2010; a great racing year
Now that the year is about to end, the sports analysts and fans of horse racing are evaluating this racing season as one of the most enthralling in the history of the industry. With this, predictions and preparations for the 2011 racing season have also
already begun.
When the season started this year, two of the thoroughbreds were in the lime light. Surprisingly, both of these racehorses were fillies, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. Zenyatta was also referred to as The Queen of the industry after she took over the field
at Santa Anita in the Breeders’ Cup Classic against male horses, last year. On the other hand, much was naturally expected of Rachel Alexandra since she was 2009 Horse of the Year, the honour that Zenyatta lost.
Zenyatta and Rachel became each other’s arch rivals. People were very enthusiastic to see the two thoroughbred champions run against each other. Zenyatta went on to maintain her unbeaten streak of races continuing from last year. The Queen won five of her
career starts this year, before her dominance was ended by her defeat to Blame in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs last weekend. On the other hand, Rachel Alexandra was not sent out to contend some of the races that she was formerly scheduled
to. Her connections might have decided to hold her back due to loss in three of her five starts this season. The great filly never finished in a place worse than the second; nonetheless she bid a farewell to her racing career after she finished second in the
Personal Ensign meet held at Saratoga Springs. The champion filly will now be standing at stud and will be bred with the Horse of the Year Award winner Curlin.
Apart from these two decorated female horses, the male horses that were the centre of attention for those involved in the horse business were dominated by the 4-year-old colt Quality Road. Winning the first three career starts this season, he was determined
as the best thoroughbred racehorse in the country.
Next on the list of the champion colts for this racing season is Blame, the 4-year-old colt trained by Al Stall Jr. After bagging two straight victories, the talented thoroughbred started three victorious races in the beginning of this year. His pleased
trainer was reported as saying, “Everything has been great since around mid-April really, to be quite honest with you. That is when it was almost like a switch was flipped. You make a long-term plan for a horse and it usually does not work out, for a number
of reasons – either the horse’s soundness or the fact that you think your horses are better than they really are.”
The most exciting event of this year’s season, without doubt was the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. The 27th running of the event was anticipated by fans and trainers alike. This meet was particularly significant because it was going
to determine the fate of Zenyatta, The Queen’s reign over the hearts of the fans and the racing industry. Being undefeated, Zenyatta was going to contend the 20th and final start of her racing career and thus was the most flaunted and advertised
racehorse for the event. Her passionate fans had her fingers crossed and the critics of the sport had their eyes wide open since this was going to be a lifetime experience to see the Kentucky bred filly run against some of the best thoroughbreds of the country.
The invincible filly marked an end to her winning streak, as she lost the Breeders’ Cup to Blame.
Now the question that remains in the minds of the fans of thoroughbred racing is that who will be adorned with the Horse of the Year honours; Zenyatta or Blame? It is expected that Blame will be named the 2010 Champion Older Male, meanwhile The Queen will
be presented the Eclipse Award for being a Champion Older female and the most exalted Horse of the Year Award 2010.
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