Enjoy Zenyatta Now

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

jpsb — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:49:44 GMT

One more hope that is ok.

Rachel/Zenyatta wars, the view from Texas

Rachel 2009

RA most impressive win against fillies was in the prestigious Kentucky Oaks where she finished 20 lengths in front of Stone Legacy and Flying Spur. In the Mother Goose she faced Malibu Prayer and Flashing and again won big. Well a race is a race and anything can happen but really, no disrespect intended, but the fillies RA faced are hardly of the caliber of the much derided Anabaa Creation who once managed to finish a close second to Zenyatta. I seriously doubt any would even qualify for a west coast Grade 1 filly/mare race.

In Rachel's three outing against the boys she beat two good colts and one very good colt. In the Preakness Rachel beat Mine that bird. Score one for Rachel. In the Haskel she beat Summers bird. Now Summers bird is a very good horse, this victory is far and away Rachel best win. This win is impressive. The last descent colt RA beat is Macho Again. Macho Again is a good colt kinda like Mind that Bird only better. Again score one for Rachel.

Summery Rachel 2009

I look at it this way. After the Kentucky Oaks Rachel's soon to be connections realized that the east coast fillies were terrible. Just plain terrible and the 3yo colts appeared weak too. So they entered her into the Preakness just to see how good she really was and oh boy was she good. She was better then good, she was great. All heart. Now if RA connections desired greatness and they did, then RA had only two paths to greatness and the HOTY title.

Path A--challenge Zenyatta

Path B-- take on the east coast colts.

Rachel's connections being the smart horsemen they are choose the easier of the two paths, they took on the east coast colts.

Easier? Yeah, I did not say easy, I just said easier.

Ok now lets look at team Zenyatta 2009

Zenyatta connections figured they had a lock on HOTY if their horse stayed healthy and ran like she did last year. They scratched Zenyatta on first outing and her only road trip, due to a sloppy track. They were playing prevent defense in the first quarter.

Zenyatta connections were unprepared for the challenge RA presented. They were totally blind sided. After the Milady and the Vanity, Zenyatta was only 2 wins away from Personnel Ensign's record. Her course, like Christopher Columbus's was set, come hell, high water or mutiny, they would not alter course until she achieved her goal of 13-0. And while Zenyatta was beating the best mares and fillies, RA was beating the best 3yo colts.

Jackson played the game perfectly, one has to stand in awl of his 2009 campaign for horse of the year, brilliant. He made the Zenyatta camp look like the Jamaican bobcat team. “Rachel beats Belmont winner in the Haskel”, “Rachel beats older males in the Woodard”. Team Zenyatta had no answer, Zenyatta beating Life is Sweet was so page 4.

After Rachel's September victory in the Woodward she needed a rest. No filly since Ruffian has been asked to do so much and delivered. In 2009 she ran 8 races and won 8 races, she won the premier race for fillies and two weeks later a triple crown race in the Preakness. She beat the best 3yo colts in the Haskel and older males in the Woodward. If there is a reincarnation of Ruffian it is Rachel Alexandra. Not since Ruffian has there been a 3yo filly with such talent and heart. Rachel 2009 campaign was over, Path A was executed to perfection, Rachel beat the east coast boys and without ever challenging Zenyatta, HOTY was hers. For Zenyatta to even have a chance she would have to do what no female has ever done before. Beat the worlds best males in the Breeders Cup Classic.

Mean while in Cali Zenyatta wins the Lady's Secret and ties Personal Ensign's 13-0. The yoke is finally lifted from Zenyatta, she is free at last! Her trainer John Shirreffs says “now we start over”.

Folks this is high drama, someone should make a movie. Rachel Alexandra has managed to dethrone the reigning champion while never challenging her directly. She did it by proxy and in doing so left Zenyatta an almost impossible path to regain her throne. Zenyatta must now beat the best male horses in the world, not only does she have to beat the best Rachel ever faced, she has to beat American champions and European champions that Rachel never faced, while Rachel enjoys munching oats in the barn!

Perhaps it would have been better if Zenyatta had lost her maiden race, or if Anabaa Creation had held on in the Clement Hirst. Who knows to what heights Zenyatta could have risen if she had not been chained to Personal Ensign in 2009. All we know for sure is that Zenyatta ran a race for the ages in the Classic. Her last to first run will be remembered as long as horse racing is celebrated. Her stretch drive in the classic is unequaled in the modern era. She ran passed the world best with ease.

