Rachel to Monmouth on July 24...

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

I think you're a bit confused. RA has already lost and lost pretty badly this year. Jackson pretty much had no choice but to duck Z in the AB and might just be aware that his horse of the year caught a speed favoring track last out. You must be just about the only one out who needs to emphasize the belief that RA is not going in the Classic.

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.

RA lost pretty badly this year?

Did I miss a start where she ran up the track?

Or are you Smooth Operators meat puppet?

[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.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Have officially read it all now.

Something tells me you've skipped a few chapters here and there.

Either of these two horses would blow Sky Beauty off the track on three legs.

Maybe...but only if you could get either of the two to take on a horse like Sky Beauty in the first place.

Tarnished? What on earth is tarnished?

I thought you read everything?

"Tarnish" means to lose luster or become dull.

A synonym would be TAINT. Try Webster's if you can't find it. Either that, or use a mirror and hold it between your legs.

May be time to quote Don King here.

You can quote Don King all you want, but I think you just got beat down like Rodney.

[smuthg]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

She will not show up in the BC Classic - nor should she based her on dirt form.

The meeting between the two will eventually take place in the Distaff at least. An entire racing season for the two of highest profile horses pretty much wasted by the both of them.

At least Life Is Sweet got to face Rail Trip.

At least Curlin wasn't given an SEC non-confrence type schedule after he lost his turf race as a 4yo.

I have to disagree... I don't see anything short of injury that keeps Zenyatta out of the starting gate in the Breeders' Cup Classic. And Curlin's 2008 campaign was more like Vandy and Miss St. at home following his turf loss.

[brianwspencer]

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.

Yea, because if 2009 taught us anything, it's the HOY voters are idiots who can't tell the difference between the word "year" and the words "one race."

Sure worked out swell last year. Seems like the same plan is a good one -- that is, if what I'm hoping to see is another emotional meltdown of biblical proportions from Zenyatta fans when she loses it again....which it is.

[Patrick333]

Another ungraded stake for RA. I'm really surprised. Imagine the outcry if Zenyatta was racing in an ungraded race.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Patrick333

Another ungraded stake for RA. I'm really surprised. Imagine the outcry if Zenyatta was racing in an ungraded race.

Rachel has run in two ungraded stakes during the last sixteen months, which did include five consecutive Grade Is in 2009. You kind of make it sound like she's repeatedly running in ungraded races.

Neither of these two deserve any notoriety in terms of seeking out strong competition in 2010.

NT

[Wayne Bertrand]

Let's see, NYRA has kissed Jackson's *ss for three years now, make this year's hat giveaway a Rachel Alexandra version in a poor copy-cat of Santa Anita's Zenyatta boosterism, and the local media and NYRA press ofice follow her arrival in Saratoga this week as if a "rock star" had arrived, and this is the thanks Jackson shows them. I guess he won't be in Saratoga on August 1 to give away the trophy for the Curlin Stakes (in yet another sop to this guy) on the Ruffian undercard. This is beyond weak.

[Payson Dave]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Anyone have good excuses to get out of going to a wedding?

You could tell the bride that the groom wont stop hitting on ya...that might at least delay the event awhile

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Wayne Bertrand

Let's see, NYRA has kissed Jackson's *ss for three years now, make this year's hat giveaway a Rachel Alexandra version in a poor copy-cat of Santa Anita's Zenyatta boosterism, and the local media and NYRA press ofice follow her arrival in Saratoga this week as if a "rock star" had arrived, and this is the thanks Jackson shows them. I guess he won't be in Saratoga on August 1 to give away the trophy for the Curlin Stakes (in yet another sop to this guy) on the Ruffian undercard. This is beyond weak.

Maybe PJ Campo can tell Asmussen when he ships Rachel to Monmouth to not bring her back, as he'll need the stall at the Oklahoma for horses that support the Saratoga meet.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by HomerS

All the crying about racing needs stars, well you have two right in front of your eyes.

They're not being campaigned like stars. That's the problem. They're stars this year because you say they are. Why don't you understand that yes, we appreciate seeing these horses in 2010, but no, we don't appreciate running them in the same cupcake races over and over? Seeing supposed stars go untested 364 days of the year isn't a whole lot better than seeing them on the farm, especially when compared to the campaigns of the distant and not-so-distant past.

[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.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by HomerS

What races should they be running in at this time of the year?

Are you saying they should be racing exclusively against males?

