Moss wants Zenyatta to face Rachel

[oliverstoned]

I don't see how you can knock Zenyatta's competition today, and not knock Rachel Alexandra's. That makes absolutely no sense.

Maybe RA would beat Zenyatta if they meet, but RA has NEVER met a horse like Zenyatta. Yes, she's beaten the boys, but sorry, those boys were nowhere near the horse Zenyatta is. And don't even bother to argue that fact.

I think Jess Jackson is the one missing out in the end. He's not going to race the filly in the Breeder's Cup, and really, if she is as good as she seems to be, and did go in the Distaff and win, wouldn't she be Horse of the Year? He's basically passing up that award by not going in the Breeder's Cup.

I'm gonna bother anyway, 2 boys in the the Preakness I would bet over Zenyatta at 1 1/8 on dirt dirt would be Musket Man and Mine that Bird at 1- 1 1/16th I'd take Big Drama over her too. Never mind who RA beat today just look at how fast she ran around a dirt oval even while being geared down in the stretch....and those fractions! Jess ain't missing a thing by not going to the BC because Zenyatta's owners are feeling the pressure and will face the west coast boys or she'll come a little east to face RA, either way she gets beat. Zenyatta will be beat this year I guarantee it.

[karenkarenn]

You know I dont see anyone taking into concideration the tracks that these horse are running on. Belmont and Hollywood park are very different surfaces, Its hard to judge these horses based off of these performances.

[Sysonby]

Competition doesn't matter when you are Rachel and you are galloping 1 1/8 miles in stakes record time. That race was amazing and I believe

Zenyatta had a tougher time all the way around and I think the weight took a toll. She's one gritty mare but I'm leaning towards Rachel especially on the dirt. For one thing, pace isn't a factor with RA while Zenyatta is always towards the back of the pack in the early going. It's actually amazing that she hasn't been upended yet by a slow pace upfront.

Does anyone remember a year like this where the best racers seem to be fillies?

[zinn21]

Sysonby wrote:

Zenyatta had a tougher time all the way around and I think the weight took a toll

Man I must have been watching another race. I thought she won for fun. She toyed with those horses.

[Hotwalker]

two awesome animals displaying their vast talent today. Zenyatta's race was like deja vu. Her style never varies nor does the result.

RA's time was so surprising because it didn't look like she was trying the last 1/16.

If they face each other, does the age difference play a factor in anyone's mind? 5 year old vs. a 3 year old.

[BenB]

Yep, it does for 100% and more.

5 yr olds are tough minded and hardened by competion.

RA just has more pure quality in the balance.

The weight difference should be in september according our standards
a five yr old against a 3 yr old 4 pnds weight advantage for the 3 yr old.

Look to the prix L, Arc de Triomphe weights 3 yr olds 56 kg 4yrs and up 58kg

I do not think zenyatta would keep her status in such a race.

Knowing that RA broke a track record with ease thanks to them fast fractions

I would keepthe situation as it is Zenyatta a champ on the synth
and RA a champ on the dirt.

A race in which one might break down would be a severe downturn for racing.

[AscotStud]

you're dead on Oliver, to sit only 2-3 lengths off those fractions and finsih like she did was amazing. Not to mention how uncomfortable she looked in the early part of that race. Zenyatta was closer than usual, but they were running slower than cheap claimers and it didn't matter how much she was carrying her turn of foot could drive her past in the lane. She is workmanlike and good but not special like RA is.

My dream matchup would be Ghostzapper v. RA next year, both similar styles and both the best horses of the last 15 years

[zinn21]

Let's not go too crazy with the RA's track record and interior fractions. The big sandy was playing like a freeway yesterday. $7500 claimers went 56.92 and 1:09.55. New York breds went 22.70; 45.06; 1:08.54; 1:33.69; 1:40.47-virtually identical fractions to the Mother Goose.

