Mike Smith's Ride?

[ratherrapid]

Your opinions. With the circumstances, I thought it was a tremendous ride.

[westover]

I thought it was as well, a great ride. She is such an amazing mare, she didn't seem to fire as quickly as she normally does. It seemed he asked her in the usual spot but she was slower to react. Long Season, no matter, that mare is all heart. As Jockey's go Mike Smith tops my list of Fav's

[wilf]

Another 8 inches and it's "what a patient ride". Mike has done well by her and it's no time to be second guessing the guy now. I was nervous from 500 miles away,I know he must have been in knots. He has nothing to apologise for.

[Des]

I thought she lost the race in the first furlong where she was either trying to adjust to the surface or got caught off guard....At one time I thought something went wrong and she was going to pull up..She was climbing somewhat and did not look comfortable until she go settled...The BEST horse lost.... I RESPECT her even more

[ratherrapid]

the slow mo of the first 2f shows Z definitely shying from back spray. normal horse reaction, rider out to dry. I thought M. Smith did a superb job getting her going again. early in back stretch as they're catching up, she hesitates again. After that, picture perfect ride.

[Strategic Maneuver]

I thought he gave her the ride he always does......patient, not panicking. It was so obvious she was ducking the kick back and having a hard time getting her footing. I wish he wouldn't blame himself for her loss.

[Joltman]

I thought he gave her the ride he always does......patient, not panicking. It was so obvious she was ducking the kick back and having a hard time getting her footing. I wish he wouldn't blame himself for her loss.

ditto. Blame's jockey said he got a perfect trip. Change the circumstances ever so slightly and Smith looks like a genius.

jm

[jellac]

I say KUDOs to both Blame and Zenyatta - though my heart and 'SCREAMS' (at home, watching on TV) were for ZENYATTA the race turned out to what all of us who love horseracing really want to see and want the broader public/casual race watcher to see: one heck of a great horse race!

Blame a tremendous thoroughbred has really come into himself/peaking at the right time for the performance of his life. Zenyatta, with her credentials of greatness well into the history books, came back to defend her title with the heart of a champion - taking on an unfamiliar surface and track AND a fresh pack of really strong contenders.

This finish between the tremendously thrilling closer Zenyatta giving it her all and the equally exciting Blame having reserved just enough 'gas' in his tank to not relinguish first at wire was a 'hold your breath' moment. Both horses raced at their zenith level of effort and displayed what I think sets the thoroughbred apart (and on a bit of a pedestal, to my mind) as compared to other horse breeds: heart - pure, amazing heart which is displayed in their fierce determination, their will to win. Ultimately this is also the gift that the thoroughbred has imparted to other equine breeds for their improvement, though their speciality may not be in racing over a distance of ground.

Zenyatta went out IMO the essense of good thoroughbred-ness that she exemplifies: all heart, all try and capable even in losing to push her victor to his greatest moment as she herself 'left it all on the track'! She retires a Champion by any meassure and one the like of which we'll not see again. Blame deservedly also goes out a Champion, a horse who displayed that iron will to best his challenger.

Finally I have to say THANK YOU to the Mosses for giving so much of this very special mare to the public and to racing. I had to laugh with Mrs Moss upon seeing the finish decision posted, when she said 'we'd hoped she'd stuck her tongue out at the wire!' Ditto to John Sherriffs, Mike Smith and the entire 'Zenyatta Team'. Their willingness to share her with us for another year of racing and to share themselves, their time spent in her care with us, is really commendable and has no doubt wooed new fans to racing (and caused some who turned away post-Barbaro and Eight Bells' tragedies - to come back.

I thought I would be totally devastated if she failed to win but her effort was so magnificent and genuine that I found instead that my mood was quiet and subdued - yet satisfied - after the race. My mood was not subdued with sadness or regret - but rather with 'awe' - similar to that I experienced years ago watching Secretariat - a fan favorite to win the Triple Crown - go on and do so BUT in a way that would never be duplicated and defied credulity - AMAZING all of us who were privileged to watch that historic moment. That's how I felt yesterday evening after the race. All I could think of to myself was 'what a race!', 'what a mare', 'what an adversary!', 'WHAT A MARE!!'

IT was one of the GREAT moments in racing and I was privileged to witness it - even from afar.

[TJ]

Hi Jellac,
Well said....that's what it's all about....they were both gallant in winning and losing! Blame had to dig down deeper than ever before to stop Zenyatta's patented surge for the wire. My only regret is that it wasn't a dead heat:>) TJ

[zinn21]

ratherrapid wrote:

the slow mo of the first 2f shows Z definitely shying from back spray. normal horse reaction, rider out to dry. I thought M. Smith did a superb job getting her going again. early in back stretch as they're catching up, she hesitates again. After that, picture perfect ride.

Ditto..

[Sailor Kenshin]

Another 8 inches and it's "what a patient ride". Mike has done well by her and it's no time to be second guessing the guy now. I was nervous from 500 miles away,I know he must have been in knots. He has nothing to apologise for.

Amen!

[jagger]

Echo jellac's fine disertation. Well done. I think with a little tweaking the outcome might have been different. I doubt if Z had ever been that cold at the start of a race before. I think a more extensive warm up would have been beneficial. As others have mentioned, she seemed to not like the dirt being kickup up into her. Not a factor with the synthetic. I think exposing her to that in training would have been helpful as well. I also question the trainiing technique they used of having her pass the other horse on the track with her.....after the wire. I think it would make more sense to have her passing the other horse before the wire. Still a wonderful race and will remember it forever

[Affirmed1]

Years from now people will still be re-watching this race. Zen was magnificent as always. I loved seeing her come from the clouds. Thought she would get there this time, like she always had before.
One more jump and she would have won.

Now if we can only get her bred to Tiznow, so Z can show everyone what a REAL monster looks like!

[ageecee]

Not a thing wrong with the ride..

[winds]

I didn't see anything wrong with his ride. The race has been discussed at length in this thread and I agree with everyone's assesment.