Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are Hall of Fame Bound
In a span of three years, two horses dominated thoroughbred racing. Two champions captured the imagination of racing fans around the world and made memories that would last a lifetime, and now, they will both go into the Hall Of Fame. Today, it was announced that the 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and the 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta- will headline the 2016 class into the Racing Hall of Fame.
It is a fitting tribute to two classy mares, who gave it their all on the track and always silenced the doubters. Along with these two mares, trainer Steve Asmussen will finally get his long awaited plaque in Saratoga Springs, after controversy kept him off the ballot for a few years. The fourth and final member is jockey Ramon Dominguez, who was put onto the ballot after a rule change this year. Here is a brief rundown of how Rachel and Zenyatta made their way to Hall of Fame.
Rachel Alexandra- Her racing career captured the hearts of the racing world. Her 2009 campaign will go down as one of the greatest years for a filly in recent history. After a two-year-old season in which her biggest victory came in the G2 Golden Rod, Rachel began 2009 with three victories in the Martha Washington, Fantasy, and the Fair Grounds Oaks. It was her performance in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks that will be remembered forever. Rachel simply destroyed her competition, winning the Oaks by 20 lengths and was never asked to run by jockey Calvin Borel.
After the win, Rachel was purchased by Stonestreet Stables and transferred to Steve Asmussen. The plan, was for a historic run in the Preakness Stakes. Rachel Alexandra defeated Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and became the first filly to win the second jewel in the Triple Crown since 1924.
After a 19 length romp in the Mother Goose, Rachel took on the boys twice more; winning the Haskell Invitational by six lengths, manhandling Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird and then a victory in the Woodward Stakes against older males.
Her 2009 campaign brought her Eclipse Awards as Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and Horse of the year. After going two for six in 2010, Rachel was retired from racing and is now a successful mother of two winning foals, Jess's Dream and Grade one winner Rachel's Valentina. Her legacy will now live on forever.
Zenyatta- This wonderful mare came within a head of finishing her career 20 for 20. She had a closing kick like never seen before. She had a pose that was striking and playful.
Zenyatta began her career late in her three-year-old season by winning her first start. She then went 7 for 7 as a four-year-old, including four grade one's which ended with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Distaff. The next year, Zenyatta came back stronger, winning her first four starts.
Zenyatta made her way to the starting gates against males for the first time in the Breeders' Cup Classic. In one of the most famous moments in Breeders' Cup history, Zenyatta flew past 12 horses to win the Classic and become the first mare to do so. In 2010, Zenyatta showed no signs of slowing down, winning her first five starts and improving her record to 19 for 19. The 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic would be her final race, but she came up short against Blame, losing by a head but gracious in defeat. Zenyatta would be named 2010 Horse Of the Year and is now a broodmare at Lane's End Farm.
Zenyatta and Rachel are two mares who gave it their all every time, they captured the hearts and minds of racing fans around the world. They made appearances in magazines, commercials, and Zenyatta was profiled on the CBS Show "60 Minutes". These two are now right where they belong, the Racing Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta.