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Rags To Riches
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Rags To Riches

8 year old Mare | Retired

6 fans

15 favorites

[Edit]

Owner(s):

Derrick Smith - Michael B. Tabor -

Trainer:

Todd A. Pletcher

Bred:

Kentucky (USA) by

Pedigree:

A. P. Indy - Better Than Honour by Deputy Minister

Rating:

7.90/10

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Pedigree

Progeny

Siblings

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What the Nation is saying about Rags To Riches...

Affirmed, Tanya, Ruthless, Regret, Rags to Riches - May 24th

Harry Payne Whitney's Tanya became the second filly to win the Belmont Stakes.Read More

Posted 3 days ago ·

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Will I’ll Have Another Sweep Triple Crown?

I’ll Have Another will try to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978 when he runs in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 9. Since Spectacular Bid in 1979, eleven 3-year-olds have won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness only to fail in their Triple Crown quest at Belmont Park. Spec...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.wordpress.com · Posted 7 days ago ·

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Lord of Belmont · Dullahan is lying in wait and bred to win the Belmont. Asking I'll Have Another to repeat this feat again in another 3 weeks may be asking too much. Dullahan will have had a nice 5 week rest going into the Big Sandy 1 1/2 mile monster. · 7 days ago ·

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spoons · I agree. Dullahan and also Union Rags are both going to make him have to fight for it. · 7 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · Dullahanis an Allowance horse at best, came the last quarter in 27. gimme a break. · 6 days ago ·

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AnnaK · Would love a Triple Crown, mostly because it would pull people in to the races, (already started I like to think), plus IHA is such a strong red engine and Mario is excellent, that it just might be. Can't see Dullahan doing it, 27 in the last q good to know, that fancy inefficient leg work, so IHA and UR and anyone else can duke it out. · 6 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Icy, Dullahan is the best Allowance horse I have ever seen, especially since he has won graded stakes. Or was I not to take you literally? · 6 days ago ·

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The Kentucky Derby Never Sparkled so Bright

Is the 2012 crop of three-year-olds the best in several years? Laura Pugh thinks so...Read More

Posted 37 days ago ·

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Rasta · So many contenders for the victory that I'm beginning to feel - will not anyone.Lol. · 37 days ago ·

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brooklyn.steve · This is the most excited I have been since 2007 for sure. There are many legit G1 type horses in this field, and very few horses that you can actually say have no legit shot at wining the Derby. I have gotten so use to the 3yo fillies being the much better crop, this year is the complete opposite. Nice piece to get me more pumped up and wishing that 2 weeks flies by. · 37 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · I agree that this is the best crop since 2007 and another thing is that this group seems to have better distance breeding than past crops. A lot of the top 2 year olds in recent years were not suited to the classic distance, this year many of the favorites going into the Derby look like they will have a good shot at 1 1/4 miles. · 37 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · Mike, I would agree very much with that statement, as it is something i have noticed too. The breeding of most of the horses in this race screams distance, and not the typical speed push that we are used to seeing. · 37 days ago ·

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cpsoren121 · Nice read Laura, and I agree this year has a very good field heading to Churchill! · 36 days ago ·

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wcbguy1 · it been an great season to watch, my first year watching horse racing and I been impressed wwith the level of racing these horsers are at. · 36 days ago ·

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mmidland · I think you've nailed it on the head! This is a great Derby class - and the facts are there to back it up! Even beyond that, I think this is deepest Derby I have ever seen - going back to 1990. There are probably 9 or 10 horses here who could run their race - and we would say they were deserving winners. · 36 days ago ·

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wilkins631 · Agree with everything except you forgot Algorithms in the horses lost to injury. Otherwise, you're spot on. This is going to be incredible. · 36 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · willkins, i am not saying we have not had injuries, however, we have had a total, including Algorithms of three so far, and Algorithms was far from a serious injury, which is a blessing. · 36 days ago ·

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travel_vic · ol' Luara who arailed against Smartyafter the Derby, after the Preakness and after the 1 1/2 lenght loss in the Belmont...See I told you so!!! · 36 days ago ·

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myntjulius · Cold hard facts that only two major contendewrs are out??? What about Algorithms, Sky Kingdom, Fed Biz?? As for "Depth of field" it might be more accurate to describe it as an "Evenly matched yet so far unremarkable field". Very few records will be falling this year, but as a consequence the competitions will be more exciting. Here's hoping that they all stay healthy!! · 36 days ago ·

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larooski · Sky Kingdom was never really a contender. It is a deep field when you look at the fact that pretty much every major Derby prep winner will most likely be there as of now. Less major players have been knocked off the Derby trail than usual. · 36 days ago ·

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wildfins131 · I think this field is tough but Gemologist didnt even try in his last stakes win and still held off Alpha. He has a whole other gear that we have yet to see. · 35 days ago ·

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sallyeastman · And don't forget I'll Have Another the winner of the Santa Anita Derby who also has a very good chance at Roses! · 35 days ago ·

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BrianAppleton · It's so exciting to see how strong this crop is and how well they have all held up and improved since running the in the Breeders' Cup. · 34 days ago ·

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travel_vic · the attrition rate has not been as high as in recent years, so more qulaity are going to the big dance this time around. · 34 days ago ·

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railbird33 · with 5 or 6 jockeys in the field of twenty that have won KY Derbies, the "trip" will be the key. like in '07, If Calvin can't sneak up the wood, I don't know if he catches Hard Spun. · 34 days ago ·

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travel_vic · The race dynamic really changes iwht colts goint a distance many will never see again, uder weight most will not carry again with a huge field, about half of which should not even be there · 34 days ago ·

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johnsnare · I think he nailed it spot on. Should be a great betting race. · 31 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · Did you see the interview with Andy Beyers in the Paulick Report? Because of the low Beyers speed figures for the prep races this year, he said this crop could be even worst than last year which he said was the weakest crop of 3 year olds in his lifetime. · 23 days ago ·

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Seattle Slew, Rags to Riches - March 9th

Seattle Slew made his 3yo debut at Hialeah.Read More

Posted 76 days ago ·

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Rags To Riches

I don't understand how this filly can't be rated in the top five to top ten fillies of all time after she beat Curlin in the Belmont. Especially after breaking from the gate on her knees and showing deep gamenes down the stretch by not letting Curlin get around her. It's a mystery to me why she is not ranked near the top. Just re watch the Belmont race and look at her performance. It was a incredible performance!

Posted by BOLD RULER · 120 days ago ·

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travel_vic · you need to read more extesnively than just the last decade · 120 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · I agree that there are great fillies from the past but I think the horses and competition is more competitive today than in the past. Just like all sports the training and competition has evolved and gotten better. I think the breedings are better due to the quality of the horses that are bred are better today due to the years of more competitive racing. Also, we have bigger fields today in the big stakes races especially in the KY Derby. I've seen and read of the horses of the past and I favor the horse that can win at a 1 1/2 miles and the way Rags won it really was incredible. Plus to beat Curlin when he came up on her in the stretch and she just wouldn't let him go by. That was great heart and will that held him off. There are alot of great fillies through the past though that I guess you could make a argument for to be ahead of her but I still think she should at least be in the top ten. · 120 days ago ·

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travel_vic · You are joking aren't you? no one carries any weight, the best dodge each other....Dust off an American Racing Manual and view what competition really was and is no longer. · 120 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Bigger fields? Come on now you must be dreaming · 120 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Add to it that all the tests of stamina keep getting shortened more each decade and there are simply no tests of the breed any longer. · 120 days ago ·

