Rachel Alexandra's Date with History

Rachel Alexandra to Woodward!, originally uploaded by Rock and Racehorses.

With the news that Rachel Alexandra will indeed aim for the G1 Woodward Handicap against older males on September 5, questions have been raised regarding the historical importance of such an undertaking. As I wrote previously, no filly or mare has ever won the Woodward—the last filly to attempt it was 4-year-old Lady’s Secret who finished second to Precisionist in 1986—and only thirteen 3-year-olds have won the race in 55 years, the last being Holy Bull in 1994. The only 3-year-old filly to place in the Woodward was CCAO and Alabama winner Summer Guest who finished third behind Key to the Mint and Autobiography in 1972.

Beyond the Woodward itself, when was the last time a 3-year-old filly ran against older males over a route distance on dirt in North America in a graded or its equivalent race—and been successful?

In his excellent blog, Colin’s Ghost has already examined the two best examples—1944 Pimlico Special winner Twilight Tear, and 1945 Washington Park Handicap victress Busher. But, how many others are there? By examining the history of great handicap races, the results are quite remarkable.

Metropolitan Handicap:
Only 4 mares have won the Metropolitan, all at the age of 4—Gunfire (1903), Black Maria (1927), Nimba (1928), and Gallorette (1946)—and the two most recent place getters, Honest Lady (second, 2000) and Lady’s Secret (third, 1986), were both 4-year-olds. Only sixteen 3-year-olds colts and geldings have won the Met Mile since 1891, the latest being Honour and Glory, in 1996. How have fillies fared? The great Beldame in 1904 ran third behind Irish Lad and Toboggan, while Casseopia finished third against Voter and The Winner in 1897.

Brooklyn Handicap:
Reina (1902), Tokalon (1906), Gallorette (1946) and Conniver (1948) are the only mares to win the Brooklyn, although several have been runners-up: Gunfire (1903), Regret (1917), Good Gamble (1936), Gallorette (1948) and, most recently, Life’s Magic (1985). While thirteen 3-year-old colts/geldings have won, the last being Any Given Saturday in 2007, the only 3-year-old filly place-getter was Fleam, who finished third behind Discovery and Dark Secret in 1934.

Suburban Handicap:
Five mares have won the Suburban—Imp (1899), Beldame (1905), Bateau (1929), Harmonica (1948) and Busanda (1951)—and none were 3-year-olds. In fact, no 3-year-old filly has placed in this race, and, since first being run in 1884, only seven 3-year-old colts and geldings have won, the last being Buffle in 1966.

Whitney Handicap:
Six mares have won the Whitney, beginning with Black Maria who won the inaugural race in 1928, followed by Bateau (1929), Esposa (1937), Gallorette (1948), Lady’s Secret (1986) and Personal Ensign (1988)—none were 3-year-olds. However, Esposa did finish second at age 3 in 1935 behind Discovery, and then repeated that performance in 1936 before winning as a 5-year-old—and then finished second, at age 6, to the Triple Crown victor War Admiral. In all, twelve 3-year-old colts/geldings have won, the last being Easy Goer in 1989. In 1996, 4-year-old Serena’s Song finished second, a neck behind Mahogany Hall, runner-up in both the Suburban and Brooklyn handicaps.

Jockey Club Gold Cup:
The only mare to win the JCGC is the great Shuvee who won back-to-back editions in 1970 and 1971. Three-year-olds have done well in this race, though, with 34 winners since 1919, including Curlin in 2007. The first 3-year-old filly to place was a daughter of Man O’War, Judy O’Grady who finished second behind Firethorn in 1935. Her daughter Irish Nora produced, by Triple Crown winner Count Fleet, Kiss Me Kate who finished third behind eventual Horse of the Year Counterpoint and reigning Horse of the Year Hill Prince on route to winning champion 3-year-old filly honors in 1951. In 1976, Coaching Club American Oaks victress Revidere finished third behind Great Contractor, while in 1982, champion filly Christmas Past fleshed out the trifecta behind two 4-year-old warriors, Lemhi Gold and Silver Surprise.

