Asmussen: No Rachel for Blossom

[prudery]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Sorry. You quoted my earlier post so I took that to mean you were discussing its content, which had everything to do with 2009.



Again, people mentioned she was mismanaged. If that doesn't refer to her 2009 campaign then I guess the 6 month layoff was a bad idea?



If Rachel Alexandra wasn't a heavy favorite for HOY, it was highly likely Zenyatta would have been in the Ladies Classic.



Nope. February 4. At which time Jackson said she wouldn't be ready.



It gave her just over 1 month (that is, if you are allowing for a prep race).



What did I exaggerate exactly?

Not to be nit-picky, but mid-Feb is not the first week ...

Jackson then changed his mind .

I would say " a moment's notice " is poetic license, if not exaggeration .

Elsewhere is speculation--which we all do--like Z would have been off to the breeding shed, if not for this year's " challenge " of beating Rachel .

They lost HOY, but as is said---HOY is not gotten with ONE race or beating ONE horse .

Is it difficult to consider that a five year old mare that may have been slated for the shed, looked too good to retire ??? And deserved another shot at HOY?

Had Z gotten HOY--I think she probably would have, but since she did not--all factors considered, it was not too much of a stretch to bring this very lightly raced, late maturing mare back at six to try for HOY---NOT necessarily to beat Rachel exclusively ...