Rachel Alexandra, 2009 Horse of the Year, Defies Zenyatta in a Controversial Result

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Who is the leading contender right now for this year's Triple Crown?

Hansen - who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill last year.

18%

Union Rages - who won 3 or 4 races as a juvenile including the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes

20%

Algorithms - who recently scored a huge victory in the Grade 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park

24%

It's just too early to determine the top contender for this year's Triple Crown racing season. Anything can still happen.

38%

Total votes: 309

As a horse racing fan for over ten years, I was surprised but not shocked when at the 2009 Eclipse Awards Rachel Alexandra was crowned as Horse of the Year. There isn't anybody that would argue that the incredible 3-year-old filly ran some of the most memorable races that horse racing fans will never forget during this last season. Even with all of her accomplishments including her phenomenal win in the 2009 Preakness Stakes, I'm still disappointed that the undefeated mare, the horse who has been perfect her whole racing career (not just one season), was denied that title.

It is true that Zenyatta has done just about all her racing in the southern California racing circuit. But, it's also true that the amazing daughter of Street Cry put on one of the best racing performances in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic. I have personally come to the conclusion that Zenyatta is such an intelligent animal, she only does what needs to be done to win her race. It's part game to her and it's also part of her strategy - her ability to keep herself in top form and protect herself at the same time.

There will be a lot of controversy and a lot of conversation over the next few weeks on whether the right decision was made for the 2009 Horse of the Year title. Maybe this is all part of a greater plan to help the sport and build up some momentum for a possible meeting between Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra in the 2010 racing season.

Is it coincidental that it was announced that Zenyatta would not retire this year as all previous indications had led us to believe? Or, is it that they knew through a courtesy notice that Horse of the Year was going to Rachel Alexandra and the owners of Zenyatta voted, for her fans themselves and, of course, got the great filly herself, to keep her in training and prepare for the day when these two champions would meet and the final judgment would be made.

One thing is for sure, the 2010 horse racing season just got interesting - very interesting. The 3-year-old filly, Rachel Alexandra, is now a 4-year-old mare. Does this mean she's better, stronger and faster? With two amazing animals in the spotlight and such controversy around the Horse of the Year title, to say things are going to be interesting during this racing season is a major understatement.

I honestly don't think it was a contraversial result at all. While they both deserved Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra deserved it more. Again this is just my opinon.

I'm glad they didn't retire Zenyatta, let her meet Rachel in some races and run her down and beat her. Zenyatta should be targetted for HOY by her owners/trainer this year.

As a horse racing fan for over 25 years, I was NOTsurprised that Rachel Alexandra won Horse of the Year for 2009. She desrved it.
Let me explain why............

Yes, it's true that Zenyatta ran a race for the ages in the BC Classic. They way she won will never be forgotten!

But,
Zenyatta only ran 5 (1 dirt race and 4 synthectic races) times in 2009 and beat the colts only once. Rachel Alexandra raced on 8 different race tracks ( dirt tracks, in all kinds fo weather, synthetic tracks), faced the colts 3 times AND beat them all 3 times!

Rachel Alexandra reminds me of Ruffian. Ruffian was an undefeated filly- never headed in all of her races. Rachel, like Ruffian, runs her heart out each race. She thrives on a challenge from the start. I don't think they've reached the bottom of her.

Zenyatta seems to only do what she needs to do to win. She makes big sweeping moves from the back of the pack in all her races. I think her owners/trainer know her distance limitations.

I'm not knocking either horse, just my observation from following these 2 horses since they broke their Maidens.

I don't think there should have been CO horse of the Year as some people wanted to have happen. The Eclipse Awards was begun in 1971, if i recall correctly. There have been other fillies and mares that vied for the title of Horse of the Year before "Zen and 'Rachel. They didn't split the award then.

I don't think they should do that now or ever in the future. I heard that 37 writers didn't return the Eclipse Award ballots because they did NOT want to vote for only one horse for HOY. They said it felt like they were "cheating" the other horse if they voted one way or the other. So they abstained from the process.

The voters who did actually submit the ballot voted the "right" way. Rachel ran 8 times compared to Zenyatta's 5 times. Rachel beat the boys 3x compared to Zenyatta's 1 x.
Rachel ran on all different types of racing surfaces and in all kinds of weather. 'Zen seems to prefer dry fast tracks and she loves a synthetic racing surface.

Since both horses are in training for 2010 I wish them and their connections continued success. Both owners are working in the best interest of their horses. I respect that. Is the horse what it's all about?

Both horses are definitely great for the sport of horse racing. Horse racing needs horse "heroes."

Provided that both horses are fully fit and happy, I also would love to see a match race- Zenyatta vs Rachel Alexandra. That would be one for the ages!