LOL Ruffian better then Secretariat??? Your obviously not well !!! Ruffian may of been the best mare ever...But don't even use her name in the same sentence with Secretariat..Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Tiznow would all have crushed Ruffian
Sorry but RUFFIAN is way better no matter what even if she won the mother goose by a little more at least Ruffian never gets whipped nor pushed thats why Ruffian is the best !
Blame who or what you will for the fall of each of their careers. But if you ask me, the legacy each of them left on racing deserves more than our petty fighting over which would have won in a match race.
Rachel Alexandra dessimated the best fillies on the east coast, put away the best colts of her age, and poured her heart and soul onto the track to prove she was even better than the older colts. She had a career no filly has ever approached before, one that it is not likely any filly will ever approach again.But that doesn't make her any better or worse than Zenyatta.
I think the worst thing we could do to either horse's legacy is to keep comparing them like this. Zenyatta was great for her reasons. She was undefeated in 19 starts, demolished the best mares on the west coast, had fans everywhere eating their nails and screaming when she finally threw her nose in front. She had fans and horsepeople alike believing her a kind of incarnate goddess, so human was she. But that doesn't make her any better or worse a horse than Rachel Alexandra.
From an outsiders perspective. I can't believe anyone would debate who deserved HOTY for 2009. And furthermore, who honestly thinks that Rachel Alexandra was not a better horse than Zenyatta. I seems obvious to me. Not debating Zenyatta wasn't great, but RA was a force of nature.
racheal sucks she showed what she was all about at 4yr old. Zenyatta should that she was the real deal. How u can say racheal is better than Zenyatta idk
How many f'ing times do we have to repeat ourselves. Rachel Alexandra had the greatest 3 yo. campaign ever, you can't even put her 4 yo. campaign into context because she was terribly mismanaged. Zenyatta proved she wasn't invincible, so whos to say RA wouldn't have beaten her as 3 yo? Dumbass.
@queenluciaa yea ur right i miss worded what i wanted to say she did have an amazing 3yo campaign but zenyatta obviously had a better career. Idc what you say how she was mismanaged zenyatta fought through tough trips and got up, i think if they meet up in a race ever they would have both lost due to both would have changed there running style. Zenyatt in my opinion is better than racheal but its just my opinion
'fought' through trips? The fields she met where always small and way out of her class. Its almost silly to think any horse would have beaten a closer on the closer favoring poly tracks she usually ran on. RA did much much more in one year than Zenyatta ever did in any of her single year campaigns.
@queenluciaa oh yea racheal beats a 2 horse field very impressive not to mention she has carried 129 lbs her openents didnt come close to that, fought through the BC at Santa Anita in 09 oh that was big classed field and Zenyatta looked for her at the appleblossom oh shes not ready then retires before the classic where zenyatta comes to meet on the west coast fights through another big classed field so get your facts straight Zenyatta is consistant Racheal not so much u can blame the
I think your forgetting a sole component here... SHE WAS 3!!! A 3 year-old of that age at any sex who could dominate like that is phenomonal. The largest margin of victory Zenyatta won was 4 lengths at her best. Rachel Alexandra beat that field by 20 lengths eased up to a walk.
Shes already in the lead at the top of the stretch at times, she still only wins by 3. Rachel Alexandra had the incredible power to draw off from her competition after setting torrid fractions.
@H0ck3ykid12 - Are you really that ignorant to think Rachel made the decisions???....Ya she said NO Jess Zenyatta will be there!........Grow the F up!. Are you saying 2 time horse of the year Curlin is not a Super horse for not running at Santa Anita in the classic in 08"???. Face it Jess Jackson did not want his horses running on that shit!!. He also said in the Spring of '09 that Rachel was NOT going to the Breeders cup for the exact same reason!. Fucking people cannot appreciate Greatness!
Its funny how you compltely ignored my statement So your saying a non-racing fit mare, being rushed back to racing for one race that was a shoe-in for Zenyatta since she already had a race before that year? Your truely an idiot to think her 74 year-old year was acceptable from her trainers. They didn't even train her properly! While Zenyatta was playing in her kitty litter sandbox in her backyard at Hollywood for the 3rd time. It just got old.
@queenluciaa its funny BC CLASSIC 2009 Champ BC CLASSIC 2010 Runner up in a great race, Rachel no Breeders cups even came to Churchill and didnt show up
Your totally oblivious to why she didn't go to the 09' Classic. Jess Jackson stated in April [The month he purchased her] that they would not direct her to the BC Classic. Because he beleives that synthetic surfaces are plastic. He made a smart move, who won 09' HOTY again?
Such a shame about the boring dirt tracks. You need to be on great, testing English turf tracks to see a real athlete going about his/her work - you do get to see our big races over there, so it's odd that you attach such importance to the dirt. You're a funny lot! Heyhoe
@oitchy And you're attach so much to your turf. Why would a Europe horse don't need to show he's great on dirt too in America to be great but a American horse need to prove himself on Europe turf to be call great according to you? It's arrogant to think that YOU have the one and only surface and the rest of the world is just crap. You're not the center of the world....well...even if you think you are
@Elvira237 Read the post carefully. It's just an observation in which I suggest that Dirt doesn't test an animal's athleticism the way that the variations associated with turf tracks (such as undulations/camber/going) will. Unfortunately for you, dear, we probably do have the best turf tracks in the world.............. suck it up
@oitchy It's not cause something is different that one is totally awful. if being good on turf mean you're the best in the world, lot more atlethic, so more fast and powerful...etc, why are some turf horse are getting beat on dirt? I thought they're suppose to be so much better. I thouth it was a way easier surface. You didn't ''suggest an observation'' , you totally laugh of dirt track thinking Europe is the only horse place in the world
@Elvira237 Dear Elvira, I am a tad worried by the splenetic nature of your outbursts; perhaps you're not eating properly (fresh fruit and vegetables), or getting enough exercise (oxygenating your blood/brain). Please don't be so enraged or upset by my innocuous observation. Either way, try to relax a little, take things as they come, and just try to enjoy your life - what I think really doesn't amount to a hill of beans. You take care, now x
@oitchy It's funny that you didn't put any arguments, didn't find any really proofs by expert to prove yourself, all you're saying is that you're always right and everyone else is always wrong xD Not very convincing to prove your point. I'm not losing my time anymore with someone who has no idea what he's saying and just realize all he has is an opinion and has no way to prove his opinion :)
@oitchy Show some real articles based on big worldwide research with real numbers to prove 100% that Europe is the God of racing and dirt track are awful. if you can't, well what you think is an OPINION, and if it's an opinion, you have no reason to say that people watching dirt races and stupid and funny. If you can't prove with numbers and researchs what you,re saying, well you,re just arrogant and immature to say you're the best of the world
Just stop they are both greay fillies can't we support them both?But my personal thoughts,I favor Rachel more even though she isnt undeafted but nither is Zenyatta...Now anyways,even though she didnt loose by much.But back to the point cant we all just enjoy the video,support both amazing fillies and stop arguing?
Don't understand why Rachel's owners seem to be afraid to race her against Zenyatta. Will she show up to the Breeder's Cup? Or, will their yet another excuse for not racing that day? Why didn't she show up for Apple Blossom?
I'll miss watching her run, but her connections made the right decision to retire her. I would say we won't see another 3-year-old filly campaigned so ambitiously for many, many years. She's truly an all-time great. Now let's hope she can be a successful broodmare.
Watching this I almost forgot how great RA was. Comparing these races to her 4 this preparation it is clear she isn't the same horse. I wonder if her magnificent yet arduous 3yo campaign knocked the stuffing out of her. I would rather remember her as a 3yo.....alot like Ruffian.
Ehm...No. Zenyatta is the one who is overrated. I can't say beating the same younger allowance fillies over and over in races shes won in california 3 times.. Geuss where shes racing AGAIN. The Ladys Secret. AGAIN.
@queenluciaa .... your comment about Zenyatta being over-rated is absurd. Rachel A. never really beat anyone of any real quality. She beat weak females before she took on slightly stronger (but still the weakest 3 year old crop of males in the last 3 decades - Beyer wise) males. I can understand how you feel you must defend her "Woodward" because you must. She got weight of 10 pounds and was all-out to stay ahead.
Zenyatta (at any time last year or this) would embarrass her heads up.
@emancify - Your funny. She has a Kentucky Oaks, Preakness, Travers, and Woodward, not to mention 2 grade 2 wins in her 3 year old campaign. YOUR absurd to disrespect that feat at all!. She is the SUPER FILLY, and had HOTY locked up at the September...... That is how you do it!....I will miss this girl race, and I wish her all the best in the Shed with Curlin ;)
@queenluciaa Zenyatta overrated? hahahahahahah. Rachel was great as well but be fair, Zenyatta is peerless. We won't see a mare as good as her for 50 years or more
@queenluciaa That's 2 funny...at least Zenyatta beats these allowance fillies while overrated Rachel loses to them...After dying in the last yards at the PE, they finally retired this overrated and hopefully soon forgotten media created hype filly. No wonder they kept ducking Zenyatta at 10 furlongs. What's so sad is this Rachel hype didn't even enter one Breeders Cup race. Might as well, any race she enters she would have lost. GOOD RIDDANCE
Just an observation, Rachel’s 2009 season was pretty much just after being in the hands of her original trainer, & I have to give a lot of the credit for her conditioning to them. Her races were fairly close to one another which helped keep her in top shape. Starting in 2010 she had quite a long lay over & while I’m not knocking anyone, one could make an argument as to her lack of conditioning causing her lack of performance. I would expect her to improve as her conditioning improves.
@tristateapbt I couldn't agree more. Lack of proper conditioning and fitness seem to be the problem. I know for a fact that Larry Bramlage pretty much told the connections that they had to let her skeleton fully develop to ensure her safety. Rachel's 2009 was quite unique and required time off. She is slowly rounding back into form, and I know some people criticize this, but if that's what it takes to ensure she stays sound I'm all for it. She is just special. Zenyatta is too.
Who cares if she was from post 13? Not a lot of horses win from outside posts- takes a lot out of them. Zen had to dig down against a game St Trinian's in her last start.
