"I am almost speechless," Rachel's owner Jess Jackson said in accepting the award. "This contest was so close and I don't know the count. I know that either filly deserved this award. It's hard for me to accept it without sharing it with all the people who made this possible including Calvin Borel."
Borel rode Rachel in all of her starts. He gave up Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird to ride her in the Preakness. It was a great call.
It was the third straight Horse of the Year for Jackson who owned Curlin, winner in 2007 and 2008.
"Rachel and Zenyatta won nine Grade I races," Jackson said. "Together, they conquered four of the best groups of males that were running last year."
If it can be arranged, the now 6-year-old mare Zenyatta, who was unretired Saturday, and 4-year-old filly Rachel may race against each other several times this year. And, if they hold their form all year, they could meet up at Churchill Downs this fall in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
That, however, is months down the road. In this sport, it is one workout, one race at a time.
"Maybe, we can work toward a race," Jackson said.
In 2009, Rachel raced eight times and won all eight. Zenyatta ran five times and won all five.
Rachel probably won because her campaign began in February and ended in September, winding through Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York and New Jersey, tracks from Churchill to Pimlico to Belmont to Monmouth Park to Saratoga. She became the first filly to win the Preakness in decades. She won the Haskell by 6 lengths over 3-year-old champion Summer Bird. She became the first filly to win the Woodward.
