RACHEL VS. ZENYATTA: CHAMPIONS FOR A NEW GENERATION

To say this year's Classic field was weak is a bit subjective. But I would put it this way. Where does Rachel finish in this year's Classic field?

Zenyatta figured on her figures alone to be highly competitive in this years Classic. Using BRIS, she projected to run about a 105. Gio Ponti was projected to run a 106 while Colonel John was projected to run a 105. Assume that Rip Van Winkle wasn't right, so Zenyatta beating this generally weak field was no big stretch at all. There is no question that if you run Zenyatta on dirt against a pace controlled by Rachel Alexandra, Rachel dominates. Force Rachel to run hot early fraction and then Zenyatta gives Rachel all she can handle.

porter100, also let me add that if you feel that this field of male's that Zenyatta beat in the Breeders Cup Classic is so weak, what does that say about the three field of average at best male field's that Rachael Alexandra beat?

porter100, let me guess, that was the weakest field ever because Rachael wasn't in it and because Zenyatta was, right? Give me a break. This Classic had 8 Grade 1 winners, and most of those multiple Grade 1 winners in the starting gate. Sale ignorant some place else, we're all stocked up here.

Rachel was only raced on dirt and they were scared to bring her to the poly track. They also played it safe by placing her in the Woodward and not even bringing her to the Classic. They are both great champions and whoever wins horse of the year, IMO, is deserving of the title. They both have great arguments to be horse of the year, but only one can be champion. It is a shame Zenyatta's connections did not race her against boys elsewhere this year because I feel she would have won and locked up the title.

Lets be honest. This was probably the weakest classic field ever. The dirt horses were eliminated before the start(zero, get that, zero for 43 over the last two years racing on the poly). That left the turf horses and one, get that, one fairly good poly horse(colonel john). Zenyatta is a great poly horse and this was her race to lose. She might be just as good on the dirt as she did run great last year at oakland park. But this is this year and her connections did her a diservice by not leaving the poly tracks. Rachel raced on multiple tracks and under diverse conditions beating horses every bit as good as what zenyatta beat on her home track. Like I said lets be honest the classic was full of horses who hated the poly or were strictly turf horses. For petes sake the 2nd and 3rd place finishers were turn horses. Zenyatta is a great and desirving champion however her connections played it safe keeping her at home therefore in close vote rachel because of her much tougher schedule will become horse of the year.