Asmussen: No Rachel for Blossom

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by CSC

We've had our difference in views but you and I know if Zenyatta pulled out, this pro RA forum would be all over it. Really there is no excuse barring her being injuried to skip this race off a 3/4 length loss to a gr.2 winning mare in a prep race that was designed to give her fitness. The race was moved 1 week back to 1 month in between races to accomodate her, yet this still isn't enough to lure the HOY to race for 5 million dollars. Barring bending over I don't know what else can be done, you may find this very excusable but I am sure there are a few Rachel supporters that are getting tiresome of this act. If they are well good on them for having their eyes finally opened.

Would I, though? That's what matters when you're responding to me.

Whatever they want to do with their horse is good enough "excuse" for me, which has basically been my stance the entire time.

Count me still "on the bad side." Though I'm with miraja that I wish they would've waited to see how she was coming out of it before saying that. Knowing them, it's not even official yet.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

Would I, though? That's what matters when you're responding to me.

Whatever they want to do with their horse is good enough "excuse" for me, which has basically been my stance the entire time.

Count me still "on the bad side." Though I'm with miraja that I wish they would've waited to see how she was coming out of it before saying that. Knowing them, it's not even official yet.

What it really comes down to Brian out of the camouflage of the statement of “doing what is good by the horse statement” is they just don’t believe she can beat Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom in a month’s time. The problem is when you have a horse of this billing, in race publications to racing boards, to respected writers. The reasons of not running in the Apple Blossom look bad from an optics point of view, this is especially true when both connections agreed to the conditions a month ago they would meet, even having the race bumped back a week for Rachel. I don’t think anyone with a reasonable head expects Rachel to be perfect, however Jess Jackson and Steve Asmussen seem to have a problem with this thinking, they somehow feel it taints her image if she loses, and it reflects in the races they select for her to the races they ultimately avoid.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by CSC

I don’t think anyone with a reasonable head expects Rachel to be perfect, however Jess Jackson and Steve Asmussen seem to have a problem with this thinking, they somehow feel it taints her image if she loses, and it reflects in the races they select for her to the races they ultimately avoid.

I don't believe they fear a loss as much as they feared Moss retiring z if she had won the Apple Blossom. That is why Jackson said things like they should meet 3 times. The year is still young and plenty of opportunities remain to face each other.

[smuthg]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

I don't believe they fear a loss as much as they feared Moss retiring z if she had won the Apple Blossom. That is why Jackson said things like they should meet 3 times. The year is still young and plenty of opportunities remain to face each other.

Why would they do that? wouldn't it be too late to breed her? Plus I really think they enjoy watching the horse run... yeah, I'm pretty sure they feel like they got the raw end of the deal last year (and the year before), I disagree (at least for 2009), Rachel had a better year, doesn't mean I think Rachel's better, but I think they are going to do what they can to actively pursue a Horse of the Year award in 2010.