Manhattan Handicap:
Now run on turf, prior to 1970 this was a dirt race, albeit contested over various distances. In those years when it was at least 8 furlongs and run on dirt, filly/mare winners include the only 3-year-old filly winner Lady Primrose (1887), in addition to older mares Firenze (1888), Los Angeles (1889), and Harem Lady (1969). Other 3-year-old fillies that ran successfully in the Manhattan: Jacoba finished third behind Belmont winner The Finn in 1916; Kentucky Oaks winner Untidy ran second to Little Chief in 1923; Princess Tina was runner-up to Preakness winner Victorian in 1928; and 1935 JCGC runner-up Judy O’Grady repeated that performance, this time behind Count Arthur.

Aqueduct Handicap:
First run in 1902, the second winner of this race was a 3-year-filly named Wild Thyme. The brilliant Black Maria won back-to-back editions, at age 3 in 1926 and 4 in 1927. Other 3-year-old filly winners are Black Mammy (1930), Coequel (1934), and Good Gamble (1935), while Alabama victress Maskette (1909) finished second to Firestone during her 3-year-old campaign. Sixteen 3-year-old colts/geldings have won over the years, but the last was Damascus in 1967—the same year that 5-year-old mare Straight Deal finished third. In 1947, the mares Gallorette and Elpis finished second and third respectively, behind the great Stymie. One quirk: the colt Cannonade won the race at age 2.

Washington Park Handicap:
A recently-defunct race (or so it appears), this race has an impressive list of winners: Armed, Swaps, Coaltown, Round Table, Majestic Light and Spectacular Bid. When run on dirt, at a distance of at least 8 furlongs, there have been, in addition to 3-year-old victress Busher (1945), several mare winners: Late Date (1935), War Plumage (1940), Sickles Image (1953) and Pucker Up (1957). In 1949, 3-year-old Lithe, daughter of champion filly Alcibiades, ran third behind Coaltown and Armed.

Santa Anita Handicap:
No filly or mare has even won the Big ‘Cap, although a couple have come close, including runners-up Next Move (1951), Gamely (1969) and Island Fashion (2004)—none were 3-year-olds. From its inception in 1935 until 1969, it was open to 3-year-olds, but no longer, and only one 3-year-old has ever won this race, colt Stagehand (1938).

Hollywood Gold Cup:
Three older mares have won the Gold Cup—Happy Issue (1944), Two Lea (1952), and Princessnesian (1968). Only three 3-year-old colts/geldings have won this race—Round Table (1957), Quack (1972), and Island Whirl (1983)—but in 1946, the 3-year-old filly Honeymoon finished second behind Triplicate. The two other mare runner-ups are Bewitch, who finished behind Citation in 1951, and Cascapedia in 1977. Honeymoon (1947), A Gleam (1953) and Manta (1971) were older when they finished third.

Pimlico Special:
Defunct between 1959 and 1987, this race was first won in 1937 by War Admiral, and counts among its victors Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, Armed, Assault, Citation and Tom Fool. The 3-year-old filly Twilight Tear’s victory over Devil Diver in 1944 marks the only time a filly or mare has won, but champion 3-year-old filly Bridal Flower finished third behind subsequent Horse of the Year Assault and Stymie in 1946—she had previously defeated Assault in the Roamer Handicap.

Massachusetts Handicap:
Despite its spotty recent history, the Mass Cap has long drawn top handicap horses—but it’s never been won by a filly or mare. Three mares have been runners-up, namely CCAO winner Elpis (1947), Suburban victress Harmonica (1948), and Canadian International champion Drumtop (1970). Gallorette (1946) once finished third, but perhaps the most notorious place finisher was 4-year-old mare Fair Knightess, workmate of the great Seabiscuit, who ran third to him in 1937 edition. Only four 3-year-old colts/geldings have won; no placings by 3-year-old fillies.

Michigan Mile and One-Eighth Handicap:
Sporadic history with this race, first run in 1958 and for the last time in 1993, but three mare winners: Old Hat (1965), My Juliet (1977), and Glorious Song (1980). Named Canadian Horse of the Year in 1980, Glorious Song was a wonderful broodmare, producing exemplary sires Rahy and Singspiel. My Juliet produced, among others, multiple-G1 victress Stella Madrid and G1 Shuvee winner Tis Juliet.

