Rachel to Monmouth on July 24...

[Smooth Operator]

Originally Posted by tiggerv

No way Jess sends her in the Woodward assuming QR is running. I don't think they want the 10F of the Personal Ensign either. My bet is she goes back to MTH for the Molly Pitcher and doesn't run Saratoga at all. MTH will bend over again and boost the purse, or throw a parade, or whatever Jess wants.

QR running back in four weeks???????????????????



lol

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Smooth Operator

QR running back in four weeks???????????????????



lol

Ok mr. 5 races are a full season

[Danzig]

hey, if he gets 17 starts in by june 2012, he's good to go.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by HomerS

its all about the BC.

If Rachel wins BC distaff then nothing that came before is really going to matter.

If the people governing this sport subscribe to this thinking then top level racing is truly doomed.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

If the people governing this sport subscribe to this thinking then top level racing is truly doomed.

Ah the irony of Jackson putting all his eggs in the BC basket after doing the exact opposite last year

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Answer me this. if Rachel is not 100% yet what should they be doing?

What would make you think she isnt 100%?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Clearly they are not in an ideal situation. Based on last year I am sure they would prefer to take a different approach. But if horse isnt the same what should they do? The "real" Rachel may never show up again

What are you talking about? Did you not see her last race?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Forget what I think. What you think.

Its irrelevant.

I am saying if they think that what should they do. If they feel she isnt 100% yet.

Now we can argue that they really think she is 100%. If they think she is 100% what is their motive here?

The motive is obvious. Jackson hates losing more than he likes winning. The idea that she somehow isn't 100% is made up, nebulous crap that he puts out there in case she loses. He is the most insecure billionaire that I have ever seen.

[Smooth Operator]

Been several days now since this bizarre announcement to stick RA in an ungraded contest … and it still makes me laugh...

[RolloTomasi]

HomerS, just for the record, running a 4yo filly in the Delaware or Ruffian in no way is similar to running a 3yo filly in the Preakness, Haskell, or Woodward.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Thats been the thinking for how long?

Pretty much about the same length of time that top class racing has been on a precipitous decline in this country.

Clearly they are not in an ideal situation. Based on last year I am sure they would prefer to take a different approach. But if horse isnt the same what should they do? The "real" Rachel may never show up again

Rachel Alexandra is a 4yo filly. She's coming off a Grade 2 victory. What is wrong with the races already in existence like the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap or the Grade 1 Ruffian?

If the "real" Rachel Alexandra ran in either of those, she'd win by a pole. As it stands, even if she's not at her best, she'd be a major contender in either race baced on her 2010 form.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Should their goal be the Delaware Hcp or the Breeders Cup?

Believe it or not, racehorses can have more than one goal.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Believe it or not, racehorses can have more than one goal.

That would make the chemistry a little harder though.

[blackthroatedwind]

One concocts a schedule of goals depending on the horse and the suitable races. For instance, while Quality Road is having a somewhat short campaign, his goals this year, laid out very early, were the Donn, the Met, the Whitney, one or both of the Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup, and finally the BC. Those are the biggest dirt races in the country, spread throughout the year, and thus those are the ones an older horse who wants to lay a legitimate claim to horse of the year should be running in. Sure, you could substitute the Foster for the Met, but certainly you get my drift.

Running in mostly races of no challenge, and then demanding awards at the end of the year, is a relatively new thing.....and it stinks. And, it is ruining the game at the highest level. Fortunately, the BC has offered this platform for those deluded enough to buy the BS.