RACHEL ALEXANDRA WINS ECLIPSE AWARD FOR 2009 HORSE OF THE YEAR

Heading into the announcement of the Eclipse Award winner of ‘Horse of the Year’ everyone knew that it came down to one of the two super fillies that captivated racing fans in 2009.  Undefeated Zenyatta, who provided the sport’s most memorable moment with her sizzling stretch run in the Breeder’s Cup Classic, had momentarily grabbed the headlines with the announcement that she’d run again in 2010.  At the end of the night, however, Rachel Alexandra won the big prize in a very competitive vote.  She finished with 130 votes to 99 for second place Zenyatta.

Rachel Alexandra had a historically impressive three year old campaign in 2009, winning the Preakness Stakes and beating a field of male horses in both the Haskell Invitational and Woodward Stakes.  Running against other ‘girls’, she was dominant and posted record victory margins in both the Kentucky Oaks and Mother Goose.  

The parallel paths of the two exceptional fillies have stoked interest among horse racing fans for a head to head encounter.  Rachel Alexandra’s owner Jess Jackson addressed this topic as he accepted the award:

"Together, Rachel and Zenyatta conquered four of the best groups of males that were running last year. We're hoping that each horse taking its course may win their way to an ultimate match.  Either filly deserved this award. There has never been another year like this for fillies."

Zenyatta owner Jerry Moss left no doubt which horse he thought was the best:

"Zenyatta's never lost, she's perfect. Nobody's beaten her on the racetrack, so they beat her by proxy as far as I'm concerned. Someday we'll meet, and we'll decide at that time who's the best."

Not surprisingly, Zenyatta won the Eclipse Award for Best Older Female, while Rachel Alexandra took the honors for best Three Year Old Filly.  Those honorifics were foregone conclusions, however, and the real drama was reserved for the top prize of the evening.

Both horses will race in 2010, though their schedule has not been announced.  Zenyatta’s owner Jerry Moss had originally planned to retire his superstar, but has since changed his mind.  Rachel Alexandra was back at work on Thursday in her first workout since winning the 2009 Horse of the Year Award.  Horse racing fans everywhere are hoping that their paths will cross before the end of the year.