The first quarter was too fast. LAT came at Rachel hammer and tong. Rachel didn't win, but she made LAT yell uncle. Persistently was sitting chilly stalking the pace, Alan knew when to open up. It was devastating to see Rachel's lead dwindle to nothing. That final 1/16 was run in slow motion - she was barely lifting her feet off the ground, but she kept running on heart aand class alone.
And, I don't see anything wrong with the ride Calvin gave her. The issue about the use of the whip is a non-issue. It's a padded whip that she barely felt.
Rachel - you always perform like a champion, and today was no exception. Even in defeat, you are amazing. And, as this tired warrior was walking slowly back to the barn, the crowd gave her a well-deserved standing ovation.
On to the BC Distaff? (or whatever they are now calling it)
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I l Cigar, Medaglia d'Oro, Big Brown, Curlin, Rachel Alexandra, Silver Charm, First Samurai, Sumwonlovesyou, Lloydobler, Ausable Chasm, AND Prince Will I Am
"Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.” Cecil Beaton
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