In the spirit of March Madness, we are conducting a little experiment to determine how racing fans would evaluate the “best”, “greatest” or “most popular” (or any other criteria you think is applicable) horse of the last 5 or so years. Think of this as the “People’s Choice Awards” for racing. Use whatever criteria you think best determines which horses advance from round to round. Let us know how you arrived at your conclusions. How it works: Each day from March 16 through the end of the month, we will feature one matchup. We will post career specifics and some highlight races on our site to help you in your handicapping. Then you the fans will vote– favorite the tweet if choosing horse A, retweet if selecting horse B. Voting windows will close by 10:00 p.m. each night. The horse with the most votes will advance to the next round.
Here is the Bracket.
Today’s matchup is one that would have had fans drooling. These mares raced in the same division and even raced at the same Breeders’ Cup, but never met on the track. Delta was a promising 3 year old who beat the older mares in the Distaff in 2011. Zenyatta, racing against boys to defend her title in the 2011 Classic loss on a head bob to Blame. The similarities between these two mares is striking: both were striking physical specimens, large mares that could be mistaken for colts, both won two Breeders’ Cups events, both won their respective Eclipse Division titles three years in a row and each raced primarily at 1 /18 – 1/ 1/4 miles. A match-up of dreams awaits your voting. Which member of racing “royalty” will win: Queen Z or Royal Delta? Lets go to the facts:
Zenyatta
In the world of horse racing, she needs no introduction. The overall Number one Seed, the Queen Z dominated Horse Racing in America for three years. Arguably the best race mare ever, Zenyatta not only brought dominance upon the sport, she brought style. She ran her races as a dead closer, nearly always managing to get up in time. The Queen alos knew how good she was, whic is perfectly displayed in her patented paddock prance. Her accolades are almost unnecessary to list. Winner of 19 of 20. Two time Breeders Cup champion, 2009 Distaff and 2010 Classic. 2010 Horse of the Year. 3x Champion Older Mare. Twice NTRA moment of the year.
See her royal highness’ 2010 Classic victory is attached for your viewing pleasure. Poetry in motion.
Royal Delta
The regally bred ‘Delta proved every bit as good as her breeding. She was named champion of her respective division 3 years in a row (3yr old female, Older Female at both 4 and 5). Along the way to those three championships, Royal Delta scooped up a number of prestigious events, including: the Black-Eyed Susan, the Alabama, Personal Ensign, the Beldame, The Delaware Handicap (x2) and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (x2). Her size and versatile running style made her a force to be reckoned with in every event she entered.
Royal Delta’s Equibase Profile is available here: Royal Delta
And here’s her game, foe-repelling win in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Distaff….. “No one beats Royal Delta”
