Quote:
Originally Posted by bobphilo
Rachel was one of the top fillies of all time and as well as all the top older horses that year. Earning HOY over Zenyatta. She was already going off form when she beat Macho Again in her last 3YO race, but beat Mine That Bird who was in top form off his Derby win. It's a shame she never regained her form next year as a 4YO. She nearly died giving birth to the 2 foals she produced, one of which was Rachel Valentina, 2nd only to Songbird in her 2YO season.
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If you include broodmare performance, Dahlia and Personal Ensign kick both of their butts.
But no, Rachel was not one of the top fillies of all time. She won two stakes over three year old colts, and a breeders' cup prep race by a nose over a weak opponent. There are mares like Shuvee and Two Lea and Miss Grillo and Dahlia and Estrapade who beat a lot better caliber of colts than Macho Again. And there are mares who hsd longer better careers.
Rachel gets credit for the Ky Oaks (her best performance) and the Preakness, and her Haskell race. The BC prep was nothing, and she would have gotten her ass kicked in the BC Classic. And she wasn't good for a long enough period- she was like Arrogate in that respect, but not as good as Arrogate.