In her last race she gave the world a hint of just how good a race horse Zenyatta really is. I just wonder what she might have done had she not been chained to Personal Ensign or had her connections had the faith to set her free before the great filly Rachel Alexandra reminded her of what horse racing is all about.

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

jpsb — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:44:21 GMT

What a fun blog! best HOTY debate going. I am in the Zenyatta camp, but the 2009 campaign of Rachel is the best 3yo filly campaign I've seen since Ruffian. Any other year it's RA, no contest not even close. So I flat out refuse to take cheap shots at RA. How can any fan of TB racing diss RA? Dido Zen.

In my mind the issue hinges on Best Campaign of the Year or Best Horse of the Year. If the award is for the best campaign of the year advantage RA, if the award is for best horse of the year, Zenyatta going away.

RA did more, she ran more races and in better company. Did RA carefully pick her spots? Sure, so that? RA 2009 campaign, sans BC Classic, was far more challenging then Zens. It was in fact brillant.

That said without a doubt Zenyatta is the better race horse. Any doubts about Zenyatta greatness were answered emphatically in the BC Classic. Zenyatta ran like Zenyatta always does and best the worlds best. There is not a race horse in the world that can run with Zenyatta in the stretch. None, Zip, Zero, Nadda. That's why Zenyatta is 14-0.

Will Zenyatta's life time achivements favor her in the voting? Of course it will and it should. One would have to be particully cold blooded not to reward a retiring, undefeated, record breaking, all time great race horse with the Horse of the Year award.

Rachel had an all time great year and she does not deserve to lose this award, but Zenyatta is an all time great horse and she deseves to win it.

What a year for racing! I can't wait to see RA, LIS, SB, GP and Rip next year.

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

Colmel — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:57:16 GMT

jpsb -

BRAVO!!! Well said! The initial blog was right. When in history have we had two superhorses running? Oh, that's right - War Admiral on the east coast (with all the high-dollar camp) and Seabiscuit on the west coast.

Why not just enjoy the fact that we've been blessed with two of the finest horses (let alone distaffers) to look through a bridle competing in our day.

My vote would be to name Zenyatta HOY and RA Champion 3-year-old (not filly - 3-year-old, period). RA should be fit to run (and, good gracious she could be even stronger) as a 4-year-old. Then she can beat everything coming her way and be the undisputed HOY.

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

jpsb — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:18:29 GMT

“Zenyatta is over rated”, “Zenyatta never beat a quality horse”, “Zenyatta doesn't have the speed to win”, “Zenyatta peaked last year” and “Zenyatta is all hype”. Perhaps most insulting of all “Zenyatta is racing in the Classic so her lose there will not be as damning as her certain lost to Careless Jewel or Music Note in the Lady's Classic”. It is a good thing horses don't read news papers or blogs. Perhaps she did and that's the reason she did not want to go into the gate at the Breeders Cup Classic.

The idea that undefeated Zenyatta was dodging Careless Jewel and Music Note to take on Rip Van Winkle, Summer Bird and Geo Pointe demonstrates the absurd lengths some will go to diminish this great mares achievements.

None of the smart people gave Zenyatta a chance. She was the peoples choice and the handicappers rubbed their hands in glee anticipating a nice profit betting against Zenyatta.

Things started going south for the nay sayers Friday in the Lady's Classic, Life is Sweet trice beaten by her stable mate Zenyatta won a convincing Zenyatta like victory. Maybe some of those “same old second rate fillies” weren't so second rate after all?

In the Breeds Cup Classic Zenyatta was asked to do things she's never done before. She was facing males for the first time and not just ordinary males either but the best males of all ages in training. And she was running 10 furlongs for the first time.

Zenyatta wanted no part of this race. She refused to enter the gate and had to be forced in. When the bell when off she didn't break and her jockey Mike Smith had to kick her into gear.

Mike Smith later said he thought to himself “Oh no girl, not today”

She came out on the wrong lead and appeared to be looking for an exit. Mike had to yank her head twice and remind her she had a race to run.

Zenyatta just gave everyone a 5 length head start.

Trevor Denman, the race track announcer calls “Zenyatta is dead last, Zenyatta is dead last early”

Things were not looking good going into the first turn. “Zenyatta is dead last, Zenyatta is last, gotta be giving them a 10 or 11 lengths start”

On the backstretch with a ½ mile to go, “Now here's Zenyatta a good 10 or 11 lengths off the leaders”

Tens of thousands of Zenyatta fans fell silent.

