And on the very same morning, the Queen of Racing, Zenyatta, worked a leisurely 6 furlongs in 1.13. handily, at Hollywood . This is like a canter in the park for her. Her next scheduled start is the Grade 1 Vanity Handicap on June 13th. She will be going for her 17th consecutive win. Amazing, isn't it ????
For the folks among us that don't know....furlongs compares to 3/4's or 7/8's how?
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteOne furlong is an 1/8 of a mile. ( or 1 mile = 8 furlongs) So 3/4's of a mile is equal to 6 furlongs. And 7/8ths is 7 furlongs. Most of the time, when a trainer wants a horse to "work" a certain distance, he will tell the exercise rider how he wants it done. For instance, if a trainer wants a good 1/2 mile work ( that's 4 furlongs), the rider will gallop to the 1/2 mile pole then ask the horse for more energy from there to the finish line. But at the finish line , even though the work is "over" and timed and the rider is now "gearing down" it's really a good time to judge just how fit and energetic the horse is, this is the " gallop out" part. If a horse gallops out and doesn't want to stop, that's a good indication of his energy level and fitness. If he slows down right after the finish line, then that tells you how much more fitness he needs before he's ready to run his "best."
Thanks for the question, come back and visit soon!
Yes Sue, she is AMAZING....You had the insight right from the get go...
ReplyDeleteI can still remember you telling me about "this horse called Zenyatta" who just won her 5th straight race...one to watch....
Thanks for the explaination. I have loved horses all my life, but my areas of deep knowledge do not include racing.
ReplyDeleteEven though Rachel maybe working better, I still doubt her distance ability where as the "Queen" of racing has proven her ability to handle 1 1/4. Although I feel Quality Road will win the Met Mile, in my heart I hope he loses so that all the bad mouthing of Zenyatta's ability against QR will be over. Selfish but... truth is spoken. :>) Go Z girl!
ReplyDeleteWatch the Z DVD (again) yesterday with a new fan.....never get tired of watching her pickin 'em off!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing , but even in my little blog, who get's the most comments?? It is Zenyatta's world and we're all just living in it! I may have to find a little corner on this blog, just for her!
ReplyDelete