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travel_vic · want to see a big field you won't find them in North America. England, France, Japan and Australia are where they are as well as Hong Kong · 120 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · I do think that if you go back and look at the KY Derby fields you'll see that they are bigger than in the past when the Triple crown was being won. Just look back and check. That's a big reason the Triple crown is harder to win today due to having to be able to get a good trip. The Derby field is huge today and winning it has almost as much to do with it as any other factor. As far as stamina and the quality of horses I agree that overall that breeding are poorer in regards to health and stamina. I was talking in regards to competition with drugs and training that they have been using. Your right though in the fact that the drugs have weekend the quality overall of the breed in regards to stamina. If they where all ran natural (No Drugs, Lasix) in recent past maybe they would have more natural stamina like they did in the past on a whole. We also have tended to breed for more sprint speed today. I think the Euros have a advantage on are horses at longer distances due to those reasons but I think the USA horse are better at sprint distances particulary on dirt. So I do agree overall on the stamina issue but Curlin was a high class horse and not as fresh as Rags but she did fall to her knees at the start. · 120 days ago ·

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travel_vic · The Derby has shifted from being a test of stamina to a broadcast of egos, with owners putting many a pitful animal in there for no other reason than to see their colors on that track the first Saturday in May · 120 days ago ·

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travel_vic · starters in the Derby 1974 23, 1971 20, 1951 20, 1946 17, 1993 18, 1984 20, 1981 21, etc etc · 120 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · Prior to 1980 there are only four Derbys with huge fields. I consider horse from the eighties and on as horses that have run in the conditions I describing. The eighties on I would consider more modern era style racing. Like I said earlier, If you look at the fields from the seventies on back when horses used to win the trple crown more frequently the fields where smaller. I could list many many years prior to the eighties with much samller fields but for sake of time I'm not. Ap Indy and Easy Goer I consider more modern horses and they are bot Second and third fastest times at 1 1/2. Faster thatn all the horses from the past at that distance except for Secretariat. What's this all have to due ewith Rags winning at 1 1/12 at Belmont against Curlin? Do you think Curlin isn't a high quality horse? Name Ten fillies better thatn her. I'd like to see what you like better than her and see if you list any modern horses from the last thirty years. · 120 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · c,mon they went the 3/4 in 1:15 3/5 on a fast track turning it into a sprint. That race shape no way resembles dirt. · 120 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Given the time I could list 20 or so fillies that proved much better than a simple 7 race career....Look at Pan Zareat for example, the repeat winner oif the Melbourne Cup, Miesque, Gallorette, Ta Wee, etc etc · 119 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · You've never heard of Landaluce, have you? · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · ever hear of the use of etcetera? Another in a long line of horse lost in the hands of the breadown King Darrel Wayne · 119 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · Okay, Boo minimizes what she did in the Belmont due to the track being bad and a slow pace. Then Vic says she was slow due to her time she won in, in the race. Vic you say she only ran seven races which is a light amount of work for a carear but she ran six of those race in one season. If you look up many other great horses for instance Seattle Slew in 1977 ran seven races. Curlin ran seven in 2008. So in reality she put in plenty of work in 2007. She won six and finished second in her last race of the season. Seattle Slew finished 4th in his last race of 1977. So her body of work for the 2007 is not in question. She won the KY Oaks and the Belmont in the same season. She was the first Filly in a century to win at Belmont. None of these so called great fillies you named accomplished that. That's a 100 years of racing in the Belmont that you guys a minimizing. To further the point, she fell to both knees at the start of the race and then Curlin (2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year) got the jump on her coming off turn 4 and had a head or so lead on her. She then passes him at the top of the strech and puts a head out front on him. Curlin has the whole long stretch to come back around her and cannot do it. They are practically eye to eye the whole stretch. So to Boo there is no excuse for Curlin no matter the pace or condition of the track. Both horses ran under the same conditions and Curlin got the better break by far and was forward placed with a slow pace and slow track. So to Vic for you to say there are twenty or more better than her is ridiculous and to say the her body of work in 2007 (six races, Six wins and one second) comes up short is ridiculous too. You would be saying Seattle Slew's body of work (seven races) in his 1977 season was weak or Curlin 2008 etc.. I could name many more great horses in recent history with the same body of work that aren't scrutinized for there work in a season. She proved plenty in six races. Neither of your arguments hold water. One says she slow due to the time she posted the other says it was a terrible track with a slow pace. Gimme a break! · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · whne you have a modicum, just a smidgen of historical perspective, just save this hero worship for someone who might aprreciate it. Gallloertte, amongst others, would murder this one..Do you make this up. QUOTE me where I said SLOW....Not mentioned a single time · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Miesque two time winner of the BC Mile. 16 12 3-1,Maskette 17 12-3-0. Ladys's Secret, Horse of the year, BC Distaff 45 29-9-3..La Prevoyante 39 25-5-3, Princess Rooney 21 17-2-1, Pretty Polly 24 22-0-0, personal Ensign 13 13-0-0, Pan Zareta 151 76-31-21,Ruffian 11 11-0-0, Genuine Risk 15 10-3-2, Gallorette 72 21-20-13, Artful 8 6-2-0 beat Sysonby, Bayakoa, 2 time BC Distaff winner, 39 21-9-0, Go For Wand 13 -10-2-0, GaLLANT BLOOM 21 16-1-1, Busher 21 15-3-1, Azeri 12 1-1-0 and on and on · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Azeri had only a single 2nd inher career that is a typo · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · then you would have to put her behind the most recent Horses of the year the last three seasons too · 119 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · Break in down by seasons Vic. Then tell me which one of the fillies you've listed has won the Belmont? How many of them won at 1 1/2 miles distance? How many of them beat the horse of the year? How many won the Oaks and the Belmont in the same season? I'll give you Ruffian. She was a great filly , maybe the best. She was 11-0 and then broke down running against a male horse. Not exactly a huge body of work. How many races did Azeri put in in a single season? Again your comparing carear starts to basically one season of starts. Your comparing apples to oranges. So if your going to compare Rags to the fillies you've mentioned then do it in a fair manner and break it down by their best season of accomplishments and compare it to Rags's best season of accomplishment and then we will be comparing apples to apples. I would love for you to compare them that way and we will see how she stacks up. I'm afraid you won't because you know what the outcome will be. Anyway, I think we come from polar opposites when it comes to how horses should be taken care of. Your more Old shcool and believe basically in running a horse into the ground and treating the horse more like a machine than animal for human pleasure without as much regard to the animal's well being. You think since they don't run enough in your eyes today that somehow the horse aren't as good as the ones from the past. My perspective is that today we live in a more humane world and the horses aren't treated as much like machines but are respected more as a animal and treated in a more humane way and not over run for the ego's of their owners etc. but are instead are given the proper amount of time off for rest. So what you deem as dodging other horses I see as giving a horse it's proper time off. So if you can't match up due to the horse not being rested enough or not healthy enough to run as just dodging competition I see it as being more humane to the horses as oppsed to dodging. As far as the horses not being as good as the older horses I'm guessing because we use Lasix today is again coming from to opposite views on humaneness. Sure if all the horses where ran natural without Lasix then maybe other horses may have done better than others that may have won and accomplished their races on Lasix. Therefore providing better true natural stamina in the breed. I understand that. The Lasix may have masked a horse with less stamina and provided it with the ability to compete with more stamina than it would have if it where ran without the Lasix. But from the humane perspective, I think it is better for the horse not to be suffering from bleeding in the lungs with the use of Lasix as opposed to bleeding badly. So I don't see the body of work issue in the same context as you. Secretariat for instance and the horses from the distance past put far more work in than horses of today. I give you that but today's approach is different. It lends itself to having fresher horses. For example if you look at the Derby. In the old days those horses where ran way more before they ever got to the Derby. Today's horses are ran on much lighter workloads approaching the derby. So it comes down to what approach is more succesfull at winning in todays racing. It's hard to come in and win with a tired over ran horse in todays derbys. The ones that have success today usually are ran lighter coming into the Derby. I appreciate your old school perspective but I think as like everything in life, everything evolves and changes the way we do things. The way you think horses should be run isn't used by to many modern trainers with there top horses. There are excecptions to that but few. I know Zenyatta did her work naturally and few trainers who still like to get a bunch of races under the horses belt before getting to the Derby or a big race. I just think we will never see eye to eye in regards to work and humaneness. We are coming from opposite perspectives. Again just match Rags best season of six starts t · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · you are sadily in need of an educatoin as regards the history of this game · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · the horses today are but a shell of what they were before permissive use of medications · 119 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · Just as I thought Vic. You are looking for a easy way out of this. Just take the time to take the challenge and list the Fillies best single seasons with their stats. List their starts, wins, losses and accomplishments in their best season. It's simple then we will see who is sad. All you have to do is quit being evasive and changing the subject and compare Rags to the other fillies best seasons and we will see. I'm afraid you not going to attempmt it. Maybe ou can answer my questions then at the begining of my last post? Agsin you probably won't because you would rather not answer them. So again we will see who is sad. Your not going to find other fillies winning the belmont becuase it TOOK 100 YEARS TO DO IT. So take the challenge Vic and list them fillies best seasons. · 119 days ago ·