@27showgirl No offense...but Zenyatta has not faced a single GI winner this year, so I would not be bring up competition. The females Rachel faced have put up FAR superior numbers to those Zen faced. That is in black and white on the past performances and cannot be denied. Let me ask you this...why isn't Zenyatta facing males out west? If she is the greatest horse in the country, surely she could beat Rail Trip. Right? Would love to hear why you think she doesn't have to face males in CA.
Rachel Lovers dont give Zenyatta enough credit....It doesnt matter who she races against they will get passed.Ya'll can talk about your viewpoints all day long but when the Breeders cup classic comes to Kentucky this year...not only are you goin to see what Zenyatta can do on dirt but shes going to be doing while going past Rachel....To be honest...Rachel hasnt really against anybody this year either.
@205seeme Both horses are great. What's going on is that people are saying untrue things about both and tempers are flaring. With the advent of the internet, any moron can say anything behind the security of a monitor. Legitimate gripes can be made about both horses. Even when I try to put things in a nice way based strictly on facts, someone attacks me. We should be able to debate with hostility, but unfortunately, reviling begets reviling. Not good.
@205seeme BOTH do not give each other credit and its pitiful and immature. Also, I wouldn't get cocky and say she has a clear cut win in the BCC at CH. Horseracing can be crazy.
@roseonramble I'm not saying she has a clear cut win...I'm a Zenyatta fan and cant wait to see how she performs on dirt against real competition...I'm just excited and rooting for my Fav. Thats All
All these Rachel Alexandra fans remind me of those creeps that get caught on “To Catch A Predator”. I feel like Chris Hansen listening to their pathetic excuses.
They are both GREAT. From Rachel winning the preakness and the woodward with ease to Zenyatta setting a Del Mar track record for 8.5 Furlongs and Winning the BC.I wish someone would make a long video of both Girls accomplishments set to Rihanna "HARD".
rachelalexandra79, Thank You for this video!!! I just enjoyed seeing 'Rachel the Great' win Fleur de lis by 10+lengths, wanted to ck out last yrs races. It's esp enjoyable in a montage like this. What a great filly, last year the best 3 yr old campaign of any filly in history. Hope she continues her dominance this year!!!
@Temple95 You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it! It took quite a while to make. I love montage videos and wanted to make a no-frills video without music just to feature the best portions of each race from '09. In my opinion, the best video of Rachel is called "Arise" and is made by Pliokota. The music perfectly complements her performances. You should check it out if you haven't already. Thanks for commenting and appreciating the video!
she is amazing!! i think both her and Zenyatta have different traits that make them grea.t Rachel Alexandra holds her own and has impecable endurance, unmatched by any horse out there. While Zenyatta has the toying factor. she stays in back, and people think she wont do anything, but then at the last stretch she kicks it into hyper gear and sprints, but not before stareing down her competition. both of them extrodinary horses. but i must say Rachel Alexandra is the best i've ever seen <3
NEWSFLASH!!!!!! RA JUST GOT BEAT AGAIN !!! Like I;ve written dozens times beefore, she is a glorified MILER !! Drop her down to a 1 mile allowance and maybe she has a chance tto win a race again
@zaylana Yes...a glorified miler who set the stakes record in the Mother Goose, nearly broke the track record in the Haskell (both of which were 1 1/8M, and won the Preakness at 1 3/16M. Oh...if only we could all be as smart as you! You don't think it could be that she is not in good form, right? Oh no it couldn't possibly be that! If people are going to write stupid negative comments here I will just delete them.
you're 100% correct in stating RA's numbers from 2009. Maybe I should have been clearer. She is NOW a gloried miler. Her 2009 campaign is long gone. JJ, SA and CB ran her to death as a 3 year old and now she is a shell of her former self. We're never going to see her face off against Big Z and that's a shame because racing needed it.
@zaylana If all goes well...Jerry Moss said everything they do this year is to get to the Breeders Cup Classic again...This year it will be held in Kentucky.So Rachel is very likely to be there.I just wished they couldve raced last year when both horses were at their best.I'm for Zenyatta though if it happens
@rachelalexandra79 Ummm...Zenyatta has had faster times in both lengths of distance...one of her 1 1/16 was 1:40.61...Rachels fastest was 1:42.97... Zenyatta 1 1/8 mile fastest time was 1:46.85 and Rachels fastest time same distance is 1:46.33..look both horses up and keep in mind in some Zenyattas races shes carrying 130 pounds.Ya'll can fuss all you want to but times dont lie..and if you watch Zenyattas races..it looks as if shes not even really trying.If she had to run Rachel down..she could
@205seeme Huh? You just wrote yourself that Rachel has the fastest time at a 1 1/8M, a time which broke the record of Ruffian. 1:46 1/5 is faster than 1:46 4/5. OF course, every race sets up differently. It's silly to discount Rachel as just another horse who will slow down at the top of the stretch like the others Zen has faced. I know Zen is your favorite, and I know you are defending her, and that's cool. I just wouldn't underestimate Rachel. Both are capable of monstrous efforts.
@zaylana Yes, because losing by a nose is just the end of the world. Glorified miler? Of course, so THAT'S the reason she won the Kentucky Oaks, a mile and an EIGHTH race by 20 lengths, looking like she could easily go another eighth. The only mile race she ran in in '09 was the Martha Washington, which she won by 8 lengths. Rachel's just not in the form she was last year - when she gets back there, then we'll see who's a "glorified miler."
@horseracingfan02 ...maybe you're right. Maybe RA will get back to her 2009 form and then again, maybe not !! Maybe she can get "FIT" enough to line up in the starting gate against Careless Jewel or a rematch with Zardana and Unrivaled Belle. But there's no way in hell this little filly will ever come close to facing Zenyatta. They'll probably wait til Zen retires and is in foal to then start beating their chests and calling her out.
@zaylana I, too, am a fan of Zenyatta. And I'll be cheering for her if she and Rachel ever enter the same starting gate. But seriously, any person who calls themself a fan of the sport should be able to appreciate what Rachel has accomplished. And as for a rematch with Zardana? She finished more than 5 lengths ahead of her in the La Troienne. The time for the race was 1:42.97. That's pretty damn good for a "glorified miler."
Does it really frickin matter whos better? NO! All that matters is they are 2 beautifully wonderful mares, and can,and will dominant the colts. End of the fighting please!
"The Historic Campaign of Rachel Alexandra." A filly who's reputation was forged by winning races with "prestigious names" but certainly not with "prestigious competition." She beat one meaningful colt in three races against males. Period. Summer Bird is the only note worthy colt, with any credentials at all in racing. Other than him, Rachel Alexandra raced a very sub-par, at best, group of male's in the three races that she won against the boy's. One of which she was in a full out drive to win.
i think both Zen and RA are great racers!...they have both proved themselves - i.e RA in the preakness and Zen in the breeders cup! ... they wouldnt have won those races if they werent great! ppl should stop fighting over these two, and just appreciate them for being champs! ....
i hav to admit tho, i hav a soft spot for Zen!...if they went up against each other, i would back her all the way, shes just amazin in my eyes!...but i still luv RA to!....i wish them both lots of luck! =)
@xOLauraJaneOx...... I wish more folks could word their comments as eloquently as you. Thanks for posting and enjoy watching Zenyatta win her 16th straight!
@rachelalexandra79 - thank you =) .... an thanks again - i did enjoy it! ....i hope RA does just aswel in her nxt race...she was just havin an off day last time - she wasnt as fit as she could hav been! it happens to anyone - even greats hav bad days right? ...there still only horses at the end of the day, not robots! ...ill look forward to see her win again! =)
All these Rachel Alexandra fans sound like these guys that get caught on "To Catch A Predator." I feel like Chris Hansen listening to their pathetic excuses.
All these Rachel Alexandra fans sound like these guys that get caught on "To Catch A Predator." I feel like Chris Hansen listening to their pathetic excuses.
RACHEL ALEXANDRA IS THE HORSE OF THE YEAR.......................................put down the crack pipes , pour the hater aid down the sink, kick the party crasher off your couch and get on board with the fact folks!
This guy thinks he is a military commander moving pieces around on a map. If the stars don't align and the tooth fairy does not wave his magical wand, then his filly will not attend the "Race for the Ages".
Charles Cella should leave the purse at 5 million and let the coward and his trainer stay at home.
He didn't want to go out to Santa Anita and he doesn't want to show up at Oaklawn
Here's a guy running scared and its become laughable!
I am fine. Thank you for your concern (haha.) I happy that Zenyatta won, but I would greatly appreciate folks not tearing down Rachel, especially since it was obvious she was not 100%. I could say the same thing about the field Zenyatta just beat, but why must we continue to go down that road? I don't want to tear down either horse. They are both champs. Please don't make this negative. Thanks.
While I am a firm Zenyatta fan, this mare is just stunning in her performances. She has power and style when she runs. I can't wait to see her and Z meet in the Apple Blossom, though I hope they meet several times, since one race doesn't really decide anything in the long run.
I, too, am looking foward to these two awesome champions facing off in the Apple Blossom. As of this moment, both are still scheduled to run, provided they are healthy and fit for the race. Best wishes!
It'll be interesting to see, that's for sure. Rachel will lead or stalk the whole way, Zenyatta spots her 10 plus lengths, then we see if she can run her down. Rachel either holds by a couple lengths and gets passed after the wire or Zenyatta gets there in time. I hope they run more than once this year, one race really won't decide anything.
I agree that one race does not necessarily decide anything. If one has a bad day, it will not be reflective of their true talent...which would be a shame.
Yes they will meet 2 times well it's what i think because the owner of Zenyatta will put Zenyatta at the Breeders Cup Classic again and Rachel's owners said the same(put her in the classic).
I can't wait for them to meet and Rachel is going to destory Zenyatta. People who love Zenyatta will say why she can't lose. People who love Rachel will say why they can't lose.
Rachel has so much more class it's not even funny. She beat the boys 3 times, set amazing track records...traveled all over the place
Zenyatta in the BC Classic was nice but she also beat nothing. 8 of the horses in the race never ran or liked Poly-Track.
Now, Raven's Pass ran on a different day. But still, 1:46.85 for 9F is fast at two-turns after going ridiculously wide on that last turn. She closed at 11+. Z breaking under 1:59 is not unrealistic if she gets a 1:35 mile split and even terms w/ the leaders at that point. She would have smoked Curlin had she been entered on Sat. Faster than Ghostzapper's stakes record. Capable of winning back-to-back BCCs.
