HORSE RACING

• Horse of the Year debate continues

  
  

  By Don Agriss, Horse Racing Editor Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The most anticipated Horse of the Year announcement came Monday night in Beverly Hills, CA. Rachel Alexandra came away with the honor, giving two-time champion mare Zenyatta her first career loss.

  Rachel Alexandra received 130 votes to Zenyatta's 99 in balloting from the Daily Racing, National Turf Writers Association and National Thoroughbred Racing Association. A closer election was expected, but it is obvious that the electors came to a consensus.

  The election of Rachel Alexandra gives co-owner Jess Jackson a third consecutive Horse of the Year. Curlin received the honor in 2007 and 2008 and with the filly racing this year Jackson could make it four straight years.

  Jackson, who bought Rachel Alexandra after the Kentucky Oaks victory with Harold McCormick, was gracious in accepting the Eclipse Award.

  "Together Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta won nine Grade I races. Together they conquered four of the best groups of males that were running last year," Mr. Jackson said. "If you think about their achievements individually or collectively, there has never been another year like this for fillies.

  "I want to thank Jerry and Ann [Moss] for being so gracious all through the year, and we supported each other. You wouldn't know that but occasionally we talked and we sent congratulations to each other, and I really appreciated the grace and charm and ability of the Zenyatta team, and particularly Jerry and Ann Moss. It couldn't be arranged that they would meet last year.

  We're hoping that each horse, taking its course, may win their way to an ultimate match, and maybe we can work toward that." The ultimate match Mr.Jackson refers to is no doubt in November at Churchill Downs where the 2010 Breeders' Cup will be held.

  "Zenyatta's never lost. She's perfect. Nobody's beaten her on the racetrack," noted her owner Jerry Moss.

  "So they beat her by proxy as far as I'm concerned.

  This doesn't take away anything from the just enormous job done by [trainer] John [Shirreffs]. I can't say enough about what he and his barn have done. I obviously congratulate Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Jackson. They have a great horse.

  Someday we'll meet, and we'll decide at that time who is the best.

  Frankly I wouldn't trade with anybody. I'm looking forward to the encounter." Unfortunately the rules are set so there could not be co-champions.

  Rachel Alexandra's advantage over Zenyatta was her ability to race at various tracks in different states. The filly won at Churchill Downs, Pimlico, Belmont Park, Monmouth Park and Saratoga.

  Zenyatta's connections restricted her 2009 season to southern California where all the tracks are synthetic. Jess Jackson hates artificial surfaces and held his filly out of the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita.

  One place the two ladies might meet before the Breeders' Cup is the $1 million Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park on dirt. I contacted the track's publicity manager, Chris Sobocinski, who tells me that ideas for a meeting are on the table, but nothing has been finalized.

  Looking at the results, Zenyatta received 231 votes for older female with one vote going to Icon Project. Rachel Alexandra, deservingly so, was a unanimous choice for champion three-year-old filly.

  Summer Bird received 225 votes for champion three-year-old male. I expected a closer vote with Mine That Bird getting more than four.

  Gio Ponti easily won two Eclipse Awards. He received 184 votes for champion older male and 206 ballots as champion turf male.

  01/19 11:11:02 ET