Nov

8

Don’t stand so close to me

by Barry Roos
Published: November 8, 2009 4 Comments
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Her friends are so jealous
You know how bad girls get
Sometimes it’s not so easy
To be the teachers pet

- The Police, from the album, Zenyatta Mondatta

You could almost hear the song playing in the background, as Rachel Alexandra was left sulking in her stall. She was robbed of the chance to be the best in the world. But in truth her owners did her the favor of saving face. She would not have beaten Zenyatta, no way, no how.

The queen of the racing world was crowned yesterday, and remained unbeaten. Her brilliance was breathtaking. The giant mare did her signature dancing before the race, and uncorked  a rally that will be talked about forever. This was not her patented lay back and come wide. She was in the 2 path most of the way, weaved her way through the pack, and then swung out and came flying. The race gave me a chill, similar the one which ran down my spine watching Secretariat.

If listen to the call of the race, you could even hear the doubt in Trevor Denman’s  voice:

Zenyatta is dead last.
And Zenyatta is dead last
Zenyatta is still a good 10 or 11 off the lead
Zenyatta has a lot, a lot of ground to make up
This is unbelievable
Looked impossible
What a performance
One of the most sensational ever

And that is the incredible thing about this lady. She looks hopelessly beaten, then comes like a freight train. That is fine against a nice band of fillies and mares, but to do it in the classic? Unreal. Unbelievable. Unmatched. The other horses in the field were mere canaries in a coal mine. They were powerless to repel her, no one could stop her from completing her unbeaten quest.

Horse of the year, no question. Rachel Alexandra has been amazing. But yesterday put Zenyatta in a different universe. She won our championship, and did it in fashion we seldom see.

My name is Zenyatta, don’t stand so close to me.


Comments

4 Comments so far

  1. EIGHT BELLES LEGACY on November 9, 2009 12:04 pm

    “I’m Horse of the Year, I’m Horse of the Year, I KNOW I am Horse of the Year!

    I think she was singing to herself on the way out to post dancing right along, and then she hears her name louder and louder on the announcer’s speakers and the crowd roaring, it excites her and she runs faster knowing what she is there to do on this special day that is very different and that she has been quietly training for, and suddenly she’s pleased because she can see no horse in front of her, she’s in high gear now and then a louder roar calling her name….as she cools down she slows up into her signature proud ‘strut’, what a personality, she knows.

    A brilliant performance by both Zenyatta and her as usual pal, rider Mike Smith and they were both stunning as the race unfolded.

    But now we have Rachel who on her day was captivating as well. There is much talk already about spliting the award this year, if there is any year for it to be done the argument is on, it should be this year — What do you all think, should it be considered?? Two girls rule this year.

  2. EIGHT BELLES LEGACY on November 9, 2009 12:04 pm

    “I’m Horse of the Year, I’m Horse of the Year, I KNOW I am Horse of the Year!

    I think she was singing to herself on the way out to post dancing right along, and then she hears her name louder and louder on the announcer’s speakers and the crowd roaring, it excites her and she runs faster knowing what she is there to do on this special day that is very different and that she has been quietly training for, and suddenly she’s pleased because she can see no horse in front of her, she’s in high gear now and then a louder roar calling her name….as she cools down she slows up into her signature proud ‘strut’, what a personality, she knows.

    A brilliant performance by both Zenyatta and her as usual pal, rider Mike Smith and they were both stunning as the race unfolded.

    But now we have Rachel who on her day was captivating as well. There is much talk already about spliting the award this year, if there is any year for it to be done the argument is on, it should be this year — What do you all think, should it be considered?? Two girls rule this year.

  3. EIGHT BELLES LEGACY on November 9, 2009 12:09 pm

    BTW loved that recent post on track accreditation/

  4. Tom Tomlinson on November 10, 2009 3:09 pm

    If you don’t show up at the championships, and you aren’t injured you should not be Horse of the Year. If Rachel hated polytrack, I give her connections a pass. But this was sour grapes as Curlin didn’t win.

    Rachel is sound
    Rachel won on artificial so no excuse
    Rachel did not compete.

    Sorry, Zenyatta wins HOTY.

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