That is pure conjecture because it didn't happen. Also, Zenyatta didn't have to travel all across the world and win against the best males all year and endure a lengthy difficult campaign like Curlin did. Please don't misunderstand I think she is an absolute monster and anyone who doesn't recognize her greatness is a fool, but Rachel deserves MUCH respect too. I don't want this to turn into a Rachel/Zen debate. I'm tired of that. They are both awesome and I'm sure neither is seeking revenge.
It is revenge because the Eclipse voters got it wrong two years in a row for Zenyatta. Look at the 2008 BC Ladies Classic. She has the fastest two-turn time of that race at that distance. 1:46.85. Only behind Inside Information who did it at one-turn (Belmont Park) in 1995. Inside Information was projected to run 1:59 if she had another furlong to go. Faster than Cigar. Imagine another 12 sec flat for Z? 1:58.85 after a gallop out!
That's a foolish comment. An average/good horse would NOT be setting records or nearly breaking track records in every start. So to answer your question, she has beaten almost every single horse in history that competed in those races and at those tracks. DO people dissect Ruffian's competition? The answer is no. People recognize she was amazing regardless. You can't always have a field full of Ruffians, and you shouldn't have to to recognize greatness. I'm sorry you can't. Honestly.
Speaking of foolish it is stupid of you to blindly compare times between eras as training methods and equine supplements have improved greatly over the years. So basically because she has run faster times than other horses that means she is automatically better than them? That's a stupid and myopic view as every race run is run differently. So any horse that comes out and runs a time faster than Secretariat you will stupidly say that horse is better based on your ridiculous logic.
First of all, I don't appreciate your rudeness. Secondly, if you had a clue, you would know that many of the horses Rachel crushed came back to win GI's. Flashing, Gabby's Golden Gal, and Summer Bird to name a few. Third, horses like Man 'O War regularly faced one or two opponents. Spectacular Bid won in a walkover. It's called respect and fear. Fourth, Rachel didn't just break records in one or two...she did it in almost every start in 2009. It was no fluke. And you put words in my mouth.
I NEVER said she was automatically better. I said she would have beaten those who competed in the past. And if I can't refer to any history, including the last 20 years(our era), then to what shall I compare her performances? I was making the point that she beat history, the clock, not just the others she opposed. That's why she beat the fillies by 20 lengths. She is vastly superior. If you only look at competition and not her records, perhaps you are the one with myopothy?
I'm not interested in foolish fighting. I dislike rude people very much, especially ones who need to do their homework. To be honest, what the other horses Rachel faced did before and after has ZERO to do with her! She is only responsible for her own performances, not those of others. Like you said...every race is different. The circumstances under which others performed doesn't change what she did. You don't make sense. I like a good debate, but not one filled with rudeness.
@rachelalexandra79 YOU COMPARE TO HER COMPETITION TODAY which were the weak 3 year old colts and the sorry weak fillies that Rachel run against. Also the very weak Wooward that should have been grade two at best.
Your argument is weaker than the competition she faced. If you want to call the fillies weak...that is why she won by 20. She could have won by 50 and you would still bash her. And you obviously don't understand the rarity of a 3-year old filly facing and beating older males. Perhaps because we NEVER see that! Oh yeah and she crushed the first horse to win the Belmont, Travers and JCGC since 1989 on his favorite sloppy surface while almost breaking the track record. So unimpressive and weak!
You have shown yourself to be nothing but an RA homer with no clue of horse racing
Im talking about the horses finishing behind her in the races she has won. Who are they and what have they done? She won a 3 horse race for God sake. The horses that she has beat are an average bunch indeed. How many Grade 1's have they won between them? What have they done since she beat them? Show me where the form around her has stood up. What had these horses done before meeting RA and since?
By your misinformed & ridiculously flawed logic blindly and ignorantly looking at times and not the standard of opposition, every track athlete over the past 50 years is a far superior runner than Jesse Owens. Any 100 meter sprinter who has run a faster time than Jesse Owens is a better athlete than he ever was.
Do you now see how stupid and flawed it is just to compare times. Please tell me more about the horses RA has beaten and what they had done before she beat them and after she beat them.
@rachelalexandra79 1, Ruffian is the greastest so don't even try putting RA next to her she would leave her in the dust 2, Ruffian placed all new stakes records in 8 of her races 3, Ruffian was never whipped 4, What fillie or colt wins there maidens race by 15 lengths and sets a new record 5, Ruffian beat Secretariat records in a mile and a quarter 6, Ruffian also equaled two track records 7, Im done here -.-
Treysfull, Horse of the Year decided who had the better 2009. RA got it. Justice was served. It's 2010 now. Different year, different story. Justice will be served at the track on who is the better horse. No politics. Not picking a "campaign" that is the lesser of the two evils. They both ducked and tip-toed last year at certain times. On April 9th, Z will be shooting for sweet 16. Revenge is even sweeter.
Just below the video and the the ratings stars you will see the word "Favorite" with a heart to the left of it. While you are logged in just click the word favorite and it saves. Thanks for watching the video! Take care!
Also, I think that if you're on youtubes RA and Zen videos in feb 2010 making comments, it stands to reason that the discussion is going to be about who was better in '09 and who will be better in '10. Not picking is a noble idea and all, but there's only so many ways to say that each is great in their own way in the comments. Of course they're both great (as well as ruffian and go for wand). My view is RA was and will be greater. I imagine that most "experts" would tend to side with RA too.
It seems like most people on here want to argue who is better and most seem to pick Zenyatta. The only thing that I'm trying to point out is that if you're going to have the argument, if you look at it objectively and logically RA has a much stronger case from '09. Not because I was at the Woodward, not because I love to argue, I just think it's pretty evident who you have to pick as "greater" if pressed. The viewpoint will be much clearer after this season though.
I think the best you can really end up with is that "you can't say Zenyatta's year was worse" while allowing that rachel's may have been better. That's really pushing it though, I think RA's '09 was just better than Zen's outright. My other belief is that with (hopefully) health and maturity she's likely going to come back and be HOTY in '10, (or at least a lot more likely to than Zen is).
It's hard to compare different eras and different racing styles but that doesn't mean that they're incomparable. I love all of these mentioned fillies too, but to me it's pretty hard to justify saying that Zen had a "better" or "more impressive" year in '09. I also believe it would be very hard to say that RA wouldn't rank at least as high or above her great predecessors if she repeats as HOTY especially with a horse like Zenyatta to go through to do it.
It's just so exciting to think that in 2 months the course of racing history is going to start to be decided. The stage is set, the real drama is about to play. Is she the one that everyone waits their whole lives to see come along? The waiting and expectation is the best part. It's the reason I've been posting on here when I usually don't participate in these types of discussions. I think this might be the one. '09 saw the greatest trotter of all time...
hadn't watched ruffian's match race in a long time. Maybe she wasn't beaten and it was probably from the starting gate so disregard that point i guess.
Finally, zenyatta is something special. Without Rachel, she really might have been the horse of the decade. I think she's going to get stomped by RA, but it doesn't really matter. Zen's lifetime achievements will likely never even match RA's '09 season. Unless RA comes back terribly and zen wins the classic 2 or 3 more times in a row, Zen isn't even in the same discussion.
the problem with "what might have been's" is that you just don't know. Ruffian looked like a beaten horse to me that day. Was it because she was breaking down or did it snap because she couldn't keep up? i don't know. so far i think it's a toss up. if rachel comes back and does it again, then she's the only filly in history that proved it again and again with no excuses or what if's. she'd have to be considered the greatest filly ever. greatest horse ever? that would be the real argument.
@treysfull Rachel can't even win in 2010 not even close to the greatest Ruffian beat Secretariats record and you say Rachel is better you need a lot of researching.
my belief is that if you have a filly that would be right there with the best colts of all time if they were to run against each other in their primes, then that is the best horse of all time. it looks like she was one of the best 3 year old colts the world has ever seen last year all things considered. but she's a filly isn't she?
I'm not a historian of thoroughbreds like I am of trotters, but if she dominates in '10 in the same fashion as '09 but against the best of the best boys, I'm not sure that there has ever been a horse that you could say has been as "relatively dominant" as she would be in that scenario. Secretariat crushed 3 y.o.'s to the point that it was silly but RA looked similarly dominant against 3yo fillies.
And that's the real point here. You can't pick who is greatest off of last year. What you can say is that RA is one of the top 4 or 5 fillies of all time off of '09. I don't think you can say # 1 yet, but I don't think you can say #5 either. If she comes back and beats Zen and wins the classic or dubai and goes undefeated again then the case is closed. She'll be the greatest filly ever, and then she'll be on a very short list for greatest horse ever.
It's so difficult to compare horses from different eras, especially when factoring in the changes that have occurred in racing. However, I think it's safe to say that both Rachel and Zenyatta have proven their worth and are clearly among the best we've seen in this era. It certainly does give us a lot to talk about! I don't want to see either one lose, but no matter the outcome, nothing will change what they've already accomplished. Let's enjoy the here and now ;-)
Well thank you very much! I've been a fan of racing my whole life and Rachel is definitely one of the most stunning and electrifying I've seen. My heart skipped a beat when the announcement was made today that she will in fact face Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom. I hope both run their best and provide us with a race for the ages!
I couldn't agree more!! I feel privilidged to be alive to witness the greatness that is Rachel Alexandra. I can't wait for the Apple Blossom....a race for the ages is right!!!! I hate to see either of them lose, especially Zenyatta's perfect record, but with Rachel's sustained speed, I don't think Zenyatta can catch her. She better be a LOT closer than 8 lengths from Rachel's rear end coming into the stretch or it's lights out. I am SO excited!!
If Macho Again can catch her, Zenyatta will pass her. Mind That Bird also caught her and Mike Smith rode him when he did, he says Zenyatta is the best closer ever, Zenyatta will win. IMO
Forgive me, but I don't recall Macho Again catching Rachel...nor do I remember Mine That Bird passing her. Oh that's right, that's because they NEVER got by her even after the wire. We must have watched different races. How would you like it if I said if Anaaba's Creation almost held on, therefore Rachel will beat her? You would say that I wasn't accounting for the pace scenario, which you are not doing for Rachel in those races. Borel also said she is the greatest horse he ever rode.
