just look at the promise Uncle Mo left racing fans Saturday…wow, what a performance!

Speaking of stars, Goldikova was far overshadowed by Zenyatta this past weekend, and yet she was brilliant breaking the record for three straight Breeders’ Cup wins…destroying a top field of milers. She would have probably received her due a little more in any other year, but Zenyatta clearly overshadowed her this weekend. Breaking news: Goldikova was JUST announced to be coming back in 2011! …so a 4th BC Mile try to come next year if all goes well! Great for racing.

In closing, Al Stall is far from classless, Jim. I know him personally so I can vouch. I know he respects Zenyatta. Of course he feels his horse was best…he would not have run him if he didn’t think he could win….and the horse won….AND he galloped out well past Zenyatta after the wire (which doesn’t always mean anything)…but the point is: Why wouldn’t Al feel like his horse was the best? Of course he should think he was best…they won.

You do not understand horse racing. Yes, Blame won. Fair and square. No dispute about that. But he did NOT turn in the best performance. (Think Seattle Slew losing to Exceller). Blame beneffited from a dream trip over his home track. Zenyatta overcame a lot more, covered far more ground, and lost by a nose. She turned in the BEST PERFORMANCE, for the second straight year in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. She also put horse racing back on the map, Joel. For that, she deserved Horse of the Year. You should know better, Joel. About 95% of your traffic is DIRECTLY attributable to the buzz surrounding Zenyatta.

As for Seth Hancock, he was gloating about the victory, and campaigning for Horse of the Year. Bill Dwyre of the LA Times and Tim Layden of Sport Illustrated called him out on it.

As for Stall, he claimed that Blame and Zenyatta could have went another lap around the race track with Blame still winning. He did not need to say that. Very classless. it’s also not true. If you look at the photo, Blame’s ears are pinned to the back of his skull. Zenyatta’s are pricked straight up. Blame just is not the same caliber of horse as Zenyatta. No wonder they plan on retiring him at 4 years old. That’s the age when Zenyatta’s career was just beginning. Typical Kentucky Blue Bloods: better to maximize the stallion fees while they still can then bring back Blame for a rematch.

“I have never understood the “Zenyatta versus the world” position many of her fans have.”

C’mom, Joel. Get serious. Zenyatta has been constantly BASHED, week after week, by the East Coast turf media, and you know it. Do I need to list the names? Here it goes: Andrew Beyer (Washington Post), Steve Byk (Sirius XM), Ed Fountaine (NY Post), Gary West, Paul Moran (ESPN), Amanda Duckworth (ESPN), Andy Serling (NYRA). Notably, Ray Paulick ran a headline on the Paulick Report regarding Steve Byk throwing Steve Davidowitz off his radio show when Davidowitz said Zenyatta was the greatest mare he had ever seen. Byk also disparaged her, saying she was no better than Pepper’s Pride. Do you deny these facts? Now, can you understand why Zenyatta’s fans get just a little upset with the constant negativity.

I would also note that Byk had Andy Serling (an NYRA mouthpiece) on his radio show this week, along with Lenny Shulman of the BloodHorse. Serling, at Byk’s prodding, started attacking Zenyatta’s connections, and Lenny came to their defense. Today, Lenny appeared on Roger Stein’s radio show in LA and brought up the incident. Lenny said Serling was a jerk. Good for him. Amen.

Another reason why Zenyatta’s fans get a little ticked off, Joel, is this appears to be the third year in a row where she will be ROBBED of Horse of the Year by the East Coast turf media, which had a disproportionate share of the voting in the Eclipse Awards.

I agree he is a top winter book Derby horse along with Uncle Mo. They are 1-2 IMO

Nobody is arguing Zenyatta’s great performance in defeat…I have said for the third time now that she was probably best last night. But Blame finished across the wire first..and collected the 1st place check and got the granite horse trophy and purple & yellow flowers draped over his back. That’s just a fact.

Add that head-to-head win over Zenyatta to the rest of his body of work in 2010 and you have the deserving Horse of the Year IMO. Win 3 G1s as prestigious as the Stephen Foster, Whitney and BC Classic and you deserve it in my book.

Remember, it’s Horse of the YEAR…not Horse of the Career. I agree Zenyatta is probably the horse of the 21st Century so far in terms of her career…but in my opinion Blame accomplished more in 2010 and that’s what the criteria is…you cannot look back before Jan. 1, 2010. As for Rachel, her YEAR in 2009 was probably the best the sport has seen by a 3YO filly in decades. Her body of work for the YEAR made her a worthy recipient of Horse of the Year honors – not to say Zenyatta didn’t deserve it too because she did. But if they were only going to give it to one horse I didn’t have a problem with Rachel winning those honors. And no, I do NOT have a vote ….I am just looking at it objectively. No double standards here…it very simply has to do with body of work for the YEAR.

I did not hear any comments by Blame’s owners after the race…I know Al Stall and I can tell you he was very gracious and respectful to Zenyatta, but Al is a class act. He recognizes Zenyatta’s greatness.

Jim, we all love Zenyatta. I have never understood the “Zenyatta versus the world” position many of her fans have. She’s great for the game, no question. But I think you’re obviously going to extremes here. If she wins Horse of the Year I would have no problem with it. But the bottom line is that Blame beat her and also only lost one race this year while winning 3 top G1s around the country, so he is the deserving Horse of the Year in my eyes

You are wrong. Zenyatta turned in the best performance of that race. Blame had a perfect trip and a clear path to the finish line on his home track. Zenyatta had to angle out far wide, and covered more ground than any other horse in that race, and came up a mere nose short. Besides, where were you last year when Rachel Alexandra did not even show up for the “championship race”? Your double standards are STUNNING. (Also a shame to see how ungracious Seth Hancock was in victory. Both Bill Dwyre of the LA Times and Tim Layden of Sports Illustrated called out Hancock for his ungracious remarks about Zenyatta. I thought Kentucky Blue-Bloods were trained in manners)

Zenyatta is Horse of the Year because she turned in the best performance in the best race, and has meant more to the Sport than any other horse this year. Joel, without Zenyatta, TCI would not exists, the Paulick Report would have zero traffic, and you would not even have this job.

