Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra to race against Breeders Cup Classic winner Zenyatta in the $5 million Apple Blossom

It’s really going to happen.

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra is set to face off against Breeders Cup Classic winner Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom Handicap on April 9 at Oaklawn Park. Both parties have signed off on the race. Charles Cella, owner of Oaklawn Park, has agreed to move the race back in order to allow both more time to get a prep race in before the big showdown. This will be the biggest race since Seabiscuit faced War Admiral at Pimlico Racecourse in 1938.

The race will take place the day before the Arkansas Derby. I’m so excited I can hardly type! I plan to be on site for the race come hell or high water. Zenyatta will prep next month at Santa Anita. Rachel Alexandra’s connections plan to race her in the middle of next month. I would imagine her comeback race will take place at Fair Grounds. I want to see both get a nice and easy prep before the Apple Blossom.

The racing on April 9-10 at Oaklawn Park is going to be electrifying. There are very few things in the racing world better than this.

“The race is a go,” a delighted Charles Cella told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “Both parties have signed off on it. I feel like we’ve been through the ringer on this thing. Now, we’re really excited about it.

“This is truly a race for the ages.”

“I’ve never had so much trouble giving $5 million away,” Cella said. “We’ve got a solid commitment, assuming, of course, their health continues.”

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Breeders Cup Classic winner and undefeated mare Zenyatta to race in 2010!

Trainer John Sheriffs confirmed what many of us suspected today when he said that champion mare Zenyatta will race again and put her perfect 14 for 14 record on the line in 2010. She last competed in the Breeders Cup Classic where she closed with a furious kick to rush past Gio Ponti. Owners Jerry and Ann Moss have said they are taking things race to race just as they have in the past.

One must think they are going to target new things. I could see the mare heading to Dubai to compete in the Dubai World Cup. I also must speculate about the chances of her facing Rachel Alexandra. I think the win in the Classic may have emboldened Zenyatta’s connections. I’m going to go on record right now and say the race will happen this year. I could be wrong, but I hope with all my being that it does happen for the sake of the sport.

What are your thoughts on this big news?

My 2009 Eclipse Award Ballot; Rachel Alexandra HOY

The Eclipse Award nominees are finally out. The Eclipse Awards are the highest honor in thoroughbred racing. Winners are voted on by the people at the NTRA (National Thoroughbred Racing Assocation), Daily Racing Form, and National Turf Writers Assocation. I wish that I could have a say, but that is not meant to be this year. Perhaps in the future I will get a chance. Here’s a look at who I would pick in each category. Feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts!

Horse of the Year: Rachel Alexandra- This one is a no brainer for me. The three-year-old filly won 8 races and 5 Grade 1 events this year. She beats the boys 3 times, including in the Preakness where she became the first horse to ever win from the 13 post position. She left Summer Bird in her wake when she took the Haskell Invitational. The two times that she faced her gender in Grade 1 events this year she won by a combined 39 1/2 lengths. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro even beat older males when she took down the Woodward Stakes. Her campaign this year not only makes her Horse of the Year, but the greatest three-year-old filly in the history of the sport.

Two-Year-Old Male: Lookin’ At Lucky- This is an easy choice. “Lucky” is one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby and rightfully so. He couldn’t have won any easier last out in the CashCall Futurity where he beat fellow nominee Noble’s Promise. Vale of York can’t get my nod because I don’t believe in giving an Eclipse Award on the basis of a single race.

Two-Year-Old Female: She Be Wild- The Wayne Catalano filly got a perfect ride to slip up the rail and win the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies. She also ran a strong race to finish second in the Alcaibidies this year. Blind Luck and Hot Dixie are also nominated. I could easily envision both of those fillies being better when its all said and done, but at this point in time it has to go to She Be Wild. I feel like Hot Dixie Chick is the one to watch out of these three. I look forward to watching all of these fillies leading up to next years Kentucky Oaks.

Three-Year-Old Male: Summer Bird- This is an easy pick. The son of Birdstone took the Belmont Stakes, Travers, and Jockey Club Gold Cup this year. He also bested Mine That Bird and Quality Road in head to head matchups. I feel like at this point in time Quality Road has surpassed him, but based on their 2009 resumes Summer Bird was clearly the better horse.

