Best Class Ever?

The Hall of Fame announced it's 2016 Class today. Congrats to Ramon Dominguez and Steven Asmussen who are the two humans going in, as well as superstars Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. That got me thinking is this the best class ever?

While Steve is a most controversial figure of the four, his record speaks for itself. He won the Preakness twice (with Curlin and Rachel), the Haskell (Rachel), Woodward (Rachel), and several Breeders' Cup races (Curlin, Untapable, My Miss Aurelia, Tapizar and Regally Ready). He has been ranked in the top 3 for yearly earnings for 4 years straight. There was the PETA controversy which took off the ballot for a few years, but he was cleared in that.

Ramon's career was cut short due to injury, however he put together a fantastic career. Not only was he second in the 2006 Derby with Bluegrass Cat, it basically wiped out any animosity people may have had the year before after his runner up finish in the Preakness with Scrappy T (who caused the infamous bump and run incident with Afleet Alex). Interesting enough, his best two horses though where turfers. He won the 2004 BC Turf with Better Talk Now (ahead of Kitten's Joy who would be the Eclipse champ and Powerscourt who was DQ'ed from the Arlington Million and 1/2 brother to Kind the dam of Frankel) and was the regular rider of Gio Ponti who is likely the best horse to never win a Breeders' Cup race. He also rode both Little Mike and Hansen to BC wins and was the regular rider of Havre de Grace during her HOY season.

Zenyatta well her record speaks itself. Undefeated until the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic (darn you Blame!) She was a 3 time Eclipse champ for Older Female, 2 time BC race win (both Ladies Classic and Classic) and 2010 Horse of the Year. Hasn't had that success as a mother yet, but hopefully that time will come soon.

Finally Rachel Alexandra. Oaks, Preakness, Haskell, Woodward possibly the best 3yo filly campaign since Ruffian. Defeated Z for HOY in 2009 and has gone onto being a pretty decent broodmare as she is unlikely to produce again. Rachel's Valentina of course is a G1 winner and will likely be your favorite or second choice in this year's Oaks. Meanwhile Jess's Dream only has 1 start under his belt, but it's a win. Hopefully we see him again soon. Of those entering into the Hall this year, Rach is the one I'm ecstatic about the most.