Zenyatta Joins Secretariat as a Great American Sports Legend

[BARNFOUR]

What horse racing has missed has been the superstar for which the buzz is unrelenting; one for whom the word "legend" fits without any caveats.

The approximate formula: A horse that gains a Triple Crown undefeated and where the wins are convincing. Who can lose maybe once under challenging conditions but who then trounces the conqueror and then wins the Breeders' Cup Classic in a waltz. Who then returns the next year to win overseas once or twice, so that most people worldwide begin mentioning "best that they've seen recently." And so stubborn baby booomers admit, yes, he is clearly better than Secretariat. Being able to speak with a vocabulary of about 200 English words would seal the deal.

But that is the standard which a horse racing figure must meet in order to break through the noise of 650 TV channels. A legend must truly be legendary, and not just a lesser replica of past Top Ten occupants. Like lately.

Cigar is the closest thing we've had in years to be legendary....he raced everywhere....took on all comers.Years from now Zenyatta and her winning streak will be looked at in the same light as Cigar until many years pass and then will be looked at as a poor man's Cigar because of her lesser campaigns...

[Epiphany]

Cigar is the closest thing we've had in years to be legendary....he raced everywhere....took on all comers.Years from now Zenyatta and her winning streak will be looked at in the same light as Cigar until many years pass and then will be looked at as a poor man's Cigar because of her lesser campaigns...

History will treat Zenyatta far more kindly than you do. That is a certainty.

[BARNFOUR]

History will treat Zenyatta far more kindly than you do. That is a certainty.

And I will be in the majority.I wish Bill Mott trained Zenyatta...just think what could have been...Imagine having a GREAT horse racing against other GREAT horses.What a interesting approach...

[horsecrazygal21]

The BEST closer?


Whirlaway, off the top of my head. Anyone else?

Silky Sullivan

[Epiphany]

And I will be in the majority.I wish Bill Mott trained Zenyatta...just think what could have been...Imagine having a GREAT horse racing against other GREAT horses.What a interesting approach...

History has a majority?
Bill Mott, who said that he thought you couldn't ask more of Zenyatta than she already gave?

Mott would have run her against mares. The difference is he would have done it in New York and might have tried her on turf. Not sure why you possibly think otherwise? Besides, there are owners involved in decisions, too.

[Dusty]

And I will be in the majority.I wish Bill Mott trained Zenyatta...just think what could have been...Imagine having a GREAT horse racing against other GREAT horses.What a interesting approach...

NO you will not - I shudder to think of her with another trainer..oh wait she had a trainer who allowed her to mature, surrounded her with top notch personnel, searched for the right people, and kept her sound, allowed her public to see her personality AND DID NOT retire her early...STUFF IT maybe you need cottonballs