Three-Year-Old Filly: Rachel Alexandra- Do I really need to say more? Check out the Horse of the Year section above for more information on this filly.

Older Male: Gio Ponti- This is a highly competitive division although 2009 was a down year for the older horses. I’ll go with Gio Ponti on the virtue of 4 Grade 1 victories and a runner up performance when switching surfaces in the Breeders Cup Classic. Einstein put together a good year, but lost twice to Gio Ponti. I feel like if Einstein had won the Donn and Clark he could’ve got my vote. I’m excited to watch Gio Ponti compete in 2010.

Older Female: Zenyatta- Anyone who doesn’t vote for Zenyatta to be Champion Older Female deserves to have their voting priveleges revoked. While she was lightly raced and beat soft fields most of the year, she answered the bell in the Breeders Cup Classic. The five-year-old mare would be a serious threat for Horse of the Year in my mind if she had taken on tougher competition other than in the Classic and won outside of California.

Male Sprinter: Kodiak Kowboy- If you had asked me earlier in the year, I would’ve said Zensational was a shoo-in. However, he couldn’t get the job done in the Breeders Cup Sprint. Kodiak Kowboy skipped the race, but had wins in the Carter, Vosburgh, and Cigar Mile in 2009. He only finished off the board once in 2009. Retired now at the age of 5, this horse was extremely consistent throughout his career. It’s rare that you find a horse that can win at the top level at 2, 3, and 4.

Female Sprinter: Informed Decision- She had her doubters in the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, but she dismissed Ventura en route to an impressive win. In my eyes, that race sealed the title for her. She won 6 of 7 races in 2009, including 3 Grade 1 races. She is a polytrack specialist, and I would never bet against her on that surface. Informed Decision was also tough on “real” dirt where she won the Humana Distaff, but her only loss came on the surface in the Ballerina Stakes. Her 2009 campaign will be hard to equal in 2010.

Male Turf Horse: Gio Ponti- I’d like to give the nod to Presious Passion, but Gio Ponti had the better year. He has nearly unbeatable on the grass this year.

Female Turf Horse: Ventura- While she couldn’t get it done on Breeders Cup day, this mare was very consistent in 2009. She won two Grade 1 races on the turf this year. Her best performance came in the Woodbine Mile. I’d love to give the nod to Goldikova or Midday, but one race doesn’t make a year.

Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S. Moss- You have to give this couple the award after they stepped up to the plate and entered Zenyatta in the Breeders Cup Classic. Regardless of whether or not Zenyatta wins Horse of the Year, this took guts. I salute them for stepping up and helping the sport.

Breeder: I’m fairly ignorant to this category so I will refrain from commenting.

Trainer:  Bob Baffert- There is something to be said for a guy that finishes 3rd in earning behind a guy who has nearly 6 times as many starts as he does. Bob Baffert is the most prolific trainer in thoroughbred racing right now. Anything he touches turns to gold. He had a great 2009 thanks to Indian Blessing, Lookin at Lucky, Gabby’s Golden Goose, Pioneerof The Nile, and many more. I predict 2010 will be even better.

Jockey: Ramon Dominguez- This was one of the toughest picks I had to make. Ramon Dominguez, Garrett Gomez, and Julien Leparoux all had wonderful years. I had to go with Ramon Dominguez. He dominated with a massive 23.6% winning percentage and he finished in the money 56% of the time. He amassed earnings of 18,348,422 for 2009. He won the Spring/Fall riding title at Belmont Park, and also took the title at Saratoga. I congratulate him in an excellent 2009 campaign.

Apprentice Jockey: Christian Santiago-Reyes- I’m a big follower of California racing, and I love betting this guy. He has broke into the big time fast and he is here to stay. He is fearless in the irons and I expect to see him winning big time races very soon.

Who do you like to win an Eclipse Award? Leave a comment and lets discuss!

