Rachel Alexandra - Photo by Jim McCue of the Maryland Jockey Club
I’ve posted this on Twitter, placed it in recent articles, and feel very strongly about the matter. Following Rachel Alexandra’s victory against older males in the Woodward on Saturday at Saratoga, the race for Horse of the Year would appear to be over. I realize that might be a bold statement considering there are several huge races left to be run this year. I can’t see how anyone else’s campaign could possibly top what we’ve seen unfold before our eyes. The filly who was once rejected by her mother (Lotta Kim) has reached the top of the mountain as the finest horse in racing in all of North America.
This isn’t just a Horse of the Year campaign, it’s a campaign for all times. Arguably the start to a Hall of Fame career. Every time she runs, decades worth of history come crashing down like so many dominoes. She lays waste to the competition, conquers every track she encounters, and can lay claim to achieving truly unprecedented results.
“…any talk of another horse being worthy of Horse of the Year honors is patently absurd.”
Interestingly, I actually believe that if the Zenyatta camp had travelled east to face Rachel in the Woodward, they would’ve had a very big shot to prevail. Especially considering how the pace setup ultimately played out. The closers (Bullsbay and Macho Again) were rolling late with every chance to catch Rachel. You’d have to think Zenyatta would’ve been coming gamely in the stretch. We must also factor in that Zenyatta would’ve been returning to dirt in a relatively fresh condition.
I just don’t see what Zenyatta can do now to surpass what Rachel has done this year? There would’ve been an opportunity to keep pace by moving up the class ladder and taking on older males in the Pacific Classic, but that didn’t happen. We KNOW that Rachel is the dominant horse of the U.S. east of the Mississippi. Zenyatta? Well, the picture’s a little cloudy for her. She’s a champion and undefeated mare who deserves a great deal of respect, that much is certain.
Don’t you have to feel though that the older male division in California has been somewhat ripe for the taking? I thought Zenyatta would’ve made a lot of sense as a logical contender in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic. Sadly, we’ve never had the chance to find out. Hopefully that changes in the future, but even so it might be a case of too little too late.
Even if Zenyatta manages to win the Classic, and let’s assume for a moment that she does win in electrifying fashion against top flight competition, would that be enough to leapfrog everything Rachel has accomplished already? Not in my mind. Of course, this doesn’t even factor in that Zenyatta might run into a horse like Sea the Stars in the Classic. As much respect as I have for her, the 2009 campaign so far does not stack up favorably against the accomplishments of Rachel.
Too strong an opinion? Perhaps, but let’s review that list of accomplishments for Rachel:
Historical notes:
-First filly in 8 decades to win the Preakness
-2nd filly in 42 years to win the Haskell
-first filly EVER to defeat older males in the Woodward
Runners who have flattered Rachel with NEXT OUT Stakes wins:
-Just Jenda ( G3 Monmouth Oaks)
-Sarah Louise (G3 Victory Ride)
-Gabby’s Golden Gal (G1 Acorn)
-Take the Points (G2 Secretariat)
-Flashing (G1 Test)
-Summer Bird (G1 Travers)
Misc:
-5 CONSECUTIVE Grade 1 wins (Ky Oaks, Preakness, Mother Goose, Haskell, Woodward).
-Joins elite company becoming one of the few 3-year-old fillies in history to defeat Grade 1 older males over a mile or more.
-Faced males in 3 of those 5 Grade 1 races, won ‘em all.
-Perfect 8 for 8 record in 2009, all stakes races.
-Has defeated the winners of the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes, Whitney Handicap, Stephen Foster – all while winning the Kentucky Oaks, Preakness, Mother Goose, Haskell, and Woodward for herself…and that’s just the last 5 races going back to May.
(read that point above one more time)
-For any other horse (colt or filly) defeating the Kentucky Derby winner would’ve been the centerpiece of their 3-year-old campaign. For Rachel it’s just one of many such moments, and arguably not the biggest or the most memorable. Think about that. That’s really saying something. Just to help you remember how special that moment and the buildup to that historic ride was, take a little walk down memory lane once again:
-Has won Grade 1 races this year at 5 different tracks: Churchill Downs (KY Oaks), Pimlico (Preakness), Belmont Park (Mother Goose), Monmouth Park (Haskell), and Saratoga (Woodward).
