PR Battle for US HOY Heats Up
Since the Eclipse Committee refused to consider a Co-Horse of the Year award for both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra in January, their supporters have developed media polls, press releases, public appearances by the two lovelies and generous contributions to lucky charities as part of their winning strategy.
The Daily Racing Form ran a poll with Zenyatta winning by 65% despite most of their writers preferring Rachel Alexandra.
Time magazine chose Rachel Alexandra as Number 5 in The Top 10 Everything of 2009 and anointed her Phenomenal Filly with a fleeting mention of Zenyatta.
With Zenyatta safely retired, Rachel's owner Jess Jackson confidently challenged Zenyatta to a best out of three on any ground.
Jackson should be careful of what he wishes since Zenyatta is still working out for her many public appearances "for all the horse organizations and our industry. She is really giving back to help her other horse friends who need a bit of support right now," according to Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, wife of Zenyatta's trainer and racing manager for her owners Jerry and Ann Moss.
Beneficiary charities are CANTER (the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses), the Racetrack Chaplaincy and Re-Run.
Rachel Alexandra's connections have sent a $20,000 check to The V Foundation for Cancer Research concluding its five-month-long, online auction of donated Rachel Alexandra items.
The filly's new owner Jess Jackson said, "This is a rare opportunity for us to use the notoriety of this amazing athlete, her appeal to both men and women, to raise money for a disease that steals from us all."
A great deal of good is coming from the competition between these two worthy megastars.
It almost makes up for the stupid, divisive decision to exclude one from being honoured.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com
The Daily Racing Form ran a poll with Zenyatta winning by 65% despite most of their writers preferring Rachel Alexandra.
Time magazine chose Rachel Alexandra as Number 5 in The Top 10 Everything of 2009 and anointed her Phenomenal Filly with a fleeting mention of Zenyatta.
With Zenyatta safely retired, Rachel's owner Jess Jackson confidently challenged Zenyatta to a best out of three on any ground.
Jackson should be careful of what he wishes since Zenyatta is still working out for her many public appearances "for all the horse organizations and our industry. She is really giving back to help her other horse friends who need a bit of support right now," according to Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, wife of Zenyatta's trainer and racing manager for her owners Jerry and Ann Moss.
Beneficiary charities are CANTER (the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses), the Racetrack Chaplaincy and Re-Run.
Rachel Alexandra's connections have sent a $20,000 check to The V Foundation for Cancer Research concluding its five-month-long, online auction of donated Rachel Alexandra items.
The filly's new owner Jess Jackson said, "This is a rare opportunity for us to use the notoriety of this amazing athlete, her appeal to both men and women, to raise money for a disease that steals from us all."
A great deal of good is coming from the competition between these two worthy megastars.
It almost makes up for the stupid, divisive decision to exclude one from being honoured.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com
"Since the Eclipse Committee refused to consider a Co-Horse of the Year..."
Actually, the committee did consider it and decided against it.
"With Zenyatta safely retired ... Jess Jackson confidently challenged Zenyatta to a best out of three on any ground."
That challenge came before the Breeders' Cup. It was only just reported recently.
A co Horse of the Year would have been stupid. Neither owner was in favor of it.
Dear Eddie
The Committee spokesman said before and after the DRF proposal meeting that they saw no reason to change the rules. I have no idea if they considered the proposal at all. They were required by their Bylaws to discuss the proposal.
I am willing, however, to consider the word "allow" instead.
Jess Jackson is one of the most brilliant racing promoters and he proposed many things many times for Curlin and later Rachel Alexandra.
He did want to accept the NY State match.
But I did have to laugh when he proposed a three-race match after Z retired.
He has a marvelous sense of humour so I doubt he will mind my teasing him.
Credit the connections of both fillies. They stuck to the right regime for each and they fulfilled their potentials.
Love for these two females is worldwide (see today's column appearing later). It is not just about us Americans. That is why I want us all to celebrate them together.
I shall make a bet with you--I bet the losing owner will regret the lack of a Co. So will I.
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I think it is sad that the Eclipse Committee refuses to consider a Co-Horse of the Year award for both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra in January. BOTH of these Outstanding Horses deserve recognition. It is not fair to award only one this year, when both have revived the interest in Horse Racing like we haven't seen for quite a while. I say, REWARD them Both
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Brava! To you and the fillies!
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