http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...-rocks-the-spa
an excerpt:
Rachel Alexandra had become the first filly to win the Woodward. The last 3-year-old filly to even run in the race was Summer Guest in 1972. This was the equivalent of a 23-year-old girl beating 30-something males.
No 3-year-old filly had ever defeated older males in a two-turn, grade I dirt race. The last to win a major two-turn dirt stakes over her elders was Misty Morn in the 1955 Gallant Fox Handicap.
now, i would not compare her to ruffian at this point...after all, ruffian is ruffian. the main problem with comparing her to ruffian is that people who knew of that horse know what a horse she was-and having another like her somehow would make her less special...there's also the tug because of how ruffian ended up.
as for the other fillies, i don't know that rachel could beat personal ensign, or several of the others top distaffers over the years. but i do know that rachel is a special horse, and is a horse many have waited some time to see come around. i think she's the best in a while, and is worthy of a lot of accolades thrown her way.
as for saying what's she's done isn't special-if it was so easy, you'd think races like hers would happen more often.
it's impossible to say she's better than others from the past-based on what could you make that contention? suffice it to say tho that she's been a very good horse, and has been a welcome change from the news of eight belles and barbaro, and let's people know that horses don't croak just because they run fast or hard.