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jackie999 · Rags to Riches only ran 7 times in her life, losing twice, so to put her in the Top 10 females of all time isn't appropriate because she didn't race long enough to deserve such a ranking. Zenyatta, Ruffian, Lady's Secret, Inside Information, Bayakoa, Paseana, Sky Beauty, Shuvee, Gamely, Susan's Girl, Tizna, etc., are all better and more accomplished. · 119 days ago ·

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jackie999 · Rags to Riches only ran 7 times in her life, losing twice, so to put her in the Top 10 females of all time isn't appropriate because she didn't race long enough to deserve such a ranking. Zenyatta, Ruffian, Lady's Secret, Inside Information, Bayakoa, Paseana, Sky Beauty, Shuvee, Gamely, Susan's Girl, Tizna, etc., are all better and more accomplished. · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · keep thinking that eveything wonderful happened in the last few years and you will be a happy racing fan · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · it is always easy to debate the ill informed · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Dark Mirage, Cicada, Chris Everett, Black Helen, Beldame, FaSHION 36 32-0-0, Frizette, Maskette, Miss Woodford 48 37-7-2,it just goes on and on · 119 days ago ·

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jackie999 · Desert Vixen, Personal Ensign, Chris Evert, Tallahto, Convenience and Turkish Trousers were all better than Rags to Riches as well...sorry I forgot them first time around. · 119 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · Vic, I'm not saying that horses are better today. I think we agree they are not in the areas you mentioned in regards to stmina and health. I said the way the game is played is tougher and more competitive today in my opinion with fresh horses being used on tired horses competing for the Triple Crown (I used the Derby also as a example earlier). I said they have bigger fields in the KY Derby than in the past (Prior to the early 1980's I should have clarified that in my first post). You listed four big fields in the Derby past prior to the early eighties that have fields the size of today's fields. We've agreed that the medications have benifitted the horses by improving performance yet have hurt them in the aspect of stamina and health in the breed. Similair to comparing Babe Ruth to the Mark McGwire or Barry Bonds. Those meds enhance the modern horses performances just like in any other sport. .So I don't disagree with your statement all together that "the horses are shells of what they used to be". So those are the reasons I said I believe it's harder to win the Triple Crown today and the Derby are therefore in my mind making it harder to accomplish thoses feats today. As to regards to you saying there is a whole host of fillies better than Rags, I disagree. So how about you list about 5 to 10 fillies with their starts, wins, places, shows and their best accomplishments in their best single season. Then I think we can have a fair debate on her comparisons to the other fillies. I don't know why she wasn't raced after that season but that can't be blamed on the horse as to why she wasn't raced more unless she sustained a injury of some type. So that's why I say compare her best season to other fillies best seasons and we can see where she stacks up. No need to make anything personal with name calling. At least not from my end. · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · there are dozens upon dozens of race OTHER than the Derby (old Matt Winns baby) medications DO NOT increase performance or they woulld be prohibited.....Pharmacology 101 should be your next challenge..Dozens and Doznes of horse far superior o the one you seem enarmoured towards · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Rags to Riches, who defeated Horse of the Year Curlin to win the 2007 Belmont Stakes, was sidelined by a hairline fracture in her right front pastern suffered during the Gazelle Stakes at Belmont on Sept. 15. The Gazelle was her only defeat in six career starts. · 119 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · Wouldn't Lasix help performance in a race if it prevented the horses lungs from bleeding or bleeding more? Wouldn't less blood in the lungs means more air in the lungs therefore being able to breathe better alowing the horse to run longer and harder? I think it would. I mentioned the baseball comparison. How about a trainer using illegal performance enhancing meds? Do you think that is possible? Just like in any other sport? I think it is. O maybe you didn't understand what I meant by medications. · 119 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · If Ruffian does not have a injury affect her rankings in racing history than why should Rags' fracture affect her in the way she is viewed in racing history. So the whole body of work charge is kind of unfair to the filly. · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · ALL controlled studies of performance induction of improved performance have show only statistical improvement in geldings....No other group · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · ELIZA testing is far too sensative to allow for many drugs to get by detection · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · ELIZA testing is far too sensative to allow for many drugs to get by detection · 119 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · What study and who 's the source of the study your quoting Vic? Why do you think they use Lasix Vic? What do you think it does? · 119 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · I know of a pretty well know trainer that was suspended not to long ago. I rather not put up names but you probably know who I'm talking about. So the test probably isn't infalluable. They test in other sports too. It's kind of like the crook trying to stay ahead the law comparison. Seems the cheaters always sem to be a step ahead. · 119 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Furosemide covers up all the extra bleeding that the NSAID;s create · 119 days ago ·

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jackie999 · Rags to Riches lost her first start, finishing a well-beaten 4th, then she won 5 races, followed by the loss in the Gazelle. And if Rags to Riches could defeat Curlin one can only imagine that Zenyatta would have done the same. · 119 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · Jackie I know what your alluding too with your post. I agree with you as to who should have probably gotten Horse of the Year. I think Zenyatta may be the best filly ever if given a distance of a 1 1/4 or longer. Which to me is what a True thoroughbred has to be in my opinion to be regarded as a all time great horse. I'm not saying that Rags is the best ever I'm making the case that she should be regarded as a top five to ten filly in my opinion. · 119 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · Just hit the super in the Holy Bull. Another Ap Indy blood horse winning with a great trainer. · 119 days ago ·

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jackie999 · I respect your opinion, but I would put Rags To Riches at about #25 of all time on the best females list. · 119 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · I respect your opinion too. I regards to Zenyatta and the level of competition she won against and being as big and strong with great durability and with that great late run coming like money everytime she comes down the stretch. It was always just a matter of timing and distance. That makes her the best in my book. · 119 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · I can't respect anyone who places Rags To Riches before Ruffian, Azeri, Zenyatta, Miesque - even Makybe Diva! · 119 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · @travel_vic I was aiming that comment about Landaluce at BOLD RULER. Anyone who has seen Landaluces only 5 starts can place her before Rags To Riches. · 119 days ago ·

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GregRiessland · i think rags to riches could be in the top 10 of the girls. zenyattas only competition was in the classics so i put her number 2. if she kept that 19- 1 with 15 being horses at her level i would put her 1. but 2 out of 19 no. but thats me i don't live and breathe zenyatta. · 118 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · I would just like to point out that Curlin having no foundation as a 2yo ran in each leg of the triple crown and by the time you get to the belmont it takes it's toll. If Street Sense who skipped the Belmont had been entered Rags to Riches would not have. RTR was a very nice filly but nowhere near the best. · 118 days ago ·

