My view of the Juvenile Turf post parade at this year’s stellar BC… thankful!

Since it’s been awhile, I thought I’d take a moment to enumerate some of the things I’m thankful for this year… plus it was really fun to watch replays for the past couple of hours!

In no specific order:

1. Knowing that, should they stay sound, Blind Luck, Paddy o’Prado, Sidney’s Candy, and Gio Ponti will all be coming back next year.

2. The first crop of some of the excellent 2004 crop is right around the corner!

3. Getting to see videos like this and this (thanks E!)

4. On the rare occasion when I get my shut-in self out to the track, getting to see, meet and hang out with a bunch of great people (far too many to list, basically, if I saw you at the track this year, you’re on the list and if I missed you at the track this year, I hope to be thankful to have seen you next year).

5. Adding a few new tracks to my collection of visited tracks, here’s to adding a few more next year.

5. All the contributors, readers and supporters of Hello Race Fans! and Raceday 360, all of the publishers in Hello Race Fans Ad Network and the advertisers who chose our Ad Network to publicize their products or events. Many, MANY thanks to all of you!

6. Having seen races such as these, some with my own eyes!

Kentucky Oaks

Ogden Phipps

United Nations Handicap

Prioress

Debutante Stakes

Test Stakes

Alfred G Vanderbilt Handicap

La Jolla Handicap

Del Mar Debutante

Norfolk Stakes

Breeders’ Cup Mile

Breeders’ Cup Classic

Here’s hoping that we all have much to thankful for again next year!

Posted by dana on Nov 25 2010    
Filed Under: Giving Thanks, 2010, Zenyatta, Breeders' Cup, Fans

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Quality Road holds off Musket Man in the 2010 Met Mile (Jason Moran)

In an unusual and welcome turn of events, we’re having a year that’s not dominated by the 3-year-olds. Shy of Blind Luck, Evening Jewel and Lookin’ at Lucky you’d be hard pressed to find a consensus of fans jazzed about the youngins (sidebar: I’m still interested in Tapitsfly, Bickersons and Maximus Ruler). Too bad all the purse money is still showered on the 3-year-olds.

This is the first time since I’ve started paying attention (mid-2006) where the real interest, both with fans and the media, is with older horses. Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, Quality Road, Blame, Rail Trip, General Quarters, Life at Ten, St. Trinians, Goldikova, Gio Ponti, Musket Man, Warrior’s Reward and Bribon are currently running and in good form (and health!). I Want Revenge, Mine That Bird and Careless Jewel look likely to get back to business in the near future. And Arson Squad, Bullsbay, Macho Again and Munnings could all get back to form at any moment.

That’s a helluva lot of nice horses and I feel like I’m missing a few! While I’m not entirely sure how it happened, I hope this trend of nice older horses staying in training is not a fluke.

Posted by dana on Jun 14 2010    
Filed Under: I Want Revenge, General Quarters, Mine That Bird, 2010, Rachel Alexandra, Quality Road, Let Horses Race, :), Zenyatta, Jason Moran, Racing

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(Manitoba Museum of Finds Art)

Just a quick poll to let you all know I haven’t ended up a kill pen or shipped to Japan. Looking at recent headlines, I wonder which is more likely, Santa Anita going back to dirt or Rachel vs. Zenyatta?

Discuss…

Thanks for all who participated in the Most Fan Friendly Change of 2009 poll. BC saddle cloth went wire to wire but almost got nipped by Free Historical Charts while Track Signals in HD turned in a respectable performance. Let’s hope 2010 follows suite in the fan friendly changes dept!

Posted by dana on Jan 20 2010    
Filed Under: Rachel Alexandra, 2010, Zenyatta, Poll, Santa Anita, Racing

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(Charles Pravata)

Let’s put aside any discussion about Horse of the Year or Rachel Alexandra vs. Zenyatta for a moment and just enjoy this incredible moment. 13-13 is nothing to sneeze at… thank you Zenyatta, we’re lucky to have you!

Posted by dana on Oct 10 2009    
Filed Under: :), Zenyatta, Impressive, 2009, Charles Pravata, Santa Anita, Race Replay, Inspirational, YouTube, Racing

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Last night I got a comment on my Zenyatta vs. Rachel Alexandra poll post (that’s the first search result for “Zenyatta vs Rachel Alexandra“) that said:

The fact that Rachel is ducking the Breeders meant Rachel’s handlers are not confident Rachel can beat Zenyatta. All other speculations are fluff

I forwarded this comment on to pal Jessica with a note:

Just got this. Will they ever give up?

She wrote back:

Ha! We need a name for this phenomenon, along the lines of Birthers and Truthers. The Deniers? Zenyattaistas?

Indeed. Duckers and BCers also come to mind, but since it seems rooted in that pesky and previously discussed sports fan behavior, Zenyattaistas seem most appropriate.

Posted by dana on Sep 07 2009    
Filed Under: 2009, Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, Rivalry, Fans, Racing

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