Sacrilege Against Zenyatta

She's not clearly the best Older Filly and Mare on dirt THIS YEAR. If you just look at THIS year, had she not raced last year no one would be forcing a matchup of her vs Rachel Alexandra they'd be talking about a possibly terrifically deep field for the F&M Classic. Zenyatta has won the Vanity, Hirsch and Milady. A great record. I'm not arguing she's the worst F&M this year, I'm just saying she isn't the clear cut best this year. I'll first mention Seventh Street who finished 2nd this past weekend in the Gr I Ruffian over a sloppy track. She's won the Apple Blossom & Go For Wand (gr I's) and finished second in Ogden Phipps and the aforementioned Ruffian. Zenyatta scratched due to a wet track this year, Seventh Street hasn't. Seventh Street also finished 2nd in the Gr II Barbara Fritchie after spotting the field 10 lengths due to a poor start. So, yeah she's pretty accomplished at a few different distances. Life Is Sweet has been a Zenyatta runner up so often, but it's not like she's always getting her doors blown off and when it comes to the BC her family has had success. She's a full sister to Sweet Catomine. Swift Temper has wins from 8.5 furlongs up to 10 and just won the Gr I Ruffian. She's also raced 7 times this year at 6 different tracks. It's been an up and down year, but it's mostly up, and I'm curious about her plans leading up to the BC. So, I'd say it's pretty close at the top right now. Zenyatta is undefeated at her home track in 3 races she won last year... good for her. Meanwhile there are horses having very good years, pushing themselves and racing all under the radar, all with what I'd imagine to be a large chip on their shoulder (if they realized things like this). The F&M Classic will be a great year this year and I hope Zenyatta is odds on, for me she'll be a bet against.