Jackson passes on Belmont with Rachel Alexandra

[South Beach Luv]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

That long-winded c**t. All we needed was one line.

Just a fyi, you are my favorite poster

[Rupert Pupkin]

I actually give Jackson a lot of credit for doing right by the horse. As most of you probably know, Jackson has a very serious health issue and may not be around for too long. Many people in that situation would be selfish and would just want to watch their horse run even if it wasn't in the best interest of the horse. Instead of being selfish and putting himself first, Jackson put the horse first. I give him a lot of credit for that.

[ninetoone]

I was looking forward to betting against, but it seems like the right call to me...

[jwkniska]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

I actually give Jackson a lot of credit for doing right by the horse. As most of you probably know, Jackson has a very serious health issue and may not be around for too long. Many people in that situation would be selfish and would just want to watch their horse run even if it wasn't in the best interest of the horse. Instead of being selfish and putting himself first, Jackson put the horse first. I give him a lot of credit for that.

I agree with you 100%.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

I actually give Jackson a lot of credit for doing right by the horse. As most of you probably know, Jackson has a very serious health issue and may not be around for too long. Many people in that situation would be selfish and would just want to watch their horse run even if it wasn't in the best interest of the horse. Instead of being selfish and putting himself first, Jackson put the horse first. I give him a lot of credit for that.

How do you know what's in the best interest of the horse?

[fpsoxfan]

Correct decision. It still makes for a wild and crazy Belmont Stakes!

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by fpsoxfan

Correct decision. It still makes for a wild and crazy Belmont Stakes!

Huh? What's wild or crazy about it?

[Bobby Fischer]

Im surprised that she wants to opt out.

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Huh? What's wild or crazy about it?

Ummm....may not be wild and crazy but there's history that suggest that it could be.

2008- Da'Tara - 38.5-1 Had the triple
2007- Rags beats Curlin
2006- Jazil in a mild upset
2004- Birdstone- 36-1 Had the triple
2002- Sarava - 70.25-1 Wish I had that triple
1999- "The Kid" 29.75-1

I'd have to say that supports my statement.

It's a horrible decision considering it's a high probability she'll be retired at the end of the year. Especially if they run her against the girls all summer. Snooze city.

What I want to know is how can this sport grow when it is being controlled by the sheets? All the sheets do is turn these horsemen into gigantic vaginas.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

It's a horrible decision considering it's a high probability she'll be retired at the end of the year. Especially if they run her against the girls all summer. Snooze city.

What I want to know is how can this sport grow when it is being controlled by the sheets? All the sheets do is turn these horsemen into gigantic vaginas.

I completely agree with what you're saying but he did mention after the Preakness that she will run against males again. I don't see why he'd even bother to run her against females. Hasn't that been asked and answered already?

NT

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I completely agree with what you're saying but he did mention after the Preakness that she will run against males again. I don't see why he'd even bother to run her against females. Hasn't that been asked and answered already?

NT

Maybe so. I don't read any articles pertaining to Jackson and if he's in a story I tend to skip over what he says because of fear of projectile vomiting.

I just find it odd that all of a sudden a horse who has been running very well and at a moderately frequent rate needs more than 3 weeks rest. Especially when the horse is owned by Mr. Sporting.

[tector]

If she stays healthy and is on form she will run against boys again, or Zenyatta, or both, so just chill.

And to "ateamstupid" who asked:

How do you know what's in the best interest of the horse?

If Jess Jackson tells me it is in her best interest not to run, then a fortiori just about anyone else can say the same thing with a HIGH level of confidence.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

How do you know what's in the best interest of the horse?

It's just common sense in my opinion. She just ran a really hard race against the boys on only two weeks rest. To bring her back in 3 weeks and ask her to run 1 1/2 miles would simply be asking too much. I can't tell you for sure that she wouldn't win, but I think there is a high probability that it would totally knock her out and then she probably wouldn't be able to run for a few months. The risk/reward of running her in the Belmont simply is not there IMO.

[Handicappy]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

It's just common sense in my opinion. She just ran a really hard race against the boys on only two weeks rest. To bring her back in 3 weeks and ask her to run 1 1/2 miles would simply be asking too much. I can't tell you for sure that she wouldn't win, but I think there is a high probability that it would totally knock her out and then she probably wouldn't be able to run for a few months. The risk/reward of running her in the Belmont simply is not there IMO.

Yep, she could run but then you wouldn't see her again until maybe October. A little rest now will save her for an exciting campaign. The Haskel, Travers? Man, how exciting would that be.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Handicappy

Yep, she could run but then you wouldn't see her again until maybe October. A little rest now will save her for an exciting campaign. The Haskel, Travers? Man, how exciting would that be.

Why? Why would one more race knock her out until October? This is ridiculous. How the hell do you say this with any certainty? No one gives a flying crap about the Haskell and Travers in the mainstream. We're all so damn excited when the Preakness ratings are up, then when they duck the last remaining nationally important race with the sound horse who brought those ratings, we applaud. This is ridiculous.

[Handicappy]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Why? Why would one more race knock her out until October? This is ridiculous. How the hell do you say this with any certainty? No one gives a flying crap about the Haskell and Travers in the mainstream. We're all so damn excited when the Preakness ratings are up, then when they duck the last remaining nationally important race with the sound horse who brought those ratings, we applaud. This is ridiculous.

I know it does sound ridiculous but if you talk to enough trainers they will tell you the same thing. The series takes alot out of horses who are bred fragile anyway. Besides, she was dead on her feet in the win circle at the Preakness. It is the right decision for the horse and if it wasn't for Jackson, would have been made last week.

[hurricanefrank]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

We're all so damn excited when the Preakness ratings are up, then when they duck the last remaining nationally important race with the sound horse who brought those ratings, we applaud. This is ridiculous.

How do you know she is sound?

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

It's just common sense in my opinion. She just ran a really hard race against the boys on only two weeks rest. To bring her back in 3 weeks and ask her to run 1 1/2 miles would simply be asking too much. I can't tell you for sure that she wouldn't win, but I think there is a high probability that it would totally knock her out and then she probably wouldn't be able to run for a few months. The risk/reward of running her in the Belmont simply is not there IMO.

Rupert, you know I'm usually a big advocate of running them on what today is called 'short rest'. But in this case I tend to agree with you. I think we're more likely to see her in interesting races down the road if she doesn't run in the Belmont.

I don't think Jackson will jump at the chance to retire her prematurely for some minor or phantom injury, either. That would seriously dent his stated goal of producing the next wave of sound thoroughbreds, by way of Curlin and Rachel.

--Dunbar