Horse Racing: Opinions mixed on Zenyatta-Rachel Alexandra

Zenyatta versus Rachel Alexandra is like when an unstoppable force meets and immovable object. The results are sure to be epic- because it can go either way. It would be a photo finish, for sure.

Zenyatta would outrun Rachel Alexandra In Breeder's Cup Race That s Why Steve AssumsonhorsekillerDrugtrainer is not that Breeder'S Cup He is Not a Horseman, He is Drug Trainer out make alot of money by cheating and Kill Horse Racing In America Forever He needs to Locked up for life He a Horse Killer

D. Wayne Lukas has the most credible opinion in this race. He's one of the greatest trainers ever, so he should know. He's absolutely right, Rachel's the best filly ever, Zenyatta couldn't catch her.

Rachel Alexandra still has a resume to build to be considered among the greats. A historical year is all she gets from me. She is 3.

Brittany wrote:

D. Wayne Lukas has the most credible opinion in this race. He's one of the greatest trainers ever, so he should know. He's absolutely right, Rachel's the best filly ever, Zenyatta couldn't catch her.

As for Lucas I differ with you. Being in the industry I know little things about Lucas that would curl some people hair.
As far as RA I agree.
She won more Graded Races and had tougher competition. as a 3 year old then Zenyatta had all her life time., and Zenyatta is an older horse
Zenyatta could of came and ran at Saratoga with RA but she declined.
She waited to race with tired horses in the Breeders.
Breeders win doesn't determine HOTY

I feel differently. RA beat 3 yr olds in all races except the one at Saratoga, and in that race she was all out to hold off a mediocre horse. What she did accomplish was very commendable,but not worthy of the HOTY after yesterday. She was the leader but was dethroned by the Zengal.
Zenyatta was only beating fillies and mares prior, but yesterday she manhandled probably one of the best Classic fields ever assembled. Her job was made even harder with the late scratch of QR.She overcame that and whipped them easily despite needing racing room down the lane. Keep if mind, she soundly defeated Life Is Sweet, her stable mate numerous times and LIS easily won the Ladies Classic Friday. She also broke Personal Ensign's record too.I realize if the Zengal / RA confrontation was a Match Race, RA would win as Pace Makes The Race...but it wasnt and never would be......for me , my vote is Zengal for HOTY, and the vote should not even be close.

This is just to easy to figure. 14 and 0. Only Female to win the Classic. She was drawing off at the end to the best turf horse in America in Gio Ponti. She defeated this years Derby winner, this years Belmont winner, the Big Cap winner, 2 tough Euro's who expected to repeat. RA did some great things this year, No Doubt, but Zenyatta's lifetime accomplishments overshadow that. Zenyatta WILL GET HOTY HONORS that I am sure of.

Curlin did not win the Belmont, a Filly won
Curlin was beatened in the breeders.

He was still HOTY 2 yeras
Zenyatta only defeted a group of tired horses.

IT is well known that breeders races are filled with tired horses which have been running all year long
Zenyatta was lightly raced and was a fresh horse., where the rest of the field was not.
Also Zenyatta had less competition with fewer horses to compete with.

The fact that she won 14 races is not the determining factor.
Quality, conditions of the races and races ran at different track does.
Winning The Breeders Cup has proven is not the determining factor for HOTY.
She ran against tired horses and they opened up the path for her to go through.

Any way she is retired along with Einstein

Both horses are exceptional in their own way.

Trainer,I respect your opinion highly, but your claim that she ran against a bunch of tired horses to me has two flaws 1) Where was RA then?, and 2) that tells me other connections managed their horses poorly throughout the year running in minor races of $1,000,000 or more thus giving up a chance at $5,000,000?........that doesnt make sense. 3 yr olds try to peak for the Derby and olders should be peaking for the BC Classic......who did a better job?