-There were 3 more stakes victories starting the campaign in early 2009. Take note of this as it’s the first point in the discussion that Zenyatta’s ’09 campaign draws even by comparison. It’s the basement of Rachel’s accomplishments but currently the ceiling of those Zenyatta has earned thus far in 2009. I think that last sentence bears some reflection.
The thought that all of the above happened in the 3-year-old campaign of a single filly is so unbelievably spectacular that I’m not sure even Horse of the Year renders it full justice. Remember that after all this, she’s still not even a mare yet! It boggles the mind to think of how she might develop if given proper rest to prepare for a 4-year-old campaign.
“…any talk of another horse being worthy of Horse of the Year honors is patently absurd.”
Well, maybe that is a little harsh, but it’s hard to argue with the list of accolades listed above.
Any argument favoring someone else for Horse of the Year is bound to contain speculation about what might happen in the future, or is based on memories from the previous year. In contrast, Rachel’s case is built on events that have actually happened this year. There’s no might or if about them. She’s earned it all on the track.
What say you?
Kevin! Fabulous video. Thanks!!!!
Thanks Lynda! My pleasure. Of course, no sooner did I make that video (just before the Haskell) then she’s added a slew of even greater accomplishments. Guess I’ll have to get around to making another tribute video to her. Just gotta find the right song.
And THIS is why I couldn’t care less if Rachel and Zenyatta ever meet up.
The time is past for that matchup – it would have been relevant after the Kentucky Oaks, it might have been relevant after the Preakness, but now? Sorry Zenyatta – you’re a champion and you’re a truly remarkable mare, but Rachel Alexandra is stratospheric. Zenyatta’s record, even unbeaten, doesn’t have the breadth and depth that Rachel’s has. There simply is no comparison.
Mr. Stafford my brother from another mother, I love Rachel Alexandra and I also love Zenyatta. It’s to hard for me to compare the two without a race between them. Totally different styles, totally different achievements, but Zenyatta is unbeaten to this day and until she is… well it’s hard to ask her to do anything more than win the races put in front of her. I will never dismiss Rachel’s talent she has impressed me. There is a race for champs and it’s not the Woodward, that’s a grade 1 and true against older males. The Breeder’s Cup exists for a reason and I want her there. Maybe it’s selfish because I will be in attendance and would love to see Rachel live, but without a Breeder’s Cup victory I don’t think it’s an open and shut case for horse of the year. Sorry bro, but Zenyatta has struck a chord with me the same way Rachel has with you. I want her there in a big way and without her there the Breeder’s Cup won’t have the kind of significance it ought to. Love the article and love the horse. I want to have the pleasure of seeing her run in person. What she has done is more than legendary, it’s astounding. The fractions set in that race were so fast I got scared for her, but a true champ overcomes all obstacles and she’s done it once again.
Well said, Matt. In many ways I feel the same. All things being equal, I’d like to see her in the Classic, but I understand the decision not to send her.
As much as I love and respect Zenyatta for all that she’s done, I simply can’t make a case for any single race having the ability to outshine all of the above. Not when Rachel has been so consistently dominant and so consistently unprecedented.
Something tells me though that it’s precisely that disparity between their yearly accomplishments that may play into our hands here and force a matchup between them.
I also think we get caught up sometimes in trying to make the Breeders’ Cup more than it really is. It’s a championship in it’s own right, but I don’t subscribe to the notion that it should “always” determine Horse of the Year.
A quick look through just recent memory within the last decade reveals some precedence for the Classic NOT being the definitive race for Horse of the Year:
- 2008: Raven’s Pass wins the Classic, yet Curlin wins HOTY.
- 2003: Pleasantly Perfect wins the Classic, yet Mineshaft is HOTY.
- 2002: Volponi wins the Classic; Azeri is crowned HOTY.
- 2001: Tiznow wins the Classic; Point Given is named HOTY.
