Blame's exit shows business as usual at sport's expense In his Nov. 21 column, "Reality check after the Classic," Steven Crist made valid points in his spirited defense of Seth Hancock of Claiborne Farm, not that Mr. Hancock likely feels he needs assistance in that regard. It is fair to note, however, that Mr. Hancock's love of horses and racing does not extend to racing Blame at age 5. He can be fairly criticized for retiring Blame at the height of his power as a racehorse. Mr. Hancock has a business to run, but as has been noted countless times, removing champions from the track makes attracting new fans that much more difficult. Are we supposed to be grateful to Mr. Hancock that Blame raced at 4? Kenneth R. Wiener - Toronto Big things in store for Caracortado Being a follower of Caracortado since he raced in a $40,000 starter allowance right up to his recent solid comeback victory, I have always been struck by him as a very interesting horse. He is a blue-collar California-bred horse who displays tremendous heart every time he steps on the track. Defeat is not an option. When he began racing in graded stakes competition, he was the underdog, and against all odds, blew American Lion out of the water. Even with experiencing tremendous difficulties in the Santa Anita Derby, he rallied to finish fourth. He could have very well won the race if he hadn't been caused to lose his momentum and veer wide. At the Preakness, even though he did not win the race, he gave 120 percent as he charged with Lookin At Lucky into the final turn. The extra sixteenth of a mile was just too much for him, though. As he is a gelding, it is expected that he will continue to race at 4, and as he matures he will continue to grow, both physically and mentally, and be recognized as the true champion he is destined to be. Nick Fischer - Mount Prospect, Ill. Zenyatta's exploits carry more weight The Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year is meant to acknowledge the horse who is the highest achiever in racing throughout the past year. So in comparing Zenyatta and Blame, Zenyatta's accomplishments hold more weight and value. Zenyatta won five Grade 1 races and was second by inches in her sixth Grade 1, still beating multiple Grade 1-winning males who are the best horses in the world of Thoroughbred racing. In the Grade 1 races that Zenyatta won, she carried as many as 17 pounds more weight than her rivals did. Blame won three Grade 1 races, a Grade 3, and was beaten in a Grade 1. There was small difference in the weight he carried and the weight that his rivals carried. Why should Zenyatta's trainer and owners be penalized for running a horse in the races they belong in - a female against females? After all, they were all Grade 1 races. Rachel Alexandra might still be around if she had stuck to racing against her own sex instead of continuously racing against the opposite sex. Last year the turf writers did not give all the weight to the result of the Breeders' Cup Classic, so why are some of them doing that now? Give the credit where it is rightfully due: Zenyatta deserves to be Horse of the Year, hands down. Marla Zanelli - Del Mar, Calif.