Rachel works!

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Why?

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Why?

That's actually a great question. Other than horseplayers generally being skeptics (from experience) I'm not sure why everyone is so convinced it won't happen.

NT

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

That's actually a great question. Other than horseplayers generally being skeptics (from experience) I'm not sure why everyone is so convinced it won't happen.

NT

I can Moss Backing out last minute if the field comes up really short and light on early speed.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

That's actually a great question. Other than horseplayers generally being skeptics (from experience) I'm not sure why everyone is so convinced it won't happen.

NT

I think they really emptied Rachel's tank when she won the Woodward. Based on the way champion fillies have returned to the races in recent years, my gut tells me that she won't be able to race at the same high level in 2010 that she did in 2009. I can't see Jackson pressing on with her under those circumstances. I hope that I am wrong.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

I think they really emptied Rachel's tank when she won the Woodward. Based on the way champion fillies have returned to the races in recent years, my gut tells me that she won't be able to race at the same high level in 2010 that she did in 2009. I can't see Jackson pressing on with her under those circumstances. I hope that I am wrong.

I dont understand this? I thought Zenyetta did just fine returning to the races? Ashado, Azeri and others come to mind.

If you are referencing two year olds not advancing as three year olds (like Stardom Bound and all the countless 2yo fillies that do not improve), that is comparing apples to oranges.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

I dont understand this? I thought Zenyetta did just fine returning to the races? Ashado, Azeri and others come to mind.

If you are referencing two year olds not advancing as three year olds (like Stardom Bound and all the countless 2yo fillies that do not improve), that is comparing apples to oranges.

Aside form the 2YOs, I'm thinking most recent 3YO fily champions (Proud Spell, Rags to Riches, Wait a While, Smuggler) and an older mare such as Ginger Punch. Maybe some of these weren't "great" to begin with, but none raced at the same level as they had in their championship season. Even Ashado, who you mentioned, was better at 3 than she was at 4.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

Aside form the 2YOs, I'm thinking most recent 3YO fily champions (Proud Spell, Rags to Riches, Wait a While, Smuggler) and an older mare such as Ginger Punch. Maybe some of these weren't "great" to begin with, but none raced at the same level as they had in their championship season. Even Ashado, who you mentioned, was better at 3 than she was at 4.

Wait a While ran real well for a couple of years. Rags to Riches got hurt & didnt race at 4.. dont remember completely about Proud Spell and Smuggler.. but didnt they get hurt also? Ginger Punch was incredibly slow and overrated..

I think in general, good sound horses improve from year 3 to 4. Though she was so good at 3 it may not be possible for her to improve much.. She had enough time off after the Woodward where that brutal race for her shouldnt affect her.

We'll see but i expect her to not only race 5-7 times this year but to do very well again.

[Smooth Operator]

You got it all wrong, scat daddy … Z is coming after Lucky Alexander this season.



The exposure of Lucky will be a glorious thing to behold…

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

Wait a While ran real well for a couple of years. Rags to Riches got hurt & didnt race at 4.. dont remember completely about Proud Spell and Smuggler.. but didnt they get hurt also? Ginger Punch was incredibly slow and overrated..

Wait a While was still awesome at 4 and 5 and Ginger Punch continued being her slow self after her Eclipse. All Ashado did was win three more G1's at 4 and run third behind a runaway winner in the Distaff. I don't see a precedent for Rachel's regression if she's healthy.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

That's actually a great question. Other than horseplayers generally being skeptics (from experience) I'm not sure why everyone is so convinced it won't happen.

NT

exactly, it would be one thing if she was a fragile animal, but she has been sound and raced often.

So, Jess Jackson raced her in the Preakness on a 2 week layoff.. the Haskell and the Woodward.. do people think he'll retire her with a "mystery injury" so she wont ever lose again? JJ has already proven that he is not scared to take the risk of losing.

I think there is a higher chance of her racing this year than not racing.. i'd say 80/20 that she races. but she still is a race horse and they can take one bad step and get a career ending injury so I guess that is possible..

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Why?

I just think that if it was going to happen, last year was the time for it. Both of them were in peak form as opposed to now having to work there way back into it after layoffs. There are so many what if's just trying to get back to the track let alone to the form that these ladies ran to last year. Now if they can get back to that form (not an automatic) to both camps desire, there's still the matter of agreeing to a race/track (with everyone's luck it will probably rain that day anyway complicating matters further). Also what if one of them should lose a comeback race, would the matchup lose any of the luster that it would have had say the race was last year? I personally just think it isn't going to happen.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

If both horses are sound - I obviously expect it to happen at least once.