Crist: The great distaffers..

[Kasept]

Terrific chart from Steve Crist in Saturday's CristBlog to help widen the debate about the best female runners over the past 40 years...

It excellent that this topic can help fans/players with modest historical appreciations gain wider awareness of racing's past to help better interpret and compare eras and careers. To help fuel the discussion here, the list Crist assembled (Is missing a couple here and there, like Waya, that some of his blog commenters brought up...):

Creme de les Femmes

Filly/Mare (Yrs Ran) St./1st-Earnings [G1] [HOTY-Eclipse] [HOF] CAL-KY-NY

ACTIVE-Goldikova 2007-2010 17 12 $4,478,978 9 2009 n/a 2 0 0
ACTIVE-Rachel Alexandra (2008-2010) 17/12 ($3,206,730) 5 [2009-2009] n/a 0-9-2
ACTIVE-Zenyatta 2007-2010 17 17 $6,074,580 11 2008-09 n/a 15 0 0

Indian Blessing 2007-2009 16 10 $2,995,420 5 2007-08 n/a 4 0 8
Rags to Riches 2006-2007 7 5 $1,342,528 4 2007 n/a 3 2 2
Ouija Board 2003-2006 22 10 $6,334,296 7 2004-06 n/a 0 1 1
Ashado 2003-2005 21 12 $3,711,440 7 2004-05 n/a 1 2 13
Azeri 2001-2005 24 17 $4,079,820 11 2002 2002-3-4 2010 13 2 4

Riboletta 1998-2000 28 13 $1,555,103 7 2000 ---- 14 1 2
Silverbulletday 1998-2000 23 15 $3,093,207 5 1998-99 2009 2 10 4
Serena's Song 1994-1996 38 18 $3,283,388 10 1995 2002 14 8 9
Inside Information 1993-1995 17 14 $1,641,806 6 1995 2008 0 3 9
Heavenly Prize 1993-1996 18 9 $1,825,940 8 1994 ---- 1 1 12
Sky Beauty 1992-1995 21 15 $1,336,000 10 1994 ---- 1 1 18
Paseana 1990-1995 36 19 $3,171,203 11 1992-93 2001 21 2 1
Flawlessly 1990-1994 28 16 $2,572,536 8 1992-93 2004 18 0 7
Dance Smartly 1990-1992 17 12 $3,263,836 7 1991 2003 0 1 1

Go For Wand 1989-1990 13 10 $1,373,338 7 1989-90 1996 0 3 9
Open Mind 1988-1990 19 12 $1,844,372 7 1988-89 ---- 0 2 10
Bayakoa 1987-1991 39 21 $2,817,524 13 1989-90 1998 22 2 2
Winning Colors 1987-1989 19 8 $1,526,837 3 1988 2000 7 4 6
Personal Ensign 1986-1988 13 13 $1,679,880 8 1988 1993 0 1 11
Miesque 1986-1988 16 12 $1,987,514 10 1987-88 1999 1 1 0
Lady's Secret 1984-1987 45 25 $3,021,425 11 1986 1986 1990 15 0 21
Mom's Command 1984-1985 16 11 $902,972 5 1985 2007 0 0 9
Life's Magic 1983-1985 32 8 $2,255,218 5 1984-85 ---- 11 2 16
Princess Rooney 1982-1984 21 17 $1,343,339 5 1984 1991 6 5 2
All Along 1981-1984 21 9 $3,015,764 5 1983 1983 1992 1 0 2
Genuine Risk 1979-1981 15 10 $646,587 2 1980 1986 0 1 12

Bold 'n Determined 1979-1981 20 16 $949,599 7 --- 1997 7 4 5
Davona Dale 1978-1980 18 11 $641,642 5 1979 1985 0 1 10
Ruffian 1974-1975 11 10 $313,429 5 1974-75 1976 0 0 10
Chris Evert 1973-1975 15 10 $679,475 3 1974 1988 3 1 11
Dahlia 1972-1976 48 15 $1,543,139 10 1974 1981 12 0 2
Desert Vixen 1972-1975 28 13 $421,538 6 1973-74 1979 0 1 20
La Prevoyante 1972-1974 39 25 $572,417 n/a 1972 1995 0 3 9
Susan's Girl 1971-1975 63 29 $1,251,667 n/a 1973-75 1976 27 7 19
Shuvee 1967-1971 44 16 $890,445 n/a 1970-71 1975 0 0 38

[CSC]

I didn't realize Personal Ensign only raced once out of N.Y, this made me smile because I found this ironic in light of the Zenyatta debate.

