Blame wins the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic
by Matt Gardner on Nov 6, 2010 8:23 PM EDT
in Breeders' Cup
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LOUISVILLE, KY - In what will surely go down as one of the most thrilling Breeders' Cup Classic's in history, Blame nosed out unbeaten Zenyatta under the wire at Churchill Downs to win the richest race in North America.
Blame raced in mid-pack during the much of the early parts of the race, made a move in a long the rail as the field entered the far turn, made a strong move to the lead early in the stretch, and held off the Zenyatta in the final yards to win.
Blame was sent off at 5/1, third choice in the wagering, and paid $12.40 to win.
The end of Zenyatta's unbeaten record was not due to the dirt surface, the pace of the horses on the lead or the perceived lack of competition over her career. Ultimately, she lost because of her running style as she found herself too far back at the beginning of the race and without adequate racing room as she came off the turn. A clean trip and Zenyatta might be 20-and-0, but the possibility of encountering traffic is always present with a horse that likes to rally from far back. In the end, Zenyatta is still a great champion. She was 2nd best to Blame today but "that's horse racing".
More on this race and the rest of today's Breeders' Cup races later on.
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It looked electric there
My girlfriend and I could feel it thru the TV. It was kinda magic when the horses came into the paddock. Credit to ESPN fr having about 5-7 minutes of footage with no talking heads and just the sound of it all.
I am very proud of Zenyatta, but I still feel awful. I can’t help it. I wonder is Beyer is gonna dance on her reputation tomorrow.
Yeah, it was a letdown.
It was hard not to feel a bit empty to see her come oh-so close. We were standing right above the start finish line so when I saw her finally get room to run I figured she was going to get there. When they bobbed past me…ugh, so close.
If Beyer can’t see Zenyatta for the great horse that she is…well, then I guess it’s his loss.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
Even the ESPN folks
Couldn’t get over how electric it all was Hammering Hank said it was like Ali entering the ring.
I haven’t been this disappointed in a race outcome in a long time. Probably since Funny Cide at Belmont. Oh well, that’s horse racing.
That race was a roller coaster of emotions...
and it was electric at Churchill.
I’m happy I was able to witness that race but definitely disappointed at the result.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
I can't wait to hear your breakdown of the last 2 days bro
And if your military “buddy” made any cash!
It was a good time and a great trip.
Adam was on fire for much of the day today while I just couldn’t get on track. The last two Breeders’ Cups at Churchill have kicked my rear end. Monmouth was decent for me in 07 and I fared okay with OSA in 08 and 09…but Churchill takes me behind the woodshed.
I’m flying back to Seattle tomorrow morning but will get a recap up at some point in the next day.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
Lost at the starting gate
and dug a hole one foot too deep to climb completely out of.
Andy Wooldridge, andy_wooldridge@yahoo.com
BuildingTheDam.Com
Go Beavs!
And the turn
Starting gate and the having to hesitate just a bit on the turn gave her too much to do. Of course, if she gets away better she might have been in better position to take the turn.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
by Matt Gardner on Nov 8, 2010 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
What A Race.....
I feel for Mike Smith and the connections of Zenyatta, but I think she proved just as much in defeat as she would have in victory. This was a tremendous field, and the whole day I kept debating if she could really overcome several paper factors – 7th in the field by Bris and Beyer Speed Figure Averages over the last three, 4th by Earnings Per Start, 7 points worse than the top closing figure in the field (which was Blame, by the way), 8th in Prime Power, and 8th in Bris Class. At one point, I even considered tossing her. But races aren’t run on paper, and I think this race might give some credence to my earlier assertion that east coast speed figures perhaps run higher than their counterparts on the west coast.
I wish she had gotten there…but there is no shame in losing to the eventual horse of the year, and a horse that was on a familiar track. I hope that this loss isn’t the end of Zenyatta’s story. How about this for a coda? Zenyatta gives birth to the horse that ends the Triple Crown drought.
Now is the time boys to make a big noise.
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear, the gang's all here,
So hail West Virginia, hail.
The race setup so well for so many horses but it’s all about who can fire when the time comes. I had my investments in Looking at Lucky and he was right there but he didn’t go and Blame went right past him. Etched was my longshot play and also was in a good position entering the stretch.
I love Zenyatta but realistically didn’t think she’d finish better than 3rd because of the dirt, her style and the field. What a horse; can’t wait to see what type of fold she produces.
Johnny V. said he didn't handle the course at all.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
by Matt Gardner on Nov 8, 2010 10:51 AM EST up reply actions
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