Well I have come to appreciate a good horse's conformation and when the really good ones come along I put my wallet away and just marvel attheir ability. I doubt I will ever forget the amazing Barbaro who broke my heart and so many others in the Preakness when he broke down and then fought so valiantly to recover, thanks to his marvelous owners the Chapmans who gave him the chance.
2009 was an extraordinary year for the racing ladies. There was the 3 year old filly Rachel Alexandra who we'll see again next year. She even beat the boys at 3 but her last race was a close call. She's something special.
And then there is the unbeaten, now retired (???) mare Zenyatta. She beat the boys too but she really whomped them. It has been so exciting to see this mare prick her ears in last place at the top of the stretch when her fine jockey Mike Smith chirps to her and then see her 17 hand high body stretch out to leap down the stretch as if she had afterburners - you can see how much she enjoys the thrill of the race herself. They talk of the great Ruffian, who I did not get to see run, but I cannot imagine being any more fortunate than to see these two great ladys run in my lifetime. I haven't witnessed a Secretariat but who know what's ahead - I believe Barbaro had the makings of that caliber a horse.
So here's to Rachel and Zenyatta. May they live long and well and give us many champions in the future as broodmares.
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