Horse of the year debate?
RightAngle
Administrator
Hard to pick between Rachel and Zenyatta. It is a shame they never raced.
What is your vote?
What is your vote?
Comments
RA is a tough cookie but Zenyatta FLAWLESS:basketball:
This is coming from a Canadian, who has a unbiased opinion where Rachel and Zenyatta are concerned; Not trying to be disrespectful, but I am mind boggled that some of you folks would even want to try and diminish what just happened in the "worlds" premier event?
Come on folks, lets be realistic here; yes, both are champion race horses, exactly what the sport needed! But the common argument I hear from my American friends in favor of Rachel is she beat the winner of the Ky Derby, Travers, Belmont, jcky Cb gold cup etc.. on 3 different occasions? That is great, and outstanding accomplishment for any race horse, no doubt; but you would expect nothing less from a "yearly" champion, am I wrong? We are talking about her as if she is on par with Secretariat? If it had been some other three year colt who won those same races, would he be considered one of the greatest? Let's put it in perspective, she won a single leg of your triple crown, and was life and death to do it. Many 3 year olds have done that over the years. There is even a very good chance had Smith got a better trip, Mine that Bird would have caught her.
Take it from an unbiased Canadian, who really does not care who wins your HOTY honors.
Appreciate what you have in Zenyatta this year, and don't blemish this accomplishment with talk of "she is number 2"? She is truly one of the best of "All TIME" with this win <vs> Rachel who is one of the best of this year....
Consider who Zen beat, and how she did it. Poor start, way back of the of the Best horses the world could offer, and at the top of the stretch when she looked dead on the inside, she barges to outside and runs them down literally within seconds. All I can say is I have not seen anything like that, ever. And if you want to make the argument who did she beat? Well, how about your nations top Turfer/older horse and winner of "4" grade 1's this year. The winner of the Ky Derby, the winner of the Belmont, jky gold cup, Travers winner from BOTH 08 & 09 and the best Europe could offer in Van Winkle (won 2 Group 1's) , not forgetting Twice Over (won a Group 1)...Oh yeh, don't forget last year's S/A Derby winner thrown in for good measure. total Grade/group 1's in field-13 I Believe)AND all in one race to boot! Who is MAcho Again anyway?
If there is still question, one more thing you may want to look at..check out Z's final splits, specially the last 1/4 and 1/8th (final furlong) A wise handicapper some of you may remember known as Pittsburg Bill once said..always bet a horse that can run the final 1/4 in 23 seconds or faster. Z was way back of the 1 mile spilt of 1:36 1/5 (some 7-10?? lengths =aprox 1:38+) and crosses in 200 2/5...well you do the math...by the way, how fast did Secretariat run his final 1/4 mile in the Belmont?
Man...I wish we had something like this to debate in Canada.....I think some of you folks are just spoiled, what luxury to have! I couldn't imagine anyone wanting to belittle the accomplishments observed in Z's performances of not only this year, but last year as well. What an exciting and truely great race horse, right down to her body language both pre and post race! I am sorry to see her retire, and I am not even from the same country! Looking at the facts..it is really a no-brainer.