[slotdirt]

Really? You didn't realize this? Because it was discussed ad nauseum in various spots on DT.com where you were posting thoughout last week.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Really? You didn't realize this? Because it was discussed ad nauseum in various spots on DT.com where you were posting thoughout last week.

Maybe it was a ploy to draw you into a discussion, you know how many times Personal Ensign shipped across the coast. Apparently 1 less time than Zenyatta will when she ships to CD later this fall.

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by CSC

Maybe it was a ploy to draw you into a discussion, you know how many times Personal Ensign shipped across the coast. Apparently 1 less time than Zenyatta will when she ships to CD later this fall.

This is already a fact? I did not know that in the sport of horse racing, once you say you are going to be in a race 4 months from now, you can count that as a start.

I'll believe she goes in the BC this year once she is saddled up in the paddock.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by ARyan

This is already a fact? I did not know that in the sport of horse racing, once you say you are going to be in a race 4 months from now, you can count that as a start.

I'll believe she goes in the BC this year once she is saddled up in the paddock.

I think this is obvious, if any horse that has plans being there is healthy and in good form, barring a season ending after the Woodward for some.

[Indian Charlie]

I'd take a 3yo Lakeway prior to her near death experience against many of these.

4yo Sharp Cat, and possibly Akinemod, who I believe still has one of the 3 or 4 fastest two turn BSFs ever earned by a filly/mare, in what was her first start around 2 turns.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by CSC

Maybe it was a ploy to draw you into a discussion, you know how many times Personal Ensign shipped across the coast. Apparently 1 less time than Zenyatta will when she ships to CD later this fall.

Personal Ensign was a Grade 1 winner in just her second career start as a 2yo. She then suffered a major fracture preparing for the BC Juvenile Fillies (at Santa Anita) in a hind ankle that required several screws to stabilize.

Off for nearly a year, she returned at 3, and with just 3 starts under her belt and never having run further than a mile, she won the Grade 1 Beldame versus her elders at a mile and a quarter.

Her perfect 4yo season was highlighted by a start against males in the Whitney and the BC Distaff. Both of those races were on off-tracks. Both resulted in victories, not scratches.

While the 13 for 13 may not stand up to Zenyatta's 17 for 17, there is a big difference IMO between running at 2 and 3 and not starting until nearly 4 years of age. You'll say that the competition at 2 and 3 is easier, but I would say that it's much more difficult for a top class horse to maintain superiority (whether or unbeaten or not) in its division as it and its peers are developing (some improving, some regressing) over time.

Though in basic terms, there race records are similar, here's the essential difference between the two:

Personal Ensign's race record is one of progression, essentially each successive start tougher than the last. Considering the injury, an element of heroism prevails.

Zenyatta's race record is one of ennui, same old song and dance. A cloud of evasion hangs over it.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Personal Ensign was a Grade 1 winner in just her second career start as a 2yo. She then suffered a major fracture preparing for the BC Juvenile Fillies (at Santa Anita) in a hind ankle that required several screws to stabilize.

Off for nearly a year, she returned at 3, and with just 3 starts under her belt and never having run further than a mile, she won the Grade 1 Beldame versus her elders at a mile and a quarter.

Her perfect 4yo season was highlighted by a start against males in the Whitney and the BC Distaff. Both of those races were on off-tracks. Both resulted in victories, not scratches.

