With two of thoroughbred racing’s leading ladies - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta - getting back to the races this past weekend, the Meadowlands’ statistician and historian, Bob ‘Hollywood’ Heyden, has put together
a list of some of the best female rivalries in harness racing.
Top Matchups - LADIES ONLY
1. Tarport Hap and Silk Stockings
2. My Little Dragon and Darlins Delight
3. Fan Hanover and Jefs Eternity
4. Galleria and Armbro Romance
5. Continentalvictory and Act Of Grace
6. Duenna and Winkys Gill
7. Miss Easy and Shady Daisy
What was the richest race EVER for a FEMALE horse to appear in?
The 1980 edition of the Woodrow Wilson (purse of $2,011,000). AREBA AREBA finished fourth. NO filly has appeared in the Wilson final since!
What was the richest race EVER for a FEMALE DRIVER to appear in?
The 1989 Woodrow Wilson (purse of $907,000). Jacqueline Ingrassia finished fourth with Southern Raider
Who was the last FEMALE to beat the boys in the Hambletonian?
Continentalvictory did it in 1996.
Who was the last FEMALE to appear in the Meadowlands Pace FINAL?
Hazel Hanover competed in the 1979 edition of the Meadowlands Pace. She finished sixth.
Who was the last FEMALE Horse Of The Year?
Rainbow Blue was named Horse of the Year in 2004.
Other Notes:
-1983 was the FIRST year that FEMALES went for $1 million in any race. $1,062,000 was on the line the first time female pacers went for seven figures, and Shannon Fancy was the upset winner for Ron Waples. Then, Duenna beat the boys in the first ever $1 Million trot - the 1983 Hambletonian for $1,080,000.
- harness racing’s LAST horse to repeat as Horse of the Year was a FEMALE. Moni Maker won back-to-back in 1998-1999.
My favourite was the
My favourite was the Breeders Crown at Mohawk between Kelly Sheppard's Swing Back and Shady Daisy. They hooked up and changed leads 4 times in the final 1/2 with Swing back nosing out the iron tough Daisy...
The best race ever between two pacers.
How about Roquepine and
How about Roquepine and Armbro Flight in the 1966 International at Roosevelt Raceway. One of the greateast races ever, also in that race was Noble Victory as a 4 year old finished third starting from the post 8.
My favorite mare matchup was
My favorite mare matchup was Une de Mai and Fresh Yankee.
Very well done :)
Very well done :)
Great selections but what
Great selections but what about Eternal Camnation and Bunny Lake. For 3 years they butted heads in all the big races??