It looked hopeless for Zenyatta against this assembled field of the world's finest horses. Doubts of her greatness, after all the pundits said she can't win, must have surely entered their heads.

Mike Smith maintained his cool and Zenyatta finally remembered she is a race horse and there is a race going on. But she has a lot of work to do.

In what seemed like an instant on the first half of the second turn, Zenyatta when from trailing the pack to in the thick of it. Mike Smith did a masterful job of making up ground for Zenyatta.

What follows will be talked about as long as there is horse racing in the Western World. Zenyatta class and determination to win coupled with Mike Smiths skill as a jockey will be legend. With tens of thousands of screaming fans Zenyatta passed four horse on the inside then hooked to the outside, trading ground for a clear path to the wire. She dug deep found another gear and ran past Colonel John, Summers Bird, Twice Over and Gio Ponti. Just like she's run down every horse that has ever been in front of her.

Zenyatta and her connections are a profile in courage. Zenyatta for running a race for the ages. Mike Smith for keeping his cool in his biggest race in a career full of big races. Shirreffs and the Mosses for putting their undefeated horse and their reputations on the line in a race that only the ordinary folks thought she could win.

Well done Team Zenyatta!

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

mararacing — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:31:50 GMT

The Phantom

while I don't agree with everything pasturelands said, to answer your question and to go along with what I said earlier, 3 horses have recieved HOY during the 25 years BC has exsisted that did not race on BC day. 2001 Point Given (injured) 1999 Charismatic (injured in the Bel S) and in 1994 one of my personal favorites, HOLY BULL. Jimmy Croll decided that the Bull had done enough for the year and refused to bow to pressure to nominate/supplement and take him. Additionally the BC was held at CD, the place where the Bull had put in his worst performnce ever, so he decided to wait for the next year when it would be held at Belmont Park and set out his 4YO campaign accordingly. Unfortunately, the Bull bowed in his race against Cigar and the rest as they say is history. Like RA, the Bull raced from 2 to 3 without a break. Like RA, he finished his campaign in the Woodward and was on VACATION during the BC. He still received HOY and is a member of the Hall of Fame.

Pasturelands

Horses do not have to travel the country and race 20 times to be HOY. In 2004 Ghostzapper was voted HOY mainly based on his BC win, as he had a total of 4 starts for the year, the Iselin (Monmouth), Tom Fool (Bel), Woodward (Bel and almost defeated by Saint Laim who did not go to the BC) and the BC at Lonstar.

so there is precedence for both. Now behave and appricate what great athletes both are and what they have accomplished. You have/are seeing HISTORY in the making.

HOY for both!!

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

Becky Johnston — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:22:18 GMT

1984 John Henry

1985 Spend A Buck

1986 Lady's Secret (2nd in Distaff)

1987 Ferdinand (Classic Winner)

1988 Alysheba (Classic Winner

1989 Sunday Silence (Classic Winner)

1990 Criminal Type

1991 Black Tie Affair (Classic Winner)

1992 A.P. Indy (Classic Winner)

1993 Kotashaan (Turf Winner)

1994 Holy Bull

1995 Cigar (Classic Winner)

1996 Cigar (3rd in Classic)

1997 Favorite Trick (Juvenile Winner)

1998 Skip Away (Classic Winner)

1999 Charismatic

2000 Tiznow (Classic Winner)

2001 Point Given

2002 Azeri Laura (Distaff Winner)

2003 Mineshaft

2004 Ghostzapper (Classic Winner)

2005 Saint Liam (Classic Winner)

2006 Invasor Kiaran (Classic Winner)

2007 Curlin (Ran in Classic)

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

Mike Relva — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:37:26 GMT

LAZMANNICK

Thanks for your loyal support for the great Zenyatta. Also,I TOTALLY AGREE w/what you told PASTERLANDS.

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

da3hoss — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:03:34 GMT

Two-dollar bettor, I think 5 year-old Zen could beat 3-year old RA THIS year BUT when you compare the '09 campaigns, Rachel wins hands down.

Even for lifetime stats, 3 year-old Rachel already has 14 lifetime starts (11-2-0) compared to 14 total at age 5 for Zen.

RA has a Triple Crown race, faced the boys 3 time and won three times (at age 3), run in mud, synthetic and dirt...

Zen has never run on an off track and only left California once...

I am not dissing Zen...but even if I personally like her a teensy bit better, in no way will I take away the accomplishments of an ENTIRE season from RA's historic 3-year old season for Zen's one big race in a year.

People want Zen to win HOTY for her LIFETIME accomplishments...that's not what HOTY is about.

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

NC Mountain Girl — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:00:38 GMT

Mike Reiva's - Thanks for pointing out the many accomplishment of Rachel Alexandra and the different conditions she raced in. She withstood the elements and accomplished what many horses cannot with the cold damp weather and hot humid weather. Nothing against Zenyatta (I do love her) but California does have better climate and it may be hard for her to tolerate the cold damp and hot humid weather that the East Coast is so famous for.

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

NC Mountain Girl — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:52:24 GMT

I loved the Breeders Cup Classic and wanted Zenyatta to win and was delighted for her victory. However, Rachel Alexandra has proven herself over and over and over by beating the males 3 times in 3 big races. HOW CAN ANYONE DENY HER THE HORSE OF THE YEAR AWARD. If Zenyatta is named Horse of the Year it should also be given to Rachel and let them both share it, otherwise Rachel deserves it.

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

The Phantom — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:48:00 GMT

Pasturelands, can you give us a list of HOY horses who didn't run in the BC unless injured?Lets see what you come up with?Champions race a against each other they don't go on vacation especailly after only 3 tough races.Remember Citation in 1948 won the Triple crown raced 20 times won 19 and a second , raced all over the country against the best horses that year didn't go on vacation .She is a 9 furlong specialist who is great at that distance but best horse in America,don't think so and the phony owner was afraid to let her race beyond 9 furlongs doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why.So send the list lets see if you or and RA fan can show Which hoy skipped the BC if healthy.

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

Carlos in Cali — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:42:59 GMT

Pasturelands:

I think Zenyatta took your money,along w/you're friend's right?...No excuses,EVERY horse ran their race.Gio Ponti ran a winning race,are you blind or just ignorant.Richard's Kid loves the synthetics,that's why BBaffert brought him to Cali....you have no clue.Even Zen's opponent's connections have given her props,w/out excuses.They say she beat them fair & square and is an amazing Champion.Excuses are for sore losers.

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

mararacing — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:30:36 GMT

Wow what a year! I am still hoarse from rooting on Z in BCC. Kudos to the Ann and Jerry Moss for running her in the BCC. I had a chance to see her up close and personnal (and have photos) of Z the week of the KD. I was less than 3 feet away. She is a monster in person, but a lady in personality. I was very disappointed when she was scratched from the Louisville Distaff.

I agree and disagree with many of the postings here. Frankly we are LUCKY to have such wonderful athletes to argue about. I love and appriciate both equally and can make cases for and against both for HOY. Without going into the competetion or how each respective campaign was handled by the ownership and trainers, I will say this, HOY has been won by horses that did not race in the BC. HOY has been given to horses that had short 4-5 race campaigns that won BC. So again a case could be made either way.

I will also say that HOY has been shared 5 times and as BOTH have made HISTORY this year, history making should continue with both sharing HOY, a first under the 'new' (1971) format.

Most here are also assuming the Z will never race again. I think that we ought to be asking that Z keep going until next years Apple Blossom, at which time RA should also be pointed to the race and that will end all speculation. Z would still have time to make a date in the Breeding shed.

And as to rhowards comment about Jewel, same could be said about California Flag's race last year and we both know that isn't true. He was a CA horse that should have won last year that did not run his race because he was uncontrolable. The same thing happened with Jewel, so race is a throw out. I know you said 'she looked like' but still. Frankly good horses come from everywhere and have good and bad days, thats what makes the sport great. Can't wait for Lava to return!

So think the focus should be share HOY and meet in the Apple Blossom.

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

Jim P — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:57:02 GMT

Enjoy a ride on Z's back:

www.youtube.com/watch

They turn her loose about the 3:40 mark. Turn up the volume; feel and hear the power.

Rachel and Zenyatta -- MAKERS OF HISTORY!!!!The greatest horses in N. America for 2009!!!!!!! Beautiful, wonderful.

Yeah for the fillies and mares: Azeri, Rags to Riches, Zarkava, Goldikova, Ouija Board, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. What a time to be a fan!!! Loving it!!!

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

Jim P — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:38:41 GMT

I'm for dual Horses of the Year: Zenyatta and Rachel. (Fort Macy and the filly Moccasin did it in the 60's)

Rachel deserves it for her historic campaign, displaying brilliance, courage, and tenacity. She raced against all male fields 3 times and she raced on a # of tracks.