I clearly stated my disappointment in rider and not horse…I was more disappointed FOR horse more than anything because what you say is probably correct about Zenyatta being the best horse in the race.

But results decide championships, and the bottom line is Blame beat Zenyatta in the championship race and only head-to-head start this year. Blame is your Horse of the Year. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to see Zenyatta come back next year to go for it again. I think there is certainly a shot of that. But Blame deserves HOY honors this year for his body of work.

Zenyatta CRUSHED that entire field, with the exception of Blame, who beat her by a NOSE because he benefitted from a great trip on his home track. Besides, Draynay, why are you showing your pathetic face right now? You were saying all year that Quality Road was the better horse. And you also said that Lookin at Lucky would win the Classic. Zenyatta completely CRUSHED Quality Road and CRUSHED Lookin at Lucky!

Uncle Mo is unreal. That performance was scary. Will be interesting to see how far he’ll go because it appears his competition next year can only hope he won’t handle classic distances…because he’s simply faster and better than this crop of 2YOs.

108 Beyer in the BC Juv…that wins most Derbys, lol

Do you understand horse racing? How can you say Zenyatta’s performance was “disappointing”? Her performance was the best in the race. She had a terrible trip, was way behind, had to be steadied when Quality Road tired out, and lost another step when Musket Man crossed over in front of her in the final stretch. She covered the most most ground, and still lost by a nose to a horse who had a perfect trip. Zenyatta absolutely CRUSHED the rest of that field. In the final stretch, Zenyatta had to angle out far wide, Blame, on the other hand, had a clear path to the finish line. Given all those obstacles, she still lost by a nose. By any objective measure, her performance was the best in the race.

Blame is a nice horse, but he needed a perfect trip in his own backyard to hold off Zenyatta by a nose. Zenyatta is deserving of Horse of the Year.

Too funny bumping into you guys yesterday.

Life At Ten has trained as well as any filly or mare coming into this race. And Pletcher, who was not very happy with his post-position draws across the board, acted like he wasn’t very concerned about the rail draw for LAT. But in my opinion, she is a mare that runs best on the outside and I wonder how she would handle being pinned down on the inside. With that said, she still should have plenty of time to get out if she needs to, so I certainly could not talk you off of her…she’s a good mare in good form. Good luck!

Thanks for the video guys, great work.

So, I think Life At Ten is really a classy mare. I got to watch beat Unrivaled Belle at Belmont both in the Oct. 2 Beldame (where she also drew pp#1) and the Odgen Phipps on June 12. Do you think her inside post position at Churchill will disadvantage her? Since she’s sure to be short-priced, would you recommend at least throwing her in some exotics?

All great analysis. I cannot disagree with any of it. I do not care for Dangerous Midge – but then again Euro racing is not my specialty. Kinsale King has looked great training all week…clearly one of the standouts physically IMO as noted in a show earlier this week…But he is slow on the figs IMO.

I am disgusted that Big Drama drew the rail because he looks fantastic and I believe he’s the best sprinter in the race. He’ll be hard pressed to win from there. Girolamo may make me eat my words in the Sprint…I do not like this horse going short at 6 furlongs, BUT he looks SO good right now physically that he just might overcome the fact that this is not his preferred distance and still win…this field weakens with the draw of several serious players IMO.

I have a hard time with Tizway making a road trip like this. I think Crown of Thorns will handle dirt. Many of the Spendthrift people believe this is the most talented horse Mr. B. Wayne Hughes has ever owned – which is a mouthful. I think Here Comes Ben is very dangerous because he loves the track.

I agree Haynesfield has looked as good as NAY Classic contender this week….the question is whether or not he is simply good enough. I think the Japanese horse will show outside speed as well in the Classic. Uncle Mo and Boys are the fastest on the figs and both will be tough…the two-turn question along with their short price will probably have me trying to beat them with a colt I think has some quality and will definitely handle two turns

She definitely is a player. In great form and loves 5 panels…doesn’t need the lead and her figs match up well on paper. She looked very good moving over the course in her last breeze the other day.

This is THE hardest race to handicap on Saturday’s card IMO…so I will be spreading. Good luck!

She handled it last year and has the tactical speed to be wherever the jockey needs her to be. As a matter of fact, as sharp as she is right now (was on pace in her last start) they may try to gain that tactical advantage early over that hard surface to have a step on Gio Ponti, Proviso, Court Vision and Paco Boy…and also so Sidney’s Candy doesn’t just lope along on a slow and uncontested pace.

I did see TT the last two mornings, and while nothing stood out to me I can’t really knock her on much either. Meehan seems confident and the Euros see her as one of their best chances. Her race is wide open but I don’t know if I like the 2-hole for her…she’ll need to be good from the gate and be able to handle the kickback, which will be a first for her.

Biondetti drew worse in his race – the rail. Same concerns here…and his race is MUCH tougher IMO. I like Biondetti, but his task Saturday will be tall…more so than TT. Of those 2 Bernardini 2yo Euros, I think one of the two will make some sort of impact…I’m leaning toward TT