Horse of the Year: Rachel Alexandra or Zenyatta?
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Rachel Alexandra is still very much in the running for Horse of the Year. (AP Images)
No matter how you look at it, the great debate between which horse will or should win the Eclipse Award – American Horse of the Year is particularly interesting because it involves two females. The last female horse to win the American Horse of the Year Award was Azeri in 2002.
So, Rachel Alexandra or Zenyatta? Which one's got your vote?
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Rachel Alexandra went 8 for 8 this year, posted three wins over the boys — including her impressive win in the Preakness Stakes. For that victory she became the first filly in 85 years to one-up the dudes.
"The one thing everybody keeps forgetting, she beat the fillies with authority," Mine That Bird trainer Chip Woolley Jr. said of Rachel Alexandra. "She didn't win by a neck or a length or two lengths. She beat 'em by 20 and in a big gallop. When you look at that and you put everything together, I think she's a very deserving champion."
Zenyatta, on the other hand, went 5 for 5 this year and last weekend's Breeders' Cup Classic win was her first against the boys. And it will likely be her last as trainer John Shirreffs says she will be sent to Kentucky for breeding. (Rachel Alexandra will be back next season, however.)
Still, some are quick to judge Rachel Alexandra for skipping out on the Breeders' Cup, which is considered a championship event.
"Each sport has their championship game," said Summer Bird's trainer Tim Ice. "If you don't compete in the championship game, then you shouldn't be a champion. This is the highlight of the year as far as all the great horses coming together. This should name Horse of the Year."
Looking back at Curlin — he took the American Horse of the Year awards two years in a row, winning it in 2007 and 2008. He did not, however, win the Breeders's Cup Classic both years. Curlin won the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2007 and it was Raven's Pass who claimed that victory in 2008.
The American Horse of the Year — along with all other Eclipse Awards — will be announced in January at the Beverly Hills ceremony.
Interesting indeed. Bet on horse racing at Bodog.
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Maria Starr,
It is better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
It's all over but the crying now for Rachel Alexandra.
Even though Rachel had a great year, she was basically campaigned to avoid the Breeders and maybe even a face-off with Zenyatta. Knowing the weakness of the 3 year old landscape and the handicap division is an advantage. Not knowing who is going to be in the Breeders is very risky for Rachel. As great a filly she is, I doubt she had any chance of winning the 2009 Classic in poly or dirt. These males are not the mediocre Macho Again or Bullsbay and the vastly improved Summer Bird would be tougher today for Rachel to beat. Also, Rachel already proved she can run on synthetic so for her owner not to like it is a good angle to skip the Breeders and the quality of horses she would have faced. Saying Rachel will be in the 2010 Classic is presumptuous. I don't think anybody wouldn't have voted for Rachel as HOTY if she won the Oaks, Preakness, Haskells, Woodward and the Classic me included. Yes, she ran everywhere but the quality is not really there. JMHO.
In this 2009 year alone, Rachel Alexandra:
1) has set TWO stakes records for time in: Martha Washington, Mother Goose…. See More
2) has set TWO stakes records for largest winning margin in: Kentucky Oaks, Mother Goose
3) was the ONLY horse (male or female) ever to win the Preakness from the far outside gate
4) was the ONLY female EVER to win the Woodward
5) TWICE, came within 1 second of breaking the TRACK RECORDS (at Belmont and Monmouth)
6) had the HIGHEST Beyer Speed rating this year of 116. (The Haskell)
Rachel Alexandra beat:
more horses,
in more races, … See More
against more males,
over the competitions' prefered track surface,
in more race tracks,
in more states,
in faster times,
with larger winning margins,
while setting new stakes records,
and coming within a second of track records,
with higher Beyer Speed figures
… ALL YEAR …
Rachel is the star!
Rachel clearly has a greater body of work.
Rachel ran in more and won 8 races.
Zenyatta would not run in the rain.
She got lucky, beat males one time!