I’d like to see Z and some of the other greats against Swaps. Now HE was a fast horse, and might even have been faster if really pushed on a good day.
The Ruffian story is a shame for sure. Her short career often gets overlooked as she only ran 10 races. What this simulation fails to show is that Ruffian could run with ANY horse of the day. Zenyatta ran most of her races at a 1 1/8 / 1 1/16 miles… Ruffian hadn’t had much of a chance to run the longer races but she did run a few at a mile and over, setting track records each time. She ran 1 1/8 mile race at Aqueduct and recorded a stakes record time of 1:47:4… Zenyatta ran this distance 6 times only once beating this time. The other 5 runs were consistently 1 to 2 seconds slower than Ruffian’s only run at that distance. For all of you naysayers who claim that Ruffian wouldn’t have been close at this distance the facts speak for themselves. Ruffian ran 1 1/2 miles only once and recorded a time of 2:27 … Secretariat ran his fastest race at the same track at 2:24 winning by 30+ lengths! In this race Vasquez was told to rate the filly as this was her first 1.5 mile race. he did as he was told. Holding her back until she was challenged in the final furlong then letting her run and still winning by 3 lengths. Though we will never know, it is intriguing to wonder what the results would have been if she was allowed to run the entire race. Chances are she would have beaten or tied Secretariats record there. We all know this is a simulation and there are some fine horses included. Sure was a kick to watch and personally I think Zenyatta is a fine horse. I also think that if she and Ruffian went head to head in their prime 10 times that Ruffian would win 9 of them. 
Yeah, if she didn’t break like in real life.
Who resurrected this 2 year old debate?
But…I pick MOW over Citiation with a fast closing Silky Sullivan out of nowhere on the outside for the show.
Fun thread!
Stewards’ Enquiry - for over use of the stick, by all of them.
Just as an aside, watched Secretariat and Onion on tv yesterday - that was an exciting finish - check out Youtube for result.
:lol: Foxtrot’s…I was thinking, geez, put your whip down already.
And, uh…Rachel Alexandra is a chestnut?
[QUOTE=caryledee;5199006]
Very cool…though I think whoever wrote this race has a bias towards Zenyatta! You can’t convince me that Ruffian would finish 6th behind her. :)[/QUOTE]
I don’t believe Ruffian would have been beaten by any horse at a 1 1/16.
[QUOTE=nasalberry;6437542]
I don’t believe Ruffian would have been beaten by any horse at a 1 1/16.[/QUOTE]
Really?? And you can say this after she has won at 1 mile, 1 1/14 and 1 1/2 miles easily??? Have a look for yourself
[QUOTE=nasalberry;6437542]
I don’t believe Ruffian would have been beaten by any horse at a 1 1/16.[/QUOTE]
I would agree completely…
