Rachel Alexandra Retired

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by iamthelurker

He knows she would get smashed in any BC race, trying to save face by pulling an Aga Khan and breeding her to his male champ (Curlin).... so not cool.

She would've gotten smashed in the Distaff? By who? Malibu Prayer?

[Antitrust32]

retired after suffering a strained hair braid.

"We don't mind losing as long as she's healthy"

Yeah. So what's the excuse now? Did your life coach give her a look-see and tell you she's stressed out?

Big narcissist ape. It's all about him and she's not up to his lofty, deluded standards.

[smartbid09]

I am shocked. I wish things were different

[iamthelurker]

The Rachel lovers can say whatever they want defending him, but Jackson (with the equal help of the Mosses) prevented the biggest possible event in our game today from happening. That WAS a race between two soon to be legendary HOF mares in Zenyatta and Rachel. The match-up would have done wonders for the sports popularity and general public opinion, they failed. No fault to either horse (I love both of these champions), but a strong blame should fall on their owners. I said it before in this thread, he doesn't like to lose, the Aga Khan cop out looked like a better alternative to him and that's what just happened.

[Clip-Clop]

She will be missed on the track, hell of a year last year. Fortunate enough (despite the weather) to see her in the Haskell last year. Always fun to see what the horses she beat up (win or lose) on come back to do next.

Blind Luck to the Beldame?

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by iamthelurker

The Rachel lovers can say whatever they want defending him, but Jackson (with the equal help of the Mosses) prevented the biggest possible event in our game today from happening. That WAS a race between two soon to be legendary HOF mares in Zenyatta and Rachel. The match-up would have done wonders for the sports popularity and general public opinion, they failed. No fault to either horse (I love both of these champions), but a strong blame should fall on their owners. I said it before in this thread, he doesn't like to lose, the Aga Khan cop out looked like a better alternative to him and that's what just happened.

Why would "Rachel lovers" want to defend him or the gutless campaigning of the horse this year? Fans of the horse - even more than anyone else - should be pissed at him.

[Merlinsky]

Keep working her til the Eclipse Awards, then announce her unretirement when you don't win HOY. From what I've seen this year, that sets Rachel up well to win the Classic in 2011.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by iamthelurker

The Rachel lovers can say whatever they want defending him, but Jackson (with the equal help of the Mosses) prevented the biggest possible event in our game today from happening. That WAS a race between two soon to be legendary HOF mares in Zenyatta and Rachel. The match-up would have done wonders for the sports popularity and general public opinion, they failed. No fault to either horse (I love both of these champions), but a strong blame should fall on their owners. I said it before in this thread, he doesn't like to lose, the Aga Khan cop out looked like a better alternative to him and that's what just happened.

false.

no "match-up" will make horse racing popular.

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

false.

no "match-up" will make horse racing popular.

Chances are it wouldn't but there is no way of knowing because we're stuck with chicken-s.hit owners and trainers at the top level.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

false.

no "match-up" will make horse racing popular.

It would have been quite an event that would have deservedly gotten a whole lot of attention. It really is disgraceful that the two great fillies never met despite the ample opportunities. In an era where 'historic' races are few and far between, it would have been worthy.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

It would have been quite an event that would have deservedly gotten a whole lot of attention. It really is disgraceful that the two great fillies never met despite the ample opportunities. In an era where 'historic' races are few and far between, it would have been worthy.

The irony, of course, is that if Shirreffs hadn't sent Zardana to the Fair Grounds, the $5 Million Apple Blossom would have taken place.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

It would have been quite an event that would have deservedly gotten a whole lot of attention. It really is disgraceful that the two great fillies never met despite the ample opportunities. In an era where 'historic' races are few and far between, it would have been worthy.

no doubt it would have been a great event and horse racing would have had some attention that day... but it would still have been just one day. I just disagreed with the sentence of hers that I highlighted (The match-up would have done wonders for the sports popularity and general public opinion, they failed.) not her whole post. The two should have met. But it wasnt going to make anything popular, except maybe for 2 minutes. The gambling aspect is the only way this sport can become popular again... these smart marketers at tracks need to figure out how to make that happen.

