Ready-For-Hollywood maiden win by Jess's Dream

[ShadowRoll]

I had a totally great name in the naming contest. And they picked "Jess's Dream." So no matter how well he does, I'll always be bitter.

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by ShadowRoll

I had a totally great name in the naming contest. And they picked "Jess's Dream." So no matter how well he does, I'll always be bitter.

Ha, yeah I don't remember mine off the top of my head, but I remember being quite thoughtful about and proud of it. Did my pedigree research, considered both sire and dam's families, etc. There was no point in making the effort, that's what was maddening. A ton of people picked that one, they put them in a bowl or something, and drew a winner. When that many people suggest a name, one that doesn't sound particularly distinguished (well, for a hypothetical top level racehorse you'd like to ultimately make a stallion), maybe go with something else, but obviously it had sentimental value so whatever.

It was crazy to watch Jess's Dream fly up like that. Looked like he and Cozmic One had just agreed to race at the back in their starts and not put any pressure on one another to live up to their respective mamas. I hope he's not gonna make a habit of running with that style. I don't need that kind of stress and those back of the packers always give me angst. That said, I was impressed by how he dug in and got that last quarter. What a shame we only got 2 foals from Rachel.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

That said, I was impressed by how he dug in and got that last quarter. What a shame we only got 2 foals from Rachel.

Yeah. I totally think Barbara Banke has made the right call; Rachel means too much to her to risk, but after watching JD's race, I thought, "Well, Curlin and Bernardini are both kind of big, right? What about one of the little guys?"

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Yeah. I totally think Barbara Banke has made the right call; Rachel means too much to her to risk, but after watching JD's race, I thought, "Well, Curlin and Bernardini are both kind of big, right? What about one of the little guys?"

English Channel!

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Yeah. I totally think Barbara Banke has made the right call; Rachel means too much to her to risk, but after watching JD's race, I thought, "Well, Curlin and Bernardini are both kind of big, right? What about one of the little guys?"

i thought that too. go with a smaller horse.
all depends on what the vets say. life is full of risks. obviously, if they say no, you don't risk it. but if they say give it a go, i'd do that.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i thought that too. go with a smaller horse.
all depends on what the vets say. life is full of risks. obviously, if they say no, you don't risk it. but if they say give it a go, i'd do that.

Apparently (as heard on Steve's show) Rachel has been cleared to be bred. They said Rachel was kicked by the foal during the birthing process and healed. They should breed her again I would assume it's more an emotional decision at this point then science. She has proven to be a producer let her reproduce.

Go look at the Oaks winners of past and see how hard it is to produce a graded winner from a graded winner.. The fillies that competed are basically as likely as the winners to reproduce good runners.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Apparently (as heard on Steve's show) Rachel has been cleared to be bred. They said Rachel was kicked by the foal during the birthing process and healed. They should breed her again I would assume it's more an emotional decision at this point then science. She has proven to be a producer let her reproduce.

Go look at the Oaks winners of past and see how hard it is to produce a graded winner from a graded winner.. The fillies that competed are basically as likely as the winners to reproduce good runners.

with the two she's had, i'd sure want to give it another go.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Apparently (as heard on Steve's show) Rachel has been cleared to be bred. They said Rachel was kicked by the foal during the birthing process and healed. They should breed her again I would assume it's more an emotional decision at this point then science. She has proven to be a producer let her reproduce.

Here's an NYTimes article from April 2015 about Barbara Banke:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/01/sp...reds.html?_r=0

The equine surgeons did not give Rachel Alexandra much of a chance to survive, but she recovered as Banke spent night after night in a chair outside her stall at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington.

Rachel Alexandra’s breeding days are over, but she is perhaps the farm’s most beloved horse. “It was the worst winter I’ve ever had,” Banke said. “All because of bad luck on her last foaling.”

It's quite possible that she'd be fine in a third pregnancy, but having a foal is riskier than not having a foal (mares die every year foaling) so I totally get Barbara Banke not wanting to chance it again.

But yeah, it's a shame, as clearly she has good babies.

[richard burch]

great video and a great race call too.