Will we see a Zenyatta / Rachel Alexandra matchup?

The article below talks about a possible match-up between the two. It makes for interesting reading, thought you might enjoy reading it too. First, my opinion:

Of course, as a handicapper, I would like to look closer at both their past performances and for sure see what happens up until the actual match-up. With that said, I think Zenyatta being an older horse definately has an edge over 3 year old Rachel Alexandra. Love both horses.

Article of interest:

(Sports Network) - One week after Rachel Alexandra knocked off the colts (and geldings) in the Preakness, it was another female's turn to grab the spotlight in last Saturday's Milady Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Zenyatta made her 2009 debut in the event, and the undefeated mare proved best with a 1 3/4-length triumph over stablemate Life is Sweet, in 1:42 1/5 for the 1 1/16-mile race.

Zenyatta, who ended last year's perfect season with a win in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (formally the Distaff), paid $2.40 to win as the 2-5 favorite. The $2 exacta returned a "whopping" $3.20, while the $2 trifecta paid $13.20 with Allicansayis Wow finishing third.

The five-year-old daughter of Street Cry was allowed to sit a good dozen lengths off the lead after a 47-second first half-mile, before she got her act together, passing horses one by one around the far turn. She was in complete control through the stretch with jockey Mike Smith hand-riding her to another easy victory, her 10th in a row and first this season.

Zenyatta cruised her last 4.5 furlongs in a devastating 52 4/5, essentially running a 46 2/5 half before finishing up her final 1/16th of a mile in 6 2/5 seconds.

The question on everyone's mind centers around the potential dream matchup between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. Unless Zenyatta trainer John Shirreffs changes his plans, the Eclipse-Award winning mare will make her next start in the Vanity Handicap (also at Hollywood Park), followed by three more California appearances on synthetics.

Look for her to compete (and prevail) in the Clement L. Hirsch Handicap at Del Mar and the Lady's Secret Stakes at Santa Anita before another try in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic in early November. This schedule is virtually the same one Shirreffs put her through in 2008 after she won the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park in April.

Zenyatta fell short in her quest for Horse of the Year honors that season, finishing second to Curlin by a 153-69 vote. It's quite possible she could run second once again, even with another undefeated campaign, since her connections appear to be going the conservative route by not extending her against the colts. Still, if Rachel Alexandra fails to fire down the road, Zenyatta could end up number one by year's end.

WILL THE BATTLE EVER TAKE PLACE?

The one race the public wants to see is the matchup between the two top females in training. With Shirreffs' recent announcement of Zenyatta's 2009 racing campaign, it will be up to the three-year-old filly to venture out to unknown territory (Southern California) and race on synthetics in order to prove she's best.

The Kentucky Oaks-Preakness winner ran over Polytrack last fall at Keeneland, winning an allowance race (for non-winners of two lifetime events) at six furlongs. She won by three lengths that afternoon, while coming off a three- month layoff. Still, not all synthetics are alike, and the mere fact she prevailed in her lone scamper over Poly doesn't necessarily mean she'll adapt to the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita.

Moreover, Rachel Alexandra's owner Jess Jackson is not exactly fond of synthetics, especially after Curlin failed to win last year's Breeders' Cup Classic on the non-traditional surface. And judging from Jackson's recent comments to the media, it seems the filly will either run against the colts in the Classic that weekend, or not at all.

Jackson's main goal for Rachel Alexandra is, of course, to be crowned Horse of the Year. The only way to attain that distinction without challenging Zenyatta is to beat the boys in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Unfortunately, she will be forced to do so on what might not be her preferred surface.

Many columnists and handicappers alike applauded Jackson last year for racing Curlin as a four-year-old when he could have easily retired him to stud. The 2007 Preakness Stakes winner won all five of his conventional dirt starts last year, but ran second in his lone effort on the turf. He ended his career with the only off-the-board finish in 16 lifetime starts, with a fourth-place try in the Breeders' Cup Classic on synthetics.

