I've got to say, that's exactly what's been running through my head. Especially when, prior to the Preakness, Go For Wand got brought up as a possible comparison for Rachel (although some said you could really only look to Genuine Risk and Winning Colors). I'm sure the striking faces of both fillies has something to do with it. If RA were a chestnut or had a star instead, I wonder if we'd have jumped so quickly to GFW. I'd be afraid we wouldn't get many takers if the prospective entrants of a race had to face both Zenyatta and RA. I know some folks still get excited by match races, but since Ruffian the idea always makes me nervous.

I have no phobia of match races per se. Many races are effectively match races anyway. I mean, look at the Mother Goose today. You had two fillies run at each other, and had one more filly who just did her own thing behind them--they frontunners didn't dictate anything to her.

Now, hypothetically, if RA wasn't actually back there 4 lengths behind them, would this now 2 filly "match race" somehow have become more "dangerous" than the race that was actually run today? I don't see how anyone can maintain that without resorting to pure voodoo.

Still, I'd rather see RA and Zenyatta in a "real" race, at least if they are only going to meet just once (and even once is still a longshot).

A match race between RA and Zenyatta would have RA setting fractions of what I imagine would be 24, 48 and 1:12 or something like that. Can you imagine the early part of the race being any different? And if RA can set those types of fractions in any race, how can she lose?

Obviously. That is why I'd rather see them in the context of a legit race field.

She couldn't lose. Borel would be doing cartwheels on her back at the 1/8th pole as Zenyatta tried to close the gap and he'd start his interview at the 1/16th pole.

Finding 6 to 8 legit horses(filly,mare) to race for 3rd 4th and 5th place isn't going to be easy. You think Music Note or Justwhistledixie are going to show up? You will get the two big girls and 3 or 4 marginal fillers that will accept a shot at minor awards both in purse money and pedigree "page" legacy.

This wouldn't be the first time two great horses have faced-off, you know. Somehow a field, albeit small, usually shows up.

A field will show..a few allowance types hoping to get a little blk type if things break down.

Feel free to rephrase that.

A few allowance types hoping to get a little black type if either on of the two doesn't fire.

Better, thanks.