That’s 4 times within the last 8 years that the Classic has not equated to HOTY. A clear 50%. Note that the same thing happened in ”96 (Alphabet Soup/Cigar), ’97 (Skip Away/Favorite Trick), ’98 (Awesome Again/Skip Away), & ’99 (Cat Thief/Charismatic) as well.
This means that in 8 of the last 13 years, winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic has not equated to Horse of the Year honors. I think that’s important to keep in mind. A whopping 61% of the last 13 years, a horse other than the Classic champion has gone on to win Horse of the Year. Not an insignificant number.
Now what we need to do is ask ourselves these two follow-up questions:
1) Has Rachel Alexandra achieved as much or more on the track this year as did Curlin in 2008, Mineshaft in 2003, Azeri in 2002, and/or Point Given in 2001?
I’d certainly say so. And with that answer being a resounding yes, her case for Horse of the Year is only further solidified.
What about the flip side though?
2) Has Zenyatta achieved as much or more in this season than the above listed Classic Winners who did not win HOTY? In other words, has her 2009 campaign matched those of Tiznow in 2001, Volponi in 2002, Pleasantly Perfect in 2003, and/or Raven’s Pass in 2008?
Note: you can even assume that she goes on to win the Classic – which one must consent is a fairly large assumption at this point in time.
I’m not so sure. You may be able to compare her to a couple of those seasons, but only IF she goes onto win the Classic, and that isn’t a slam dunk.
Let’s keep in mind that her accomplishments to date include winning a Grade 2 (Milady), and 2 Grade 1′s (Vanity and Clement Hirsch). Even from that list, the Clement Hirsch was a bit of a suspect Grade 1, having only been awarded that status just before the 2009 season.
I’m left thinking that her victories in the Milady, Vanity, and Clement Hirsch leave much to be desired if one is considering a “Horse of the Year” campaign.
Unless of course defeating Life is Sweet several times over somehow equates to automatic Horse of the Year credentials.
You are absolutly right Kevin. After the Woodward I went onto your blog excited at the prospect of being able to yet again laud the wonder that is Rachel. But as soon as the page loaded and my cursor was blinking in the comment box, I could find nothing to write. What Rachel has done, specifically in the Woodward, and now the entire collection of her year, leaves me speachless, there is no way to describe what, who or how she is. Anyone who declares there is a shot for any other horse to steal Horse Of The Year fame this year is being plain ignorant, or naive.
I love your list of Rachel’s accomplishments Kevin, but even with all you listed there are still others left off that merit consideration. She has twice set records for largest margin of victory (Oaks and Mother Goose) and has also set a new stakes record in the Mother Goose. To do so many incredible feats like this all in a fillies three year old year, all in historic races at historic venues, against the toughest competition is no less than one of the greatest racing campaigns of all time. In my opinion Rachel’s campaign trumps winning the Triple Crown, and is second only to the three year old campaign of Citation.
As for Zenyatta, the people that loyally insist on making excuses and creating fake scenarios of “what if” for her, it’s useless. Even if Zenyatta wins the Classic, she would have to put in at least one more Grade 1 victory against older males to reach Horse Of The Year consideration. I know I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it agian because I beleive it’s true. This honor (Horse Of The Year) is given to the horse of the year, not the horse of half a year (if that, in Zenyatt’s case). You can’t just skip the entire fist half of the year, then come waltzing in, beat up on claimers and fillies you’ve already trounced and expect to be crowned champ.
From what I’ve seen so far, Zenyatta should not yet be considered for Horse Of The Year, it should be Rachel, Einstien, Gio Ponti, Macho Again etc. These horses have all accomplished more than Zenyatta this year, and have not shied away from the hard spots. Winning isn’t what counts all the time, it’s the fight for victory, the way the race is run.
Great points, Brian! I know exactly what you mean. It was difficult to think of anything to say as it feels like she’s already exhausted any possible superlatives.