Mike Smith has ridden MUCH more horses, Mine That Bird and Macho Again caught up to her but didn't pass her because they aren't as good as Zenyatta. I love you video though, if RA wins again Zenyatta she desives it, i just think Zenyatta will pass her
RA clearly wasn't grabbing the track in the Preakness. She was sliding all over the place and she still won handily. Mine that bird wasn't the competition, her shoes were. Macho again wasn't the competition, the pace was. Thank god they're racing this year, you guys might learn to open your brains in the future when Zen gets trounced by a true freak of nature. You just don't know what it means to do what she did at 3. You'll find out soon enough.
When I watch Zen's races I laugh and say what an impressive horse. She takes a terrible running style and makes it work and it's awesome to see. When I watch RA's races I'm in the presence of god. You couldn't draw up a more perfect horse with a chalkboard. Zen isn't even #2 in '09 that probably goes to Sea The Stars. If they raced him on that would've been interesting. If Rachel is healthy it's just going to be a yawner.
Zen is flashy and great. but Rachel, she's probably the best there ever was. I was cursing the owners for their hubris because they were about to ruin yet another great filly in the Preakness. After the wire all I could think was that it didn't even look like she was grabbing the track. First thing Borel said in the interview. One of the only fillies to beat the boys and live to tell about it. The older boys, at 3? When the track/race played against her? Give me a break, it can't happen.
I was there for the Woodward. I'm 22 and have been involved in racing my whole life (trotters though) and that was the most special thing I've ever seen on a racetrack weak bunch or no. So nice to have finally been a part of something that should be remembered 100 years from now. Zenyatta is great and she may even be better this year, (although I seriously doubt that), but she can't touch Rachel in terms of relative accomplishments in '09 or ever. You know what is up
I should you clarify for the Preakness that it was the first time a horse won from post 13 specifically, not just the far outside, because horses have won from the furthest outside post. Point Given from post 11 comes to mind. Otherwise, awesome, thanks!
Thank you for your post. If you pause the video at the start of the Preakness, you will see that the first stall is not used, and that post one is actually stall two. So Rachel actually broke from the farthest outside stall, as the field is limited to 14. You are correct, though, I should have specified post 13.
The first race on this video reminds me that Zenatta race on this track also and won! This has to be the track for both of them to meet and if I remember correctly that the Apple Blossum for Filles and Mares is coming up ! What a great race this would be.I sure hope that the television media gives this the just due it so richly deserves. ! I can see the end of the race in my dreams as Rachel is leading the way and then Zenatta comes up to her and they match stride for stride the last 100 yards!
I'm totally with you about Oaklawn being the perfect venue for them to compete. Zenyatta is a stout closer, but Rachel doesn't quit, even after setting suicidal fractions that wilt those who try and run with her early. Although the two have different running styles, they both have courage, heart and the will to win. The potential media exposure would be tremendous. Rachel is going to be bigger and stronger this year which is quite scary. It's so exciting to think about what we might see!
I also agree with everything said. I think that in a sport. Still mostly dominated by the colts. Its just great to have two really good fillies. like Rachel alexandra and Zenyatta. To show the boys that girls are just as good, I rember the days when people said fillies will never be able to beat the boys. I wish they were around today to see these great fillies. Still to this day I think Ruffian is the greatest filly that ever lived. I don't think any horse could have beat her.
yeah, I like Zenyatta more then Rachel, but Ruffian was never truly tested, as we all know, broke down facing Foolish Pleasure in 1975, be had that not happened, she could have stomped the boys, or they could have stomped her. I think it would have been the first one though, ;D
She really coulda got the triple crown if they had raced her in the other 2 races, not sure why they didn't. I mean she's already great as is but that would have only added to her campaign.
I am so proud of both Rachel and Zenyatta. It has been an amazing year due to both of these horses. I am so sad that there is so much in-fighting as to which horse is better in what could otherwise have been an amazing year for horses period. This type of thing is what keeps the industry in the background. Just my opinion--I'm weary of the fighting about the subject.
I agree that the blogosphere has been filled with hateful and unnecessary comments regarding these two beauties.
A healthy respectful debate is positive for the industry, but unfortunately, some have taken things to a crude level...and yes...that is not helpful to the sport.
I feel that Rachel had the better *year* and the Zenyatta capped off her lifetime record in stunning fashion. My vote is for Rachel, but whichever horse wins the title, no one will soon forget their accomplishments.
Ruffian and Go For Wand were tremendous and among the best fillies ever. Concerning achievements in a single season, Rachel's clearly ranks among the best of all time. I love Ruffian and Go For Wand, but they never beat males, so it's hard to compare. Rachel set records in almost every race. What more could you ask for? Some of their competition was suspect, too. They are legendary and legends are hard to top in the minds of some, but Rachel is one of the greatest to look through a bridle.
I agree... to a point. The hardest part for me is the fact that, had both Go For Wand and Ruffian not broken down, they may have demolished the boys. We all know that Rachel was even FASTER then Ruffian. But I also believe that, from the way Zenyatta runs her races, she deserves to be an all-time great too.
But, as this is a Rachel Alexandra video, I will let her have her spot-light.
You know it's funny....Ruffian and Go For Wand happen to be among my all-time favorite horses. They exemplified what racehorses should be. Their greatness is undeniable. Greatness is subjective, though, and some folks will always argue for and against. Zenyatta is truly special. That, too, is undeniable. Any one of these could be arguably the best, but we'll never know. I enjoy(ed) each one for their own special brand of greatness. Let's make this simple and just say they are all among the best.
Very well said... I find that, if someone ends up putting up a Rachel or Zenyatta video on you-tube, it becomes a place where people end up fighting about who's better, instead up enjoying each special filly in their own light.
@dustywhipp5 Your a complete idiot Ruffian did a lot better then Rachel Ruffian never gets whipped nor pushed but she gets choked a lot and still settled 8 track records and equaled 2 and beat Secretariats record and won her maidens race by 15 lengths god you need a lot of help.
LOL Ruffian better then Secretariat??? Your obviously not well !!! Ruffian may of been the best mare ever...But don't even use her name in the same sentence with Secretariat..Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Tiznow would all have crushed Ruffian
PlaYah1979 2 weeks ago
@johnofohu
I agree she isn't better than those horses and Zenyatta
TheKcat1999 4 weeks ago
@johnofohu
I agree and she isn't better than ZENYATTA either
TheKcat1999 4 weeks ago
in my opinion this season is matched only by the great dr fager. the more time goes by the racing world will cherish this accomplishment. thanks
reddmudd777 2 months ago
@9showjumper No horse but man o war or secretariat can come close to Ruffian these two are nothing to her.
johnofohu123 2 months ago
Sorry but RUFFIAN is way better no matter what even if she won the mother goose by a little more at least Ruffian never gets whipped nor pushed thats why Ruffian is the best !
johnofohu123 2 months ago
Blame who or what you will for the fall of each of their careers. But if you ask me, the legacy each of them left on racing deserves more than our petty fighting over which would have won in a match race.
xkfireflieskx 5 months ago
Rachel Alexandra dessimated the best fillies on the east coast, put away the best colts of her age, and poured her heart and soul onto the track to prove she was even better than the older colts. She had a career no filly has ever approached before, one that it is not likely any filly will ever approach again.But that doesn't make her any better or worse than Zenyatta.
xkfireflieskx 5 months ago
I think the worst thing we could do to either horse's legacy is to keep comparing them like this. Zenyatta was great for her reasons. She was undefeated in 19 starts, demolished the best mares on the west coast, had fans everywhere eating their nails and screaming when she finally threw her nose in front. She had fans and horsepeople alike believing her a kind of incarnate goddess, so human was she. But that doesn't make her any better or worse a horse than Rachel Alexandra.
xkfireflieskx 5 months ago
Zennyatta is so much better the two mares can't be compared
MrMapleleaf77 8 months ago
From an outsiders perspective. I can't believe anyone would debate who deserved HOTY for 2009. And furthermore, who honestly thinks that Rachel Alexandra was not a better horse than Zenyatta. I seems obvious to me. Not debating Zenyatta wasn't great, but RA was a force of nature.
bgardiner2000 9 months ago
racheal sucks she showed what she was all about at 4yr old. Zenyatta should that she was the real deal. How u can say racheal is better than Zenyatta idk
H0ck3ykid12 10 months ago
@H0ck3ykid12
How many f'ing times do we have to repeat ourselves. Rachel Alexandra had the greatest 3 yo. campaign ever, you can't even put her 4 yo. campaign into context because she was terribly mismanaged. Zenyatta proved she wasn't invincible, so whos to say RA wouldn't have beaten her as 3 yo? Dumbass.
queenluciaa 10 months ago
@queenluciaa yea ur right i miss worded what i wanted to say she did have an amazing 3yo campaign but zenyatta obviously had a better career. Idc what you say how she was mismanaged zenyatta fought through tough trips and got up, i think if they meet up in a race ever they would have both lost due to both would have changed there running style. Zenyatt in my opinion is better than racheal but its just my opinion
H0ck3ykid12 10 months ago
@H0ck3ykid12
'fought' through trips? The fields she met where always small and way out of her class. Its almost silly to think any horse would have beaten a closer on the closer favoring poly tracks she usually ran on. RA did much much more in one year than Zenyatta ever did in any of her single year campaigns.
queenluciaa 10 months ago
@queenluciaa oh yea racheal beats a 2 horse field very impressive not to mention she has carried 129 lbs her openents didnt come close to that, fought through the BC at Santa Anita in 09 oh that was big classed field and Zenyatta looked for her at the appleblossom oh shes not ready then retires before the classic where zenyatta comes to meet on the west coast fights through another big classed field so get your facts straight Zenyatta is consistant Racheal not so much u can blame the
H0ck3ykid12 10 months ago
@H0ck3ykid12
I think your forgetting a sole component here... SHE WAS 3!!! A 3 year-old of that age at any sex who could dominate like that is phenomonal. The largest margin of victory Zenyatta won was 4 lengths at her best. Rachel Alexandra beat that field by 20 lengths eased up to a walk.
queenluciaa 10 months ago
@queenluciaa zenyatta is a closer rachel better of had a larger margin of victory
H0ck3ykid12 10 months ago
@H0ck3ykid12
Shes already in the lead at the top of the stretch at times, she still only wins by 3. Rachel Alexandra had the incredible power to draw off from her competition after setting torrid fractions.
queenluciaa 10 months ago
@H0ck3ykid12 - Are you really that ignorant to think Rachel made the decisions???....Ya she said NO Jess Zenyatta will be there!........Grow the F up!. Are you saying 2 time horse of the year Curlin is not a Super horse for not running at Santa Anita in the classic in 08"???. Face it Jess Jackson did not want his horses running on that shit!!. He also said in the Spring of '09 that Rachel was NOT going to the Breeders cup for the exact same reason!. Fucking people cannot appreciate Greatness!