Clark Handicap:
Overall, 11 fillies and mares have won the Clark Handicap since its inception in 1875 (although it was restricted to 3-year-olds until 1902). They include (with age):

1904 Colonial Girl (5)
1908 Polly Prim (5)
1910 Kings Daughter (7)
1927 Helen’s Babe (4)
1934 Esseff (4)
1945 Sentiment Sake (4)
1951 Wishful (5)
1959 Las Olas (4)
1970 Watch Fob (5)
1972 Fairway Flyer (3)
2000 Surfside (3)

Notice, the most recent two winners. Fairway Flyer, third-place finisher in the Kentucky Oaks behind the outstanding Susan’s Girl, and eventual 3-year-old champion filly Surfside—daughter of Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew, out of the Eclipse-winning mare Flanders—who defeated a field that included Aptitude and Guided Tour. When Surfside won the Clark, it was a G2; the graded system did not exist when Fairway Flyer won. The only other 3-year-old filly that has even placed in the Clark is Ashland Oaks winner Anna M. Humphrey who finished second behind the great 7-year-old Audacious in 1923.

Other notable recent placings in important handicaps include 4-year-old filly Glorious Song’s second place effort behind Winter’s Tale in the 1980 Marlboro Cup Handicap; 5-year-old Heavenly Prize’s third place finish behind Cigar in the 1996 G1 Donn Handicap; and, of course, 5-year-old Life is Sweet’s third place finish in the G1 Hollywood Gold Cup this year.

So, what does it all mean? While fillies and mares have had some success in open company against older males on dirt, they are relatively few in numbers—but extraordinary in talent. Additionally, most were well-seasoned campaigners, age 4 and above. Whether through misfortunate injuries or simply bad historical timing, none of these great mares were able to accomplish what Rachel Alexandra may do on September 5—win a G1 dirt route vs. older males as a 3-year-old. That’s pretty incredible.

[edited to add]
Gulfstream Park Handicap:
Sid Fernando reminded me that, in 1983, 4-year-old mare Christmas Past won the G1 Gulfstream Park Handicap, so I went back into this race to find that 6-year-old mare Rampart defeated the great Armed in the third running of this race, back in 1948. The only other mare place-getter in the history of this race is 5-year-old Intencion, back in 1954.

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Goldikova Crushes FR-G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois

Goldikova not only destroyed her male competition in the FR-G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois by six lengths, she took a full second off the 1981 race record, leading her trainer Freddie Head to declare she may in fact rival the celebrated Miesque in talent. According to reports, she will break until the FR-G1 Prix de la Foret on October 3 before returning to defend her Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile title in early November.

Here’s the race video in French. Goldikova breaks second from the left, with her jockey in white cap, white sleeves and light blue (#6)—just watch her accelerate from the field mid-race with her ears back. Wow!




At The Curragh in the IRE-G3 Royal Whip, mare Deauville Vision was beaten out for third by Red Rock Canyon, as Curtain Call outdueled Casual Conquest for the win, while in the IRE-G3 Phoenix Sprint the fillies Girouette and Perfect Polly battled to a photo finish, with Girouette getting the nod. The colt Icelandic got third, while 2-1 favorite Vocalised finished fifth behind Croisultan. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Filly runner-up Heart Shaped only beat the unfortunately-named Gluteus Maximus in the soft going.

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BC Runners Goldikova, Heart Shaped in Action on Sunday

Sunday Preview:
Sunday’s top European race promises to be the FR-G1 Prix du Jacques Le Marois at Deauville, with the very-talented Goldikova taking on the top-rated racehorse in the world, UAE-G1 Dubai Duty Free winner Gladiatorus. Off four consecutive victories last year—culminating in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile—Goldikova was well-beaten stretching out to 9f first out this year, in the FR-G1 Prix d’Ispahan. However, she rebounded with victories in the ENG-G1 Falmouth Stakes and FR-G1 Prix Rothschild—the latter of which she also won last year, and both at her preferred distance.

