Rachel Alexandra Retired

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by Danzig

makes you wonder, doesn't it? if he wanted the faceoff so bad...why send zardana? everyone knew what would happen if rachel lost that day.

I gathered that that was not his idea. Zardana's owner is the one that wanted to take her on, wasn't he? I always thought Shirreffs would've preferred not to do that. It's not like the Mosses had any say.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by 2Hot4TV

The problem was that RA didn't want to race anymore.

Complete and utter bullshit.

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Complete and utter bullshit.

Says you and RA stopped racing at her best after getting the whip in the Woodward.

RA had enough pure talent to hang in there as a 4yo when she really didnt give it her best effort, but you're the EXPERT.

[MaTH716]

Obviously I'm sorry to see her go, but I am far from suprised. I thought they were going to retire her when she lost on Oaks day. As unpopular as her connections are, they did give her the opportunity to race and try to regain her 3 year old form. Unfortunately she just couldn't reproduce it. But no one could ever take away from that 3 year old campaign that she ran. She was awesome and I'm glad to say I saw her in person.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by 2Hot4TV

Says you and RA stopped racing at her best after getting the whip in the Woodward.

RA had enough pure talent to hang in there as a 4yo when she really didnt give it her best effort, but you're the EXPERT.

You're the one who thinks you can read the horse's mind and tell how she's feeling and what she wants to do. But yeah, I'm the know-it-all.

Rachel stopped running well because she was whipped in the Woodward, according to you. Are you a writer for Disney? Because that's fabricated fairytale presumptive nonsense.

[Dahoss]

The only thing that bothers me is the timing of the retirement. If she's healthy, she should finish off the year.

Hopefully in the next few years we'll get another matchup that fans want to see and we'll have owners who actually want to see it also. Owners that aren't so wrapped up in their own ego.

[philcski]

The thing that has bothered me all season is I wonder what she would have done if she had stayed in training with Wiggins instead of getting transferred to Asmussen. He lost her over the winter somehow. I'm selfish so I wanted to see her once more, best or not, but she'll always own the best 3yo filly campaign of my lifetime.

[analyizethis]

It shows another problem with the game when this great filly competes for 3 seasons and never goes to the Breeders' Cup, which is designed (I guess) to showcase the top stars in an end of the year event that should decide championships.

It is no wonder that we never develop new fans in the game. They would observe "So what's up with the healthy defending HOY being retired five weeks before the biggest day in US racing after running all season"?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by analyizethis

It shows another problem with the game when this great filly competes for 3 seasons and never goes to the Breeders' Cup, which is designed (I guess) to showcase the top stars in an end of the year event that should decide championships.

It is no wonder that we never develop new fans in the game. They would observe "So what's up with the healthy defending HOY being retired five weeks before the biggest day in US racing after running all season"?

the bc is not the super bowl or world series of horse racing. there is top racing all year, or should be. in other words, i disagree. the last two years had the bc on poly, which many don't care for, and won't run their horses on. if the bc committee is unhappy with some horses not showing, it's their own fault.

again, they probably felt the classic wasn't for her, and the distaff would please no one. i'm surprised they've lasted this long thru the year with her.

[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Danzig

makes you wonder, doesn't it? if he wanted the faceoff so bad...why send zardana? everyone knew what would happen if rachel lost that day.

i don't think they thought zardana would win. she was a third string "feel out" the competition entry. the real tip off was when they pulled out of the big race. why pull out because you lost the first race back after a long layoff? answer: they knew rachel was not right before everyone else and losing confirmed their fears......look how they picked her schedule after that. a couple of those races were a joke compared to last year. the horse went from taking on any race to special set up races that she lost half of. the race (at monmouth) that set her up for the personal ensign was a disgrace. "oh, we beat a bunch of claimers lets stretch her out to 10 furlongs, in a grade one." the horse probably should of retired months before that! the "faceoff" race that some are crying about would of been a farce if it happened at all this year.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

The irony, of course, is that if Shirreffs hadn't sent Zardana to the Fair Grounds, the $5 Million Apple Blossom would have taken place.

He did Jackson a favor by sending Zardana. Jackson did not want to face Zenyatta in April. Jackson declined the Apple Blossom at first before Cella painted him in a corner by moving the race back a week. When Jackson did the calculus, a loss to Zardana after a long layoff would be easier to dismiss than a loss to Zenyatta in her second start back.

The most logical early season targets for Rachel were the La Troienne and the Fleur de Lis. Moss could have had some fun by shipping Zenyatta to CD after the Apple Blossom to await Rachel. Instead she returned to SoCal and all this foolishness about the Rockies started.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by analyizethis

It shows another problem with the game when this great filly competes for 3 seasons and never goes to the Breeders' Cup, which is designed (I guess) to showcase the top stars in an end of the year event that should decide championships.

It is no wonder that we never develop new fans in the game. They would observe "So what's up with the healthy defending HOY being retired five weeks before the biggest day in US racing after running all season"?

I've always greatly appreciated Rachel Alexandra. Even when losing my $$ thinking I might have an angle to make betting money on a day that might not be hers.

My biggest stake in the Rachel Alexandra-Zenyatta discussions has been believing many Northeasterners have been remiss in easily dismissing what Zenyatta has done.


My first gut thought is that Jess Jackson has no grapes hanging. No show, No show and now another no show.

However, as an occasional wine drinker I know Jess Jackson does have some grapes....on the vine.....for "the crush."

I do not want to disrespect Rachel Alexandra in any way, but my second gut thought/memory about the connections is of the Sugar Ray Leonard-Roberto Duran fight.....