Still, just as you suggest, I can expand upon that further as well:
Just to make sure we give this all proper context:
Rachel – the historical significance:
- 85 years of history in the Preakness (first filly since Nellie Morse in 1924)
- 42 years of history in the Haskell (only the 2nd filly in 42 years to win the Haskell)
- first filly in 56 years to win the Woodward
- first 3-year-old filly to defeat Grade 1 older males on the dirt since at least 1973 “…since the system of grading races began in 1973…” (source: Paul Moran – ESPN)
That’s over 200 years of history right there! Two freakin’ centuries!!!
R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
All this from a 3-year-old filly, and there’s any question that she’s Horse of the Year? Ridonkulous!
Only one thing I can say to the doubters. “Top That!”
Ridonkulous, I tell you!!!!
And like Brian says, we haven’t even touched on the 20+ length victory in the Kentucky Oaks or her 19+ length victory in the Mother Goose – or her final times for that race (Mother Goose) or the Haskell.
It’s hard to argue with this kind of brain power, but my heart is with ZENYATTA. I guess we’ll never know, but both are great for horse racing.
That Teen Witch video is beyond awesome, isn’t it? Ah, the awkwardness of the 80′s.
Matt – there’s still a chance. Don’t give up hope, bro. I know you never will.
Two amazing horses that we’ll be talking about for years.
I don’t need ZENYATTA to win horse of the year, I’ve thought about it. She will be my favorite horse no matter what ceremonial award is given, RACHEL will be your favorite horse. I’ve really thought about this. I think that’s what matters most, that we have favorite horses. Many people talk about atheletes or celebrities that they’d like to meet, for me it’s ZENYATTA. That’s pretty cool, I think, in a sport that is accused of being a gamble and not a sport to know that the horses themselves have fans. This is somewhat of a revelation for me… I’m a ZENYATTA fan and most are RACHEL fans. That doesn’t make any of us wrong, it makes us fans. I’m a CHARGER fan as well and when they don’t bring home the Lombardi trophy, I’m still a CHARGER fan. I hope all of you find this as profound as I do. Animals have fans. These horses don’t give interviews, they are not on Gatorade commercials, but we defend and love them. This may be the most pure way of being a fan there is.
I guess you did exactly what a writer is supposed to do, you made me think. I really learned something from this. It may not have been the intent, but evey good song writer says that it doesn’t matter what they wrote the song for, it only matters that the person listening takes the song and makes it mean something to them. I’ve had a revelation, I no longer care about horse of the year honors. The most important thing about the debate to me, is that there is a debate. Horse racing has fans, horses have fans and I’ve thought about all my favorites that most people haven’t heard of… ANTIQUE AVENUE, HEATHER’S DADDY’S BABY, GINOBILI, EIGHT BELLES, ZENYATTA… oh I could go on all day. I just realized something big. Good work KS!
One more from me and then I’ll pipe down. I could go on and on with lower level horses that I’m a fan of, but I did mention the touchy subject of EIGHT BELLES. That horse brought a tear to my eye and a smile to my face in the derby simultaneously. I’d bet the ponies before, but that race with BIG BROWN was my first all nighter and all weeker of trying to learn how to handicap. I read her profile and fell in love with her. She is the reason I’m a horse racing fan and a horseplayer today. She passed in the way all of us would like to go, doing what she loved and what she was bred to do. I learned about the NORTHERN DANCER offspring and how they had weak legs, but the strongest heart of any horse… The Sire of Sires. She ran well and made a horse racing fan out of me, so for PETA’s radical borderline terrorist approach they are very much misguided. That filly lives on and without her I never would have loved racing as much as I do today. Fans? Oh yes we are fans! I am a ZENYATTA fan and a fan of many others, including Ms. RACHEL ALEXANDRA.
Love the replies, Matt – that’s what I’ve always admired most about you – passion for horse racing just oozes through your veins! Standing applause! You do Zenyatta great justice for being as strong a fan as you are.
Way to go Mr. Del Mar! You are right on. Fans, favorite horses and debates like Rachel vs. Zenyatta are very healthy for the sport. Great points!
Curlin vs. Rachel, any distance
You MUST pick
Ernie – I’ve struggled with this a bit in recent months. Pound for pound I’m starting to feel that Rachel might be a hair superior. Hard to argue with the history she’s shared with us.