Nucleo85Torino 10 months ago
@queenluciaa mismangement all you want but she proved not to what she was her 4yr old year
H0ck3ykid12 10 months ago
@H0ck3ykid12
Its funny how you compltely ignored my statement So your saying a non-racing fit mare, being rushed back to racing for one race that was a shoe-in for Zenyatta since she already had a race before that year? Your truely an idiot to think her 74 year-old year was acceptable from her trainers. They didn't even train her properly! While Zenyatta was playing in her kitty litter sandbox in her backyard at Hollywood for the 3rd time. It just got old.
queenluciaa 10 months ago
Comment removed
H0ck3ykid12 10 months ago
@queenluciaa its funny BC CLASSIC 2009 Champ BC CLASSIC 2010 Runner up in a great race, Rachel no Breeders cups even came to Churchill and didnt show up
H0ck3ykid12 10 months ago
@H0ck3ykid12
Your totally oblivious to why she didn't go to the 09' Classic. Jess Jackson stated in April [The month he purchased her] that they would not direct her to the BC Classic. Because he beleives that synthetic surfaces are plastic. He made a smart move, who won 09' HOTY again?
queenluciaa 10 months ago
Such a shame about the boring dirt tracks. You need to be on great, testing English turf tracks to see a real athlete going about his/her work - you do get to see our big races over there, so it's odd that you attach such importance to the dirt. You're a funny lot! Heyhoe
oitchy 11 months ago
@oitchy And you're attach so much to your turf. Why would a Europe horse don't need to show he's great on dirt too in America to be great but a American horse need to prove himself on Europe turf to be call great according to you? It's arrogant to think that YOU have the one and only surface and the rest of the world is just crap. You're not the center of the world....well...even if you think you are
Elvira237 10 months ago
@Elvira237 Read the post carefully. It's just an observation in which I suggest that Dirt doesn't test an animal's athleticism the way that the variations associated with turf tracks (such as undulations/camber/going) will. Unfortunately for you, dear, we probably do have the best turf tracks in the world.............. suck it up
oitchy 10 months ago
@oitchy It's not cause something is different that one is totally awful. if being good on turf mean you're the best in the world, lot more atlethic, so more fast and powerful...etc, why are some turf horse are getting beat on dirt? I thought they're suppose to be so much better. I thouth it was a way easier surface. You didn't ''suggest an observation'' , you totally laugh of dirt track thinking Europe is the only horse place in the world
Elvira237 10 months ago
@Elvira237 Dear Elvira, I am a tad worried by the splenetic nature of your outbursts; perhaps you're not eating properly (fresh fruit and vegetables), or getting enough exercise (oxygenating your blood/brain). Please don't be so enraged or upset by my innocuous observation. Either way, try to relax a little, take things as they come, and just try to enjoy your life - what I think really doesn't amount to a hill of beans. You take care, now x
oitchy 10 months ago
@oitchy It's funny that you didn't put any arguments, didn't find any really proofs by expert to prove yourself, all you're saying is that you're always right and everyone else is always wrong xD Not very convincing to prove your point. I'm not losing my time anymore with someone who has no idea what he's saying and just realize all he has is an opinion and has no way to prove his opinion :)
Elvira237 10 months ago
@oitchy Show some real articles based on big worldwide research with real numbers to prove 100% that Europe is the God of racing and dirt track are awful. if you can't, well what you think is an OPINION, and if it's an opinion, you have no reason to say that people watching dirt races and stupid and funny. If you can't prove with numbers and researchs what you,re saying, well you,re just arrogant and immature to say you're the best of the world
Elvira237 10 months ago
I love how, even after a whole year and both horses getting Horse of The Year, you guys are still fighting. It's quite pathetic, actually.
BackstretchUnderdog 1 year ago
Just stop they are both greay fillies can't we support them both?But my personal thoughts,I favor Rachel more even though she isnt undeafted but nither is Zenyatta...Now anyways,even though she didnt loose by much.But back to the point cant we all just enjoy the video,support both amazing fillies and stop arguing?
spirit201 1 year ago
Don't understand why Rachel's owners seem to be afraid to race her against Zenyatta. Will she show up to the Breeder's Cup? Or, will their yet another excuse for not racing that day? Why didn't she show up for Apple Blossom?
kwmred 1 year ago
I'll miss watching her run, but her connections made the right decision to retire her. I would say we won't see another 3-year-old filly campaigned so ambitiously for many, many years. She's truly an all-time great. Now let's hope she can be a successful broodmare.
ThePhantomSpoon 1 year ago
God Bless always!
bobbaffert 1 year ago
Awesome horse !!!! Thanks for the video.
jessie74 1 year ago
great video. i love it. high quality also.
TheSonjaxfactor 1 year ago
Maybe we think the quality of horses run against both super fillies are weak, but maybe these 2 gals are just THAT much better PERIOD.
Nucleo85Torino 1 year ago
Watching this I almost forgot how great RA was. Comparing these races to her 4 this preparation it is clear she isn't the same horse. I wonder if her magnificent yet arduous 3yo campaign knocked the stuffing out of her. I would rather remember her as a 3yo.....alot like Ruffian.
schardy80 1 year ago
@schardy80 Same horse as in 2009 but older and tougher competition. Overrated.
duhru4real 1 year ago
@duhru4real
Ehm...No. Zenyatta is the one who is overrated. I can't say beating the same younger allowance fillies over and over in races shes won in california 3 times.. Geuss where shes racing AGAIN. The Ladys Secret. AGAIN.
queenluciaa 1 year ago
@queenluciaa .... your comment about Zenyatta being over-rated is absurd. Rachel A. never really beat anyone of any real quality. She beat weak females before she took on slightly stronger (but still the weakest 3 year old crop of males in the last 3 decades - Beyer wise) males. I can understand how you feel you must defend her "Woodward" because you must. She got weight of 10 pounds and was all-out to stay ahead.
Zenyatta (at any time last year or this) would embarrass her heads up.
emancify 1 year ago
@emancify - Your funny. She has a Kentucky Oaks, Preakness, Travers, and Woodward, not to mention 2 grade 2 wins in her 3 year old campaign. YOUR absurd to disrespect that feat at all!. She is the SUPER FILLY, and had HOTY locked up at the September...... That is how you do it!....I will miss this girl race, and I wish her all the best in the Shed with Curlin ;)
Nucleo85Torino 1 year ago
@queenluciaa Zenyatta overrated? hahahahahahah. Rachel was great as well but be fair, Zenyatta is peerless. We won't see a mare as good as her for 50 years or more
schardy80 1 year ago
@queenluciaa That's 2 funny...at least Zenyatta beats these allowance fillies while overrated Rachel loses to them...After dying in the last yards at the PE, they finally retired this overrated and hopefully soon forgotten media created hype filly. No wonder they kept ducking Zenyatta at 10 furlongs. What's so sad is this Rachel hype didn't even enter one Breeders Cup race. Might as well, any race she enters she would have lost. GOOD RIDDANCE
duhru4real 1 year ago
Just an observation, Rachel’s 2009 season was pretty much just after being in the hands of her original trainer, & I have to give a lot of the credit for her conditioning to them. Her races were fairly close to one another which helped keep her in top shape. Starting in 2010 she had quite a long lay over & while I’m not knocking anyone, one could make an argument as to her lack of conditioning causing her lack of performance. I would expect her to improve as her conditioning improves.
tristateapbt 1 year ago
@tristateapbt I couldn't agree more. Lack of proper conditioning and fitness seem to be the problem. I know for a fact that Larry Bramlage pretty much told the connections that they had to let her skeleton fully develop to ensure her safety. Rachel's 2009 was quite unique and required time off. She is slowly rounding back into form, and I know some people criticize this, but if that's what it takes to ensure she stays sound I'm all for it. She is just special. Zenyatta is too.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
Who cares if she was from post 13? Not a lot of horses win from outside posts- takes a lot out of them. Zen had to dig down against a game St Trinian's in her last start.
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vsboyy25 1 year ago
@27showgirl No offense...but Zenyatta has not faced a single GI winner this year, so I would not be bring up competition. The females Rachel faced have put up FAR superior numbers to those Zen faced. That is in black and white on the past performances and cannot be denied. Let me ask you this...why isn't Zenyatta facing males out west? If she is the greatest horse in the country, surely she could beat Rail Trip. Right? Would love to hear why you think she doesn't have to face males in CA.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
Rachel Lovers dont give Zenyatta enough credit....It doesnt matter who she races against they will get passed.Ya'll can talk about your viewpoints all day long but when the Breeders cup classic comes to Kentucky this year...not only are you goin to see what Zenyatta can do on dirt but shes going to be doing while going past Rachel....To be honest...Rachel hasnt really against anybody this year either.
205seeme 1 year ago
@205seeme Both horses are great. What's going on is that people are saying untrue things about both and tempers are flaring. With the advent of the internet, any moron can say anything behind the security of a monitor. Legitimate gripes can be made about both horses. Even when I try to put things in a nice way based strictly on facts, someone attacks me. We should be able to debate with hostility, but unfortunately, reviling begets reviling. Not good.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
@205seeme BOTH do not give each other credit and its pitiful and immature. Also, I wouldn't get cocky and say she has a clear cut win in the BCC at CH. Horseracing can be crazy.
roseonramble 1 year ago
@roseonramble I'm not saying she has a clear cut win...I'm a Zenyatta fan and cant wait to see how she performs on dirt against real competition...I'm just excited and rooting for my Fav. Thats All
205seeme 1 year ago
Comment removed
27showgirl 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
All these Rachel Alexandra fans remind me of those creeps that get caught on “To Catch A Predator”. I feel like Chris Hansen listening to their pathetic excuses.
