Rachel Alexandra wins Horse of Year over Zenyatta

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Rachel Alexandra won the first matchup between racing's leading ladies, beating out Zenyatta for Horse of the Year.Maybe the next time the two superstars compete it will be on the track."Someday we'll meet, and we'll decide at that time who's the best," Zenyatta's owner Jerry Moss said.Voters chose Rachel Alexandra for the year-end honor at the Eclipse Awards on Monday night at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The first filly to win the Preakness Stakes in 85 years received 130 votes to 99 for Zenyatta in one of the tightest, most widely debated competitions in years."Either filly deserved this award," said Jess Jackson, principal owner of Rachel Alexandra. "There has never been another year like this for fillies."Now the question is whether Zenyatta will get to avenge the defeat."Zenyatta's never lost, she's perfect," Moss said. "Nobody's beaten her on the racetrack, so they beat her by proxy as far as I'm concerned."Moss and wife, Ann, announced Saturday the mighty mare will run as a 6-year-old, perhaps setting up that long-awaited meeting with Rachel Alexandra. The two glamour girls never raced each other despite capturing the public's imagination with rousing victories over the boys.As expected, Zenyatta won the Eclipse Award as the top older female for the second straight year while Rachel Alexandra was voted top 3-year-old filly. Her trainer, Steve Asmussen, took home the award for top trainer after breaking his own record for victories in a year.Rachel Alexandra had one of the most impressive campaigns in history for a 3-year-old, beating males three times, including an historic victory at the Preakness. She also beat the boys in the Haskell Invitational and Woodward Stakes.Her regal nature endeared her to countless fans as she traveled around the country, breaking records for largest margin of victory at the Kentucky Oaks and Mother Goose.As the announcement was made, people began shouting the names of both superstars in a room filled with finely dressed owners, breeders, jockeys and others in the industry. When the winner's name was read, Jackson moved forward to accept the award on behalf of Rachel Alexandra."Together, Rachel and Zenyatta conquered four of the best groups of males that were running last year," he said. "We're hoping that each horse taking its course may win their way to an ultimate match.""Maybe we can work toward that," Jackson added, looking at Moss. "Jerry, We don't know whether we can talk too quickly."The Eclipse Awards are voted on by members of theational Turf Writers' Association, the Daily Racing Form and theational Thoroughbred Racing Association.Many had hoped Rachel Alexandra would meet Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic, but Jackson dislikes synthetic surfaces and decided not to run at Santa Anita onov. 7. It appeared this awards dinner would be the only time they met until it was announced that Zenyatta will run in 2010.Jackson and Asmussen have already indicated Rachel Alexandra will race this year.Zenyatta's connections have not said where or when she will return to the track, although she has spent almost all of her career in Southern California. If they avoid each other untilovember, the Breeders' Cup is scheduled for Churchill Downs.Zenyatta, with her incredible size and unequivocal heart, and Rachel Alexandra, with her speed and majesty, gave thoroughbred racing some much-needed positive publicity after lagging business and the high-profile breakdowns of Barbaro and Eight Belles in recent years.Their fame stretched beyond the racetrack, too. Zenyatta recently ran second to tennis star Serena Williams in voting for the Female Athlete of the Year by members of The Associated Press. Rachel Alexandra finished seventh.Kenny Rice, who hosted Monday's awards, called them the Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston of racing.Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird, who lost to Rachel Alexandra in the Haskell and Zenyatta in the Classic, was top 3-year-old colt.Jul