Where Has Rachel Alexandra Gone?
Contributed By Post Time PetePosted on 7/27/10 11:34 AM
There was a recent blog post in the L.A. Times discussing the possibility of a face-off between last year's Horse of the Year and Preakness Stakes winner Rachel Alexandra and the undefeated Zenyatta at the August 29th Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga. Six months ago I would have been giddy at the thought of this matchup. My question today is, is anyone still really dreaming of this matchup?
Last year there was big debate over who should receive Horse of the Year honors. The competition between these two was steep. Rachel Alexandra had an amazing 2009 campaign becoming the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes since 1924. She finished the year undefeated with wins in the Haskell Invitational and Woodward Stakes. Zenyatta finished the year undefeated (as of this writing she is 17-0) with a win in the Breeder's Cup Classic against the boys – quite an amazing feat considering her competition.
Many writers protested the Horse of the Year voting because they believed these two should have shared co-Horse of the Year honors. As we know, Rachel ended up winning and while I happen to love watching Zenyatta, it was hard to argue that Rachel didn't deserve it.
The dream matchup between these two greats was supposed to happen at the Apple Blossom Invitational Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 3rd. The president of Oaklawn Park, Charles Cella, increased the purse to $5 million if both Rachel and Zenyatta showed up. This matchup was eagerly awaited by horse racing fans everywhere, only to have Rachel drop out last minute after a loss (second-place finish) in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course.
With Rachel absent from the race, Zenyatta went on to win the Apple Blossom and eventually the Vanity Invitational Handicap (despite a 9-pound weight handicap) to run her record to 17-0.
Rachel followed up her second-place finish in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes with another second-place finish in the La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs. Most of us believed she was done and the magic from 2009 had escaped the bottle. However, Rachel continued to train and picked up wins at the Fleur De Lis Handicap, a grade II stakes race and the Lady's Secret Stakes. This, of course, ignited the recent fire for the possibility of a Rachel/Zenyatta matchup again.
The problem I see is that while Zenyatta is continuing to storm ahead, Rachel's latest wins have come against less-than-competitive matchups. Yes, she did dominate the Fleur De Lis by 10 1/2 lengths, but did anyone really think she couldn't beat Blame and Battle Plan. I know they're good horses, but against the type of horse Rachel "should" be, was there any real competition?
Now I realize that Zenyatta's last two races haven't exactly been against much better competition, but she also hasn't had a dip in performance. The Moss' appear to be lining her up to race for win #20 (assuming she wins 18 and 19) at the Breeder's Cup Classic again. I honestly don't know if she can win that race two years in a row, but right now I'm not betting against her. (Interestingly enough, I'm not making much money when she wins either, so I apparently am not alone in this sentiment.)
I admit, I would still love to see the matchup. These are the two best horses from last year and getting to see them run against one another would be a lasting memory. I just don't believe Rachel is the same horse we saw last year and can't imagine her beating Zenyatta. Last year, I may have felt differently. I think if we were going to see these two face-off, it should have been when they were at their best and, unfortunately, that time has come and gone.
That's what I think, let me know your thoughts below!
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