While the 13 for 13 may not stand up to Zenyatta's 17 for 17, there is a big difference IMO between running at 2 and 3 and not starting until nearly 4 years of age. You'll say that the competition at 2 and 3 is easier, but I would say that it's much more difficult for a top class horse to maintain superiority (whether or unbeaten or not) in its division as it and its peers are developing (some improving, some regressing) over time.

Though in basic terms, there race records are similar, here's the essential difference between the two:

Personal Ensign's race record is one of progression, essentially each successive start tougher than the last. Considering the injury, an element of heroism prevails.

Zenyatta's race record is one of ennui, same old song and dance. A cloud of evasion hangs over it.

It's also worth noting that her win in the Beldame at age 3 came just 8 days after her prior stakes win in the Rare Perfume.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Personal Ensign was a Grade 1 winner in just her second career start as a 2yo. She then suffered a major fracture preparing for the BC Juvenile Fillies (at Santa Anita) in a hind ankle that required several screws to stabilize.

Off for nearly a year, she returned at 3, and with just 3 starts under her belt and never having run further than a mile, she won the Grade 1 Beldame versus her elders at a mile and a quarter.

Her perfect 4yo season was highlighted by a start against males in the Whitney and the BC Distaff. Both of those races were on off-tracks. Both resulted in victories, not scratches.

While the 13 for 13 may not stand up to Zenyatta's 17 for 17, there is a big difference IMO between running at 2 and 3 and not starting until nearly 4 years of age. You'll say that the competition at 2 and 3 is easier, but I would say that it's much more difficult for a top class horse to maintain superiority (whether or unbeaten or not) in its division as it and its peers are developing (some improving, some regressing) over time.

Though in basic terms, there race records are similar, here's the essential difference between the two:

Personal Ensign's race record is one of progression, essentially each successive start tougher than the last. Considering the injury, an element of heroism prevails.

Zenyatta's race record is one of ennui, same old song and dance. A cloud of evasion hangs over it.

Great post. Too bad Zenyattards are incapable of understanding it, but oh well.

[RockHardTen1985]

What about Banshee Breeze? No one ever mentions her as one of the best, I am fairly confident she would have beat Rachel or Z.

From 7/25/98 through 11/06/99 she ran beyers of 102 or higher every single time. She held amazing form for 16 months. In this time she won 5 Grade 1's and was a close second in 3 others, 2 of those seconds came to Beautiful Pleasure, who was another great filly.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Personal Ensign was a Grade 1 winner in just her second career start as a 2yo. She then suffered a major fracture preparing for the BC Juvenile Fillies (at Santa Anita) in a hind ankle that required several screws to stabilize.

Off for nearly a year, she returned at 3, and with just 3 starts under her belt and never having run further than a mile, she won the Grade 1 Beldame versus her elders at a mile and a quarter.

Her perfect 4yo season was highlighted by a start against males in the Whitney and the BC Distaff. Both of those races were on off-tracks. Both resulted in victories, not scratches.

While the 13 for 13 may not stand up to Zenyatta's 17 for 17, there is a big difference IMO between running at 2 and 3 and not starting until nearly 4 years of age. You'll say that the competition at 2 and 3 is easier, but I would say that it's much more difficult for a top class horse to maintain superiority (whether or unbeaten or not) in its division as it and its peers are developing (some improving, some regressing) over time.

Though in basic terms, there race records are similar, here's the essential difference between the two:

Personal Ensign's race record is one of progression, essentially each successive start tougher than the last. Considering the injury, an element of heroism prevails.

Zenyatta's race record is one of ennui, same old song and dance. A cloud of evasion hangs over it.

When it is all said and done, we can only analyse their race records. For each argument for Personal Ensign racing at 2 and 3 you make, I can counter with Zenyatta racing is still racing at age 6 where no BC Classic has been won by a 6 yr old nevermind a female. The only thing I will say about Zenyatta right now is most are comparing her to Personal Ensign's record with her career incomplete, she most likely has 3 races to run to define her place in history, one has to be fair and evaluate her after her career is over not before it.