Nope. That's a straw man argument, and you should really stop using it. They've each had three races this year against inferior competition. They should be running in tougher races than the Clement Hirsch and a made-up ungraded Monmouth stake by now. No one said anything about a campaign exclusively against males, so stop being disingenuous and misrepresenting my argument. They've had enough warm-ups. True stars wouldn't still be facing cupcakes in August.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Im asking what races should they be running in. Against who? Will assume you will give them both a pass on their first race of the year so which races should they have run in the last two?

As far as Rachel Alexandra is concerned, what was wrong with either the Delaware Handicap or the Ruffian?

Aren't Life At Ten, Unrivaled Belle, and even Funny Moon more accomplished than Rachel Alexandra this year?

Did we really need a third race between July 17 and August 1 made up on the spot to further dilute the Eastern-based distaff pool?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Wow.

First of all I know what tarnished means. My objection was the foolishness in the way it was used. Thought that was clear.

Never heard it used in such a foolish manner.

It cracks me up. For years players been crying (and in many cases rightfully) about horses retiring prematurely. Here you have a situation where connections of both have NOTHING to gain by running their horses this year. Yet they both do so and have done nothing but get abuse. The second Zenyetta loses (should it happen) all the idiots will crow "see she isn't any good". We have already seen what losing has done to Rachel. People saying she is tarnished and others even trying to say she doesn't deserve LAST year;s HOY award.

There is just no perspective anymore. Bunch of old men sitting around on a porch drinking lemonade pissing and moaning about the good old days.
There are definitely many problems with racing today but these two great mares are nothing but positive. All the crying about racing needs stars, well you have two right in front of your eyes.

Let me ask you a question. What exactly did these owners have to lose when choosing to keep these fillies in training?

The idea that we should all be enthralled by watching these horses beat over matched competition in pretty meaningless races is ludicrous. Perhaps I am just not a "modern" enough fan but when perusing you tube watching races looking for great stretch runs it becomes painfully obvious how lame the sport has become and your chastising us is just further proof that the sports standards are now REALLY low.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

As far as Rachel Alexandra is concerned, what was wrong with either the Delaware Handicap or the Ruffian?

Aren't Life At Ten, Unrivaled Belle, and even Funny Moon more accomplished than Rachel Alexandra this year?

Did we really need a third race between July 17 and August 1 made up on the spot to further dilute the Eastern-based distaff pool?

Yes we did because MP made it happen. jess bought the filly for X mil now he cant bring his ball to the playing field he likes why? because Fn Delaware has a race, who cares about Delaware Park? Or maybe he should HAVE to race in the Ruffian and have ASS take a pay cut because NYRA isn't up to the task in 2010? Let it go...MP is the talk of the racing community, in a good way, they moved quick, struck when the iron was hot, and got their whale.. Ruffian Schmuffian.. She was a great horse doesnt mean her race has to be the be all and end all..

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

As far as Rachel Alexandra is concerned, what was wrong with either the Delaware Handicap or the Ruffian?

Aren't Life At Ten, Unrivaled Belle, and even Funny Moon more accomplished than Rachel Alexandra this year?

Did we really need a third race between July 17 and August 1 made up on the spot to further dilute the Eastern-based distaff pool?

The irony in all of this is while Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta bob-and-weave big races in favor of lesser spots, there are other horses who are not ducking who could easily dust them when it comes time for end-of-the-year honors, Breeders' Cup not withstanding.

Also, there have been a few races which could have easily been dubbed the "Race of the Year" up to this point... Apple Blossom, Hollywood Gold Cup... but now that honor goes to the Whitney, with Blame vs. Quality Road. I'm more excited about that than seeing a 3-peat in the Clement and the Lady's Secret at MTH. Been there, done that.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

The irony in all of this is while Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta bob-and-weave big races in favor of lesser spots, there are other horses who are not ducking who could easily dust them when it comes time for end-of-the-year honors, Breeders' Cup not withstanding.

Also, there have been a few races which could have easily been dubbed the "Race of the Year" up to this point... Apple Blossom, Hollywood Gold Cup... but now that honor goes to the Whitney, with Blame vs. Quality Road. I'm more excited about that than seeing a 3-peat in the Clement and the Lady's Secret at MTH. Been there, done that.

Yep Blame is packing them in at the turnstiles? Stubhub is crushed every time Blame's connections decide on his next race?

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Yep Blame is packing them in at the turnstiles? Stubhub is crushed every time Blame's connections decide on his next race?

I can imagine the windfall Monmouth is getting from all those extra $2 admission ticket sales.