Asmussen: No Rachel for Blossom

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by prudery

Team Z didn't decide to run against Rachel--it was a mutual decision by all connections , and Team Z was going to the AB anyway as per schedule ...

This year is not what is being discussed. A couple of people have suggested that Stonestreet was somehow foolish for racing Rachel Alexandra in a demanding manner last season because it may have burned her out as a 4yo.

Several months of prep for an April 9 race is not a moment's notice .

Actually, how many people thought Zenyatta would race in 2010 last fall? When did Charles Cella announce the $5 million purse, mid February or so?

If--as some have said--Rachel was not ready for the " toughest race of her career " , what does that unintentially say about the Haskell, Preakness, and Woodward--not to mention Zenyatta ???

Nobody said that Zenyatta isn't a formidable opponent, or even the most formidable opponent Rachel Alexandra will ever face...but does that mean Rachel Alexandra should have stayed in the barn at 3 to await a possible showdown?

No...because there wouldn't be talk of a showdown if Rachel Alexandra hadn't built up her reputation last spring and summer. Zenyatta would have run in the Ladies Classic and would be in a breeding shed somewhere right now...