JC / Railbird

Monday Notes

Frank Mitchell asks, “who are the great mares of the past 100 years?” Coming up with names isn’t a problem (there are so many), but refining the ranking methodology could be tricky. Record in open company has to be one of the criteria. Regarding that, you have to give Alan Shuback credit for pointing out the unpopular fact that, as the two near their final races in the Breeders’ Cup, Goldikova has proved more than Zenyatta.

The Racing Post rates Dewhurst winner Frankel “as the best European juvenile in the 21st century.” On the all-time list, he ties for third. No doubt Frankel’s freaky, and so is Champagne winner Uncle Mo, as measured by Thorograph. [More Frankel: BHA handicapper Mathew Tester bumps his rating up to 124. That’s the second highest for a Dewhurst winner this young century. It’s also second for the season to Dream Ahead’s top-rated nine-length Middle Park win, and as such, “doesn’t do justice” to the colt, sniffs Hotspur.]

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies lost one contender and gained another over the weekend. Oak Leaf winner Rigoletta has been ruled out with a splint injury. Undefeated homebred Awesome Feather earned herself a shot at Churchill Downs after winning the My Dear Girl division of the Florida Stallion Stakes at Calder. “Breeders’ Cup!,” exulted owner-trainer Stanley Gold. “That’s what we discussed going into the race. If she won and did it right, we’d go …

So, I guess this guy plays football? And he visited Zenyatta?


3 Comments

Jessica,

But can Goldikova dance, strut, paw the ground, and look adorable like Zenyatta?

Posted by John on October 18, 2010 @ 6:53 pm

The American Shuback begins his column with this forceful statement: “Goldikova is the best horse in the world.” Unfortunate, because according to the World Thoroughbred Rankings published by the European IFHA, Goldikova isn’t even in the Top 5. Here’s their list:

http://www.horseracingintfed.com/resources/2010Rankings/2010_1007_WTR.asp

I happen to think the mare is marvelous, and I think she’s ranked lower than she should be, even in her mile category, where Makfi, Canford Cliffs, and Rip Van Winkle are higher than her 124. And interestingly, Zenyatta, at 125, is rated one pound her superior — by European handicappers!

So, I’d say that Alan has probably gone a bit over the top straight off in his first sentence.

Posted by Sid Fernando on October 18, 2010 @ 11:31 pm

No horse has ever danced or strutted like Zenyatta. She’s in a league of her own on that count. (And maybe, soon, in her unbeaten record.)

So he did, Sid, which is a shame, because it distracts from his point re: open company.

Posted by Jessica on October 19, 2010 @ 8:06 am