Rachel Alexandra Sets Record in the Mother Goose
Zenyatta Wins the Vanity Carrying 129 Pounds On the Same Day
Jun 30, 2009
The filly set a new stakes record of 1:46.33, breaking Lakeway’s 1994 stakes record of 1:46.58. She also set a new record for the greatest margin of victory, defeating Malibu Prayer by 19-1/2 lengths. Flashing was another 12-1/4 lengths behind her. The previous mark was 13-1/2 lengths set by Ruffian in 1975.
Perhaps even more amazing, despite being eased down the home stretch with Borel standing in the stirrups, Rachel Alexandra’s time was just four-fifths off the 1:45.40 track record for nine furlongs at Belmont Park set by the great Secretariat in 1973.
Now the question on everyone’s mind is, just how good is Rachel?
Rachel Alexandra Brings Back Memories of Ruffian
In the Preakness, the dark bay daughter of Medaglia d’Oro was all out to defeat Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird while carrying five pounds less, but her previous win against fillies in the Kentucky Oaks was by 20 lengths. Clearly, no 3-year-old filly can touch her, and at this point even the colts may have trouble beating her, especially since she is as big as, or even bigger than, most of them. Her size was very apparent in the Mother Goose, where she towered over Flashing and Malibu Prayer.
Rachel’s size and dominance are reminiscent of the great filly, Ruffian, who was overwhelmingly the best of her generation. in 1975, Ruffian broke down in a famous match race with Kentucky Derby champion Foolish Pleasure and died following surgery to repair her broken leg.
Rachel also reminds fans of another great horse: Secretariat. Had she run the full length of the stretch in the Mother Goose, she most certainly could have matched or broken his track record.
However, before she can be elevated to the status of great, there is one obstacle in Rachel's way: an undefeated 5-year-old daughter of Street Cry (IRE) named Zenyatta.
Can Rachel Alexandra Defeat Zenyatta?
On the day Rachel won the Mother Goose, Zenyatta was in action on the west coast, winning the Vanity (G1) at Hollywood Park for the second time. She carried a huge impost of 129 pounds including rider Mike Smith. It was her 11th straight win. Only two mares have won the Vanity under heavier weights: Silver Spoon, who carried 130 in 1960, and Gamely, who toted 131 in her 1968 win.
Last year, Zenyatta was impressive in winning the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (formerly the Distaff) and won an Eclipse Award for best older female.
There is one problem that may keep Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta from meeting. Rachel Alexandra’s owner Jess Jackson refuses to run his horses on artificial surfaces, and has said Rachel will not run in the Breeders’ Cup on Santa Anita’s synthetic track. If there is to be a showdown between these two, either Zenyatta has to come east and run on dirt, something owner Jerry Mott has said is unlikely, or both have to try the turf.
Rachel May Run in the Haskell Invitational
In the meantime, Rachel’s connections are looking at future options, among them the $1-million Haskell Invitational Handicap (G1) on August 2 at Monmouth Park, where she would face some of the top colts once again. Papa Clem, fourth in the Derby but just a head out of second place, is being pointed for the Haskell. So are Musket Man, Atomic Rain, Belmont winner Summer Bird and Big Drama.
However, Mine That Bird (with a new jockey, since Borel could not commit to ride him for the rest of 2009) won’t be there. He is entered in the West Virginia Derby (G2) at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort on August 1. Sadly, neither will the multiple stakes winning gelding Terrain. The chestnut son of Sky Mesa completely shattered his right front ankle in the Iowa Derby on June 26 and had to be euthanized.
Photos of Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta can be viewed at The Blood-Horse website.
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