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BOLD RULER · RTR ran the Oaks the same day Curlin ran the Derby and she won that too. Then she obviously skipped the Preakness and Pletcher must of felt like she was tarining good and that she had a shot at Belmont. So she ran basically two legs of the three in the same time frame as Curlin. As far as foundation as two year olds, She was only ran once. So he would have the advantage there following that line of thinking. She won the Oaks and the Belmont in the same time frame. Also the fact she fell to both knees coming out of the gate makes it hard to win any race, let alone against the best three year olds males. Then the fact that Curlin had the whole straight to get her and couldn't really showed her determination. So to me everything was pretty even that day given she fell to her knees out of the gate and to put down her time on a fair track after falling down to both knees just isn't fair. Maybe she would have won more impressively that day if she hadn't fell down and wouldn't had to have expended extra energy to get back up to the pack. She probably would have been more forward placed with the slow pace and definatley would have had that extra energy for the stretch run. So to say Street Sense would have beat her that day. I can't agree on that at all. He was tired too and probably didn't have a mile and a half in him or they would have ran him. I don't know why they wouldn't avght he was up to it. So for me she got the best of Curlin and Curlin has no excuses for that day other than he just got beat by a better horse that day. He also was named Horse of the Year that year. So her accomplishments where big that season. Rachel won the Oaks and Preakness in her big season and din't perform as well the naxt year. I'm not sure where she ranks but if you ask me, RTR accomplishments where greater than hers during their 3yr old seasons. As far as RTR being the best filly ever, I would agree she isn't either and mentioned that ealier but for me on ability and determination she would be in around five to ten. The reason for the post is that her accomplishments shouldn't warrant 90th ranking of fillies all time. There's no way she should be ranked that far back. I appreciate everyones opinons and I thought I'd voice one on RTR. · 115 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · RTR is a great filly, but we already have a top 10. (in no order) Zenyatta, Ruffian, Go For Wand, Miesque, Makybe Diva, Sunline, ... · 88 days ago ·

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footlick · Zarkava, Allez France, Dahlia · 88 days ago ·

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Haskin: Best Fillies of the Past 50 Years

Many racing fans are prepared to state emphatically that Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra are two of the best, if not THE best, fillies of the past half-century. The list from which to chose, however, is longer than most think. Below is a reminder just how extensive that list is. With almost half the y...Read More

Source: cs.bloodhorse.com · Posted 678 days ago ·

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Protagonist · In my humble opinion ,I think that the best Fillies of the past 50 years are: Zenyatta,Personal Ensign,Cicada,Susan's Girl, Ruffian, Shuvee, Genuine Risk, Winning Colors, Rachel Alexandra, Rags to Riches. · 434 days ago ·

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dubby30 · Anyone listing Rags to Riches on their top 10 anything list loses all credibility. · 434 days ago ·

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Thoroughbred44 · Why would that be? Rags To Riches was a great filly winning the Belmont, the longest of the three. · 434 days ago ·

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mrsmaryzinke · dubbthough I do like Rags To Riches, Your comment was actually pretty good and funny. · 433 days ago ·

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mrsmaryzinke · That got cut off. Dubby. Your comment is true, unless she's on a top flashy chestnuts list. · 433 days ago ·

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BrianBradley · 1) Ruffian 2)Lady's Secret 3) Personal Ensign 4) Rachel Alexandra 5)Zenyatta 6)Bold N Determined 7) Regret 8) Genuine Risk 9) Go For Wand 10) Inside Information · 358 days ago ·

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xMystix · I'm glad that Mr. Haskin mentions other great fillies and mares other than the ones that are totally fresh in our minds. There were even horses that I have forgotten about or haven't even heard of. Certainly, all these wonderful horses deserve recognition and respect, past and present. But what a talented list! It's hard to really choose a top 10 with these wonderful fillies and mares. · 358 days ago ·

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MikeSek · 1) ZENYATTA 2) RUFFIAN 3) LADY'S SECRET 4) GENUINE RISK 5) BOLD N' DETERMINED 6) SUSAN'S GIRL 7) PERSONAL ENSIGN 8) GO FOR WAND 9) INSIDE INFORMATION 10) SHUVEE · 154 days ago ·

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MikeSek · 1) ZENYATTA 2) RUFFIAN 3) LADY'S SECRET 4) GENUINE RISK 5) BOLD N' DETERMINED 6) SUSAN'S GIRL 7) PERSONAL ENSIGN 8) GO FOR WAND 9) INSIDE INFORMATION 10) SHUVEE · 154 days ago ·

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warrena · TA WEE .#1 DR FAGERS 1/2 sister. check her record and weight she carried ...non of the fillies,mares would carry that weight...case closed · 154 days ago ·

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driveon · I'm surprised not a single person has Dance Smartly on their list-she certainly belongs in the argument as does Glorious Song · 154 days ago ·

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warrena · ta wee enough said · 154 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Mioesque, Ta Wee, Safely Kept, Lady's Secret, Ruffian...there are many · 154 days ago ·

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stevebiscuit · 1) Zenyatta 2) Lady's Secret 3) Personal Ensign 4) Go For Wand 5) Bayakoa 6) Azeri 7) Rachel Alexandra 8) Twilight Tear 9) Gallorette 10) Busher · 146 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · Ta Wee. Shuvee. Zenyatta.personal Ensign. Lady's Secret. Ruffian. Dark Mirage. Go for wand. Davona Dale. Dahlia. Cicada Rachel Alexandra. Straight Deal. · 146 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Big hole in not adding Bayakoa (39 21-9-0), Miesque (16 12-3-1). Chris Everett (15 10-2-2), Haynies Maria (9 8-1-0). Genuine Risk (15 10-3-2), Go For Wand (13 12 -2-0), umtaz Mahal (1- 7-2-0), La Prevayonte ( 39 25-5-3), Lady's Secret ( 45 25-9-3), Two Lea (25 15-6-3)Top Flight (16 12-0-0), Ta Wee (21 15-2 1), Spinaway (9 7-2-0),Sky Beauty (21 15-2-2), Pretty Polly (24 22-2-0), Princess Rooney ( 21 17-2-1), Pan Zareta ( `5` 76-31-21) in a class of her own!, Myrtylwood ( 22 15-4-2), Mollie McCarthy ( 17 15-0-0), Maskette ( 17 12-3-0) · 146 days ago ·

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~RuffianQueenOfRacing~ · Ruffian · 130 days ago ·

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SandyChapman · Althea, if only she hadn't tired in the Kentucky Derby. She was a hero to me. · 129 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · I love this thread. It helped change my life last spring. · 129 days ago ·

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zatt · Tell us more, Mary. · 129 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · I sent a message. lol · 129 days ago ·

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RIPbarbaro14 · 1) Zenyatta 2) Rachel Alexandra 3) Eight Bells 4)Ruffian 5)Lady's Secret 6) Mariahs Storm 7) Top Flight 8) Bold'N Determined 9)Shuvee 10) rags To Riches. Those are the top 10 best fillies of the last 50 years · 128 days ago ·

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travel_vic · no Miesque, Go For Wand? Landaluce, Storm Flag Flying Azeri You need to read more · 128 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Bayakoa, Paeana? My goodness · 128 days ago ·

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MarcelloMarocco · All Along, Dance Smartly, Makybe Diva, kincsem, Sunline, regret, Ruffian, Zarkava, Glorious Song. Top that! · 90 days ago ·

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Eclipse Award Selections - Of the 21st century!