trainer..who are you trying to kid?...of course winning the Classic or other BC races has everything to do with winning HOTY and other honors handed out in January. Just go down the line...other than Curlin last year...2007-Curlin, 2006-Invasor, 2005-Saint Liam, 2004-Ghostzapper, 2001-Tiznow, 95-Cigar. All Classic winners And NONE of them WON a triple crown race except Curlin's Preakness. To argue that Zenyatta had an advantage because she was well rested or lightly raced sounds like a very weak excuse. Sherriff should be rewarded for the way he prepared her for this and he probably will be. The Moss's she be recognized for having the guts to run her in this race and not take the easy route in the ladies classic. She faced the boys and the distance and she looked like she could have run the marathon at a mile and 3/4, going by them so easy and beginning to draw off. I only wish that RA's connections and the same courage to run in this race but they dodged Summerbird in the Travers to face easier a week later and they didn't know if RA could handle synthetics so they probably saved face by not showing up for this. They had every opportunity to do so. And remember, Zenyatta beat Ginger Punch in the 08 Apple Blossom, ON DIRT who received Older F/M Eclawrd a year before Zenyatta.
Unfortunately HOTY honors will probably go to RA because Jess Jackson will BUY IT for her. Just kidding. Jackson is great for Racing and I respect what he did last year keeping Curlin racing. Anybody else would have retired him after 07. So I am looking forward to seeing RA continue next year and continue to do great things. Who knows, maybe this time next year we will all be talking about RA's GREAT BC Classic win at Churchill Downs.(Thank God it's still and I pray always will be Traditional Dirt)

RA was in training and raced more times then Zen.
The West was itching for TA and Ze. to compete. They wanted East VS West.
Like I said the Brreders DOES"T determine HOTH
Why would you want to ship and run a High strung filly at the age of 3 against well seasoned horses 4 to7 even though they are tired.
Before Zenyetta win yesterday. RA was the leading money winner in the country.ZEN wasen't even in the top 50
I think that tells who ran the better races.

Leading money winner now I don't know with Zen's win yesterday puts her ahead of RA If it does it's not by much.

Again winning the Breeders is not a shoe in for HOTY.
It was proven with Curlin.

You want to know who should win Horse of the Year? Ask yourself, "Who risked more during her campaign?"
If you do not lie to yourself, you should see the logical answer.

You people give me a laugh. Don't have a clue

Keep in mind that during the BellaDonna Jackson said he would race RA even AFTER the Woodard if Zenyatta showed up. She did NOT show up. So now that I have seen Zenyatta race all I can say is that they pulled off some brilliant career management tactics. They beat RA earnings with this one big race. It could of been a more interesting year in racing if they had ran against each other.

1/4 of each purses won by RA was donated to Breast Cancer.

I ask what % did the Mosses donate from Zen. purses

Hey trainer..Did you or did you not say that Col John could do it?..He only ran 3 times this year. Was he a tired horse too or maybe he has a foot problem? Your so FULL OF .......excuses. Your points are weak and inaccurate. But hey..Keep on laughing..Thats whats expected of a blithering idiot.
Who the hell knows what the Moss's donated?..What does that have to do with the horses ability. We aren't talking about a popularity contest between the owners.

The BC field was deep and Zenyatta handled it. RA played it safe by staying out of the race, but Zenyatta's convincing win has to have her out in front and Zenyatta has yet to lose.

TRAINER wrote:

You people give me a laugh. Don't have a clue

Glad we can provide you that. You have nothing left to say on the subject.

[QUOTE who=".... Jackson said he would race RA even AFTER the Woodard if Zenyatta showed up. She did NOT show up.....[/QUOTE]<p>Well there is a bit of noise about RA connections turning down an offer to race at Belmount, one million purse and no detention barn for Zenyatta. Oh the games owners play, lol. One thing is for sure, RA's connections could have raced Zenyatta any time they wanted, since everyone knew when and where Zen was running. And Zen was not running restricted 3yo.

Trainer, SURE you know things about 'Lucas' that would curl our hair.
Especially since you can't even spell his name right.
He qualified his comments the minute he said mile and an eighth.
I personally don't think the filly could beat the mare at a mile and a quarter or longer.

I've known Wayne for years. His opinions aren't always right but he's entitled to them. Maybe see what he has to say after seeing that race not what he said before it.