Can I take her up through 1 1/8 miles, and say Curlin at 1 1/4 miles or longer?
Agreed. RA is a ‘special’ hoss.
Ouch! I’ve been avioding the Rachel vs. Curlin thing, I hate choosing between two favorites. Curlin will always be my #1 becuase he was the first horse I loved in racing, but I’d have to say that Rachel looks to be superior to everything. She rises to each occasion, but then again, Curlin always gave it his all.
I think Rachel should get horse of the year if Zenyatta does not win the classic. The races Rachel Alexandra won are special to me until I list the names of the horses she beat.
Life is Sweet beat Bullsbay, and Informed in 2009 with out the 8 lbs weight advantage in the Hollywood Gold Cup.
Zenyatta gave Life is Sweet 4lbs, got stopped down the back stretch, and drew off with out the use of the whip. She then carried 129 in the Vanity victory before beating Life Is Sweet at Del Mar again.
The fillys that Rachel Beat are not going to beat any of the top mares in 2009 and the colts are not going to beat any of the top older horses.
In conclusion, “IF” Zenyatta beats the best in the world on B.C.C day, she should get HOTY.
So you’re saying Zenyatta’s case is based on an “if” (“if” she wins the Classic) and some Kevin Bacon-esque six degrees of separation concerning Life is Sweet and Bullsbay? That seems pretty weak to me. Especially considering Bullsbay wasn’t in the form he’s in now back when he lost to Life is Sweet over (cough) synthetics. Let’s also not forget that Rachel is 3 and Life is Sweet is 4 – as that’s a major component folks seem to gloss over.
As for the horse’s Rachel’s beaten? I think you’re dismissing several a little too abruptly, which is odd considering the bulk of your argument seems to concern Bullsbay, who, ummm, Rachel beat over the dirt as a 3-year-old and Zenyatta, well, hasn’t.
But let’s look further…if Zenyatta gets to somehow place a feather in her cap for a horse she’s never faced or beaten (Bullsbay), despite the fact that Rachel beat that same horse straight up as a 3-year-old filly over dirt, let’s see if we can play the same game with Rachel, shall we?
You say that none of the colts she’s beaten will beat “top older horses.”
Who, pray tell, are these mythical “top older horses?”
Judging from earnings, or perhaps Mike Watchmaker’s rankings in the DRF, might we include Einstein in that mix? He has earned nearly $3 million now, the most of any North American horse in training at the moment, so he ought to qualify, right?
Einstein just barely lost to Richard’s Kid (and finished ahead of Informed, who you directly referenced in your case) in the Pacific Classic on September 6th.
Guess who beat Einstein the last time out prior to the Pacific in the Stephen Foster?
(drum roll please)
You guessed it – Macho Again, whom Rachel held off to win the Woodward.
And again, central to the point, Rachel defeated this horse as a 3-year-old.
Now riddle me this….why wasn’t Zenyatta in the Pacific Classic?
Ahmad, I appreciate you backing our girl, but you’re out gunned here. KS is not the dude you want to have an intellectual battle with. Good work though man, I just love that she has fans.
Actually, this touches on a point I’m hoping to get a chance to make this weekend – specifically that the “battle lines” have been drawn so forcefully between these two horses and their camps as to obscure facts and push people to one side or the other.
Case in point – up until about 5 months ago folks would’ve considered me a Zenyatta fan through and through, but now that I’ve stated my thoughts on Rachel’s season, it’s like I’m part of “the other side” and have been labelled as anti-Zenyatta. Not just here – on Twiter and Facebook as well.
It’s almost as if you can’t be a fan of both horses in people’s eyes…despite my repeated assertions that if they ever did meet on the track, that a dead heat between them was the only outcome I’d be interested in seeing.
I guess there’s no playing the role of Maryland in the Civil War when it comes to the 2009 Horse of the Year.
(Note: If I can get this published today, there’s significant reason to reference Maryland and the Civil War here on September 17…and god knows I love a good gratuitous historical reference).
