![]() ![]() She emerged as the first filly or mare to capture the Woodward. She joined Serena’s Song (1995) as the only fillies to take the Haskell. She became the first filly to win the Preakness in 85 years when she fended off Kentucky Derby victor Mine That Bird. Rachel already had handed them their lunch three times. ![]() ![]() Yes, Zenyatta became the first female to defeat males in the 26-year history of the Breeders’ Cup Classic that year. How could I not be? Rachel was perfect through eight races, Zenyatta through five. When Rachel Alexandra outpolled Zenyatta 130-99 in a hotly debated Horse of the Year contest in 2009, I was all in for the winner. I have some explaining to do, so let’s start from the top. Having said that, Zenyatta was the better horse. ![]() The determination and courage she showed in defeating older males in the Woodward Stakes was the race of a lifetime for me. – There are three things of which I feel certain as we celebrate Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, newly inducted first-ballot Hall of Famers.Īs an all-too-gray turf writer who has covered every Triple Crown race and every Breeders’ Cup since 1998, Rachel Alexandra’s tour de force in 2009 was the single most impressive campaign I witnessed by a filly. ![]()
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