A big woo hoo to Zenyatta!!!  Man oh Mandella what a great race she ran!  She beat some good females and did so very convincing.  As for Curlin, first time on synthetic so I am putting a line thru this race.  He still looked magnificant. 

 

Trevor Denman???  Boo Hiss...The world prefers Tom Durkin as caller for the big dances....During the marathon, my DM gave up and called that race from our sofa and his mike has been retired for 10 years and failing eyesight yet he still called a better game than Trevor!!!!

 

[sniff sniff] Do I smell the 11th female in history to be named Horse of the Year????  It could be exciting at next year's eclipse awards...

Slew, who do you think would come out on top in a What If race - Eight Belles or Zenyatta?  Belles was a front runner, Zenyatta a come from behind (putting it mildly).   Both 17 hands high, so both big girls.  Eight Belles had mega heart - would she have let Zenyatta get past her?

 

Curin's race nothing to be ashamed about due to synthetic.  His racing record is still awesome. 

 

PLEASE EXPLAIN CURLY MANES!!!

Curlin earned $255,000 for his fourth place finish in the Classic, which lifted his North American record for career earnings to $10,501,800. His career racing record stands at 11-2-2 in 16 races.

I do not know of a scientific reason why they do the curly or braided manes.  I do know that if connections think they will win especially big races, they want their horse to look good for the pictures.  But i too prefer to see that tail and mane blowing in the wind.....

 

Good question on Eight Belles vs Zenyatta....funny but there is a huge argument at one of my horsey chats about it.....most think though that Zenyatta would be the victor as Eight Belles had the more delicate frame. 

Picture it: New York.  2001.  The towers have already fallen.  No huge events happening in the city for almost two months.  An international event that would not be cancelled is going to take place.  Human and animals are all from different countries, cultures.  Hearts and heads are still reeling from that terrible day in Sept.  America needs to see something to help heal their pain. 

 

One horse trying to be the first to win a trophy two years in a row.  One horse trying to win one for his country.  One horse that had not only the weights and jockey on his back, but the nation.  One horse, one name.  Tiznow. 

  I still get chills and then tears when they go into the home stretch.  Listen for Tom Durkin's infamous call as they hit the wire.  Listen to the roar of a country....Enjoy.