distaff division

[RuffianT21]

Is anyone else getting really excited about this year's distaff (err, "lady's classic"...) division? With Zenyatta, Ginger Punch, Hystericalady, Proud Spell, and Music Note, it's looking pretty awesome.

Of course, then I remember that the Breeder's Cup is on synthetics, and I get a little less excited.

[bdw0617]

it's jam packed, I will give you that. Lots of quality but If I had a free bingo square on bC Day, IMHO this is it. Zenyatta is about as close to unbeatable as I have seen in a while, as long as she sticks with fillies and mares.

[Tucumcari]

YES!!! Will be a fantastic group of ladies inthe distaff! Or rather the Ladies "CLassic"

[going4stamina]

Just wish we had Nashoba's Key still with us...and Eight Belles too.

Other than those key losses, it is a remarkable group of ladies "classicers".

[RuffianT21]

Yeah, it is definitely a shame that we lost Nashoba's Key and Eight Belles.

I think I'm still going to give Ginger Punch the nod. Zenyatta may definitely be the best horse (and I'll be rooting for her!), but I think her come-from-behind running style will hurt her in a large field. I know she's beaten Ginger Punch, but I don't think Ginger Punch was at the top of her game in that race. I think the synthetics will hurt Hystericalady, as she was never quite the same last year when she was racing on the CA synthetics. I think right now, Proud Spell and Music Note are still a notch below those three, although Proud Spell certainly proved herself to be a gutsy filly this weekend.

And I definitely hope Baffert keeps Indian Blessing in the FM Sprint division-- I keep hearing talk of them trying to make the Ladies Classic, but I think it's pretty clear she's much, much better at the sprint distance.

[Tucumcari]

Ah if wishes were horse... eh Stamina

[ageecee]

bdw where ya been my man? Nice to see ya back.

[bdw0617]

She did not beat ginger punch she toyed with her I was there live they are not on the same level talent wise

[going4stamina]

I think it hurts me worse to lose Nashoba Key as a broodmare prospect, than a racer--and I loved watching her race. I'll never forget watching her reach over and try to take a bite out of (I think Balance) at DelMar.

Ruffian--I agree with your analysis of the contenders, but I would never count out Zenyatta. Also hope they keep Indian Blessing where she belongs and not the "Ladies Classic" (gag).

Wish I was as enthusiastic about the boys this year, though the sprinters should be interesting with Street Boss and Benny the Bull.

[bdw0617]

I think it hurts me worse to lose Nashoba Key as a broodmare prospect, than a racer--and I loved watching her race. I'll never forget watching her reach over and try to take a bite out of (I think Balance) at DelMar.

Ruffian--I agree with your analysis of the contenders, but I would never count out Zenyatta. Also hope they keep Indian Blessing where she belongs and not the "Ladies Classic" (gag).

Wish I was as enthusiastic about the boys this year, though the sprinters should be interesting with Street Boss and Benny the Bull.

I was hoping that Nashoba's Key would be crossed with Dynaformer so they could create the meanist horse to ever walk the face of the earth.

[Tucumcari]

She already had the title of "meanest on earth." There were few she would tolerate. She was a tremendous racehorse and missed.

[Strategic Maneuver]

I am also really excited for the Ladies Classic and I am definitely a Zenyatta fan. It may be a better race than the BC Classic as things stand now. But there's plenty of time until Oct.

[RuffianT21]

Agreed. The Classic Division is looking extremely mediocre thus far. I'm counting on Casino Drive to live up to the hype...

As for Zenyatta, I will definitely be cheering for her. Her late runs scare the daylights out of me, though. I don't have TVG or HRTV, so I've only ever seen replays of her races. I can't imagine how terrifying it'll be to watch her live in October! I dance around my house like a crazy person every time she wins, though!

That being said, Ginger Punch has the better running style for the race and has the experience, which is key come Breeder's Cup day. And while it is true that Zenyatta creamed Ginger Punch in their match up, don't you think that if Ginger Punch had been on her game, she'd at least have been able to beat Brownie Points?

I don't know... I'm still torn. But as long as they're all fine on synthetics, it'll be amazing in any case.

[Tucumcari]

If Casino Drive shows up and is on his game he will bring a little more interest to the Classic. A little...

Glad the mares are looking decent. I am a huge fan of Ms Z. Hope she gets it done!
I hope they didn't bite off more than they can chew by making this a 2 day event as opposed to the "classic" version one day. With many saying they won't gamble with their horses on a un known surface. aybe this will turn into a Cal bred vs the Euro's... I expect we could get our hinies handed to us...LOL

[bdw0617]

right now my picks are

filly and mare sprint: Indian Blessing
dirt mile: ???
2YO turf: no clue
fillies juve" ???
juve race: Cribnote
F&M Turf: Pure Clan
TVG Sprint: Midnight Lute, if healthy, if not Fabulous Strike
NetJets Mile: I'm going to go out and say Cowboy Cal runs on the turf, I like him on the turf alot, enough to pull a shocker.. if he doesn't run Kip Deville
Distaff: Zenyatta
Turf: Red Rocks
Classic: Well Armed