A look at the award nominations of three year olds holds the probable winner without question. There are but a few names that come up when looking at top three year olds of 2009 and one of those is the Queen of the public.
Rachel Alexandra is heavily considered for Horse of the Year and as such there is little doubt she is also top three year old in the minds of many. A strong campaign over multiple tracks and distances the talented daughter of Medaglia D’Oro has romped over foes both male and female and took on the older males with success as well. It would seem she’s an easy pick for top 3 year old filly and a reasonable pick for top 3 year old as she’s beaten all three colts and is Horse of the Year nominee along with top older female Zenyatta.
Other considerations for 3 year old fillies are Flashing and Careless Jewel. Careless Jewel is a talented daughter of Tapit out of the Hennessey mare Sweet and Careless the grey filly has far outrun her $40,000 purchase price. Flashing staved off retirement plans with a sizzling finish in the G1 Gazelle Stakes when the A.P.Indy daughter sprinted to a 4 ¼ length win. Both have credentials to be the top filly in any other year but it is doubtful this year with the monster performances of Rachel.
Colts that have duked it out on the track and now in the final awards are Mine That Bird, Quality Road and Summer Bird. Two sons of Birdstone are hard to ignore with Mine That Bird coming from the clouds to win the Kentucky Derby and while eyes were on him Summer Bird rolled up to win the Belmont.
Mine That Bird began the year in New Mexico, which can be discounted much as New Mexico’s Pepper’s Pride world record winning streak is discounted by some. However, when he’s got things his way as he did in Kentucky he is as impressive of colt as is out there. He also traveled between races the “old fashioned” way by trailer. Facing several defeats later in the year including in the Classic to Zenyatta and the Preakness to Rachel perhaps put chinks in his armor but for his size he can turn in some performances that warranted a nomination.
Summer Bird also comes out with a decent resume for nomination.
Quality Road is in many opinions the most talented, if not temperamental, of the three. He began the season with very impressive wins before a last minute disappointing scratch out of the Derby. He came back and before the Breeders Cup Classic had a full scale temper tantrum refusing to load in the gate. With minor injuries perhaps made worse with the stature of the race and insistence on loading NOW he clearly stated the power of a Thoroughbred cannot be forced to do anything. He further refused to board the plane to fly home, resulting in shipping by truck. Reschooling was in order and he started 2010 with a win, but the awards are for 2009. Although perhaps the most talented will his quirks cost him the title?
Keywords: 3 year old, careless jewel, Eclipse Award nominees, flashing, mine that bird, quality road, rachel alexandra, summer bird
