Rachel Alexandra Retired

[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?

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I don't recall the changes to the Hall of Fame voting, but if both have been retired at the end of the season and are eligible to be placed on the ballot at at the same time and only one can get in...

That will be decided in 6 weeks.

[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.

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by Cardus

The new rules do not segment by category, so it is a moot point.

Under the old rules, it would have been interesting in Internet Land.

My thought was if she wins the Classic again no contest. If not then perhaps RA goes first...

[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.

[chucklestheclown]

Originally Posted by smuthg

I only saw her in person once, and that was in the fantasy at Oaklawn. One of the most impressive performances I've ever seen. Calvin didn't touch until just past the wire when he gave her a slight tap to encourage her to get a 1 1/8th. I think they were halfway down the back stretch before the rest of the field crossed the wire. when you have your first adult beverage (or your next) today, I think a toast is in order to Rachel...

Done...thank you Rachel.

[randallscott35]

A great horse, sorry to see her go.

[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 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.

[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.

[dagolfer33]

Originally Posted by knickslions2

This thread should be fun

It will certainly be a great relief to those who touted her as being able to beat Z in the classic. Now they won't have to eat that crow. Happy retirement Rachel, you were the most sensational 3 year old some of us may ever witness.

[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.

[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...

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by dagolfer33

Happy retirement Rachel, you were the most sensational 3 year old some of us may ever witness.

Really well said.

[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.

[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.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

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.

makes you wonder, doesn't it? if he wanted the faceoff so bad...why send zardana? everyone knew what would happen if rachel lost that day.

[dagolfer33]

Originally Posted by Danzig

makes you wonder, doesn't it? if he wanted the faceoff so bad...why send zardana? everyone knew what would happen if rachel lost that day.

Makes me wonder why they interpreted that race as a "she's not ready" instead of "she needed the race".

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by dagolfer33

Makes me wonder why they interpreted that race as a "she's not ready" instead of "she needed the race".

Jackson tried to micro manage RA just the same as the Moss's with Zenyatta.

The problem was that RA didn't want to race anymore.