[Smooth Operator]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

While the 13 for 13 may not stand up to Zenyatta's 17 for 17, there is a big difference IMO between running at 2 and 3 and not starting until nearly 4 years of age ... Though in basic terms, there race records are similar, here's the essential difference between the two:

One needed "several screws" in her ankle after two starts while the other has been pretty much sound as a bell after 17?


By the way, upon further review of PE's Whitney … G looks to have been beyond his scope going nine … and thus quite vulnerable … and the show horse was like a hundred years old that year … and basically just a G3-type Aqueduct runner at that point.

[rgustafson]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Personal Ensign was a Grade 1 winner in just her second career start as a 2yo. She then suffered a major fracture preparing for the BC Juvenile Fillies (at Santa Anita) in a hind ankle that required several screws to stabilize.

Off for nearly a year, she returned at 3, and with just 3 starts under her belt and never having run further than a mile, she won the Grade 1 Beldame versus her elders at a mile and a quarter.

Her perfect 4yo season was highlighted by a start against males in the Whitney and the BC Distaff. Both of those races were on off-tracks. Both resulted in victories, not scratches.

While the 13 for 13 may not stand up to Zenyatta's 17 for 17, there is a big difference IMO between running at 2 and 3 and not starting until nearly 4 years of age. You'll say that the competition at 2 and 3 is easier, but I would say that it's much more difficult for a top class horse to maintain superiority (whether or unbeaten or not) in its division as it and its peers are developing (some improving, some regressing) over time.

Though in basic terms, there race records are similar, here's the essential difference between the two:

Personal Ensign's race record is one of progression, essentially each successive start tougher than the last. Considering the injury, an element of heroism prevails.

Zenyatta's race record is one of ennui, same old song and dance. A cloud of evasion hangs over it.

Personal Ensign is without a doubt one of greatest fillies or mares ever. As has been stated, there was no reason for her to race anywhere other than where she did. An undefeated record that was capped by her win in the BC Distaff against Winning Colors, which imo may be the greatest race effort by any filly or mare period. I do think, however, we need to put her "beat males" achievment in perspective. That race was the Grade I Whitney at Saratoga. It was a three horse field and it was basically a match race between her and Gulch who had only one win from seven tries at 1 1/8 miles albeit against top company. The third horse in the field? King's Swan.

[KirisClown]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Sky Beauty is a perfect example of East Coast bias. Especially when you look at how strong California racing was back then.

She beat up on the same horses back in NY, running very moderate figures, and then would get exposed and flop in the BC.

You never ever read about her having to run somewhere else to "prove herself" yet the Zenyetta detractors continue to hold her to a standard they dont seem to hold anyone else to.

Was anyone saying Sky Beauty was the best female to ever race back in 93 and 94?

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by CSC

Maybe it was a ploy to draw you into a discussion, you know how many times Personal Ensign shipped across the coast. Apparently 1 less time than Zenyatta will when she ships to CD later this fall.

We will cross that bridge when we get to it. Shirreffs might ship to CD and scratch again because of the weather. What was Shug thinking running his undefeated mare in the slop against the Derby and Oaks winners? That is no way to treat a great mare.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by CSC

I didn't realize Personal Ensign only raced once out of N.Y, this made me smile because I found this ironic in light of the Zenyatta debate.

She raced twice outside of NY.

Regardless, why didn't you bring up Lady's Secret, as she should be the horse that Zenyatta is linked to being that she usurped Lady's Secret's legacy at Oak Tree?

I don't recall.....what was her geographic distribution?

[Port Conway Lane]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

She raced twice outside of NY.

Regardless, why didn't you bring up Lady's Secret, as she should be the horse that Zenyatta is linked to being that she usurped Lady's Secret's legacy at Oak Tree?

I don't recall.....what was her geographic distribution?

The last three numbers following each horse are the starts in Cal-Ky-NY

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Port Conway Lane

The last three numbers following each horse are the starts in Cal-Ky-NY

I was being facetious.

[Port Conway Lane]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I was being facetious.

I thought so but no harm in taking it at face value. Interesting list of the three that never raced in NY and never will.