Zenyatta tops readers’ ballots

The readers’ votes are counted for our Horse of the Year pick. And the winner by a nose is Zenyatta. The champion filly won by a 49-47 percent margin over Curlin, while Big Brown and Zarkava each earned 2 percent.

I think this survey will mirror the closeness of the actual HOY Eclipse Award balloting. I rate Zenyatta a slight morning-line favorite over Curlin and Big Brown.

Good points were made, and as promised, I’ll share some of the readers’ comments.

“Zenyatta has been more consistent this year than Curlin,” said Mindy Hunter of Lexington, Ky.

“What adjective other than spectacular would you use to describe Zenyatta?” said Jim Pettyjohn of Portland, Ore.

“Zenyatta won with ease no matter what the surface, no flaws whatsoever,” said Bill Alberg of Las Vegas.

“If Zenyatta loses HOY, then Eclipse Award voters are as sexist as Chris Matthews,” said Merv Huber of Las Vegas.

“I have no doubts that if Zenyatta raced in the Classic she would have finished in front of Curlin,” Terri Rohde said.

“Zenyatta is in a class and world all her own,” said Whitney LaRoche of Denver.

“If you gave the award to Curlin, it would be like awarding last year’s Super Bowl to the Patriots,” John Hoersting said.

In past years when a filly or mare has won HOY, typically the male candidates were found lacking. Not so this year.

Curlin and Big Brown match Zenyatta toe to toe in Grade 1 wins. In popularity, Big Brown likely is best because of his Kentucky Derby and Preakness wins.

Zenyatta, Curlin and Big Brown will win Eclipse Awards in their respective divisions, but the HOY title always is one for the ages.

Here are a few pro-Curlin remarks:

“Historically, fillies have to beat colts to be named HOY,” said Allen Joyner of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

“What exactly is it that she’s really done? Look at her resume as compared to Curlin’s, and it will be clear to see,” said Sgt. Charles Fuller, U.S. Army, stationed in Iraq.

“I say Curlin, my wife says Zenyatta,” said L.W. and Clara Benafield of Henderson.

“Curlin traveled the globe to compete; Zenyatta has basically been in her own backyard all year,” said Laura Plato of Lexington, Ky.

“Curlin danced every dance, and he always has,” said Beth Koch of Las Vegas.

“Mr. Jess Jackson and Curlin should be rewarded for their sportsmanship and the type of year he had,” Blake Aubrey said.

Zenyatta, Curlin and Big Brown will meet only in the ballot box and not on the racetrack. The hard part for Eclipse voters will be that each horse does possess a legitimate HOY resume.

Richard Eng’s horse racing column is published Friday. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com.