Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

charles — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:43:56 GMT

Unbelievable post:

Yes, Rachel's year is outstanding and Zenyatta's year is a nothing but the reality is this crop of 3 year old boys she beat were so-so. Summer Bird is now showing his class and continues to improve. Of course, Rachel skips the Travers. Then after looking at 5 races to enter, Rachel goes to the Woodward after Einsteins commits to the west coast (LOL).

Then for some odd reasons, Rachel is hype beating older male at the Woodward. That is a fact but to say these are truly grade 1 horses is laughable. Detara? Bullsbay? Macho? They have won a total of 2 grade 1 races THIS YEAR and one of them is a gift. Now I know why this industry is hurting and why a good decent filly like Rachel is all of a sudden the next coming of Ruffian or whoever. Yes, she deserves HOTY for her grueling campaign but she is by no means up there with the great fillies and mares. Just looked at that Woodward. Borel was working her over just to stay ahead of that a marginal grade 1 horse Macho. Darn, Borel whipped her more times in the Woodward than Zenyatta's been hit in all her races. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Rachel's 2010 campaign. IMO, that's a stretch.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Zenyatta — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:28:21 GMT

cybercat, I did say that she was a good horse. I did watch her race. She earned her place in history, but just not in the top 20. Top 25, yes, top 20, no.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

ABZ — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:48:59 GMT

Householder,

Do not compare Azeri's 4-year-old (her best) to Zenyatta's year this year too much. The records:

Azeri 9-8-1-0

Zenyatta 3-3-0-0

Azeri left the state twice that year, Arkansas and Illinois. Seventh Street won this year's Apple Blossom. She is not a stablemate of Zenyatta.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Householder — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:37:12 GMT

Let's take look at Azeri's 4 year old campaign to Horse of the Year.

2nd La Canada

1st Lady's Secret, G2

1st Clement Hirsch, G2

1st Vanity, G1

1st Milady Breeder's Cup, G1

1st Apple Blossom, G1

1st Santa Magarita Invite, G1

1st Breeder's Cup Distaff, G1

Zenyatta has won most if not all of these including the Apple Blossom (her stable mate won this year if this counts for anything). Note. Azeri faced no males this year and she only left the state once.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

ABZ — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:52:02 GMT

and the dance continues...

Bullsbay the impressive, upset winner of the Grade I Whitney and 5-year-old male horse, will not run in the Woodward if 3y.o. filly Rachel Alexandra is in the field according to his trainer Graham Motion.

Even the older males (or at least their connections) are now scared.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

ABZ — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:56:26 GMT

Gee, I lived in California for a while and I do not remember the race fans being so close minded against any horse that was not a Californian. Do you still think that Flying Paster was better than Spectacular Bid?

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Householder — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:36:46 GMT

Saratoga AJ. Your right. I don't think HOY considerations influenced Zenyatta's connections. A filly or mare winning HOY is very rare, about as rare as a three year old colt who hasn't won both the Kentuky Derby and Breeder's Cup Classic unless, as you put it there is "no standout in the handicap ranks." I can see RA as HOY. Well Armed looked like he was in contention after Dubai (and then took a huge bounce)(as well as few other older males: Einstein), but it looks a bit thin this year.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Saratoga AJ — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:20:34 GMT

Householder,

Curlin won HOTY last year because he took on all comers, all around the world, at 5 different tracks, and became the all time leading money winner. Zen left California only once, and beat only over matched F&M's (not males) on what, 3 tracks? You don't win HOTY with that kind of schedule unless there is absolutely no standout in the handicap ranks. History has proved that.

Zen's schedule has been even less impressive this year..three starts, against overmatched allowance quality mares, and none of her performances nearly as impressive as last year.

That's the route Moss has chosen, and it's his horse. Maybe he'll change his mind, but he better do it soon. By the time the Breeders Cup races are over, I won't be surprised to see that Rachel has been given a well deserved rest after a 9-10 race campaign over 10+ months. If so, there will be no Zen-RA meeting in late November in the Clark H'Cap which has been mentioned. Moss either brings her to Belmont to meet Rachel in let's say, the Beldame 10/3, or they will probably never meet. It would be his only chance to try to pry HOTY away from Rachel.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Householder — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:32:48 GMT

Saratoga AJ. I have given up on the HOY thing after LURE...and I'm from the west coast. I thought the voting would be closer last year but your right. Curlin was chosen and crowned BEFORE the Breeder's Cup...still not sure why he bothered to show.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Householder — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:26:32 GMT

Carlos in Cali. "Settle it on the track" is right! How can you compair RA and Zenyatta on paper? Zenyatta carries 129 in the Vanity (spotting 13-16 pounds) racing older horses and RA gets a weight break against the boys? Let's see RA race Zenyatta carrying equal weight.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Saratoga AJ — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:17:47 GMT

CArlos,

She's not even fully matured yet as is Zenyatta..and is better already. Each race she looks more unbeatable. Her Beyers keep improving. In her last race she posted the highest Beyer by any horse at any distance on any surface so far this year...116 in the Haskell.

This is a once in a lifetime filly, and I have seen them all the great thoroughbreds in person since Kelso.