[...] found myself caught up in this nonsense recently. It seems that by stating my belief in Rachel Alexandra’s Horse of the Year credentials (a case that I’d like to think in both post and comments I laid out rather matter-of-factly), [...]
Sometimes emotions get the best of people including the media bloggers. I for one believe that Rachel should win HOTY not because she is truly a great horse but for the brutal 2009 campaign. IMO, she is a good horse and a great 3 YEAR OLD FILLY but far from being a great horse. Facts are, the top 3 year old colts were injured before the triple crown. Taking nothing away from her in the Woodward but let’s be factual here, the field is not the Woodward of the past. These older males only won 2 grade one races this year. DeTara does not even belong in the race. When people compare her to Secretariat, I can’t help but chuckle. I believe her marketing and the way her connections have lauded her is a big part of her percieved greatness. Jockey Borel statement ie ‘just barely tap her’ and his most outlandish claim that ‘she didn’t need to be whip because she wont run any faster’ is part of projecting an image of a horse that is more than she really is. Borel needed to hit her hard in the Woodward to keep a game not so great horse like Macho from passing her. Probably the truth lies in between. She is not that overrated but she is not that great either. One of the biggest benchmark of a great horse is winning at the classic distance of 10 furlongs. Please stop the presumptuous claims that she can win or not win at that length. We just don’t know. I guess we are just going to wait for her 4 year old campaign. Then we can truely gauge her legacy though in my opinion the Woodward was her last race.
To Kevin Stafford: Guess what kind of horse beat Einstein in the Pacific? LOL
Now riddle me this….why is Rachel ducking Zenyatta er I meant the Breeders?
“why is Rachel ducking Zenyatta er I meant the Breeders?”
Egads.
@charlie – It confounds me when people put words in other’s mouths, rather than debate actual fact or engage in conversation.
Examples:
“When people compare her to Secretariat…”
Kindly show us where this was done either in post or in comments within this discussion? There are no strawmen here who have done so, thus no need for an argument against a statement that was never made.
“Please stop the presumptuous claims that she can win or not win at that length…”
Again, I must ask, were you reading this article? Or participating in this discussion? I don’t see where such a claim was ever made. Perhaps you are confused and think you are reading something else?
This article, and the entire discussion that followed were about the factual merits pertaining to Rachel Alexandra’s 2009 Horse of the Year credentials. You seem to start off understanding that, but than drift off in accusations of phantom statements that have never been made.
Kind of tough to reply to such things. Stay with us here, charlie.
@Charles – a 4-year-old mare, over synthetics. (note how I actually answered the question you posed, as opposed to completely ducking and responding with another question) LMAO TFWIW OMG.
Now riddle me this….you actually believe a horse decides which races it runs? Wow…congratulations for the most ridiculously childish comment I believe I’ve ever seen. Are you 12, dude? Stay in school – and don’t do drugs. LMAO OMG
@ Kevin
I was going to respond to your questions but I notice your retorts does not even make any sense. I was responding to the general atmosphere of Rachel’s 2009 campaign. As one astute poster who ask you about the allowance horse that beat Einstein in the Pacific. LOL. and your riddle is so juvenile. Of course a horse does not decide which races to run. That’s just semantics. Are you 5?
Whatever makes sense to you, charles.
[...] got to stick with my man Tim Ice here and Summer Bird. Either way, Rachel stands to have yet another feather placed in her cap when a horse she’s defeated adds the Jockey Club Gold Cup to their belt. QUALITY ROAD is the [...]
[...] 5 11 2009 Finally – it’s Classic time. The “race of the year” (although not necessarily for Horse of the Year, as evidenced by recent history) for an overall purse of $5 million. Obviously the story of the [...]
What frames the accomplishments of Rachel this year is that before her 2009 campaign started she had 78 days of rest. Before Zenyatta started her 2009 campaign she had 211 days of rest. That’s right, Zenyatta got over twice as much rest yet Rachel ran over 60% more races!! Does that matter? You bet it does, that why the Triple Crown is difficult to achieve. Rachel’s accomplishments stacked up against Zenyatta aren’t even close – Rachel is the more deserving for 2009 HOY.