Ventura

Yup, This is definitely a year for the gals. Ventura won 3 of her 6 stars this season, the other three being seconds. Although maybe not as commanding as Zenyatta or Rachel, you have to admit this is pretty good. Wins this year include the Santa Monica Handicap, The Woodbine Mile (against the guys) and probably her 'best' race the Matriarch Stakes.

For those who don't know, Ventura was trained by the late Bobby Frankel. Before his death he suggested to his assistant trainer, Humberto Ascanio, that Ventura should run in this last race before she retired. And she ran. There was no chance of catching that girl once she started going. She reminded everyone that not only is she a great mare, but she was trained by a great man.

Rest in peace Bobby, and enjoy the pasture Ventura.

Rachel vs Zenyatta

I want opinions! Take the poll on my side bar about which horse you think should win Horse of the Year! Personally, I have no clue...Mine That Bird maybe...(just kidding...I know he doesn't stand a chance for an eclipse this year). But seriously folks! Who's it going to be? Superstar filly Rachel Alexandra or Veteran Stomper Zenyatta?

Tell me what you think! The filly, the mare, or perhaps the other?

Vote! Comment! Let me know why!

I still Love the Bird though. Maybe next year bud!

And randomly...I got both Zenyatta's and Mine That Bird's pics from this blog...you should check it out! Say It Isn't So: Horse Racing.

Negative Internet Nellies and Horseism

~WARNING! THIS IS A BLOG RANT! READ AT OWN RISK!~Have you ever watched a horse video on youtube? Man I have...countless. I love watching all varieties of horse videos. Jumping videos, liberty videos, pleasure videos, horses acting goofy videos, and of course racing videos. But what I absolutely cannot stand is how people bash other breeds of horses or disciplines.

For those who don't know, although I Love Love Love thoroughbred racing, I own and show Quarter Horses in western pleasure and hunter under saddle. With this in mind, it makes sense that I youtube such videos and watch them. You would not believe all the negative and what I have deemed 'horseist' comments! The discipline is dumb, easy, extremely unnatural, ugly, boring, etc. etc. etc. Or worse! These horses are lifeless, stupid, ugly, lame, dull...I was agitated to say the least, as were other Quarter Horse enthusiasts seeing as the thumbs down rating option was over used on some comments...but really! How can people be so negative?

I also tend to watch a lot of gaming videos, because lets face it, high speed horses are fun to watch. Although many people say this is what QH's should be used for, the poor breed doesn't even catch a break there!

Now, although I love QH's, I do watch other breeds as well. Saddlebreds, Arabians, Fresians (me loves me a good Fresian) and the hatred is there as well! Those horses are crazy, will kill you, have no control...it just goes on and on.

Oh, and don't even bother watching a horse racing clip...the comments go on and on about how corrupt the sport is, how the horses don't want to run, how all the trains and all the owners don't give a rats hind end about the horses they work with...just the money. And all the attacks on horses like Barbaro and Eighbelles (Rest their souls). It's a bit ridiculous.

I realize people are entitled to their own opinion...I know I exercise mine enough...but why can't people be open minded and logical at the same time? How can someone say Western Pleasure is any more unnatural than the arched necks of dressage horses? The heavy weighted shoes to make Saddlebreds and such steps higher? The fact that race horses are on meds to keep them from bleeding out during a race? The fact that jumping the height that high competitors do is indeed a wee bit bad for the horses joints? That not all trainers in any discipline beat their horses to get result?

People need to accept the differences of each horse breed and the talent they were born with. Most Thorougbreds do love to run, try telling Zenyatta, Seattle Slew, even friggin' Man O' War that they are being forced to run. I bet you they would disagree. Pleasure horses are being bred to move like that relatively naturally, but like ANYTHING else, they need to learn to control their naturally bred abilities. Can't throw a dressage horse in the ring without extensive training, can't get a saddlebred to rack with training.

Like I warned...this is just a huge rant...because I can't stand people attacking other breeds and disciplines so violently to make extensive fights over such a thing.

We all have are preferences, we all have our opinions (obviously...this entry is proof), but why can't we all just respect the horse for the amazing creature it is?

Or at the very least don't watch youtube videos of horses or horse disciplines you know you hate just to tell everyone how much you hate it! =P

Ranting over. Enjoy your youtube viewing!

Another Legend Lost

I was shocked today when I visited ESPN's horse site...expecting to be greeted with a happy running horse crossing the wire, instead I read: Frankel Dead at 68.

Such a great trainer lost to a a second bout with lymphoma. He was a strong trainer with strong horses, and you could almost place a bet for his horse, merely because he had trained it.

"For more than 40 years, Frankel was one of the top trainers in the sport. He began with claiming horses in New York, moved to California and continued to win at an eye-catching rate, then gradually transformed his barn into one that emphasized quality over quantity. He won at least one Grade 1 race every year from 1988 through this year. In 1995, he was inducted into racing's Hall of Fame." ~ESPN coverage

I've missed seeing him on the scene this year at the Crown and the Breeder's Cup, and will forever miss it. Rest in Peace Bobby Frankel, you were an amazing trainer.

Zenyatta

Holy Shib. Just minutes have passed since the Classic...and I'm still like...wow...I didn't think she would win even if I wanted her to...but damn she proved many a people wrong! Way to Kick Ass Girl! You're everything I love in a race horse, huge, dark, late runner, personality, and simply amazing! That was an impressive run beyond words! Even after all that gate trouble, she came from behind to easily win. What a race! Congrats Gal! You're career has been amazing! Overall, glad they challenged you and you proved, it wasn't much of a challenge. Way to Go. Those are the races you will never forget. Horse of the Year should be headed your way. (The crowd thinks so ^_^) As always, what a great weekend! Sorry Mine That Bird, I still love you. Einstein you too! Congrats to Conduit for getting the turf again. Goldikova showed the boys again (that was a fun race...I wish I had bet...got the trifecta because I thought Courageous Cat was pretty and I liked Justenoughhumors's name -_-') California flag was fun to watch, loved the jump on the dirt. The Marathon was crazy close! Oi. Too much greatness! I could go on forever! Just a wonderful weekend! Congrats to all the Horses, Jockeys, Trainers, and Owners! Love the Breeder's Cup!!

And if a representative of Breyer is reading...Zenyatta would make a pretty pretty model. ^_^