Who are the best of the best of the first dozen years of the 21st century? Help me decide...Read More

Posted 132 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Monarchos? · 132 days ago ·

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zatt · Sorry, but Point Given was superior to Monarchos in the 3yo male class of 2001. · 132 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · Curlin not among the top older horses? DWC, Stephan Foster, Woodward, and JCGC? Zapper raced four times as a 4yr old, Tiznow was out most of the year. Inasor had a heck of a year as an older male, had a DWC and BCC. I can get not wanting to count Curlin's BCC. However, did win a total of 5 grade ones in 2008, while Invasor only won 4 in 2006. The amount he traveled during that time was unbelievable. He did lose twice, however they were on turf and synthetic, I don't remember Invasor ever trying those two surfaces. If one is willing to overlook Curlin's BCC win as a three year old then you must Tiznow. As an older Horse he was awesome in his three wins, but he lost three times, on his own surfaces. Curlin had the better older season there. Zapper was brilliant no doubt, but raced four times total and twice in sprints. Obviously brilliant and that gets him in, but Curlin nails him on durability and strength of schedule. Top four here should have been Invasor, Curlin, Mineshaft, and Zapper. · 132 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · Bernardini won the Preakness, Dandy, Travers, and JCGC...pretty good if you ask me. · 132 days ago ·

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zatt · Curlin was a tough call, but notice he is on the 3yo male list, and the Horse of the Year list. I thought Curlin was better at 3 ... here are the horses who finished 2nd or 3rd in his three wins in the U.S at 4: Einstein (not as good on dirt), Barcoloa, Past the Point, Wandering Boy (twice), and Merchant Marine. Blame it on the surface or not, but the best horses Curlin faced as an older horse, he lost to. Don't get me wrong, Curlin was a fantastic horse, but his credentials as only an older horse are not quite as strong as a few others of the decade in my opinion, including Tiznow, who won some big stakes in California early in the year, and then came back from health problems to win an amazing BC Classic, his second straight. No horse has done that. And by the way, Curlin won 4 graded stakes (all grade 1) in 2008, not 5. · 132 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · Wanderin Boy also was beaten by Invasor. Invasor beat Wild Desert, West Virginina and Sun King, all of those are not exactly World beaters. His Donn win against Hesanoldsalt? Brian, the competition card can go both ways. Both faced some nice horses in their big races, but in their other grade ones the horses that lined up against both were less than stellar. I would actually say Einnstein was a better horse than Sun King. Tiznow lost as well, so that card can also be played. Anything that can be said against Curlin can be said against at least one of the other horses on the list. · 132 days ago ·

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zatt · With all due respect, several horses that Invasor beat in the BC Classic, were better than any horse Curlin defeated as an older horse ... just look at the fields, there is absolutely no comparison. · 132 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · Brian, as i state, both faced very good horses in their "big races." DWC and BCC are what i'm counting as big races. In the DWC Curlin faced several top horses, and not ony beat them, but decimated them. · 132 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · Also to be fair, if you do not count Curlin's 3yr old Classic win then Tiznow's should not either. Both horses faced a lot, Curlin won some pretty big stakes back east his year too. Tiznow did have some good wins as a 4yr old, but if we are only counting 4yr old seasons in that vote then Curlin gets him. Both lost, but Curlin's season overall was better. He took the DWC, and came back to campaign an entire season, when many typically are knocked out for half the season. Not only did he come back he won 3 more grade ones. · 132 days ago ·

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dubby30 · Have to agree with DeatHeat on this one, all respect both ways to the argument though, when looking at the whole of the seasons, Curlin's should be the last we are debating, he would be on the older list quicker than the Zap and Tiznow, the Zap is especially questionable due to the 4 starts he made at 4 he made a start in a G2 and a G3, certainly not the schedule of an all time horse or one to be ranked up with a horse starting exclusively in Grade 1 races as an older horse. DWC, SFoster, WoodWard, Jockey Gold Cup, far out weigh the Tom Fool, Iselin, Woodward & BCC. But thats just my opinion. A horse like Curlin was tested in ways Ghostzapper never knew, and should be respected for that, so if there's anyone that should be debated, it should be Ghostzapper and Tiznow. · 132 days ago ·

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dubby30 · Also remember 2 year old filly – Sweet Catomine, 3 year old male – Summer Bird, Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex & Barbaro who i feel was twice the horse Bernardini ever was. · 132 days ago ·

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stevebiscuit · No Ginger Punch? Blasphemy! · 132 days ago ·

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LAZMANNICK · Once again, truth, realism and actual facts should never be in the same sentence as Dubby. · 132 days ago ·

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zatt · I just posted my choices for each division ... can't wait to hear your opinions. · 132 days ago ·

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curlin.bandwagoneer · Curlin or Invasor for HOTY..........Curlin is my pick. · 132 days ago ·

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curlin.bandwagoneer · Invasor barely edges out Zenyatta.....really? · 132 days ago ·

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zatt · Hey, at least your boy got best 3yo male of the decade ... and by the way, if Curlin had won the BC Classic in 2008, he would have won the biggest award going away. · 132 days ago ·

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curlin.bandwagoneer · i am thrilled he got 3yo male! But Zenyatta never ran in the DWC, which Curlin and Invasor won. Curlin beat I believe two future DWC winners, Gloria de Campeo and Well Armed, by a huge margin. He also beat Premium Tap, who finished second to Invasor in the year prior. Both were amazing race horses. But Curlin's DWC and winning margin against two future winners, makes him winner in my book. I get that the loss in the 2008 BCC was a downer, but at least it was "off" his normal surface. If he had lost on dirt, i would understand. But do you really think Raven's Pass would have won on dirt? LOL · 132 days ago ·

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curlin.bandwagoneer · BTW, i agree with your other picks, if that is any consolation ;) · 132 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · For me, HOTY is Invasor and Curlin, not Zenyatta. Two big races doesn't do it for me, not when she could have dominated open races in Cali just as easily she did females in 09 and 2010. Curlin lost after a hard hard hard season. If he won the Classic that year, then he would have been one of the top 100 TB racers of all time, not just this century. · 132 days ago ·

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zatt · Like I said before, Curlin was a fantastic horse, but frankly his five races in the U.S. in 2008, or after returning from Dubai, include two losses and three weak fields. I just didn't think he was quite the same as he was before going to Dubai. · 132 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · I love this idea! But you know me, I have to go with Midnight Lute. · 132 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · Two losses taking risks not many other top horses are willing to take. How often do we see a to dirt or turf star try and switch surfaces? Invasor faced some weak field in 06 too. · 132 days ago ·

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andiggs · You should give Blame some kind of award to make up for last year's travesty. · 132 days ago ·

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slteam17 · I know this is from the what could have been category, but still Barbaro deserves a mention for his win in the '06 Derby and his undefeated campaign up to that point. · 132 days ago ·

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shadowno · Curlin was pronounced steroid free in 2008. It makes perfect sense his races as a 4yo did not equal his steroid enhanced 3yo campaign. · 132 days ago ·

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LAZMANNICK · Well Armed, a winner of 7 or 24 lifetime races, won the DWC by 14 lengths. Volponi, a winner of 7 of 31 races lifetime, won a BCC by 6 lengths. I guess that makes them real all time favorites, certainly a better horse than Zenyatta. Too bad Zenyatta never got to face Macho Again and Flashing and Persistently. Then maybe we could mention her in the same sentence as all these greats. · 131 days ago ·

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12thCrown · Afleet Alex was a pretty strong 3YO and never considered Invasor the best of that bunch. He ran in an era of "who-dat's" as well... · 130 days ago ·

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cugel the clever · Afleet Alex's Preakness victory was the most astounding and impressive recovery from near disaster I've ever seen in 50 years of watching racing. This race alone should place him in the top 100. Check this video of the race which includes super slomo of the incident. I get a sick feeling every time I see it - a reminder of the razor edge between tragedy and triumph. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfFzODoD7YY · 130 days ago ·

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cugel the clever · Afleet Alex's Preakness victory was the most astounding and impressive recovery from near disaster I've ever seen in 50 years of watching racing. This race alone should place him in the top 100. Check this video of the race which includes super slomo of the incident. I get a sick feeling every time I see it - a reminder of the razor edge between tragedy and triumph. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfFzODoD7YY · 130 days ago ·

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zatt · Afleet Alex was fantastic, and his Preakness was unbelievable, hard to keep him off the list ... Invasor was a champion in three continents, and beat an excellent BC Classic field. · 130 days ago ·

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travel_vic · another potential monster we were robbed of seeing mature · 130 days ago ·

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stevebiscuit · Zenyatta would've smoked Curlin. · 130 days ago ·

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Winplacsho · Though all were great, I think Ghostzapper was the most freakish (and just as dominating) of the group and would be my pick for HOY. · 130 days ago ·

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GregRiessland · i don't think zen could beat curlin and zen hasn't smoked anyone she nips you at the wire. runs hard enough to win. she should have smoked all the washed up girls, nope runs hard enough just to win. · 129 days ago ·

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1satmay · really havre? Did we forget about rags to riches ! · 122 days ago ·

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1satmay · sorry! missed her in 3yo · 122 days ago ·

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racingrooter · I'm with winplaceshow. I think Ghostzapper is the best horse of the 20th century thus far. There are some other great horses mentioned here, but GZ would have left them all eating his dirt. · 122 days ago ·

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racingrooter · Oops, meant 21st century. I'm only 12 years behind. :-) · 122 days ago ·

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Rags To Riches

she never gets the accolades other female horses have received. she won the toughest of the 3 classics over a future hoy curlin. she ripped off 4 straight G1 victories in the process.