And despite what you think, most of the turf writers are now even comparing her to Ruffian.

Zenyatta is a beautiful mare, and a great horse. But she's a one run horse...not that push button tactical speed that Rachel possesses. Therein lies the big difference. If it was Rachel on those nice east fractions of the Hirsch, Zenyatta wouldn't have gotten within 6 lengths of her. Ask any good handicapper. Rachel runs faster than that in in breezing workouts.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Saratoga AJ — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:04:24 GMT

Householder:

Well, I believe it's happened before and it will certainly happen this year. The HOTY year competition is probably over now, and absolutely will be when Rachel wins her next race, whether it's the Travers or Woodward.

Synthetic tracks must go.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Carlos in Cali — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:04:34 GMT

Saratoga AJ:

you're way too excited and delusional. "It would be a wipe-out"...funny! Riddle me this. Where will RA be when Zenyatta is competing against the worlds best?.. And you're starting to sound like u-know-who. Guess small minds think alike..lol. HOY is still up in the air with 'Ponti rolling along too.I'm not a Zen apologist,just think it's way too premature when people say that RA is the best this or that. She's not a Champion yet is she. Definitely the best 3yo filly this year by far,and has beaten colts by default with the top-tiered 3yo's being injured before the Classics.Look,she's a very good filly,but let her beat someone of significance other than the 'flukish' Derby winner or the 'non-winner of 2' eligible Summer Bird.

Householder:

You're on point with the 1:18pm post.It's akin to the Patriots undefeated regular season,then losing the Super Bowl. Should they have crowned them Champs just because they rolled in the regular season? NO! You must show-up for the whole Gig and beat the best in order to be Champs.No If's or But's about it,settle it on the track like it should be

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Householder — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:18:25 GMT

Giving horse of the year honors to a horse that skips the Breeder's Cup would be like giving an Olympic Medal to an athlete who boycotts the Olympics. Michael Phelps could certainly maintain the he is the best swimmer ever without getting back into the pool.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Householder — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:13:40 GMT

I think Bayakoa still holds the record for consecutive grade 1's in a year (something like 9 straight). And Lady's Secret...take a look at the splits in the 86 Breeder's Cup Distaff (at a Mile and Quarter). Natural speed over a distance of ground is hard to beat. And beat the boys she did.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Saratoga AJ — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:02:19 GMT

Carlos in Cali:

I see Zenyatta managed to nose out Anabaa's Creation (who?) to keep her unbeaten streak alive. And this is the mare you think is better than Rachel Alexandra? I would be shocked if she got within 5 lengths of Rachel if they ever met. It would be a wipe out. Better not even try the colts in the BC Classic. Just stick to the same old over matched fillies and mares in the Ladies Classic. Then just MAYBE she'll retire undefeated.

She has definitely lost a step or two since last year, she has not been very impressive in her three starts this year.

The HOTY competition is now officially over.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Ernie Munick — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:50:00 GMT

Fantastic blog, Brian. Way to go!!

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Carlos in Cali — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:34:50 GMT

ABZ:

Pat yourself on the back for making the most ludicrous statement of the 21st century...so far! You must be from a different dimension.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

cybercat — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:53:18 GMT

Go Zenyatta! I'm excited to see her race today, 12 for 12 would be so impressive.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

cybercat — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:47:30 GMT

Thanks ABZ! It does make me feel better :)

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

ABZ — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:45:06 GMT

Let's see if Zenyatta takes another step towards 'greatness' tomorrow.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

ABZ — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:42:08 GMT

Cybercat,

A well stated argument for your beloved Rags to Riches. She was another one that I had a hard time leaving off my Top 20 list. The reason I did, was because of something that you mentioned...only seven starts and five wins. If it makes you feel any better, I rate her as the second best 3y.o. filly of this decade.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

ABZ — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:11:58 GMT

Thank you Carlos. I am more than happy to take credit for that statement.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

cybercat — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:09:11 GMT

LAZMANNICK and Carlos in Cali, thank you for backing me up on Rags to Riches.

Zenyatta, I appreciate your opinion but if you watch Rags races I don't know how you can deny her from being in the top 20. She only raced 7 times and her 5 wins showed amazing closing speed, strength and talent. She raced West and East Coast, on different surfaces including sloppy mud. Her Las Virgines win after going six wide to win is an impressive feat, she even surprised Garrett Gomez in that race. And she showed an explosive finishing kick to run away and win by 5½ lengths in the Santa Anita Oaks. I don't mean to belabor the point but I guess it's obvious that I love that horse. I really appreciate her and feel she hasn't been receiving the recognition she deserves. Also,according to your logic Rachel Alexandra won't be considered a great horse because she isn't racing in the Breeder Cup.

re: Guest Blog - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta's Place in History

Carlos in Cali — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:17:42 GMT

Saratoga AJ:

Agreed,I'm not a fan of synthetics myself,but one of the reasons the held it @ SA is because of the perfect racing conditions weather-wise.Who wants to see the best horses in the world duke-it-out in wet/sloppy conditions that your side of the continent always has?

ABZ:

Excuse me,but aren't you the one that proclaimed RA the best in the 21st century?....What!!..enough said!