[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

It's ironic that you suggest that Rachel Alexandra's camp somehow mismanaged their filly. Her 2009 season was clearly one of the greatest campaigns for a 3yo filly of all time. Unfortunately, it appears as though that campaign has gutted her in much the same way that fillies like Silverbulletday, Winning Colors, and Genuine Risk were gutted.

Of course, Zenyatta supporters will turn a blind eye to this probability, equating the 3yo Rachel Alexandra with the 4yo version. Sadly, that group must rely on Rachel Alexandra failing this season to be able to trump up their own heroine, who, ironically, has few real noteworthy accomplishments herself, save one.

As far as Zenyatta is concerned, make no mistake, being "managed well" has more to do with what races you don't run in, not what races you do.

Yes, the Moss's and the Shirreffs have pulled off an amazing stunt; they have created the illusion that Zenyatta is unbeatable. And it is the main blight on her career.

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First, I'm more of a fan of enjoying Zenyatta's wins than saying claiming she is unbeatable. However you are correct in that Zenyatta has never been beaten in 15 races.

It's an agreed in advance tainted stat, but Rachel Alexandra has been beaten in over 25% of her 15 races. She may have taken on all comers, but not necessarily successfully.

If her connections brought her to the Breeders Cup she might have moved to being beaten in 31% of her races. We'll never know, because they didn't show. They don't run their horse on that kind of track (though Berkeley's Jess Jackson will get his grapes and $$ from California soil).

I agree that Rachel Alexandra had one of the greatest 3 year old filly campaigns of all time. Through those 8 races she was placed and managed with perfection.

When I cite mismanaged, I note she had six+ months off and returned to lose and then seemingly her camp has given up on seeing Zenyatta anytime soon. Even calling off a scheduled date in their comfort zone dirt and supposedly out of Zenyatta's comfort zone.

It was seven months between the September 5 Woodward and the April 9 Apple Blossom.

Knowing what the racing world was thinking, expecting and all were pointing to, I'm now sure anyone here defends they played all their cards superbly.


I'm happy to celebrate Rachel Alexandra's great success AND Zenyatta's fun career.

so true. i agree with your post 100%. you left out rags to riches who lasted in one start, the belmont. the campaign was great but it came at a price. as it always does and your examples are proof. if the horse is that good and can't run in 7 months (unless hurt). theres a problem. they took a royal flush and got about a full house now (with equipment changes). i would not call that playing your hand superbly.