Posted by CraigBradshaw

· 255 days ago ·

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It's a Girl's World

Havre de Grace showed the world once again that in thoroughbred horse racing these days, it’s a girl's world...Read More

Posted 266 days ago ·

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BayRoan · TY for working on your vacation, Brian. It's perfectly summed up! I, frankly, didnt think Grace would do it, thought she'd be second at best. She impressed me but I'm still a die-hard BL fan! To the point that now I'm REALLY irritated with Hollendorfer for not putting Luckie in the Pacific Classic cuz now Grace is one up on her. I cant stanz it, I tell ya!! LOL · 266 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · And HDG earned a 111 BSF! · 266 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · andy.....don't take bsf's to heart. they are usually very skewed. just remember quality road. · 266 days ago ·

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jdas1 · HK Cup Snow Fairy. Buena Vista ridiculous · 266 days ago ·

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BrianZipse · You are right on jdas1, the big wins for the females just keep coming! · 265 days ago ·

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tiznow · 2/1 was a gift in my opinion. She towered these based on numbers and backed it up. I'll be rooting for a BL Grace rematch in the Beldame. Grace has the edge at 9.5, but BL will be coming that's for sure. If anything, HDG's win in the Woodward makes BL look that much better. I hope Jerry gives the classic some more thought. · 264 days ago ·

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TimSmith · Come on Hollendorfer put your prized mare in some races... HDG is getting away even though you can beat her on the track.. That just spells mis managing or chicken not sure. · 264 days ago ·

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New York Vinnie · chicken? Oh, please. The ignorance is telling here. Blind Luck has already run in four states on five different tracks, while Havre de Grace has just run in three states on just three tracks. · 264 days ago ·

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New York Vinnie · Havre de Grace - HOY? I'll tell you what. Create a 'mythical race' and enter HdG with Blind Luck, Acclamation, Tizway, Stay Thirsty, Cape Blanco, The Factor, and even Uncle Mo. Havre de Grace would be the highest odds in this mythical race to win. · 264 days ago ·

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TimSmith · I would bet she would be around 4-1. Im not saying she has won H.O.Y already . Just she has the connections that will at least give her a shot.. As opposed to the other handlers. · 264 days ago ·

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TimSmith · On the dirt she can beat Acclamation, She ran faster 1 and 1 quarter than thirsty, On the dirt she can beat blanco, Mo just getting going so I would say he can take him over a mile as well, Tizway would give her a good race up till a mile and an eighth and as far as Blind luckicken. she was scratched because Hollendorf is a ch · 264 days ago ·

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New York Vinnie · beat Acclamation on dirt...faster than Stay Thirsty. Listen, she barely beat a Grade 2 winner called Flat Out and a horse called Rule that last won a graded stakes race 18 months ago. OK. She beat a dismal field in the 2011 Woodward. Only Ice Box and Giant Oak were Grade 1 winners and is the most recent Grade 1 winner seven months ago. It was a dismal field and has absolutely no bearing what so ever on the 2011 HOY. It only effects the "Older Female" ranking with Blind Luck. And just slightly at that. · 264 days ago ·

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TimSmith · I would say on dirt from 1 1/16 to 1 1/4 HDG would win 2 out of 3 vs any of them. · 263 days ago ·

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footlick · 8.5 and 9 furlongs I would put my money on Twirling Candy · 263 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · tim......newsflash!......bl has already taken 2 out of 2 vs. hdg at 10f. · 262 days ago ·

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TimSmith · I guess i should have been more specific..1 at 1/16 one at 1/8 one at 1/4.. ok Bradshaw NEWSFLASH · 262 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · tim....wasn't trying to disrespect you. just having a little fun. i don't disagree with you on your assessment. in the 9f ladies classic, hdg gets the nod. in the 10f big race bl gets the nod. · 262 days ago ·

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Zenyatta-Perfection Personified · I think that owners of the fillies/mares are the ones who are making the difference, with a willingness to test their females against the best of the males. And there have been some all-time great females in just the last 4 years. · 261 days ago ·

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Rags To Riches

I love this horse! One of the best fillies ever! There aren't too many fillies to run in big races like the Triple Crown races, but that didn't stop her. Rags to Riches showed what girls could do in the 2007 Belmont Stakes! Maybe next year a filly could race in a Triple Crown race, or even win one, or even win the Triple Crown! I don't think that's ever been done! :)

Posted by cowgirlie229 · 352 days ago ·

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ugozenyatta · It hasn't, but Genuine Risk is the only filly to place in all Tripple Crown races · 265 days ago ·

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RamonDimas · yeah the only one · 265 days ago ·

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RamonDimas · she got the derby and place 2 in the next 2 · 265 days ago ·

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RamonDimas · for get about wat i said · 265 days ago ·

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Rags To Riches

Rags To Riches started the filly/mare domination by beating Curlin

Posted by LarryDickson · 308 days ago ·

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Rags To Riches

she's a grand daughter of seatle slew and a great gand daughter+great great great neese of secretariat

Posted by EvanAnouna

· 344 days ago ·

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Winning Moves In The Belmont Stakes

Every year race fans debate the running styles of the Belmont Stakes contestants. Which manner - front runner, pace presser, mid-pack runner or come from behind stalker - is the most favorable for winning the grueling 1 ½ mile Test of Champions? We researched that question and reviewed the last twen...Read More

Posted 354 days ago ·

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KeithStrouhal · thats how you describe 2009 ? I describe it as Fail - Calvin Borel , pretty much the same for 2004 Fail - some jockey · 352 days ago ·

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Better Than Honour

Forget that old adage that great race mares don't produce as broodmares. The daughter of a Kentucky Oaks winner, she was Grade 1-placed, having never finished out of the money in eight lifetime starts. She is also the only mare in history to produce back-to-back Belmont Stakes winners, Jazil and…Read More

Source: helloracefans.com · Posted 354 days ago ·

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Rags To Riches

It's such a shame Rags to Riches wasn't able to complete her sophomore and 4-yera-old campaigns, I think she would have been one of the top ten hands down.

Posted by KyOaksRunner · 357 days ago ·

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All-Time Greatest Females Rankings Coming Soon!

Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra? Ruffian or Personal Ensign? Or maybe Gallorette or Goldikova? HRN asks you, who is the greatest female horse of all-time???Read More

Posted 361 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · Here we go again....I'd go with Goldikova but if I have to own one of them, it just might be Zenyatta because I would campaign her differently. · 361 days ago ·

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xMystix · Oh boy...this will turn out to be more of a popularity contest rather than people actually researching all the horses on the list to familiarize themselves with the great female racers of the past. I'm afraid people will vote with their emotions rather than with their brains. There's nothing wrong with going with what's in your heart, but one also has to look at all the facts at an objective perspective, not a subjective one. This should get interesting. · 361 days ago ·

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crosseyedlemon · In my opinion the really great athletes are able to transend their sport and reach people on the outside who don't necessarily count themselves as fans. Muhammed Ali did that in boxing, Pele did it in soccer and Zenyatta did it in horse racing. · 361 days ago ·

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TimSmith · Seriously? This is debated everyday on here. Your list will only complicate matters. · 361 days ago ·

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xMystix · I actually agree with you TimSmith. As much as it is fun to have a friendly objective and practical debate about horse racing's greatest horses, it also disgusts me how people actually argue about them, and then go on to trash said horses. The way some people are about certain horses actually have made me turn a bit sour towards some horses, especially with the way some of their fans are always out to belittle others. Debating horses of the modern day with the ones of the past will always bring intrigue and awesome discussions, but as of late, some debates have turned into flamming posts. Everyone has an opinion, but honestly, people need to calm down. I love to debate, but I've stopped because I can't stand the viciousness of people. · 361 days ago ·

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ZenyattaIsQueen · crosseyedlmon,I think your right :) · 361 days ago ·

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dubby30 · You know terminology used does tend to have a legitimate affect on how things are viewed, the term trash, hate, hater, bash, all of these words are used and taken way out of context considering that due to the first amendment everyone has the right to voice their opinion, some do it in an eloquent way that elicits respect, take for instance BrianZ. He is objective and puts his opinion out there for all to see, others who may not be able to come across the same way give an opinion and its considered bashing. Unfortunately the truth or factual information may be difficult for some to digest. If facts are presented on a consistent basis, please recognize that this is not bashing. If a person were to state that in their opinion the horse was no good, that is one to be taken as it is, that’s bashing, but overall, stop with the overly sensitive talk and recognize that presenting facts are afforded to us by this forum and many others across the net. Toughen up a bit and take straight forward facts as what they are. Facts. And if you don’t like them send a rebuttal with facts of your own. · 361 days ago ·

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woodbinemile · Not sure a list is even needed. Just enjoy each champion for what they did for the sport. @ crosseyedlemon- Smarty did the same thing in 2004. There are MANY horses that brought thousands of new fans in over the decades, not just Zenyatta. I am interested to see this list, I personally would have Zarkava on Top Which I am sure Many will disagree with. Cheers · 361 days ago ·

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xMystix · Dubby30, I am tough. In fact, I love to debate and discuss a topic of interest to view everyone's facts on the matter. Because that is how you learn more. But all I want to see and/ or hear is the facts. Yes, it's nice to see everyone's emotional side on the matter, but what I don't like is when people belittle others. I've seen enough flaming comments on the internet to recognize who is a hater and who isn’t (and I’m not just talking about comments on here, but everywhere else that is not a horse racing site, too). There is, too, the factor of how, like what you said, people present themselves, so the utilization of social tact is also an important factor to consider. Another thing to point out is how one reads another’s post, too. In my post below, I was by no means condoning the use of telling one's opinion. I have fallen victim to people trying to belittle me, even when I do present facts, straight and true, ever so trying to keep my wits about me. But one can’t always and continuously keep their cool. Unfortunately, sometimes, even when you do present the facts, people go about with the name calling. One cannot argue with a child. I like facts; I drink it in. That's why I mostly observe, and read, read, READ. And that is why I like reading blogs, like this one. Even if they are opinion pieces, sometimes I come across ones that I entirely disagree on, so then, I go research on what they talked about, to see further into the truth. I’m a curious person. Since I’m not a knowledgeable veteran of the sport, but rather a young person who fell in love with racing at an even younger age ten years ago, I try my honest hardest to learn more. I respect people who have an opinion, but I respect those more that have an opinion resulting from having a veteran-like experience in the sport. What you say is true, but like in my first post below, I was giving a bit of advice so that people can take a chance at discovering other horses that would not be recognizable to today’s generation, because every one of them deserves respect, since every one of them have transcended and impacted the sport in a different way. I also said at the end of that post that this should get interesting, meaning it will be interesting to see the end results, because with each passing age, the generations view things differently. Just like when I opined that this shouldn’t be a popularity contest, which I’m afraid it will be, it should also be interesting how things present themselves. There is a difference between opinion (which is supported and backed by facts) and flaming (which people often mistakenly call it as their own opinion when in fact it isn’t and go about belittling others to make themselves feel more superior); thereby, everyone is entitled to their own opinions but not to flaming. Thank you for letting me to take the opportunity to clarify myself. I sincerely respect all that you have written here on HRN, and even agree with a lot of things you have said. But forgive me for being a bit shy and wary on this subject. I am still trying to learn more about horse racing. I look forward to more of your opinions on the sport as it will further increase my knowledge, as well as get a different perspective on things. · 361 days ago ·

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LeonorReis · Zenyatta and Ruffian. · 361 days ago ·

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LeonorReis · Rachel Alexandra is also amazing, but that two females...(: · 361 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · #1 Ruffian, #2 Rachel Alexandra, #3 Zenyatta · 361 days ago ·

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TimSmith · Goldikova #1 And then the rest. · 361 days ago ·

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skipaway2000 · I think Zenyatta will win this poll.... · 361 days ago ·

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EllyEllison · #1 Ruffian #2 Personal Ensign #3 Rachel Alexandra #4 Gallorette #5 Goldikova #6 Zenyatta · 361 days ago ·

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xMystix · I'm going old school, and in no particular order, Miesque, Beldame, Regret, All Along, Lady's Secret, and Gallorette. · 361 days ago ·

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rohan2reed · 1. Ruffian 2. Goldikova. 3. Gamely 4. Lady's Secret 5. Rachel Alexandra · 361 days ago ·

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cleclair1994 · 1. Ruffian 2. Personal Ensign 3. Goldikova 4. Rachel Alexandra 5. Zenyatta · 361 days ago ·

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racingrooter · First, I am going to separate out the mares that ran exclusively on grass from the mares that ran exclusively on dirt/synth. I really don't know how you can compare the two. When I'm done here, I'll list what I believe to be the best grass mares with which I'm familiar, with the hugh caveat that I know nothing about the Japanese mares, and little about the European mares that didn't run over here. · 361 days ago ·

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RaTalk_Girl · Great...like there isn't enough name calling and fighting going on now. · 361 days ago ·

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racingrooter · Well, I wanted to go to a new paragraph, but I guess that caused my first paragraph to be entered. Sorry. Anyway, I've been watching the races for 50 years, so my rankings will cover that time period. 1. Zenyatta I think she's simply the best racing mare I've ever seen. 2. Personal Ensign. 3. Ruffian. 4. Rachel (probably had the best single year ever). 5. Gamely. 6. Azeri. 7. Lady's Secret. 8. Go For Wand. 9. Princess Rooney (vastly underrated in my view). 10. Inside Information (ditto). Now for the grass mares. 1. Goldikova. 2. All Along. 3. Miesque. 4. Royal Heroine (I'm prejudiced here - she's one of my all time favorites, and I think it's a crime that she's not in the Hall of Fame). 5. Waya. 6. Dahlia. 7. Ouija Board. 8. Miss Alleged. And I've probably forgotten some that belong here. · 361 days ago ·

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TimSmith · How can you rate Zenyatta better than Goldikova? I dont think you can. · 360 days ago ·

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xMystix · Interesting to note is that no one has mentioned Makybe Diva. · 360 days ago ·

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sdnaples · Goldikova never won the classic and is a miler..and people say Zenyatta raced crap horses...i never saw zen finish 7th in a race. · 360 days ago ·

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sdnaples · Anyone who says RA is better the Zenyatta is an ass....Sissy boy Jess Jackson knew he could not beat her and avoided her like the plague... · 360 days ago ·

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sdnaples · Zennyatta, Ruffian, Personal Ensign · 360 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · 16 G1s many in open company. 3 Breeders cup miles. Cosostent ,fast and always racing the worlds best. · 360 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · Rachel Alexandra had a much better season than either of Zenyatas last 2. If you look at the stats on Goldikova vs Zenyatta . Goldikova has a much stronger record. · 360 days ago ·

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Keertana: A Mare Against the Boys

Rags to Riches beats Curlin in the Test of Champions. Zarkava wins the Arc. Rachel Alexandra wins the Preakness, Haskell, and Woodward. Vodka wins the Japan Cup. Zenyatta comes within inches of two consecutive Breeders' Cup Classics. Goldikova takes home three straight BC Miles. The list of fantasti...Read More

Posted 367 days ago ·

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Waya · I love seeing the girl beat the boys. Waya did it a few times back in her day. Go Keertana! · 366 days ago ·

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KyOaksRunner · She defeated Sheepshead Bay entrant La Lune de Miel in the Bewitch. I hope she wins, I love seeing the girls beat the boys in the bigger races! · 366 days ago ·

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Rags To Riches

Set The stage for Rachel and Zenyatta. Beat Curlin.