DBJKAJ 1 year ago
They are both GREAT. From Rachel winning the preakness and the woodward with ease to Zenyatta setting a Del Mar track record for 8.5 Furlongs and Winning the BC.I wish someone would make a long video of both Girls accomplishments set to Rihanna "HARD".
205seeme 1 year ago
Such fantastic horses! I don't care WHO would win if they ever met. I'm just glad to live in an era where TWO wonderful mares raced!
BackstretchUnderdog 1 year ago
rachelalexandra79, Thank You for this video!!! I just enjoyed seeing 'Rachel the Great' win Fleur de lis by 10+lengths, wanted to ck out last yrs races. It's esp enjoyable in a montage like this. What a great filly, last year the best 3 yr old campaign of any filly in history. Hope she continues her dominance this year!!!
Temple95 1 year ago 3
@Temple95 You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it! It took quite a while to make. I love montage videos and wanted to make a no-frills video without music just to feature the best portions of each race from '09. In my opinion, the best video of Rachel is called "Arise" and is made by Pliokota. The music perfectly complements her performances. You should check it out if you haven't already. Thanks for commenting and appreciating the video!
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
I never noticed the impressive fractions RA set during the preakness, good win.
digidot 1 year ago
she is amazing!! i think both her and Zenyatta have different traits that make them grea.t Rachel Alexandra holds her own and has impecable endurance, unmatched by any horse out there. While Zenyatta has the toying factor. she stays in back, and people think she wont do anything, but then at the last stretch she kicks it into hyper gear and sprints, but not before stareing down her competition. both of them extrodinary horses. but i must say Rachel Alexandra is the best i've ever seen <3
SaraFiltz 1 year ago
OVER-RATED!
stivo1975 1 year ago
@stivo1975 that word is overrated!!!
angryleafisgay 1 year ago
God! These horse racing fanatics, when discussing racing, are WORSE than the opera queens when discussing opera. GET A LIFE!
meinfb 1 year ago
NEWSFLASH!!!!!! RA JUST GOT BEAT AGAIN !!! Like I;ve written dozens times beefore, she is a glorified MILER !! Drop her down to a 1 mile allowance and maybe she has a chance tto win a race again
zaylana 1 year ago
@zaylana Yes...a glorified miler who set the stakes record in the Mother Goose, nearly broke the track record in the Haskell (both of which were 1 1/8M, and won the Preakness at 1 3/16M. Oh...if only we could all be as smart as you! You don't think it could be that she is not in good form, right? Oh no it couldn't possibly be that! If people are going to write stupid negative comments here I will just delete them.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago 3
@rachelalexandra79
you're 100% correct in stating RA's numbers from 2009. Maybe I should have been clearer. She is NOW a gloried miler. Her 2009 campaign is long gone. JJ, SA and CB ran her to death as a 3 year old and now she is a shell of her former self. We're never going to see her face off against Big Z and that's a shame because racing needed it.
zaylana 1 year ago
@zaylana If all goes well...Jerry Moss said everything they do this year is to get to the Breeders Cup Classic again...This year it will be held in Kentucky.So Rachel is very likely to be there.I just wished they couldve raced last year when both horses were at their best.I'm for Zenyatta though if it happens
205seeme 1 year ago
@rachelalexandra79 Ummm...Zenyatta has had faster times in both lengths of distance...one of her 1 1/16 was 1:40.61...Rachels fastest was 1:42.97... Zenyatta 1 1/8 mile fastest time was 1:46.85 and Rachels fastest time same distance is 1:46.33..look both horses up and keep in mind in some Zenyattas races shes carrying 130 pounds.Ya'll can fuss all you want to but times dont lie..and if you watch Zenyattas races..it looks as if shes not even really trying.If she had to run Rachel down..she could
205seeme 1 year ago
@205seeme Huh? You just wrote yourself that Rachel has the fastest time at a 1 1/8M, a time which broke the record of Ruffian. 1:46 1/5 is faster than 1:46 4/5. OF course, every race sets up differently. It's silly to discount Rachel as just another horse who will slow down at the top of the stretch like the others Zen has faced. I know Zen is your favorite, and I know you are defending her, and that's cool. I just wouldn't underestimate Rachel. Both are capable of monstrous efforts.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
@zaylana Yes, because losing by a nose is just the end of the world. Glorified miler? Of course, so THAT'S the reason she won the Kentucky Oaks, a mile and an EIGHTH race by 20 lengths, looking like she could easily go another eighth. The only mile race she ran in in '09 was the Martha Washington, which she won by 8 lengths. Rachel's just not in the form she was last year - when she gets back there, then we'll see who's a "glorified miler."
horseracingfan02 1 year ago
@horseracingfan02 ...maybe you're right. Maybe RA will get back to her 2009 form and then again, maybe not !! Maybe she can get "FIT" enough to line up in the starting gate against Careless Jewel or a rematch with Zardana and Unrivaled Belle. But there's no way in hell this little filly will ever come close to facing Zenyatta. They'll probably wait til Zen retires and is in foal to then start beating their chests and calling her out.
zaylana 1 year ago
@zaylana I, too, am a fan of Zenyatta. And I'll be cheering for her if she and Rachel ever enter the same starting gate. But seriously, any person who calls themself a fan of the sport should be able to appreciate what Rachel has accomplished. And as for a rematch with Zardana? She finished more than 5 lengths ahead of her in the La Troienne. The time for the race was 1:42.97. That's pretty damn good for a "glorified miler."
horseracingfan02 1 year ago
@zaylana wait let me guess duhru4real, sweetpnoy, and..??
angryleafisgay 1 year ago
@zaylana Newsflash I killed you!!
whatthefuckubrat 1 year ago
Does it really frickin matter whos better? NO! All that matters is they are 2 beautifully wonderful mares, and can,and will dominant the colts. End of the fighting please!
Sarahthesullivann 1 year ago
"The Historic Campaign of Rachel Alexandra." A filly who's reputation was forged by winning races with "prestigious names" but certainly not with "prestigious competition." She beat one meaningful colt in three races against males. Period. Summer Bird is the only note worthy colt, with any credentials at all in racing. Other than him, Rachel Alexandra raced a very sub-par, at best, group of male's in the three races that she won against the boy's. One of which she was in a full out drive to win.
GBeret83 1 year ago
i think both Zen and RA are great racers!...they have both proved themselves - i.e RA in the preakness and Zen in the breeders cup! ... they wouldnt have won those races if they werent great! ppl should stop fighting over these two, and just appreciate them for being champs! ....
i hav to admit tho, i hav a soft spot for Zen!...if they went up against each other, i would back her all the way, shes just amazin in my eyes!...but i still luv RA to!....i wish them both lots of luck! =)
xOLauraJaneOx 1 year ago 7
@xOLauraJaneOx...... I wish more folks could word their comments as eloquently as you. Thanks for posting and enjoy watching Zenyatta win her 16th straight!
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
@rachelalexandra79 - thank you =) .... an thanks again - i did enjoy it! ....i hope RA does just aswel in her nxt race...she was just havin an off day last time - she wasnt as fit as she could hav been! it happens to anyone - even greats hav bad days right? ...there still only horses at the end of the day, not robots! ...ill look forward to see her win again! =)
xOLauraJaneOx 1 year ago
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All these Rachel Alexandra fans sound like these guys that get caught on "To Catch A Predator." I feel like Chris Hansen listening to their pathetic excuses.
DBJMKJ 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
All these Rachel Alexandra fans sound like these guys that get caught on "To Catch A Predator." I feel like Chris Hansen listening to their pathetic excuses.
DBJMKJ 1 year ago
RACHEL ALEXANDRA IS THE HORSE OF THE YEAR.......................................put down the crack pipes , pour the hater aid down the sink, kick the party crasher off your couch and get on board with the fact folks!
BIGRED224FOREVER 1 year ago
Rachel Alexandra is a truly fantastic horse, but i think she is 2nd best to ZENYATTA!!
Don't get me wrong though, I do love to watch both RA and Zenyatta beat the boys!!!
milram17 1 year ago
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born to be a winner.. run with zenyatta will be a history!
jash08i 1 year ago
born to be a winner.. run with zenyatta will be a history!
jash08i 1 year ago
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This Jess Jackson is a clown.
This guy thinks he is a military commander moving pieces around on a map. If the stars don't align and the tooth fairy does not wave his magical wand, then his filly will not attend the "Race for the Ages".
Charles Cella should leave the purse at 5 million and let the coward and his trainer stay at home.
He didn't want to go out to Santa Anita and he doesn't want to show up at Oaklawn
Here's a guy running scared and its become laughable!
DBJMKJ 1 year ago
And boom goes the undefeated record. I do hope that you are ok RA79. The filly's record was padded against an inferior age group and sex.
syddiggers 1 year ago
I am fine. Thank you for your concern (haha.) I happy that Zenyatta won, but I would greatly appreciate folks not tearing down Rachel, especially since it was obvious she was not 100%. I could say the same thing about the field Zenyatta just beat, but why must we continue to go down that road? I don't want to tear down either horse. They are both champs. Please don't make this negative. Thanks.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
@syddiggers yea and so was seattle slew ru kidding me he beat run dusty run! his triple crown is tainted according to your infinite wisdom!
BIGRED224FOREVER 1 year ago
While I am a firm Zenyatta fan, this mare is just stunning in her performances. She has power and style when she runs. I can't wait to see her and Z meet in the Apple Blossom, though I hope they meet several times, since one race doesn't really decide anything in the long run.
NightsEclipse44 1 year ago
@NightsEclipse44 Edit: I've heard that Rachel has been scratched from the Apple, but then I've heard she hasn't, do you know which is true?
NightsEclipse44 1 year ago
I, too, am looking foward to these two awesome champions facing off in the Apple Blossom. As of this moment, both are still scheduled to run, provided they are healthy and fit for the race. Best wishes!
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
It'll be interesting to see, that's for sure. Rachel will lead or stalk the whole way, Zenyatta spots her 10 plus lengths, then we see if she can run her down. Rachel either holds by a couple lengths and gets passed after the wire or Zenyatta gets there in time. I hope they run more than once this year, one race really won't decide anything.
larking13 1 year ago
I agree that one race does not necessarily decide anything. If one has a bad day, it will not be reflective of their true talent...which would be a shame.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
Yes they will meet 2 times well it's what i think because the owner of Zenyatta will put Zenyatta at the Breeders Cup Classic again and Rachel's owners said the same(put her in the classic).
crazy4horses11 1 year ago
Rachel > Zenyatta
I can't wait for them to meet and Rachel is going to destory Zenyatta. People who love Zenyatta will say why she can't lose. People who love Rachel will say why they can't lose.
