Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Girls for the Ages

This past weekend was a momentous one for the leading fillies in Thoroughbred racing, with Rachel Alexandra's cohort announcing that her 2009 campaign had officially come to a close, and Zenyatta powering past the field of Santa Anita's Lady's Stakes (gr. 1) to secure her 13th straight win, and match the record previously set by filly Personal Ensign. Her contingent has yet to choose whether Zenyatta will take on female competitors in the Breeder's Cup Ladies Classic (gr. 1) on Nov 6th, or attempt to beat the boys in the Breeder's Cup Classic (gr. 1) on November 7th. It would not be in the least surprising if she did race on the 7th and flew past Mine That Bird and the BC's other contenders to attain an unprecendented place among horse racing's greatest.

While I didn't spend this past weekend happily munching hay at Churchill Downs, or blasting by legions of competitors to clench my place in athletic history, I did get to spend a highly enjoyable Friday night watching the QH Congress's Freestyle Reining competition, and thrilling to the spectacle of brightly costumed Quarterhorses (several of whom put on stellar bridleless performances) vie concurrently for the Open Pro and Open Non-Pro titles. In the Pro Division, Pete Kyle of Whitesboro, TX rode Whizs Bronze Star to a 230.0 point score to win the title, and in non-pro, Kimberly Crupper rode Quick Enterprise (whose uniquely crafted Angel/Devil/wings costume made him look capable of taking off) to a 224.0 point score for the win.

Unfortunately, aside from the reining, there was no other competition taking place on Friday, so I had to satisfy myself with some hearty shopping instead. Oh the sacrifices we make for our horses! :)

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