If Zenyatta had won HOTY, that is certainly the message that would be sent.

I’m NOT saying Mr. Beyer is among them but I’m sure that fact was not lost on many voters who have a stake in persevering dirt as the be all/end all of American racing and it’s reasonable to assume that personal considerations did influence at least SOME of the voters.

The biggest gambler I know told a coworker that he is focusing part of his attention this winter on Golden Gate Fields (synthetic) and Beulah Park (bottom level).

Someone valuing dirt form over synthetic form if all other things are equal shouldn’t really be that offensive either since the same thing has been going on with dirt versus turf for a generation.

Each voter is going to have certain preferences: 1 1/4 miles versus other distances, carrying weight versus running in allowance conditions, field sizes, surface types, win streaks, class, etc.

I’m sure some voters have used their vote to politic, but I’d also bet that it happens far less than people assume it does.

As an aside, it amuses me to no end that so many people are up in arms about guys like Crist and Beyer and other public handicappers not having picked Zenyatta to win the Classic. She was the 5-to-2 favorite in a field of 13 doing two things she had never done before. Yes, she won, and if they ran the race 100 more times she’d win most of those too so in hindsight 5-to-2 didn’t look so bad, but picking against the favorite is no proof that “the gamblers hate synthetic.”

I love handicapping Keeneland and Arlington, but I’ve given up on SoCal racing since the mandate—just way too many variables out there. Of course, I’m a degenerate, though, so I still can’t say no to the big days. :)

But that’s part of the problem today. far too many vote on the basis of personal agenda rather than the performance of the horses on the track.

No gamblers in their right minds would have voted for Zenyatta this year because the last thing he or she wants is for synthetic tracks to gain any credibility because none of them have the skills and talent to pick winners on that surface (as Andy Beyer clearly demonstrated in the BC Classic)

While I’m in favor of a voting process by people who cover the sport to select champions, the net needs to be widened to include more people.

I’m sure there are people in both the DRF and NTWA blocs who have no business voting in that they just don’t watch enough races throughout the year. I also think people who gamble a certain amount a year through a licensed U.S.-based outlet (maybe $100,000 and up) should also get a vote.

Jennie Rees wrote about getting broadcasters a vote. I’m not opposed to that as part of a TV bloc, perhaps. THe reason I say TV bloc versus broadcasters is because those shows have research staff and PAs who have to follow the sport as much as the people in front of a camera.

I prefer votes to points/standings for now but am starting to see some benefits to the latter as well.