Some Fillies Ran

Quite naturally, the highlight of the American racing scene last weekend was the Rachel Alexandra/Zenyatta show. But how did it play abroad? The Australian noted that: Rachel Alexandra has grown a Secretariat-like profile in the past two months, galvanising the hardened racing public and reaching out to catch the attention of Mr Average Joe and Josie. It just happened that on Saturday on the US west coast, the five-year-old Street Cry mare Zenyatta won her 11th consecutive race, the Group I Vanity Handicap, to stay unbeaten. Yet Zenyatta's excellent feat was swallowed almost completely by the events on the east coast where Rachel Alexandra made a stunning debut at New York's Belmont Park. And while I would quibble with the notion that Rachel Alexandra has gained a following like Secretariat yet (even if she wins like him when she feels like it), I would on the whole agree with their larger point - non-racing fans know who she is, while Zenyatta is still just the first half of a Police album as far as they are aware. (I base this on my extremely scientific survey of my work colleagues and family, many of whom have asked me 'what is Rachel doing next?' but who look on blankly if I reply I hope she will face Zenyatta at some point). While we in the racing community debate whose win was 'better' (Rachel's time! Zenyatta's weight assignment!) the fact remains that unless the Zenyatta/Rachel Alexandra rivalry can happen in person (and, ideally, on 'Jockeys'), few in the general public will ever get to know Zenyatta – and that’s the real shame. Were you aware that Rachel Alexandra has her own official diary? Now you are. While in general I'm not a fan of the Horse Writing In The First Person genre, I did very much enjoy the behind-the-scenes video courtesy of Blayne Blasi, teenage son of assistant trainer Scott Blasi. I hope to see more video added along those lines. I would also like to see the videos Zenyatta's trainer, John Sheriffs, has been posting on YouTube gain a wider audience – an official Zenyatta website promoting them along with other content would be very welcome. And while I recognize that seeing Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra share a starting gate is an unlikely dream (even with the suggestion that they could meet 'after the Breeders' Cup' - when? where?), I must continue to suggest the following: come on people - Del Cap! Here at Superfecta HQ we are about to head to Kentucky for some downtime, so please excuse our absence and expect to see us back in action on July 13th. Should anything particularly exciting happen in the meantime, fear not - the revolution will be Twittered. See you after the fourth!