In addition to Goldikova , last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf runner-up, 3-year-old Heart Shaped, makes her first start in open company, in the IRE-G3 Phoenix Sprint at The Curragh. Other fillies/mares entered: 4-year-old Girouette who last out won the listed Sweet Mimosa Stakes over 4-year-old Perfect Polly who’s also in here as well as the unfortunately-named 3-year-old Statue of Liberty filly Gluteus Maximus who has only 1 win in 10 starts. The likely-favorite 3-year-old colt Vocalised—disappointing last out in the FR-G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains—is by Vindication out of Serena’s Tune, daughter of the great American champion filly Serena’s Song. The sentimental choice will be 8-year-old gelding Benbaun in his 48th career start (37 stakes); he comes in off a victory in the IRE-G3 Sapphire Stakes.

Also at The Curragh, in the IRE-G2 Royal Whip Stakes, 6-year-old mare Deauville Vision takes on a field that includes salty 8-year-old PA-bred Lord Admiral, runner-up in the IRE-G3 Meld Stakes last out, and promising 4-year-old colts Curtain Call and Casual Conquest, the latter winner of the IRE-G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in May.


Saturday Results in Australia:
With her inside run blocked in the stretch, Fritz’s Princess could only muster a fourth-place finish in the AUS-G2 Premiere Stakes, just behind 3-year-old Phelan Ready who took third. The winners—in a dead-heat—were longshots Mentality and Kroner.

In the AUS-G2 Liston, Typhoon Tracy didn’t win, but her third-place showing was promising against much saltier open company. The winner Predatory Pricer is already G1-placed—and a half-brother to international sprinter Takeover Target. Second-place Whobegotyou is a G1 winner who does well first up as he was here.

In the AUS-G3 Cockram, poor little Romneya looked good around the final turn, but her 127 top weight got to her late and she wilted to ninth; the winner Cats Whisker, only carrying 119, was able to nose out Annesong (123), while 12-1 longshot Flying Ruby got third.

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Aussie "Zenyatta" Typhoon Tracy Seeks to Continue Win Streak

Saturday in Australia (late Friday night here in the U.S.) sees the first G2 races of the new season, and both feature exciting fillies and mares racing in open company.

At Rosehill, in the AUS-G2 Premiere Stakes, 7-year-old Fritz’s Princess makes her second start in two weeks, after finishing fourth of 11 in the G3 Missile Stakes. Before her 9-month injury-induced break, Fritz’s Princess enjoyed the best form of her career, including a third-place finish behind Typhoon Zed and Keen Commander in the AUS-G1 Galaxy, a second-place finish behind Absolut Glam in the AUS-G1 Winter Stakes, and a superb win in the AUS-G2 Shorts over Hot Danish.

Her top competition in the 6f event includes last year’s Premiere victor Triple Honour, AUS-G1 V.R.C. Classic winner Turffontein, and newly-minted 3-year-old Phelan Ready, winner of the AUS-G1 Golden Slipper this past April. It’s a tough spot for him, going up against seasoned older horses, but the weight-for-age conditions will help.

Approximately 20 minutes after the Premiere, at Caulfield the other AUS-G2 race will be run, the 7f Liston Stakes. A much larger field for this, with several top fillies and mares including favorite Typhoon Tracy, an undefeated 4-year-old Red Ransom mare last seen in March winning the AUS-G1 Coolmore Classic. This will be her first foray into open company, in what will be the beginning of a Cox Plate campaign. Also in here is the 5-year-old mare Zarita—winner of the AUS-G1 South Australian Oaks and AUS-G1 South Australian Derby as a 3-year-old—who didn’t win any of her 10 races last campaign, but was third in the AUS-G3 St. George Stakes in February, and only 1.5 lengths back of Niconero in the AUS-G1 Australian Cup in March. The other mare in the field, 4-year-old Gallica makes her first start after finishing off-the-board in the AUS-G1 AJC Oaks in April, but she won the AUS-G1 Schweppes Oaks at Morphettville in March. She appears to want longer than 7f.

[Let me mention here that Typhoon Tracy is a favorite of blogger friend Anne from Melbourne; check out her blog Cat Politics for a nice mixture of horse racing and music from Down Under]

Also at Caulfield, older mares go in the AUS-G3 Cockram Stakes over 6f. The top-weight favorite is the gutsy 4-year-old Romneya, last seen in March running out of the money in the AUS-G1 Robert Sangster Stakes. An interesting connection for Americans: Romneya’s dam Mannington is a half-sister to Bollinger, the dam of recent Kentucky Derby hopeful Friesan Fire.