[Sysonby]

Sysonby wrote:

Zenyatta had a tougher time all the way around and I think the weight took a toll

Man I must have been watching another race. I thought she won for fun. She toyed with those horses.

Maybe just a different medium. At the track, the mood was getting a little worried at the top of the lane and she sure didn't look like she was toying with them. From what I saw, she had to dig down which is why I was wondering if it was the 129.

[Dave C]

Firstly, I don't think anyone here would pass up the opportunity to be associated with either of them.

Secondly, the debate about who is better is what horse racing is all about. When we're afraid to race the best against the best because one of them might get hurt, what's the point in the sport continuing?

Thirdly, RA wins impressively when facing inferior competition, but didn't win impressively against tougher in the Preakness, she just won. Zenyatta also won impressively last year when her weight was down and people weren't quite sure just how good she was. Her BC Distaff win was as impressive of a performance as any that RA has put up.

Having these two meet up after a long summer of debating who is better, or meet up several times over the summer, is what horse racing needs.

[oliverstoned]

Dave C,

Agreed the debate is great for the sport just wish the general public was in on what is brewing. Keep in mind her Preakness win was on two weeks break from her best performance.

[zinn21]

Sysonby wrote:

Maybe just a different medium. At the track, the mood was getting a little worried at the top of the lane and she sure didn't look like she was toying with them. From what I saw, she had to dig down which is why I was wondering if it was the 129.

I can certainly see that point of view. I know when I watch any of my horses run live I usually have a different perspective after viewing the replay several times later.

The two have, undoubtedly, created wonderful excitement for racing. It sounds like Jerry Moss is willing to go back east and run against her later this summer/fall. Hopefully both will stay sound and run outstanding races.

I will go out on a limb and say one of these two mares will be named HOY..

[Intrinsic Worth]

this was the race she was supposed to lose.
that was not impressive at all. she just faced a bunch that were well... basically allowence hroses.

Had Life is Sweet, seattle smooth, rachael, any filly or mare that would be considered a top class filly or mare, she loses this race. 1:48 and 1 in an all out drive down the stretch

in the stretch i was convinced she wasn't going to win. she just as not cutting it on. and mike smith was having to ride her in the back stretch.

maybe more time in between races?

If you've ever seen the youtube video of Mike Smith's workout on Zenyatta earlier this spring, you can clearly see she is trained to have one big run. He gets into her into the stretch and she gets going. She knows she is through when she passes the lead horse. Honestly, if someone wants to beat her, they need wait and move with her in the stretch and give her a run. I don't think she'd know what to do.

[karenkarenn]

INtrinsic
And what, RA doesnt make a move from the back too?
What a load of crap.
Both horses move from the back.
Both horse faced less than desirable competition, lets not get to thinking that we know how its going to end. Jackson s dodging the Breeders Cup, Why? Dont know, Zenyatta s folks are giving Jackson a chance.
2nd. Didnt anyone notice that Calvin took out his whip and got her going?! its not like she wasnt asked either.
Belmont has alot of speed to its track, Zenyatta didnt face just two horses... And RA didnt haul the same wieght as Zenyatta. Of course the horse that carries the more weight is going to go slower.

[Intrinsic Worth]

INtrinsic
And what, RA doesnt make a move from the back too?
What a load of crap.
Both horses move from the back.
Both horse faced less than desirable competition, lets not get to thinking that we know how its going to end. Jackson s dodging the Breeders Cup, Why? Dont know, Zenyatta s folks are giving Jackson a chance.
2nd. Didnt anyone notice that Calvin took out his whip and got her going?! its not like she wasnt asked either.
Belmont has alot of speed to its track, Zenyatta didnt face just two horses... And RA didnt haul the same wieght as Zenyatta. Of course the horse that carries the more weight is going to go slower.

Excuse me, but Rachel does not come from behind, she's rates off the pace if she isn't on the lead. Quite a bit of a different style than Zenyatta. I have absolutely no idea why you responded so rudely to my post.