Dance of the Mini-Doyennes

Several months back, I wrote a piece on the Dance of the Doyennes: the much anticipated showdown between Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra that is, well, still to take place. Don’t hold your breath.

For once I’m proud to write about a showdown of fillies that doesn’t involve the more famous two. Ok, just one note… both RA and Z are one start to Breeders’ Cup, though I’d just about bet my bottom dollar that they will “magically” avoid each other and split the Ladies and regular Classic divisions.

Ok, back to the fun of this weekend…

The G1 Alabama at Saratoga features Kentucky Derby runner Devil May Care seeking her 4th win of the year v. Kentucky Oaks winner Blind Luck, who is herself looking for her 5th win of 2010. DMC is your slight morning line favorite, I’d bet most likely because she gets the home dirt advantage over Cali-shipper BL - though her only losses this year have been on her home circuit.

Because racing is all about taking a shot to beat the favorite(s), there are several other runners in the field: Acting Happy will break from the rail trying to top a troubled trip last out, juvenile stakes winner Tizahit, solid allowance runner Connie and Michael, and nose-out specialist Havre de Grace.

Given that Blind Luck doesn’t seem to like winning by much more than a long whisker and Devil May Care can’t help but win by daylight, it’ll be great fun to watch these two mares throw down mid-stretch and see who prevails. I will avoid the easy observation and gentle over-the-cliffs-edge nudge reminder to the connections of the older versions that racing two top contenders of one division is a rather simple way to settle who’s the better of the two (if only just on that one day).

I’m not ready to wager on which filly will be standing in the winner’s circle on Saturday afternoon, but I do know that we’ll know who tops the 3yo section of the Distaff (pardon me, Ladies Classic) division on the road to both the Breeders’ Cup and end-of-year honors.