Last year’s Cockram winner, 5-year-old Princess Gisella is back for new connections after selling for $140k at the 2009 Australian Broodmare sale; the idea is to increase her value this campaign with more group wins or placings. Lee Freedman-trained Marchelle Belle has won 6 of nine starts, including the listed Tasmanian Oaks in February, and the Yalumba Masters first-up on August 1—a race in which Princess Gisella finished fourth. The second and third-place finishers in that race, Annesong and With Apologies respectively, are here as well.


Thursday Results in Europe:
Profound Beauty breezed to victory against 3-year-old colt Mourayan in the IRE-G3 Ballyroan Stakes, with the other filly in the field, Shreyas, five lengths back in third. Profound Beauty's next target: IRE-G1 Irish St. Leger on September 12.

In the FR-G3 Prix Minerve, Zarkava’s half-sister finished out of the money, as Kalla nipped Peinture Rare by a short head, followed 2.5 lengths back by Pearlescence in third, just a neck in front of Zerkerya; Jakonda was fifth in the 10-horse field.

Favored Soneva won the FR-G3 Prix de Lieurey, and may aim for the FR-G1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp next. Wilside finished third, a length behind the Dr. Fong filly Emergency; Sweet Hearth was 10th in the 11-horse field, but relatively close-up with the main pack. Article Rare scratched.

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Upcoming European Races of Interest

On Thursday, 5-year-old mare Profound Beauty runs in the IRE-G3 Ballyroan Stakes (12f T) at Leopardstown. Last year, trainer Dermot Weld shipped Profound Beauty to run in the AUS-G1 Melbourne Cup, where she finished a promising fifth, and thus punters have made her an early co-favorite for this year’s edition, along with multiple-G1 winner Rebel Raider. Her chief competition in the Ballyroan is likely to be 3-year-old colt Mourayan, last seen running third in the G1 Irish Derby behind Fame and Glory. However, another one to watch is 4-year-old filly Shreyas, going for three straight wins over this Leopardstown course after two straight listed race victories. Shreyas is also a half-sister to the extremely-talented Youmzain (winner of the FR-G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, and twice second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, behind Dylan Thomas in 2007, and Zarkava in 2008), as well as G1 winner Creachadoir.

Another filly to mention racing on Thursday is Zerkeriya—learn the name—she’s the half-sister of undefeated FR-G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victress Zarkava. After winning last out going 12f in her fourth start, she’ll tackle group company for the first time, in the FR-G3 Prix Minerve (12.5f T) at Deauville. Among her competitors is Peinture Rare, a half-sister to 1997 Arc winner Peintre Celebre, last seen running out of the money in the FR-G2 Prix de Malleret; Pearlescence, a half-sister to 2002 G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf victress Starine; Jakonda, whose unraced dam Mystery Trip is a half-sister to AP Indy and Summer Squall; and Kalla, a half-sister to ITY-G1 Gran Criterium victor Konigstiger, who finished third last out in the Prix de Malleret.

Also on Thursday at Deuville for 3-year-old fillies is the FR-G3 Prix de Lieurey (8f T), featuring recent FR-G1 Prix Saint-Alary runner-up Article Rare. She has an impressive pedigree, as her FR-G3 winning dam Action Francaise is the daughter of 1974 filly Arc winner Allez France. Also entered is last-out FR-G3 Prix Chloe winner Wilside; FR-G3 Prix d’Aumale victress Soneva; and Sweet Hearth, a half-sister to G1 Santa Maria victress Santa Teresita.

After winning the G1 Prix Rothschild against fillies and mares on August 2, Goldikova returns to take on males in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday. Chief among them figures to be Gladiatorus, winner of this year’s UAE-G1 Dubai Duty Free (9f T)—and officially rated the best horse in the world off that win—who recently missed the G1 Arlington Million due to a “corn in his foot.” However, Irish-bred Paco Boy will not be among her challengers, as his trainer Richard Hannon announced on his website that the 2008 FR-G1 Prix de la Foret winner will spell and return in time to defend his Prix de la Foret title during the Arc meeting at Longchamp in October. As his trainer added, “I have made no secret of the fact that I would be against taking him to the Breeders Cup, but there is Hong Kong in December to consider and we'll sit down again after the Foret and make a plan.”

