Rachel Alexandra vs. Zenyatta matchup in February down in Florida?

From the anything can happen files, the Tim Wilkin of the T-U's Talking Horses blog is reporting that Gulfstream Park is trying to lure both superfillies (I believe Zenyatta is technically a mare but....) to the Donn Handicap on Saturday, February 6th.  The entry explains that the Superbowl will be played the next day just a few miles down I-95 in Miami, so the world's sports media would already be there.  It's an interesting and fun idea, but I have had my hopes dashed a few times before by the two ownership groups of these respective thoroughbreds so I won't get too excited.  OK, I can't help myself, I'll get a little excited.  Let's hope. 

Comments

[toga]

Zanyatta is a filly not a mare (yet)....to be a mare the female horse has to have had a live foal.

[Dan]

Thanks for the input. I have a horse racing book that defines a mare as simply "an adult female horse", and although I realize that Wikipedia is simply user generated content which may not be reliable, it defines a mare as "in Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old". I'm not saying you're wrong, just that I'm getting inconsistent information from 3 different sources so far. I am going to inquire into Tim Wilkin at the T-U and see what he says. Thanks again.

[Dan]

FYI Tim Wilkin emailed me back and wrote that Zenyatta is "definitely a mare". I guess that makes sense - if there was a 20 year female horse that never gave birth I don't think we'd call her a filly. I would still like to explore what you wrote though so we have clear definititions within certain classifications. For instance - thoroughbred racing could have one definition, and another entity could have different one similar to what you wrote. Thanks for reading and commenting.

[Amateurcapper]

A female racehorse is a filly until the age of 4. ZENYATTA is a 5y.o. mare. When a female thoroughbred is sent to the breeding shed, she becomes a broodmare.

I don't believe that ZENYATTA vs. RACHEL race will happen...the Donn H. has no bearing on 2009 and ZENYATTA is scheduled to be mated next year. The only forum fitting enough to host a race like you're proposing is the Breeders' Cup. RACHEL, Jess Jackson, and Steve Asmussen ducked their chance to beat ZENYATTA in the $5 million Classic.

I was at Santa Anita this a.m. talking to some racing legends who informed me of a rumor that there was a $20 million offer to buy ZENYATTA from the Aga Khan, who will stand SEA THE STARS at his Gilltown Stud. If that rumor turns out to be true, she's much too valuable to risk running as a 6y.o.

Even if the Moss' decide to breed her themselves, can you imagine what the auction ring would bear for ZENYATTA'S first foal?!?!?!

[toga]

Dan,

My bad. I asked (after posting - think I should have done it the other way around !!)a retired NYRA Steward and he said that a "female" horse is a filly and at the age of five (which Zanyatta is)all females are known as mares.

A male horse is known as a colt - or a gelding and then at the age of five known as a 'horse.'

Hoep I got it correct this time !

[Dan]

Well this was a good discussion where we figured everything out so no problem - that is one of the benefits of blogs so we collaboratively learn. I didn't know some things before this post and I know a lot more. And yes I guess the idea of Rachel vs. Zenyatta is probably a dream at this point - but it's fun to dream. Thanks for the insight into Zenyatta and the possibilities you mentioned about her breeding future.