Zenyatta deserves, albeit for her total brilliance displayed in one race, against many of the world's best. After seeing that race there is no way Rachel would beat Z at the Derby/Classic distance. Z moved like a cat in the stretch, ears pricked, and unextended. R's stretch runs became painful to watch, as did the whippings.

Moss let history come to Z. Jackson hunted history down. Did either show sportsmanship? Moss could have done more with Z. R's grandsires were also very nice grass sires. Was R really incapable or running on grass or "platic". Give me a break!!

This great filly and this great mare both deserve the HOY. Usually, when all the boys falter, they give it to the girl. This year the girls deserve it. If they can't give it to both then give it to Life Is Sweet -- because she, Z and R made it so. Sheriffs for Man of the Year!

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

LAZMANNICK — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:55:26 GMT

Pasturelands

You are unbelievable.....First of all, Zen could have repeated what she did in the Classic, OVER AND OVER AGAIN, and on any surface. The problem is, there is only one Classic every year…..To show that those California allowance horses are a lot better than what many people think was validated by what her stable-mate did in the Lady’s Classic......You just don't, or maybe it's that you refuse to recognize greatness when you see it......If you think that Zen couldn't have won, and convincingly, every race that Rachel won and on those same tracks, then you're the one that's going a little daft......Of course the excuses are already rolling in from people like yourself.....home court advantage, the others weren't at their best or were at a disadvantage, nada, nada, nada……To show that-that is BS, Summer Bird’s actual time in the race was 2.01.1, Gio’s 2.00.4. Those times at 1-1/4M would have won most 1-1/4M races this year, so how were they at a disadvantage…..The only disadvantage I seen was Zenyatta…..Rachel could win HOY and she might even deserve it, but the races she ran in were orchestrated and if you refuse to believe that then you probably are already planning on sitting in front of the fire place so you can talk to Santa…..When it came time to put her reputation on the line, her connections backed off and opted for a very weak way out…..Even Jerry Bailey as an unbiased observer made that point on the ESPN program…..When it comes to HOY, IMO if Zen doesn’t receive it, who cares……Oh, and one last thing…….You and none of your friends bet on Zen…….that just goes to prove that you were the LOSERS.

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

Swanmate — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:31:04 GMT

Becky....THANK YOU for posting your blog. I've been so irritated with all the naysayers from both camps (Rachel and Zenyatta's) that I'm about ready to lose it. They're both phenominal and they've both made history this year. Why is it so hard to just sit back, shut up, and appreciate how lucky we are to watch these two amazing horses run?

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

Pasturelands — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:42:17 GMT

Kev needs to get his head checked.. and Mike Relva's going INSANE... Phantom is spouting non-sense..

All this for ONE lousy race-- NONE of my friends bet on Zen, and NONE really wanted her to win. Ability-wise, SUMMER BIRD and RICHARD'S KID, maybe GIO PONTI, were the leaders. I guess they never liked the PRO-RIDE that much, thats why they never fired.

Its so sad, though. Zen won, not because shes the best. She won because she THRIVES on the PRO-RIDE surface. why not? that mare WAS RACING ON NOTHING BUT PRO-RIDE ALL HER LIFE.

If Zen won the BC Classic ON DIRT, IN A RACETRACK OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA, then maybe Id say she really MIGHT deserve a Horse of the Year award.

Right now, its just a case of HOMECOURT ADVANTAGE-- when you are in your backyard, you are KING.

Why give racing's highest honor to a horse THAT IS NEVER TESTED outside her HOMETOWN? Zen had been racing inside her own little FISHBOWL called California, and you say she's GREAT?? Are you crazy????? Zen is great for racing IN CIRCLES around California???

RA travelled to FIVE different states to race. She raced on MUD, SAND, DIRT, even polytrack. She raced in the RAIN, SUN, WIND, and in temperatures from blistering hot, to cold & soggy. They even tried to shut her out of races, give her only 2 weeks of rest-- but still she WON. Despite the odds, Rachel Alexandra STILL WON!!

Now, THAT is the true test of a champion..and the mark of a TRUE Horse of the Year. Not some One-Race Wonder stuck in ONE PLACE.

Zen is a champion, but RACHEL ALEXANDRA IS THE HORSE OF THE YEAR 2009!! Congratulations to everybody

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

Mike Relva — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:15:56 GMT

TWO DOLLAR BETTER

Thanks for what you said regarding STEVE A. I don't like him anyway,he's a jerk!