While Goldikova plans a return to Santa Anita to defeat her G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile title in November, a host of other 3-year-old European fillies—perhaps inspired by the achievements last year of Zarkava—are dreaming of Arc glory. They include Sariska, back-to-back victress of the G1 English and Irish Oaks, who will attempt a treble with the ENG-G1 Yorkshire Oaks on August 20. Stacelita, undefeated in five races including the G1 Prix Saint-Alary and G1 Prix de Diane, will return on September 13 in the FR-G1 Prix Vermeille, while her stablemate FR-G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches victress Elusive Wave (who finished second to Goldikova in the G1 Prix Rothschild last out) will aim for the FR-G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp on September 6.

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Elusive Heat Scorches in Return, Zenyatta Remains Undefeated and Other Weekend Filly News

Rather than jumping back immediately into G1 stakes company, trainer Angel Penna Jr. took a more conservative route by entering future Hall of Famer Xtra Heat’s three-year-old daughter Elusive Heat in the 6f Geyser Spring Stakes (rather than the G1 Test or G2 Honorable Miss) at Saratoga on Sunday—and she didn’t disappoint! With Rajiv Maragh up, Elusive Heat went to the lead and never looked back, finishing under a hand ride in a blistering 1:08.93. Just five races later, Game Face won the G2 Honorable Miss in 1:10.70, followed by Fabulous Strike winning the G1 Vanderbilt in 1:08.69. In that context, Elusive Heat looks powerful! Next up could be the G3 Victory Ride on Travers Day.

In Sunday’s G1 Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar, Zenyatta attempted her 12th consecutive win. Sent off as a very short favorite, she didn’t disappoint, making her now-trademark wide run from the back of the pack to squeak out a win over 22-1 longshot Anabaa’s Creation, a European G3-placed turfster making her second start on an all-weather surface. Front-running Lethal Heat appears to have regained her good 3-year-old form, staying on strong for third, but after her nice third-place finish in the G1 Hollywood Gold Cup, Life Is Sweet disappointed, as she could muster only a fourth, followed by Dawn After Dawn, Tidal Dance and Champagne Eyes.

I know I may be nit-picking, but Zenyatta’s final time was pretty pedestrian (1:43.24), well off her track record of 1:41.48 set in last year’s Clement Hirsch, and her slowest 8.5f time in 8 tries. Mike Smith said afterward, “I underestimated the competition,” but, honestly, the competition didn’t appear to be all that tough. One of these days I fear hanging back and making one big move isn’t going to be in time... However, she certainly is breathtaking! And that prancing before the race—you think that’s her way in intimidating her competition? Kind of like Muhammad Ali’s “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”?

Also at Del Mar on Sunday, in race 6—a 5.5f MSW for 2-year-old fillies—the winner was (surprise, surprise!) yet another daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, Champagne d’Oro, who last out had finished a well-beaten last in the Landaluce. It was an impressive win, as her time of 1:03.50 was just a tick off the track record (1:03.26), thus proving the Del Mar surface wasn’t playing inherently slow today.

As a sire, Medaglia d’Oro had a very good Sunday, as all four runners placed. In addition to Champagne d’Oro, son Cedros lost by a head to Structural in race 5 at Del Mar (8f, turf), while daughter Gold d’Oro finished second by a neck to Minishaft in a MSW (9f, turf) in race 2 at Saratoga. At Mountaineer, daughter Oriental Sunshine finished third in an allowance (7f turf) by a half length.

A nice filly to watch: the odd-sounding Romacaca, 3-year-old daughter of Running Stag out of the Kris S mare Romaca, has improved by leaps and bounds after being claimed for $25,000 at Gulfstream in April from Cashel Stud and trainer David Fawkes. She’s undefeated in three turf routes at Arlington for owner Frank Calabrese and trainer Dan Miller, most recently running away with the Hatoof Stakes on the Arlington Million undercard, and taking her earnings this year to $119,990. She totally controlled the speed, thus the pedestrian fractions, but still won with extraordinary ease.