Both owners are still terrible for never making it happen... I just feel it like it would have satisfied us horse racing junkies, and not too much else.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

false.

no "match-up" will make horse racing popular.

Oh I didn't see this till now.

Great minds...

[Danzig]

this sport somehow manages to leave it's fans unhappy far too often. too bad they were never able to manage to get zenyatta and rachel to meet. now, jess jackson is an ass...but had he not bought rachel, we wouldn't have had a preakness, haskell and woodward like we had last year. they obviously felt rachel wasn't up to the classic in nov, and anything else would have left everyone unsatisfied. best of luck to rachel in the future.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by iamthelurker

The Rachel lovers can say whatever they want defending him, but Jackson (with the equal help of the Mosses) prevented the biggest possible event in our game today from happening. That WAS a race between two soon to be legendary HOF mares in Zenyatta and Rachel. The match-up would have done wonders for the sports popularity and general public opinion, they failed. No fault to either horse (I love both of these champions), but a strong blame should fall on their owners. I said it before in this thread, he doesn't like to lose, the Aga Khan cop out looked like a better alternative to him and that's what just happened.

very true.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by iamthelurker

The Rachel lovers can say whatever they want defending him, but Jackson (with the equal help of the Mosses) prevented the biggest possible event in our game today from happening. That WAS a race between two soon to be legendary HOF mares in Zenyatta and Rachel. The match-up would have done wonders for the sports popularity and general public opinion, they failed. No fault to either horse (I love both of these champions), but a strong blame should fall on their owners. I said it before in this thread, he doesn't like to lose, the Aga Khan cop out looked like a better alternative to him and that's what just happened.

Bullshit.

It never would have happened and besides, even if it had? It would have done zero for the sports popularity.

Anyway here's to a long and happy life. I never did get to see her in person but man... I will never forget her wins and how breathtaking they were.

[iamthelurker]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Bullshit.

It never would have happened and besides, even if it had? It would have done zero for the sports popularity.

Anyway here's to a long and happy life. I never did get to see her in person but man... I will never forget her wins and how breathtaking they were.

Why would it of never happened if both had owners who were true competitors? And do you honestly think zero fans would have been gained from the race? Really, are you kidding? Races that turn semi-interested/casual viewers into diehards are the ones that feature legendary horses pitted against each other. Affirmed and Alydar's great battles, Easy Goer and Sunday Silence, Personal Ensign and Winning Colors 88 distaff, hell even the 90's triple crown rivalries Silver Charm and Free House/Touch Gold/Captain Bodgit, Real Quiet and Victory Gallop. You mean to tell me the best horses in the division facing each and making great races does nothing for the sport at all? Think about it.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by iamthelurker

Why would it of never happened if both had owners who were true competitors? And do you honestly think zero fans would have been gained from the race? Really, are you kidding? Races that turn semi-interested/casual viewers into diehards are the ones that feature legendary horses pitted against each other. Affirmed and Alydar's great battles, Easy Goer and Sunday Silence, Personal Ensign and Winning Colors 88 distaff, hell even the 90's triple crown rivalries Silver Charm and Free House/Touch Gold/Captain Bodgit, Real Quiet and Victory Gallop. You mean to tell me the best horses in the division facing each and making great races does nothing for the sport at all? Think about it.

Great point.

I'll offer that just getting to a track to see racing and the sport live and in person makes the most fans.

At least I think that's true for most of us here.

I cut my thoroughbred racing fandom teeth as a young kid watching very cheap claiming races with old and sore horses at tracks that no longer exist in Ohio.

And never lost the fever after seeing the happy connections and horse in the Winner's Circle and maybe having a place bet my Mom could collect for me.

That experience makes the special races you note extraordinarily special in my memories.

To grow this sport we just need to get more people out to the track. For a day in the sunshine. Or slop.

[MaTH716]

Obviously I'm sorry to see her go, but I am far from suprised. I thought they were going to retire her when she lost on Oaks day. As unpopular as her connections are, they did give her the opportunity to race and try to regain her 3 year old form. Unfortunately she just couldn't reproduce it. But no one could ever take away from that 3 year old campaign that she ran. She was awesome and I'm glad to say I saw her in person.