both fillies have had good years. who ends up being judged as having had the better year is yet to be seen. but there's no way of ever knowing which one of the two would triumph in whatever mythical race we want to set up in our minds. suffice it to say that both zenyatta and rachel are very, very special and that both will be remembered fondly in years to come. i'd imagine both will be used as a measuring stick for horses that we haven't yet seen.
native dancer is remembered now as having been a spectacular horse, one for the ages. he suffered only one blemish on his otherwise perfect career when his jock gave him a horrid ride in the derby. many place him on top of the heap as far as horses who only one two thirds of the t.c. not many still bring up the fact that he never faced a top older horse by the name of tom fool, another who is remembered fondly to this day. no one cares anymore that they never got a chance to square off. of course the breadth of years helps; with these two every one is still in the moment.
if zenyatta and rachel had faced each other, and i'd have loved to have seen it, one of them wouldn't have their perfect year. now they both do-might not be a panacea to everyone, but all we can do is appreciate what they both did.
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