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

BMCRacing — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:04:52 GMT

Rachel just looks a bit average now. You think....

Zenyatta. She toyed with an International field and made it look so easy. It was absolutely incredible performance by one of the greatest horses of all time. A few years from now, people won't remember Rachel, but they will always talk about the great champion Zenyatta and her undefeated record, toped by her last race, which was at an international field setting being the BC, against the best male horses and that she simply blew them away, with her patented late surge. They will talk about her not just in the United States, But also in Europe, Middle East and Asia for quite some time, or until another undefeated champion steps up on the international stage and wins as excitingly as this great champion did, in front of 58,000 screaming fans and millions more on TV throughout the world!

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN OF RACING. The American Treasure that is ZENYATTA….

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

moodygirl — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:32:42 GMT

I agree completely with this article.

If ever there was a time when TB racing needs a shot in the arm, it's now. Young people need to become fans of the sport or the industry will go down the drain. Let the fans glory in her win!

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

Kev — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:42:33 GMT

Zenyatta Horse of the Year

Because Where was Rachel??

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

RON S — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:21:06 GMT

Jill, My sentiments exactly.

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

Ann — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:20:56 GMT

Looks like neither Quality Road nor Zenyatta read blogs!

Zenyatta undefeated winner of the Breeder's Cup Classic over the best grass horse in the US, over the Derby winner, over the Belmont winner, over older handicap champions, over the best Europe chose to send and at a distance she'd never run before. Coming home happy and healthy and still not giving the impression that she was ever running full out.

gotta love ZENYATTA!

re: Enjoy Zenyatta Now

Vic S — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:08:33 GMT

Well, thats horse of the year. Zenyatta did what Curlin couldn't do. Come back an extra year, but won with an undefeated record. Yes, up until the Breeders' Cup her competition was lacking as compared to Rachel and Curlin, but she proved yesterday she is a superior animal. Let me ask, 2 of three times, was Rachel not in deep water against males? Yes she was, in both the Preakness and Woodward, had that race been an 1/8 longer she most likely would have been beaten. This is not up for debate, she was being gained on at the end and was asked for her all. The only time she beat up on males with dominance was in the Haskell, which in the past has proven as a graveyard for horses that ran in the Belmont(Summer Bird beaten 6 lengths). As for Zenyatta, she isn't brillant in the amount she wins by, but is brilliant in the way she does it. I honestly thought she had no chance after that horrendous start and terrible 1st quarter in 24 + seconds. She did what a great horse does, she wins at all costs. She had everything against her and won pretty easily. Only whipped 5 to 7 times and that was to keep her head in the game, was pricking her ears a lot of the way. Zenyatta is Rachel's supeior this year, you can talk about history of Rachel's campaign all you want, but what Zenyatta did yesterday will likely never happen again in any of our lifetimes. Yes, two of the three main horses(Rachel Alexandra and Sea The Stars) didn't show up for the main event but Zenyatta did beat both of their greatest rivals (Rip Van Winkle and Summer Bird) just as easily as they were beaten by RA and STS if not beaten easier by Zenyatta. Prior to the Breeders' Cup Classic I had Zenyatta as the 5th greatest filly of all-time behind 1-Busher, 2-TaWee, 3-Rachel Alexandra, 4-Personal Ensign. Yesterday's race which I believe is more impressive than all of RA's races against males combined, puts her as the greatest filly of all-time. This is a simple fact. Zenyatta unlike all of these other fillies, beat males on the biggest stage in open company in the Breeders' Cup Classic. The best male horse was not there this year, but that simply doesn't matter. Like RA's connections, STS's chose not to run and therefore saying what coulda, woulda, shoulda, is a moot point. Fact is Zenyatta has met every challenge and raced the world's best. Rachel beat the best on the east coast both young and old 3 times, but Zenyatta beat the best the world had to offer at racing's biggest stage and day. She did things she had never been asked (1 1/4 and males) and won easily. She did this after a bad break and a slow, slow pace. Believe me if they had met on dirt Zenyatta would still win considering she is a better dirt horse than synthetic as proven in her race at Oaklawn last year. If Zenyatta's HOTY is stolen, then they should take back the one they gave Curlin last year, he couldn't even complete a perfect campaign, let alone season. As the fans at Santa Anita were chanting yesterday while Zenyatta was in the winner's cirlce "HORSE OF THE YEAR, HORSE OF THE YEAR, HORSE OF THE YEAR, HORSE OF THE YEAR".