Rachel has so much more class it's not even funny. She beat the boys 3 times, set amazing track records...traveled all over the place
Zenyatta in the BC Classic was nice but she also beat nothing. 8 of the horses in the race never ran or liked Poly-Track.
Rachel is going to kick Zenyatta ass
bmicon 1 year ago
Now, Raven's Pass ran on a different day. But still, 1:46.85 for 9F is fast at two-turns after going ridiculously wide on that last turn. She closed at 11+. Z breaking under 1:59 is not unrealistic if she gets a 1:35 mile split and even terms w/ the leaders at that point. She would have smoked Curlin had she been entered on Sat. Faster than Ghostzapper's stakes record. Capable of winning back-to-back BCCs.
sweetepnoy 1 year ago
That is pure conjecture because it didn't happen. Also, Zenyatta didn't have to travel all across the world and win against the best males all year and endure a lengthy difficult campaign like Curlin did. Please don't misunderstand I think she is an absolute monster and anyone who doesn't recognize her greatness is a fool, but Rachel deserves MUCH respect too. I don't want this to turn into a Rachel/Zen debate. I'm tired of that. They are both awesome and I'm sure neither is seeking revenge.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
It is revenge because the Eclipse voters got it wrong two years in a row for Zenyatta. Look at the 2008 BC Ladies Classic. She has the fastest two-turn time of that race at that distance. 1:46.85. Only behind Inside Information who did it at one-turn (Belmont Park) in 1995. Inside Information was projected to run 1:59 if she had another furlong to go. Faster than Cigar. Imagine another 12 sec flat for Z? 1:58.85 after a gallop out!
sweetepnoy 1 year ago
Who has Rachel beaten? Her age group was terrible this year and she was beating up on very ordinary fillies.
A good horse/athlete can look deceivingly good when up against ordinary opposition. It's like Usain Bolt running NCAA meets.
syddiggers 1 year ago
That's a foolish comment. An average/good horse would NOT be setting records or nearly breaking track records in every start. So to answer your question, she has beaten almost every single horse in history that competed in those races and at those tracks. DO people dissect Ruffian's competition? The answer is no. People recognize she was amazing regardless. You can't always have a field full of Ruffians, and you shouldn't have to to recognize greatness. I'm sorry you can't. Honestly.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
Speaking of foolish it is stupid of you to blindly compare times between eras as training methods and equine supplements have improved greatly over the years. So basically because she has run faster times than other horses that means she is automatically better than them? That's a stupid and myopic view as every race run is run differently. So any horse that comes out and runs a time faster than Secretariat you will stupidly say that horse is better based on your ridiculous logic.
syddiggers 1 year ago
First of all, I don't appreciate your rudeness. Secondly, if you had a clue, you would know that many of the horses Rachel crushed came back to win GI's. Flashing, Gabby's Golden Gal, and Summer Bird to name a few. Third, horses like Man 'O War regularly faced one or two opponents. Spectacular Bid won in a walkover. It's called respect and fear. Fourth, Rachel didn't just break records in one or two...she did it in almost every start in 2009. It was no fluke. And you put words in my mouth.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
I NEVER said she was automatically better. I said she would have beaten those who competed in the past. And if I can't refer to any history, including the last 20 years(our era), then to what shall I compare her performances? I was making the point that she beat history, the clock, not just the others she opposed. That's why she beat the fillies by 20 lengths. She is vastly superior. If you only look at competition and not her records, perhaps you are the one with myopothy?
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
I'm not interested in foolish fighting. I dislike rude people very much, especially ones who need to do their homework. To be honest, what the other horses Rachel faced did before and after has ZERO to do with her! She is only responsible for her own performances, not those of others. Like you said...every race is different. The circumstances under which others performed doesn't change what she did. You don't make sense. I like a good debate, but not one filled with rudeness.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
@rachelalexandra79 YOU COMPARE TO HER COMPETITION TODAY which were the weak 3 year old colts and the sorry weak fillies that Rachel run against. Also the very weak Wooward that should have been grade two at best.
duhru4real 1 year ago
Your argument is weaker than the competition she faced. If you want to call the fillies weak...that is why she won by 20. She could have won by 50 and you would still bash her. And you obviously don't understand the rarity of a 3-year old filly facing and beating older males. Perhaps because we NEVER see that! Oh yeah and she crushed the first horse to win the Belmont, Travers and JCGC since 1989 on his favorite sloppy surface while almost breaking the track record. So unimpressive and weak!
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
You have shown yourself to be nothing but an RA homer with no clue of horse racing
Im talking about the horses finishing behind her in the races she has won. Who are they and what have they done? She won a 3 horse race for God sake. The horses that she has beat are an average bunch indeed. How many Grade 1's have they won between them? What have they done since she beat them? Show me where the form around her has stood up. What had these horses done before meeting RA and since?
syddiggers 1 year ago
By your misinformed & ridiculously flawed logic blindly and ignorantly looking at times and not the standard of opposition, every track athlete over the past 50 years is a far superior runner than Jesse Owens. Any 100 meter sprinter who has run a faster time than Jesse Owens is a better athlete than he ever was.
Do you now see how stupid and flawed it is just to compare times. Please tell me more about the horses RA has beaten and what they had done before she beat them and after she beat them.
syddiggers 1 year ago
@rachelalexandra79 1, Ruffian is the greastest so don't even try putting RA next to her she would leave her in the dust 2, Ruffian placed all new stakes records in 8 of her races 3, Ruffian was never whipped 4, What fillie or colt wins there maidens race by 15 lengths and sets a new record 5, Ruffian beat Secretariat records in a mile and a quarter 6, Ruffian also equaled two track records 7, Im done here -.-
johnofohu123 2 months ago
Treysfull, Horse of the Year decided who had the better 2009. RA got it. Justice was served. It's 2010 now. Different year, different story. Justice will be served at the track on who is the better horse. No politics. Not picking a "campaign" that is the lesser of the two evils. They both ducked and tip-toed last year at certain times. On April 9th, Z will be shooting for sweet 16. Revenge is even sweeter.
sweetepnoy 1 year ago
Why is this about revenge? They are both two great horses. I wouldn't take either lightly. I will be sad for whichever loses.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
Okay this may be completely stupid but could some please tell me how to favorite a video? I'm terribly confused, lol. Thanks.
SpiritRider1303 1 year ago
Just below the video and the the ratings stars you will see the word "Favorite" with a heart to the left of it. While you are logged in just click the word favorite and it saves. Thanks for watching the video! Take care!
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
Also, I think that if you're on youtubes RA and Zen videos in feb 2010 making comments, it stands to reason that the discussion is going to be about who was better in '09 and who will be better in '10. Not picking is a noble idea and all, but there's only so many ways to say that each is great in their own way in the comments. Of course they're both great (as well as ruffian and go for wand). My view is RA was and will be greater. I imagine that most "experts" would tend to side with RA too.
treysfull 1 year ago
It seems like most people on here want to argue who is better and most seem to pick Zenyatta. The only thing that I'm trying to point out is that if you're going to have the argument, if you look at it objectively and logically RA has a much stronger case from '09. Not because I was at the Woodward, not because I love to argue, I just think it's pretty evident who you have to pick as "greater" if pressed. The viewpoint will be much clearer after this season though.
treysfull 1 year ago
I think the best you can really end up with is that "you can't say Zenyatta's year was worse" while allowing that rachel's may have been better. That's really pushing it though, I think RA's '09 was just better than Zen's outright. My other belief is that with (hopefully) health and maturity she's likely going to come back and be HOTY in '10, (or at least a lot more likely to than Zen is).
treysfull 1 year ago
It's hard to compare different eras and different racing styles but that doesn't mean that they're incomparable. I love all of these mentioned fillies too, but to me it's pretty hard to justify saying that Zen had a "better" or "more impressive" year in '09. I also believe it would be very hard to say that RA wouldn't rank at least as high or above her great predecessors if she repeats as HOTY especially with a horse like Zenyatta to go through to do it.
treysfull 1 year ago
It's just so exciting to think that in 2 months the course of racing history is going to start to be decided. The stage is set, the real drama is about to play. Is she the one that everyone waits their whole lives to see come along? The waiting and expectation is the best part. It's the reason I've been posting on here when I usually don't participate in these types of discussions. I think this might be the one. '09 saw the greatest trotter of all time...
treysfull 1 year ago
hadn't watched ruffian's match race in a long time. Maybe she wasn't beaten and it was probably from the starting gate so disregard that point i guess.
treysfull 1 year ago
Finally, zenyatta is something special. Without Rachel, she really might have been the horse of the decade. I think she's going to get stomped by RA, but it doesn't really matter. Zen's lifetime achievements will likely never even match RA's '09 season. Unless RA comes back terribly and zen wins the classic 2 or 3 more times in a row, Zen isn't even in the same discussion.
treysfull 1 year ago
the problem with "what might have been's" is that you just don't know. Ruffian looked like a beaten horse to me that day. Was it because she was breaking down or did it snap because she couldn't keep up? i don't know. so far i think it's a toss up. if rachel comes back and does it again, then she's the only filly in history that proved it again and again with no excuses or what if's. she'd have to be considered the greatest filly ever. greatest horse ever? that would be the real argument.
treysfull 1 year ago
@treysfull Rachel can't even win in 2010 not even close to the greatest Ruffian beat Secretariats record and you say Rachel is better you need a lot of researching.
johnofohu123 2 months ago
my belief is that if you have a filly that would be right there with the best colts of all time if they were to run against each other in their primes, then that is the best horse of all time. it looks like she was one of the best 3 year old colts the world has ever seen last year all things considered. but she's a filly isn't she?
treysfull 1 year ago
I'm not a historian of thoroughbreds like I am of trotters, but if she dominates in '10 in the same fashion as '09 but against the best of the best boys, I'm not sure that there has ever been a horse that you could say has been as "relatively dominant" as she would be in that scenario. Secretariat crushed 3 y.o.'s to the point that it was silly but RA looked similarly dominant against 3yo fillies.
treysfull 1 year ago
And that's the real point here. You can't pick who is greatest off of last year. What you can say is that RA is one of the top 4 or 5 fillies of all time off of '09. I don't think you can say # 1 yet, but I don't think you can say #5 either. If she comes back and beats Zen and wins the classic or dubai and goes undefeated again then the case is closed. She'll be the greatest filly ever, and then she'll be on a very short list for greatest horse ever.
treysfull 1 year ago
It's so difficult to compare horses from different eras, especially when factoring in the changes that have occurred in racing. However, I think it's safe to say that both Rachel and Zenyatta have proven their worth and are clearly among the best we've seen in this era. It certainly does give us a lot to talk about! I don't want to see either one lose, but no matter the outcome, nothing will change what they've already accomplished. Let's enjoy the here and now ;-)
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
I will happily if she loses no excuses no backpedaling I'll come right on here and let you know. See that you do the same.
treysfull 1 year ago
Thanks for this video, you really did an excellent job of chronicling Rachel Alexandra's march to gr8ness!
mayamakeba 1 year ago
How can anyone watch this and say she didn't desrve HOY! True champion. Great vid.
boz987 1 year ago
Excellent Video!!
