The Zenyatta camp missed a chance to score a PR victory after Rachel Alexandra's Woodward. Given the stress of the race with the brutal early fractions and gut wrenching stretch drive, it is no surprise that Rachel's connections have called it a year. If Zenyatta's camp had publicly stated that they were willing to make trek east to take on the great filly in the Beldame after seeing Rachel's win, they would've forced Jess Jackson's hand. Put Rachel on the shelf and risk embarrassment or race a potentially tired horse in the Beldame. Rachel would never be more vulnerable than in her next start. Of course she probably would've dusted Zenyatta and the rest anyway. Four weeks is plenty of times - back in the day a good horse would've run three or four times with workouts in between. Sigh.

As for Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra has wrapped it up. Easily.

Here is the tale of the tape -
Rachel Alexandra
Martha Washington (Oaklawn, 3yo fillies)
Fair Grounds Oaks (Fair Grounds, Gr II, 3yo fillies)
Fantasy (Oaklawn, Gr II, 3yo fillies)
Kentucky Oaks (Churchill Downs, Gr I, 3yo fillies)
Preakness (Pimlico, Gr I, 3yo open)
Mother Goose (Belmont, Gr I, 3yo fillies)
Haskell (Monmouth, Gr I, 3yo open)
Woodward (Saratoga, Gr I, Open)

8 wins - 5 Grade I wins, 2 Grade II wins
7 different tracks, 6 different states, 3 wins over males, 1 win over older horses

Zenyatta
Milady (Hollywood, Gr II, fillies & mares)
Vanity (Hollywood, Gr I, fillies & mares, carrying 129 pounds)
Clement L. Hirsch (Hollywood, Gr I, fillies and mares)

3 wins - 2 Grade I wins, 1 Grade II wins
2 different tracks, 1 state

The Lady's Secret and Breeders' Cup Classic aren't enough to carry Zenyatta. You could argue that the BC Classic would be bigger than any of Rachel's wins but Rachel's five Grade I's are each more significant/important races than any of Zenyatta's wins to date. Plus all the style points go to Rachel.

People need to stop making the Breeders' Cup more than it is. It is a day full of prestigious Grade I races. Nothing more, nothing less.