Rachel to Monmouth on July 24...

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

I think you're a bit confused. RA has already lost and lost pretty badly this year.

I got a problem with the implied definition of "lose badly." You might point to those that beat her, but her times and Beyers for the races were very much in line with those she'd had before. She ran respectable efforts. Sorry she wasn't 20 lengths ahead like last year. I guess in comparison it was a bit of a downer for you.

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

As for Z, as long as she shows up for the Classic, her connections have nothing to answer for. Let's face it, the intent is to go after the Horse of the Year award. How exactly does she get this by beating Rail Trip? Exactly.

That's hilarious. First off, the horse is the one that has to answer for things and it's all year, not just in one race. It's not the facing Rail Trip folks take issue with. It's that she's DUCKING Rail Trip (and doesn't need to be). What does THAT say? If it's so darn easy to beat him, go for it. They're avoiding it cuz it's riskier. End of. I wish that precious streak had never happened. One loss somewhere might've prevented this. She's got what it takes. What's the bloody problem?

[Thunder Gulch]

No excuse for either avoiding competition. Better to go down swinging than keep up this charade.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

I



That's hilarious. First off, the horse is the one that has to answer for things and it's all year, not just in one race. It's not the facing Rail Trip folks take issue with. It's that she's DUCKING Rail Trip (and doesn't need to be). What does THAT say? If it's so darn easy to beat him, go for it. They're avoiding it cuz it's riskier. End of. I wish that precious streak had never happened. One loss somewhere might've prevented this. She's got what it takes. What's the bloody problem?

Here's what you and the other Z connection bashers seem to conveniently overlook. The intent behind bringing Z back was to go for the Horse of the Year, which they thought she deserved last year. The way to get it was:

1) beat the reigning Horse of the Year of the Apple Blossom

and/or

2) win this year's Classic (giving her 2 in a row)


1) didn't pan out when RA didn't show for the AB

2) has noting to do with whether she beats Rail Trip or not BECAUSE, clearly, if she beats RT and loses (or doesn't participate in) the Classic, she's almost certainly not getting HOTY. Let's make this a bit clearer: say Quality Road goes into the Classic undefeated for the year. If she beats him, she gets HOTY. If she loses and he wins, she doesn't. Once again, Rail Trip is not in the equation. Get it?

So, why run her under those conditions for the purpose of anything other than keeping her fit? Why ship her, as some have been demanding? Too bad RA couldn't keep her end of the bargain and 2 is now the ONLY option for the Z camp.