Lindsikins00 1 year ago 2
I've come back and watched this video over 5 times. Great job noting her accomplishments!!! It's just so exciting to see her run!
ForeverTaylor 1 year ago 2
Well thank you very much! I've been a fan of racing my whole life and Rachel is definitely one of the most stunning and electrifying I've seen. My heart skipped a beat when the announcement was made today that she will in fact face Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom. I hope both run their best and provide us with a race for the ages!
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
I couldn't agree more!! I feel privilidged to be alive to witness the greatness that is Rachel Alexandra. I can't wait for the Apple Blossom....a race for the ages is right!!!! I hate to see either of them lose, especially Zenyatta's perfect record, but with Rachel's sustained speed, I don't think Zenyatta can catch her. She better be a LOT closer than 8 lengths from Rachel's rear end coming into the stretch or it's lights out. I am SO excited!!
ForeverTaylor 1 year ago
If Macho Again can catch her, Zenyatta will pass her. Mind That Bird also caught her and Mike Smith rode him when he did, he says Zenyatta is the best closer ever, Zenyatta will win. IMO
ZenyattaFanatic911 1 year ago
Forgive me, but I don't recall Macho Again catching Rachel...nor do I remember Mine That Bird passing her. Oh that's right, that's because they NEVER got by her even after the wire. We must have watched different races. How would you like it if I said if Anaaba's Creation almost held on, therefore Rachel will beat her? You would say that I wasn't accounting for the pace scenario, which you are not doing for Rachel in those races. Borel also said she is the greatest horse he ever rode.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
Mike Smith has ridden MUCH more horses, Mine That Bird and Macho Again caught up to her but didn't pass her because they aren't as good as Zenyatta. I love you video though, if RA wins again Zenyatta she desives it, i just think Zenyatta will pass her
ZenyattaFanatic911 1 year ago 2
RA clearly wasn't grabbing the track in the Preakness. She was sliding all over the place and she still won handily. Mine that bird wasn't the competition, her shoes were. Macho again wasn't the competition, the pace was. Thank god they're racing this year, you guys might learn to open your brains in the future when Zen gets trounced by a true freak of nature. You just don't know what it means to do what she did at 3. You'll find out soon enough.
treysfull 1 year ago
Your crazy, and your going to eat those words as soon as the UNDEFEATED mare passes RA easily, gobbling her up for dinner!!
ZenyattaFanatic911 1 year ago
When I watch Zen's races I laugh and say what an impressive horse. She takes a terrible running style and makes it work and it's awesome to see. When I watch RA's races I'm in the presence of god. You couldn't draw up a more perfect horse with a chalkboard. Zen isn't even #2 in '09 that probably goes to Sea The Stars. If they raced him on that would've been interesting. If Rachel is healthy it's just going to be a yawner.
treysfull 1 year ago
Zen is flashy and great. but Rachel, she's probably the best there ever was. I was cursing the owners for their hubris because they were about to ruin yet another great filly in the Preakness. After the wire all I could think was that it didn't even look like she was grabbing the track. First thing Borel said in the interview. One of the only fillies to beat the boys and live to tell about it. The older boys, at 3? When the track/race played against her? Give me a break, it can't happen.
treysfull 1 year ago
I was there for the Woodward. I'm 22 and have been involved in racing my whole life (trotters though) and that was the most special thing I've ever seen on a racetrack weak bunch or no. So nice to have finally been a part of something that should be remembered 100 years from now. Zenyatta is great and she may even be better this year, (although I seriously doubt that), but she can't touch Rachel in terms of relative accomplishments in '09 or ever. You know what is up
treysfull 1 year ago
I should you clarify for the Preakness that it was the first time a horse won from post 13 specifically, not just the far outside, because horses have won from the furthest outside post. Point Given from post 11 comes to mind. Otherwise, awesome, thanks!
thiaf99 2 years ago
Thank you for your post. If you pause the video at the start of the Preakness, you will see that the first stall is not used, and that post one is actually stall two. So Rachel actually broke from the farthest outside stall, as the field is limited to 14. You are correct, though, I should have specified post 13.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
The first race on this video reminds me that Zenatta race on this track also and won! This has to be the track for both of them to meet and if I remember correctly that the Apple Blossum for Filles and Mares is coming up ! What a great race this would be.I sure hope that the television media gives this the just due it so richly deserves. ! I can see the end of the race in my dreams as Rachel is leading the way and then Zenatta comes up to her and they match stride for stride the last 100 yards!
texas4life45 2 years ago
I'm totally with you about Oaklawn being the perfect venue for them to compete. Zenyatta is a stout closer, but Rachel doesn't quit, even after setting suicidal fractions that wilt those who try and run with her early. Although the two have different running styles, they both have courage, heart and the will to win. The potential media exposure would be tremendous. Rachel is going to be bigger and stronger this year which is quite scary. It's so exciting to think about what we might see!
rachelalexandra79 2 years ago
and racher won easy my friend, no any match. thanks
hotfairy17 2 years ago
Great compilation about a great horse.
Thanks for the video!
jessie74 2 years ago
I also agree with everything said. I think that in a sport. Still mostly dominated by the colts. Its just great to have two really good fillies. like Rachel alexandra and Zenyatta. To show the boys that girls are just as good, I rember the days when people said fillies will never be able to beat the boys. I wish they were around today to see these great fillies. Still to this day I think Ruffian is the greatest filly that ever lived. I don't think any horse could have beat her.
888Barbaro 2 years ago
yeah, I like Zenyatta more then Rachel, but Ruffian was never truly tested, as we all know, broke down facing Foolish Pleasure in 1975, be had that not happened, she could have stomped the boys, or they could have stomped her. I think it would have been the first one though, ;D
dustywhipp5 1 year ago
She really coulda got the triple crown if they had raced her in the other 2 races, not sure why they didn't. I mean she's already great as is but that would have only added to her campaign.
swim4life107 2 years ago 2
RACHEL! I vote Rachel :)
andfitch19 2 years ago 4
Amazing filly!
And I think this is like the first time the race for Horse of the Year has been between two fillies.
Summer Bird had a really good campaign that would make him a contender any other year, but he's never even been mentioned XD
Talk about girl power!
kijuuki 2 years ago 2
I am so proud of both Rachel and Zenyatta. It has been an amazing year due to both of these horses. I am so sad that there is so much in-fighting as to which horse is better in what could otherwise have been an amazing year for horses period. This type of thing is what keeps the industry in the background. Just my opinion--I'm weary of the fighting about the subject.
kentuckydeb55 2 years ago 3
I agree that the blogosphere has been filled with hateful and unnecessary comments regarding these two beauties.
A healthy respectful debate is positive for the industry, but unfortunately, some have taken things to a crude level...and yes...that is not helpful to the sport.
I feel that Rachel had the better *year* and the Zenyatta capped off her lifetime record in stunning fashion. My vote is for Rachel, but whichever horse wins the title, no one will soon forget their accomplishments.
rachelalexandra79 2 years ago
Well said!!:)
spam1237 2 years ago
She is horse of the year in 09 and the best filly ever. Period. (sorry Zenytta).
sphinxcol 2 years ago
Definitely NOT the "best filly ever", what about Ruffian ( She's not better then her ), Go For Wand, ect.
dustywhipp5 1 year ago
Ruffian and Go For Wand were tremendous and among the best fillies ever. Concerning achievements in a single season, Rachel's clearly ranks among the best of all time. I love Ruffian and Go For Wand, but they never beat males, so it's hard to compare. Rachel set records in almost every race. What more could you ask for? Some of their competition was suspect, too. They are legendary and legends are hard to top in the minds of some, but Rachel is one of the greatest to look through a bridle.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
I agree... to a point. The hardest part for me is the fact that, had both Go For Wand and Ruffian not broken down, they may have demolished the boys. We all know that Rachel was even FASTER then Ruffian. But I also believe that, from the way Zenyatta runs her races, she deserves to be an all-time great too.
But, as this is a Rachel Alexandra video, I will let her have her spot-light.
dustywhipp5 1 year ago
You know it's funny....Ruffian and Go For Wand happen to be among my all-time favorite horses. They exemplified what racehorses should be. Their greatness is undeniable. Greatness is subjective, though, and some folks will always argue for and against. Zenyatta is truly special. That, too, is undeniable. Any one of these could be arguably the best, but we'll never know. I enjoy(ed) each one for their own special brand of greatness. Let's make this simple and just say they are all among the best.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
Sorry I meant to say that labeling any single horse "the" greatest is subjective.
rachelalexandra79 1 year ago
Very well said... I find that, if someone ends up putting up a Rachel or Zenyatta video on you-tube, it becomes a place where people end up fighting about who's better, instead up enjoying each special filly in their own light.
dustywhipp5 1 year ago
there is people on youtube that would argue with a bolder
hukeeaboo 1 year ago
Um... what?
dustywhipp5 1 year ago
@dustywhipp5 Your a complete idiot Ruffian did a lot better then Rachel Ruffian never gets whipped nor pushed but she gets choked a lot and still settled 8 track records and equaled 2 and beat Secretariats record and won her maidens race by 15 lengths god you need a lot of help.
johnofohu123 2 months ago