Did Rachel just lose Horse of the Year today?

I had hoped to bring previews for the Mother Goose and Vanity today, however that is going to take place tomarrow. The reason being is that the Horse of the Year favorite, may have lost that title today. And there is one big reason why: Her owner.

Jess Jackson announced that Rachel Alexandra will not particpate in the Breeder's Cup this year, link. However, he did say that it's likely that she will return next year as a 4yo, when the BC is at her hometrack Churchill Downs. The big reason why is that Mr. Jackson is against the synthtic tracks that the California tracks use. More then likely Curlin's 4th place finish in last year's Classic was what turned him off. But did he just cost Rachel, the Horse of the Year honors?

Well lets look back, here are the HOY's from 2000 till last year.

2000: Tiznow
2001: Point Given
2002: Azeri (f)
2003: Mineshaft
2004: Ghostzapper
2005: Saint Liam
2006: Invasor (Arg)
2007: Curlin
2008: Curlin

(f) filly

The two bolded horses, Point Given and Mineshaft did not particpate in any of the Breeder's Cup races their respective years. However, both where held out due to career ending injuries, still one would think Tiznow (the only two time BC Classic winner) should have defended his title as HOY, but PG won the Preakness, Belmont, Haskell and Travers all against 3yo's to get HOY. Mineshaft had won the JCGC, Woodward, Pimlico Special, and Suburban in order to get his HOY over Funny Cide. He was also helped by upset winner Pleasently Perfect. Azeri ran in and won the BC Distaff and she was helped when War Emblem failed in the Classic that was won by Volponi.

That leaves the rest of the horses, except for Curlin 08 the remaining horses won the BC Classic. So how was Curlin able to repeat? Well I think the big thing that was on his side was that he traveled not only in the US, but around the world. The other big thing was that he came back as a four year old, no one really expected that, plus he ran two surfaces he didn't care for in the Classic and Man O War. Although personally, Zenyatta should have gotten it last year.

So this brings us to this year, everybody was excited about the possible Rachel vs Zenyatta matchup that looks like it will never happen. This move will most likely cost her HOY, because the #1 older male is about to return in a few weeks in the San Diego H. (As far as know Well Armed is on target), plus she would have to beat the boys at least once and older females to have a chance. It's going to be an uphill climb for her in order to get HOY. She's got 3yo champion filly wrapped up, now this weekend's Mother Goose will show weather she is ready for the older females as a prep for either the Haskell or Travers.