Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra

Zenyatta ran one impressive race against males on a carefully selected race on her home base. Rachel Alexandra ran against males on three occasions at three different tracks. Zenyatta was five for five in California. Rachel was eight for eight at several tracks. Unfortunately, most of the selectors for Horse of the Year only attend one day at the races and make their vote for Horse of the Day. Thus, even though Rachel Alexandra had the better YEAR, I expect Zenyatta will will Horse of the Year(Day).

What a great two years for fillies in the horse racing year. It may be a while before we see the likes of these two fillies again. Doesn't all this discussion about the two horses remind you of all the baseball discussions of Williams vs. Dimaggio, Colavito vs. Kaline (who were traded for each other) and Chamberlain vs. Russell?

Much has been made of the crowd reaction to the victory by Zenyatta. Some have called it unprecented. Apparently, these people were not at Saratoga for Rachel's Woodward triumph.

What a positive thing for racing that we can have a discussion like this rather than the breakdown of a great filly in a nationally prominent race.