Both of the top ladies got the job done on Saturday, Rachel Alexandra setting a stakes record in a 19 length win in the $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park, beating two very overmatched foes.
The filly returned $2.10 in a race that had no place, show, or exacta wagering.
About 15 minutes later, Zenyatta increased her undefeated record to a perfect 11 for 11 with a 2 ½ length victory in the $300,000 Vanity Handicap (G1) at Hollywood Park.
The champion mare came from off the pace, took over the lead midstretch and drew clear late under jockey Mike Smith, returning $2.60 for the win.
Briecat, who carved out the early fractions held on gamely for second, completing a $14.20 exacta.
Will these two superstars ever meet? It seems unlikely.
Jess Jackson, the majority owner of Rachel Alexandra said he has no intentions of racing his star filly on “plastic,” referring to the synthetic surfaces used in Southern California.
This year’s Breeders’ Cup will be run at Santa Anita for the second year in a row.
The connections of Zenyatta see no reason to ship out of California.
Zenyatta’s owner Jerry Moss would like to see a showdown.
“Maybe down the road we can have a little race together,” Moss said after the race. “It would be nice and it would be great for racing, I believe.”
“He (Jackson) owns a great filly,” Moss said. “She won very easily today. I’m not too crazy about the synthetic tracks either. I don’t mind him talking up about that, maybe it will serve a purpose. And hopefully we will meet somewhere. If not the Breeders’ Cup, maybe it will be somewhere else. I think time will tell on something like that and we will go from there.”
With the male handicap division lacking a true star since Curlin retired, this is the race everyone wants to see, but it is a longshot it will occur this year.
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Here is today's opener from Belmont Park to get our day off to a good start:
BEL Race 1 Clm $25,000N3L (1:00 et)
#2 For Free 2/1
#7 My Luckey Penney 6/1
#3 Hangingonaprayer 9/2
#8 Frozen Prospect 3/1
Analysis: #2 For Free returns off a two month break after beating $35K non winners of two last out in a sharp effort for her first turf win. She was making her first start in New York after three losses at Santa Anita versus Alw-1 company. It is tough to knock anything the Clement barn has been sending out recently, the top turf barn hitting at a 27% clip overall at the meeting. I'm not sure she beat a real tough group last out, one coming back to win next out although five did run in the money in their next outings.