One wonders what type of reception Jackson might receive this year if he keeps Rachel Alexandra in the barn on Breeders' Cup weekend. That scenario could come to pass if the filly fails to keep her current winning streak intact. If she loses to three-year-old colts in the Travers or to older opponents in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, would Jackson want to try the boys again or would he then change his mind and run against Zenyatta? (end of article)

My final words...I quess it's a waiting game.

Good Luck in your choice, may the best horse win!!!

The only way that these two will avoid each other if Rachel Alexandra stays on the east coast through the summer and fall, then runs in the Breeders Cup Classic rather than the Ladies Classic. There are plenty of races for fillies and mares on the west coast and the east coast and I don't see either horse taking a trip across the country just for the matchup. However, one would have to assume that both horses will be pointed for the Breeders Cup, thereby necessitating the two horses to face each other... unless of course, Rachael faces boys and Zenyatta does not. You'd think that Rachael Alexandra would want to run a prep race over the Santa Anita surface before the Breeders Cup and even if she was going to run in the Classic, I'd think she'd run her prep within her own division, which would make it likely that she'd face Zenyatta in that race.

As for who would win, I love Rachael and I think she was spectacular in the Preakness against the boys. However, I think Zenyatta is a superhorse... she's really a once in a lifetime sort of a horse. She doesn't need a fast pace to close into like many closers do. She doesn't have to work hard and really sprint home to get past the pace setters... she merely stretches her legs a little bit, gobbles up ground, and inhales the field... it doesn't matter the class of horses in front of her. I have no doubt that Rachael Alexandra will hunker-down and really battle to the wire giving Zenyatta her first major test she's ever faced, but I really think that Zenyatta can get past anything. Rachael Alexandra held off Mine that Bird, but he's no Zenyatta.

Truthfully, I kind of hope that Rachael wins the Classic and Zenyatta wins the ladies classic because I really don't want to see either of these horses get beat.

If you haven't seen this video of Mike Smith wearing a helmet-camera while he works Zenyatta, you need to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv49V2RzgHw

I think eventually we will see a Rachel/Zenyatta matchup. I believe that the connections for both would love to see HOY. The only way that Zenyatta now would win if she at some point face the boys. Although, she is a great filly, if the vote were taken now, it would go to Rachel hands down. Zenyatta still has a bit of proving to me.

I would love to see both race together, but am mixed. Could it be possible to have a D/H so we would not have to see either lose?

So what you're announcing Sasha is which you adore Rachel Alexandra and watched all of her races, yet did no longer watch any of Zenyatta's races till staring on the Breeders Cup classic those days (no longer stay), and consistent with that, you're thoroughly adamant that Rachel Alexandra merits Horse of the 300 and sixty 5 days and Zenyatta merits no longer something. no longer purely are you adamant that Rachel Alexandra merits Horse of the 300 and sixty 5 days, yet you have additionally discarded the assumption of the shared Horse of the 300 and sixty 5 days award pointing out that Zenyatta's performances are no longer almost interior the comparable league as Rachel Alexandra's. I examine your cutting-edge question in this comparable subject the place you asked for an answer that grow to be independent via favoritism... do you fairly think of that your answer right it fairly is unbaised? the certainty which you won't be able to bear in mind any of Zenyatta's races shows which you're patently a powerful Rachel Alexandra supporter and additionally you fairly do unlike Zenyatta very a lot in any respect. i'm sorry that i'm speaking to you promptly in my answer... i do no longer advise to call you out or something... in case you think of Rachel merits horse of the 300 and sixty 5 days, you're surely entitled on your opinion. i'm in basic terms attempting to appreciate the type you are able to make such outlandish statements approximately how undesirable of a Horse of the 300 and sixty 5 days decision Zenyatta is. you fairly do no longer think of that she did something good this 3 hundred and sixty 5 days in any respect? And as a part factor, what style of a horse racing fan does not watch the Breeders Cup classic till months after the race exceeded off?

Yes at the breeders cup fillies and mares race.. Zenyatta will smoke her...

i think zenyatta because of her age.

this seems like seabiscuit vs war admiral build up.

the way will be the breeders cup.