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Rachel, Zenyatta, Rachel, Zenyatta…

Dana Byerly over at Green but Game has an excellent post up regarding the exasperating part of the “Zenyatta vs. Rachel Alexandra” phenomenon, specifically the idea that some fans feel it’s an “either/or” situation when it comes to emotionally supporting one horse or the other. It’s an attitude I just don’t get.

Sports fan dynamics are not new to me—come on, I grew up in Pittsburgh where we loathe fans of the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and just about anyone from Philadelphia. I get regional competitiveness, which certainly is a strong component in the Zenyatta/Rachel saga, made manifest by the greater discussion revolving around the relative merits of synthetic surfaces in California where Zenyatta is based. It’s also not unheard of in the sport of horse racing, as even in the nineteenth century races like the American Derby at Chicago’s Washington Park (and now Arlington) were established on “neutral” ground between East and West to determine champion horses. Some of the best known match races—Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral at Pimlico, Swaps vs. Nashua at Washington Park—were driven by bi-coastal rivalries.

That said, the tone of today’s debate about these two fillies, on chat boards, blogs and even among industry media types, appears more rigid, more hypersensitive. While dissent is human nature, we are taught (lamentably) all too often in terms of black and white—good guys and bad guys are absolutes, and there’s no middle ground or overlap. As an educator, I see this way too often—students find it virtually impossible to understand nuances, multifaceted causes-and-effects that form the “big picture.” It is moreover symptomatic of the polarization so in vogue in American politics and culture in general. Take a position and then be hypercritical of anything or anyone that “threatens” the perceived status quo.

I don’t know the answer to alleviating this mentality, but it’s unproductive. Let’s celebrate both fillies—sure, we can debate the relative merits of each, but until they actually meet face-to-face, what exactly are they competing for besides this truly subjective title “Horse of the Year”? Horse racing fans are few and far between in America as it is—do we really need to perpetuate further divisiveness?

By the way, has anyone considered they could share the title “Horse of the Year” if they don’t actually meet this year—co-honorees? Wouldn’t that build suspense for next year? I know I may be dreaming here, but what I’d love to see is the Mosses and Jess Jackson sit down with a neutral third party and plot out a course of action, or joint campaign for the two, one with enough flexibility that each filly could run at her preferred distances and on her preferred surfaces, yet ensure that they meet head-to-head at least twice before next year’s Breeders’ Cup, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

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Golden Girls in a Golden Age

Obscured by the seemingly constant bombardment of bad news about the sport is the fact that we are in the midst of a golden era for racing fillies and mares worldwide. Consider, in this decade we have witnessed:

● New Zealand iron-mare Sunline winning 32 of 48 starts (finishing out of the money only four times)—with 13 G1s, including back-to-back victories in the prestigious G1 Cox Plate against males.

● Future Hall of Fame sprinter Xtra Heat who won 26 races in 35 starts (including 11 graded stakes) losing the 2001 G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint—by ½ length—to Squirtle Squirt.

● Legendary Aussie mare Makybe Diva winning not one or two, but three consecutive G1 Melbourne Cups over males, the only horse to do so in a race first run in 1861.

● Three-year-old turf phenom Ouija Board finishing a closing third in the FR-G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe against older males, before taking the 2004 G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, and again in 2006.

● Aussie sprinter Miss Andretti crushing Takeover Target (among others) in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, on her way to being named 2007 Australian Racehorse of the Year.

● Rags to Riches battling down the stretch against future UAE-G1 Dubai World Cup victor and Horse of the Year Curlin, winning the 2007 G1 Belmont Stakes.

● Three-year-old Zarkava soundly defeating older males in the 2008 FR-G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

● Three-year-old Vodka becoming the first filly in 64 years to win the JPN-G1 Japanese Derby, and then winning back-to-back editions of the prestigious JPN-G1 Yasuda Kinen over males in 2008 and 2009.

● Gutsy sprinter Indian Blessing falling ½ length short of victory in the 2009 UAE-G1 Golden Shaheen, in her first start against older males and on a straight track.

● Three-year-old Goldikova not only defeating dual classics winner and G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Henrythenavigator in the FR-G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, but also a strong field that included returning champion Kip Deville in the 2008 G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile.

