Comments on From the Ring to the Racetrack: Jackson shut out in owner category

With the exception of the two-year-old division, I...

2009-01-13T10:24:00.000-05:00

With the exception of the two-year-old division, I can't imagine ever voting for a horse who did not win a Grade 1 race.

This year's North American-based three-year-old male crop was abominable, so second in the Derby is no great shakes to me--even for a filly.

The omission of Zayat from the finalists' list str...

2009-01-09T22:44:00.000-05:00

The omission of Zayat from the finalists' list strikes me as much more unjustified than omitting Jess Jackson, who, as has been noted, really had only one big horse. Zayat had so much depth that they even sold off some stakes winners in a dispersal at the end of the season.

Eddie D.-I assume you are referring to Eight Belle...

2009-01-09T11:50:00.000-05:00

Eddie D.-

I assume you are referring to Eight Belles vs. Indian Blessing in the three-year-old filly category.

I don't argue with those who voted for Eight Belles, as it could be logically argued she was the best of a great crop. I voted for Proud Spell, but I would consider Eight Belle's second in the Derby to be just as good or better than an Oaks win.

Hopefully Indian Blessing will win champion female sprinter.

Good point by Mi-bred Claimer and Coeurdefer on the lack of depth in Stonestreet's racing stable and the repercussions of his various lawsuits and reform efforts.

I wonder if the snub is more a reflection of Jacks...

2009-01-09T08:57:00.000-05:00

I wonder if the snub is more a reflection of Jackson speaking out against the industry, therby being perceived as a "non-team" player or the valid total stable performance issue. Factor in other stables (as noted that performed well and are excluded, trainer and horse OTY of topic stable minus owner) not considered, the answer is simple.

Let's see...I go with the former...the idustry doesn't like Jackson.

Must be nice to win a Grade 2 and finish second in...

2009-01-09T08:40:00.000-05:00

Must be nice to win a Grade 2 and finish second in a Grade 1 and receive a finalist nod over a filly who won three Grade 1 races.

Another deserving outfit shut out of the owner fin...

2009-01-08T16:07:00.000-05:00

Another deserving outfit shut out of the owner finalists was Zayat Stables. Lack of a big horse probably hurt them, but they are undoubtedly one of the top stables in America.

While Jess Jackson is a great owner and probably d...

2009-01-08T14:19:00.000-05:00

While Jess Jackson is a great owner and probably deserved a nomination, I can understand why he was left off the ballot.

Curlin had a spectacular year and Jackson brought lots of good publicity to the sport, but once you look past the ace, his rotation lacks depth (horrible baseball reference? Check!). I honestly could not name you another horse running under the Stonestreet colors.

Meanwhile, the three stables nominated for the award each produced several graded stakes winners in 2008. The numbers game must have been too much to overcome in the eyes of the voters.