Posted by LarryDickson · 444 days ago ·

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Any Fillies in this Year's Kentucky Derby?

Fillies have accounted for themselves quite well in Triple Crown races in recent years. Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness in 2009. Rags to Riches was best in the Belmont in 2007. Both fillies ended long draughts for their gender in the respective Classics. As far as the Kentucky Derby, it has been ...Read More

Posted 468 days ago ·

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KyOaksRunner · I was personally hoping that both Dancinginherdreams and Kathmanblu would be nominated, I think they both would have a great shot at winning. Jennifer Werth did a great interview with Dancinginherdreams' trainer, John T. Ward over on The Saturday Post blog. · 468 days ago ·

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zatt · Thanks, I will check out Jennifer's interview. Still time to supplement, but they probably will headline a strong Oaks. · 468 days ago ·

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tiznow · My thoughts were the same as kyoaksrunner. Those would be the two i think would have a shot if nominated, particulary Dancinginherdreams. I think he style is suited for a filly in the Derby. she can sit back and avoid all the bumping and pick em up off the typical Derby hot pace in the stretch. The Oaks should be fun if both these girls show up there. · 468 days ago ·

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zatt · Sounds like all 3 of us have them rated as 1-2 for the fillies ... personally I would rather see them in the Oaks. · 468 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · This looks like a good year for the top fillies to go in the Oaks. Unless the top contenders start dropping out, which happens a lot unfortunately, this looks like a good group of 3 year old colts. And with Uncle Mo looking like a super horse, it might be best to point to the Oaks then see how things look after the Derby. · 468 days ago ·

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arazi · I agree with everyone that Kathmanblu and Dancinginherdreams stand out among the fillies. Brian, do you think maybe the connections decided against nominating for the Derby so they didn't have the temptation? With fillies of those quality, it actually seems sort of silly not to spend the $600 to have the option at least. · 468 days ago ·

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zatt · Great point Arazi. Sometimes temptation can get in the way of the wise decision ... for almost all fillies, the wise decision is the Oaks. · 468 days ago ·

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blooy · dancinginherdreams and kathmanblu seem to be the best choices. i can't knock down dancining in her dreams for geting 2nd her last race. that was just bad timing by the jockey. · 467 days ago ·

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zoee42479 · Dancinginherdreams did not get a bad ride but was learning how to relax and finish. This from a recent interview with her trainer John Ward - "When she ran in the Forward Gal and came in second, she was sharp enough to go immediately to the lead and had the speed to do it. But, I don’t want to teach her to leave the gate in a sprint fashion because she is capable of endurance and has the physical structure to go two-turns in a race. I had to sacrifice the early part of the race in the Forward Gal the other day because I didn’t want to ruin her chances of being a horse that comes from behind." · 467 days ago ·

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blooy · well i think she just ran out of room and time is what my point was. she still looks fine to me. · 467 days ago ·

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blooy · she should have won that race.it wasn't like with turblent descent where she couldn't win. · 467 days ago ·

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blooy · she was closing that gap quick, oh and i didn't mean i wanted her to rush to the front. i was saying just the timing was off on the late charge. by no means change the running style that spells doom in some cases. · 467 days ago ·

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power cap · It is either the Kentucky Oaks or Kentucky Derby but the filly name Inglorious is going to win some raced named Kentucky in about 10 weeks. · 467 days ago ·

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zatt · We will learn more about Inglorious this Saturday in the Rachel Alexandra. · 467 days ago ·

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rayjay · There was a man named Paddy,can't remember his last name, who was a horse painter. It is said that he could make a 5yo stallion look like a 3yo filly. Now, if we could get the Mosses to agree....! · 467 days ago ·

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szerda · Contrary to popular belief, Turbulent Descent's last race was not a set back. However, she is on track for the Kentucky Oaks but would not disgrace herself if entered in the Derby. · 466 days ago ·

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Kentucky Oaks 137: "The Novel Nine"

In 2007 a beautiful chestnut filly by A. P. Indy broke from the gates in the third leg of the Triple Crown, stumbled badly and almost fell to her knees. Barely missing a beat she picked herself right up and went on to become the first filly in more than 100 years to win the Belmont Stakes. She defea...Read More

Posted 472 days ago ·

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zatt · Pretty gutsy to put the Portland Oaks winner that high ;-) Great debut post, Brian ... 107 Beyer at least! · 474 days ago ·

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KyOaksRunner · I debated for quite awhile on whethor or not I should give her honorable mention or list her. After watching her race again I decided she deserved to be one the list. Thanks Brian, that's not too bad for a "breaking your maiden" performance. :-) · 474 days ago ·

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arazi · Great start, Brian. Love the 3yo fillies and the Kentucky Oaks. Couldn't get much more exciting than last year's Oaks. What a race! · 474 days ago ·

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KyOaksRunner · Thanks! I love the Oaks too, I attended for the first time last year and it was fantastic, coulnd't have had a more exciting first trip! · 474 days ago ·

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ctunstill · Great job Brian, and I love that three of your choices were sired by Tapit. · 474 days ago ·

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KyOaksRunner · Thank you very much! Who do you like best of the three tapit's? I'm crazy about Dancinginherdreams right now, I can't wait to see her in the Davona Dale. · 473 days ago ·

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nayla1268 · Im telling you guys Ruthenia is going to be a Big Player in the 3 year old fillie divison this year!!! · 473 days ago ·

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KyOaksRunner · Ruthenia does look like a very good filly and it was nice to see Excited, who finished second to her in the Good Mood Stakes, comeback and finish second to Kathmanblu in the Sweetest Chant Stakes. I would love to see her try dirt in her next start. She's only had one workout this year in early January and no news since. · 473 days ago ·

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ScottAppleton · Very nicely done, Brian. Your bio is nice and thorough, and I understand what you mean about Curlin; that race I went with you to was fantastic. I am so thrilled that you, too, are a writer. It must run in our family! · 472 days ago ·

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KyOaksRunner · Thanks Scott, that means a lot coming from a professionaly published writer · 472 days ago ·

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mshutty · Great blog, Brian! Welcome to HorseRacingNation! Really like this list you have put together. Keep an eye on Zazu, She's gangly, clumsy sort right now but she's all power and when she matures a bit and puts it all together, this will be a good one. She's fun to watch race. · 472 days ago ·

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KyOaksRunner · Thank you very much! I love Zazu and think she is maturing at exactly the right time, I love how she seemed to improve with each of her last races in such easy progression. If she ever gets into the starting gate with Dancinginherdreams it could be a really nice race to watch, both closers and both appear white. · 472 days ago ·

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Rags To Riches - Pedigree

[Edit]

A. P. Indy	Seattle Slew	Bold Reasoning
		My Charmer
	Weekend Surprise	Secretariat
		Lassie Dear
Better Than Honour	Deputy Minister	Vice Regent
		Mint Copy
	Blush With Pride	Blushing Groom
		Best In Show