These are but a few examples, all of which demonstrate the exceptional talent that has captured the hearts and imagination of fans.

At present, two brilliant fillies stand at the summit of American racing—undefeated Zenyatta on the West Coast and “colt-destroyer” Rachel Alexandra in the East. In many ways, this regional divide (surprisingly, in this day and age) drives the rivalry between them. The Mosses prefer to race Zenyatta in California where she is unbeaten on the artificial surfaces prevalent there (although she did win the 2008 G1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn on the dirt). Rachel Alexandra is devouring her three-year-old competition, including males in the G1 Preakness and G1 Haskell Invitational. Her owner Jess Jackson appears to have no problem setting her on an ambitious campaign that may including trying older males in the G1 Woodward. However, to the consternation of some fans, it appears highly unlikely the two will meet this year, as Jess Jackson has been adamant regarding not racing Rachel at Santa Anita in either the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (Ladies Classic) or the Classic against males due to the Pro-Ride surface, and the Mosses see little reason to leave their home state to race.

Much as I would like to see these two meet, there is a silver lining here—keeping the two separate builds drama, and focuses attention on both coasts. Let Zenyatta win the Breeders’ Cup Classic this fall, while having Rachel run against older males in the Woodward, Jockey Club Gold Cup and/or Clark Handicap. Rest them over the winter, and then meet in the Apple Blossom in April, but don’t stop there—commit them to a series of matchups like the G1 Stephen Foster at Churchill (June), or G2 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth (August), avoiding New York’s detention barns and California’s artificial surfaces. Maybe even card special races or tracks could get creative and move stakes around to have them meet at Keeneland, Woodbine or even Presque Isle. The big event, of course, would be the Breeders’ Cup Classic when it returns to Churchill next fall.

In the meantime, market the hell out of these two—starting with actually getting their races on network television. Bring horse racing back into some semblance of mainstream recognition. These two forces-of-nature not only could it pull off, but deserve nothing less.

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Why Fillies First?

For quite some time, I’ve been debating whether or not to branch out, and start a second horse racing blog.

My original blog—in initial inspiration dedicated to my childhood devotion to champion Foolish Pleasure—emerged out of my re-awakening in 2007 to the sport I loved as a girl, but moved away from as university, graduate school and then (finally) work took me in other directions. It’s a mélange of handicapping, reactions and history, often rooted in the current race meetings or big racing events, whether here in North America, Europe, Dubai, or more often of late, Australia—and I like it’s diversity. However, I’ve always felt that if I concentrated too much on one subject or another, I’d get pigeonholed as a certain type of blogger—and I’m a generalist at heart.

That said, there is definitely a place for a voice that resonates with a specific agenda so what I envision here is a mix of racing and breeding news from around the world, along with a strong dose of thoroughbred racing history—all focused exclusively on current and past fillies and mares. I certainly wish to appeal to fans of both sexes, but most particularly to women and girls who like me love horses with a passion, and find themselves reawakened to, or falling in love with, the sport of horse racing.

It won’t be trite. It won’t be “girly” in a negative or stereotypical way. And it certainly will not be patronizing.

It will be informative, and, most importantly, serious in presenting the sport of horse racing—past, present and future—with a clear intent of...Fillies First!

To start things off, you’ll notice on the left sidebar the results of a continuing project I have undertaken over the past year—a list of successful fillies and mares running in open company (against males) in graded stakes races around the world.

All too often (but particularly in the United States) there is a preconception that female horses cannot compete against male horses due to inherent physical capabilities, or mental weakness, usually the result of anthropomorphically projecting our own gender prejudices. You know, the old “frailty, thy name is woman.” However, the best fillies and mares can and do compete against colts, horses and geldings at the highest level of racing all around the world, on all surfaces and distances, from age 2 until they are ready to retire.

To prove my point, I’ve compiled a Google spreadsheet listing the names and ages of every filly and mare who won or placed (second or third) in a G1, G2 or G3 stakes race around the world just this year—as of this post, there are 158. In the sidebar, I’ll keep a current listing of just the G1 winners, but you will always be able to access the complete list which I’ll update on a regular basis.

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