Rachel Alexandra to Woodward
 

Well that's that...

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...ra-to-woodward

http://www.drf.com/news/article/106635.html

Looks like I'll be heading to the Spa for that. Should be a good way to close out the meet.

Too bad. I might have gotten 3-1 on Quality Road.

for all those who thought it would the Personal Ensign...Whoops

Bring on Dry Martini lol

Ughhh, I know.

I don't get the Mega Quality Road love hear. I am definately not using him in the Travers.

Agreed Freddy...I think Warrior's Reward has a big shot at a price. Had big time trouble in the Dwyer, was put into the race early by Borel last time, I expect him to run huge because in the Travers, Borel will not have him on the lead, and he will be stalking from a great spot.

I totally agree about Warriors Reward, he will run huge and run second. QR is just to good.

And Da' Tara, if he works well.

You think Quality Road is just going to run a big # in a sprint off injury and then weeks later beat Ok seasoned horses.. If could but as a fav he is the type you are suppose to bet against. BTW I am not suggesting the colt can't become a superstar just that the deck is stacked a little to high for the Travers.. As for him beating Rachel in a horse race...forget it

Quality Road does have a fair amount of bottom side distance pedigree, i just don't see 10f's being in his wheel house this soon?

Give me a Kensai/Mine that Bird exacta. You all can have Quality Road in this spot.

I would really like to find out how much missed training MTB had with the surgery. I wouldnt bet any horse who's had his schedule altered close to the race or missed training... including Rachel..

Does anyone know how much his training was altered because of this?

(and I am rooting for MTB in the race... big Chip fan :D )

From what I understand he only missed a couple of gallups, no serious works were scheduled.
He is scheduled to have his last 'serious' work tomorrow.
I guess this type of surgery is no big deal, you just have to keep on swelling and/or infection, if none then there is nothing to knocks the horse out for any specific time.

I too am rooting very hard for MTB, I think he's got a great shot here.

As hard as PG1985 is touting QR, he'll be lucky to survive the race.

Seems to be a lot of love for Kensei. Are we expecting a with-the-pace bias?

It will take more than the weight of PG's mush to stop the beast!

I am touting him and Warriors Reward.

Thanks.

Didn't Quality Road miss a workout on Saturday?

Sunday due to the weather - he worked today instead.

Glad to see it.

The logical spot for what they are trying to accomplish with her and Kensai. And unless Zenyatta will be coming out for that enhanced Beldame, QR can always have a shot at her in her next race, which would likely be for open company as well.

I think this might hurt the people that wanted to bet Mine That Bird in the Travers with the hope that QR and RA go at each other early.

You'll still get 2/1. People who love Quality Road should be jumping for joy.
With Rachel in there, you would have to deal with obvious pace pressure and the best horse in training. You would have gotten like 4/1 on QR with Rachel. I'd much rather bet QR at 2/1 w/o Rachel than 4/1 with her.

I'm going to try and beat QR.

I agree, but i dont think Mine that Bird is without a shot. I still think hes the most likely winner, but what really hurts is going to be the price. You may have been looking at 5/1 or 6/1 with Rachel. Now more likely closer to 3/1 and less pace (like you mentioned) to set up his late run. Lets face it, Mike Smith needs all the help he can get.

2-1 would be a gift, I expect 4-5.
The only horse who can beat him is the Warrior.

You are out of your mind. You think a horse who to date has done nothing but win the FL Derby is going to be 4/5 against horses who have become household names (the Birds)?

No way. Not with the Birds and Kensei. Here is my early line:

QR 2/1
Mine that Bird 3/1
Summer Bird 9/2
Kensei 6/1
Charitable Man 10/1
Warriors revenge 12/1

he made noise, got hurt, and she hasn't beaten him yet....some people just want to find a challenge for her. i don't know if it exists.

MTB wont be 3/1 and Kensei 6/1, if anything you have it reversed.

The thing that came into my mind other than the obvious dissapointment of her not running in the Travers is I had wished Commentator would not have retired not until after the Woodward.

Now really think about that.

If Commentator was his old self do you think they would have sent RA to the Woodward?

Even with an older Commentator, I would have loved to have seen it. I don't know enough about Jess Jackson on that one, but if I were to guess I would say NO.

I can't believe you told him he was out of his mind and didn't bring up anything about how he said Warrior's Reward could beat QR.

Warrior's Reward should be running Saturday, either in a N2X or as a longshot in the King's Bishop because he's a one-turn horse IMO.

NT

Im out of my mind? Look at this joke of a line you just posted. At post time QR will surely be under 2-1. He will be in the 4-5 to 7-5 at best range. Kensei will be second or close third choice.

what you fail to take into consideration is the large crowd of people who may not bet another race until next Saratoga season that will come out and bet Mine that Bird because he won the Derby.

And anyone who has been to Saratoga know they come out in droves.

He has lower beyer figures than QR though. The public bets huge beyer figures

I had Commentator running a pressured 116 pace and 101 final in the Whitney.

I'm not so sure he's not his old self. But, Zito probably couldn't get him back to that good effort for the Woodward .. as he was pointing to the Whitney and he's historically the type of horse with a lot of layoff lines.

Sure the public who knows and understands beyer figures but not Linda, Sally, Tommy and Steve who come up to Saratoga for a day out and go to the Travers to see the Kentucky Derby winner and ask people next to them on how to bet a Pick 3 or what's the difference between a Quinella and an Exacta.

See what I mean, Saratoga especially The Traver's draws in soooo many people who don't know alot about the Sport but its a great day to go up to the Spa and enjoy themselves. Which is great.

So with all those people betting along sides the knowledgable bettor I'm guessing MTB will go off under 5-1.

I think it's a fair question, if Commentator had not retired would Jackson still have made this decision. Regardless if he has lost a step or not, he would have presented a unique set of problems for her that not too many horses could.

I think name recognition has more to do with it than most people think.
But I do feel QR will be the favorite and a deserving one at that.
But Kensei take more money than Mine that Bird? I dont think so!
Care to make a wager on that Rock Hard Ten?