No mas

[iamthelurker]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Bullshit.

It never would have happened and besides, even if it had? It would have done zero for the sports popularity.

Anyway here's to a long and happy life. I never did get to see her in person but man... I will never forget her wins and how breathtaking they were.

Why would it of never happened if both had owners who were true competitors? And do you honestly think zero fans would have been gained from the race? Really, are you kidding? Races that turn semi-interested/casual viewers into diehards are the ones that feature legendary horses pitted against each other. Affirmed and Alydar's great battles, Easy Goer and Sunday Silence, Personal Ensign and Winning Colors 88 distaff, hell even the 90's triple crown rivalries Silver Charm and Free House/Touch Gold/Captain Bodgit, Real Quiet and Victory Gallop. You mean to tell me the best horses in the division facing each and making great races does nothing for the sport at all? Think about it.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by iamthelurker

Why would it of never happened if both had owners who were true competitors? And do you honestly think zero fans would have been gained from the race? Really, are you kidding? Races that turn semi-interested/casual viewers into diehards are the ones that feature legendary horses pitted against each other. Affirmed and Alydar's great battles, Easy Goer and Sunday Silence, Personal Ensign and Winning Colors 88 distaff, hell even the 90's triple crown rivalries Silver Charm and Free House/Touch Gold/Captain Bodgit, Real Quiet and Victory Gallop. You mean to tell me the best horses in the division facing each and making great races does nothing for the sport at all? Think about it.

Great point.

I'll offer that just getting to a track to see racing and the sport live and in person makes the most fans.

At least I think that's true for most of us here.

I cut my thoroughbred racing fandom teeth as a young kid watching very cheap claiming races with old and sore horses at tracks that no longer exist in Ohio.

And never lost the fever after seeing the happy connections and horse in the Winner's Circle and maybe having a place bet my Mom could collect for me.

That experience makes the special races you note extraordinarily special in my memories.

To grow this sport we just need to get more people out to the track. For a day in the sunshine. Or slop.

[iamthelurker]

Very much like your last idea lol

[Merlinsky]

Was looking to see what Lotta Kim's been up to. I know Rachel's her only surviving foal right now. Turns out she was to be bred back to Medaglia D'Oro this year and as of 12 days ago was in foal. Let's see if she rejects this one. Rachel had to be put on a nurse mare. I don't know if the now deceased Empire Maker colt had to be, but Lotta Kim's ornery so maybe it's just necessary if she extends that to her mothering. LK's the last picture on this blog from Bloodhorse. http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/throu...-the-sale.aspx

I noticed that there was mention here http://horsesracingetc.yuku.com/topic/570 of Lotta Kim maybe passing on a large heart gene to Rachel although it doesn't seem like anybody's checked officially as of last year. I'd love to know. I've always been interested in that particular aspect of pedigrees.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by smuthg

Rachel Alexandra Retired
Posted: 4:20 PM ET

Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (f, 4, Medaglia d'Oro) has been retired, majority owner Jess Jackson announced today. "As you know, despite top training and a patient campaign, Rachel Alexandra did not return to her 2009 form," said Jackson. "I believe it's time to retire our champion and reward her with a less stressful life. We are delighted that she will retire healthy and happy to our beautiful farm in Kentucky. Rachel Alexandra owes us nothing. As a three-year-old, she set standards and records that no filly before her ever achieved. And I suspect it will be quite a while before a three year old filly ever equals or surpasses her achievements. Although her fans were thrilled by a series of spectacular victories, I believe they, as we, were simply awed time and again by her sheer beauty, courage and athleticism."

I can barely even stomach Jess Jackson without wanting to vomit.

I can never remember being less interested to talk about horse racing than I've been since I started to bet a lot more races over a lot more circuits with less preparation time.

There's a total burnout factor at midnight - and it's tremendously exciting to think about that New England offensive machine. Moss won't be here forever people. Enjoy New England's offense while you still can.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

It would have been quite an event that would have deservedly gotten a whole lot of attention. It really is disgraceful that the two great fillies never met despite the ample opportunities. In an era where 'historic' races are few and far between, it would have been worthy.

no doubt it would have been a great event and horse racing would have had some attention that day... but it would still have been just one day. I just disagreed with the sentence of hers that I highlighted (The match-up would have done wonders for the sports popularity and general public opinion, they failed.) not her whole post. The two should have met. But it wasnt going to make anything popular, except maybe for 2 minutes. The gambling aspect is the only way this sport can become popular again... these smart marketers at tracks need to figure out how to make that happen.

Both owners are still terrible for never making it happen... I just feel it like it would have satisfied us horse racing junkies, and not too much else.

[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Let me see if I understand what some are saying...

Rachel is a bum- or at least completely overrated

The connections have robbed us by running her in "easy races" this year

She was going to get her doors blown off in the BC

The connections have again robbed us by retiring her.

Bizarre. Full of contradictions

you might take it that way ...but heres what i'm saying. rachel is a great race horse....they ran her into the ground and then rested her too long...she never came back (the same)....and she should of retired months ago when all this was apparent. instead we heard ......."we are going to run her into condition until she returns to greatness"....or some simular garbage to that.....its not robbery when you have to run in easy races...for a horse that was that good....its called a shame or a sham......lol

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

I'll offer that just getting to a track to see racing and the sport live and in person makes the most fans.

At least I think that's true for most of us here.

.....

this is very true. hit one bet and you're close to becoming hooked. & it's crazy how beginners luck works. I swear everyone who I've taken to the track was a winner on their first day. (and not from my opinions!!)