Moment of the Year? Mine That Bird winning the Kentucky Derby

The NTRA Moment of the Year has everyone reflecting on what a wonderful year 2009 has been. We got to see two magnificent females win many Grade 1 races, and a shocker on the First Saturday in May. This year was far and away more  exciting than the one that preceded it. I’m already looking forward to 2010, but its always nice to take some time to reflect. What do you think was the best or most memorable moment of 2009? For me, it is an easy choice. Mine That Bird winning the Kentucky Derby.

As long as I live, I will never forget the utter shock I felt as Calvin Borel surged up the rail on Mine That Bird to win going away in the Kentucky Derby. I had no idea who the horse was at first glance, and I think the same can be said for the track announcer. I spent many hours of the following days trying to figure how it could’ve possibly happened. A horse that had lost his last race at Sunland had won the Kentucky Derby. I also recall trainer Benny Wooley hobbling to the winners circle, acting as if he wasn’t surprised a single bit. After that happened I can truly say that ANYTHING can happen in this game.

After Mine That Bird’s victory, three other races come to mind. The first would be Well Armed drawing off to a very easy victory in the Dubai World Cup under jockey Aarron Gryder. I felt he had a great chance to win at 10-1, but instead of betting the last $10 in my online wagering account on him to win, I wheeled him over the field. Unfortunately for me, one of the longest shots in the race ran second, and I didn’t have him. If I had just $4 more I would’ve hit the $1 exacta for $500. Needless to say, that was a tough one to miss.

Another moment that comes to mind this year is Rachel Alexandra countless awe inspiring races. She ran several strong races, but the two that impressed me the most were  the Kentucky Oaks and the Woodward. True, the Oaks field wasn’t the greatest ever assembled, but she couldn’t have won any easier than she did. The margin of victory was simply incredible. I love the Woodward also. Rachel Alexandra set fast fractions, and it looked like she would be passed coming for home. I had a bad feeling in my stomach as I watched live, thinking the filly would finally lose. However, she re rallied and got the win. She is truly one of the greatest fillies to have ever raced.

Just as Rachel Alexandra brightened 2009, so did Zenyatta. While I opposed her in most of her races from a wagering standpoint, that doesn’t take away from her greatness. I simply couldn’t take her at short odds, and I didn’t think she could win the Classic. I couldn’t have been any more wrong as she stormed down the lane in the Breeders Cup Classic in what was a visually easy win. We were truly blessed this year to see a filly AND mare that will be counted among the all time greats.

What made 2009 special for you? What is your moment of the year? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!

Miscellaneous Horse Racing News

All things went swimmingly for Quality Road as he has undergone some gate schooling at Aqueduct this Saturday afternoon. The Florida Derby winner refused to load and was subsequently scratched from the Breeders Cup Classic two weeks ago. Trainer Todd Pletcher is considering racing the colt in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile. I think the mile distance would suit Quality Road perfectly. Quality Road is one of my favorite horses and I can’t wait to watch him race again! We have yet to see his best race. Pletcher is also considering Tom Fool Handicap winner Munnings for the race.

In other news, Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies winner She Be Wild is under consideration for the $500,000 Delta Princess Stakes at Delta Downs. The filly ran a great race under jockey Julien Leparoux to win the Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita. Leparoux masterfully guided the compact filly up the rail and she ran on strong to reign victorious. I think running in the Princess Stakes would be a good move. Trainer Wayne Catalano says she is training well.

More often then not horses that are superb at two aren’t as good when they get older. Some examples that I can think of off the top of my head are Dreaming of Anna and Stardom Bound. Both were extremely dominant at two, but were largely surpassed by their competition at the age of three. On the other hand, Indian Blessing was dominant at two, three, and four. She Be Wild’s connections might a well go for the big cash while they can.

Zenyatta’s connections have received the “Big Sport of Turfdom” award from the Turf Publicists of America. The criteria for the award is :”to a person or group of people who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with the media and Thoroughbred racing publicists”. Trainer John Sheriffs and his wife Dottie will recieve the award along with owners Jerry and Ann Moss and jockey Mike Smith. The mare has completed her career with a perfect 14 for 14 record. She still has one race left, and it will be the toughest of her career; the race for Horse of the Year.

Any thoughts on current racing news? Leave a comment and be heard!