Rachel Alexandra-Zenyatta set for Apple Blossom confrontation

[Smooth Operator]

Actually, it looks more like RA in that 3-hole. lol

[mbahadur]

Per Bloodhorse article on Oaklawn website (sorry if this article is mentioned in another thread), "an announcement should be coming within the next week about a major network signing on to carry the race. Once that deal is finalized, an advertising pitch can begin to take form."

"Many have questioned Cella's decision to have the race on a Friday instead of a weekend. I may be in the minority here, but I think it can be a good move. For those of you that think it will be a late afternoon post, you are way off. I was told by the same source that the race will likely be scheduled for 6:45 p.m. CDT, which would make it a prime time event on the East Coast. If it were held on the Saturday or Sunday of that weekend, the Masters golf tournament might overlap the pre-race coverage. A Friday night horse racing might seem a bit unorthodox at first mention, but it will also have a new, exciting feel that could work out just fine.

The other exciting thing about the Apple Blossom is that we can expect a full field in the gate and it probably will include some pretty decent horses. This was insured by Cella when he created an enticing purse structure that will earn the third-place finisher $500,000 and guarantee $100,000 to the last-place horse. Who wouldn't want to show up with those crazy numbers?"


http://www.oaklawn.com/News/Story.aspx?Id=234

[Revidere]

Originally Posted by mbahadur

The other exciting thing about the Apple Blossom is that we can expect a full field in the gate and it probably will include some pretty decent horses. This was insured by Cella when he created an enticing purse structure that will earn the third-place finisher $500,000 and guarantee $100,000 to the last-place horse. Who wouldn't want to show up with those crazy numbers?"

As Stardom Bound runs by them both!

Relax

[Sightseek]

The video of Rachel's work is up at Thoroughbred Times, I would have to agree that it wasn't the best work we've seen by her..

[kgar311]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

The video of Rachel's work is up at Thoroughbred Times, I would have to agree that it wasn't the best work we've seen by her..

I really hope they dont rush her into racing if shes not ready. Personally I would like to see them meet up after both have had a few races under their belts, mid to late summer when they are both at their peak. Not being rushed to race at the beginning of the year when either or might not be ready. I want a no excuse race at SARATOGA!!!

[Thunder Gulch]

Hard to really evaluate the work other than to say she was too aggressive. She never had her head at any point until the last 1/16th.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

The video of Rachel's work is up at Thoroughbred Times, I would have to agree that it wasn't the best work we've seen by her..

She didn't look like she had her mind on running. Granted, I haven't seen enough of her works to have a baseline, but it didn't look like a tighten the screws sort of work.

Notice that Jackson isn't saying she is at 85% of her top level, but at 85% of where she should be now. Perhaps a less than stellar race at FG will give them a chance to save face. Nobody wants to see them race each other unless both are at their best. Who could complain if the matchup is postponed until the La Troienne on the Oaks undercard as the national media would take much greater notice of the race.

[randallscott35]

Thegreek has odds up on this

Zenyatta +105
RA +115
Any Other +725

Hmmm.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Thegreek has odds up on this

Zenyatta +105
RA +115
Any Other +725

Hmmm.

I think only a sucker would take 6/5 on RA right now.

Zenyatta has a huge recentcy edge at this point.

Rachel Alexandra's hasn't run in a long time and Asmussen is a very sub-par layoff trainer.

She has to prove she's still herself in her prep race. Last year - champion 3yo filly Proud Spell came back at Oaklawn on March 12th for her 4yo debut - she was beaten at odds of 1/9 and ran only an 80 Beyer.

Rags to Riches - the previous 3yo champion filly before RA and PS - she was a no-excuse loser to Lear's Princess at 2/5 odds off of a 3+ month layoff after her Belmont Stakes win.

Once RA proves that she's still the same horse she was in the summer of last year .. you'll see her go favorite in that match-up.

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

She didn't look like she had her mind on running. Granted, I haven't seen enough of her works to have a baseline, but it didn't look like a tighten the screws sort of work.

Notice that Jackson isn't saying she is at 85% of her top level, but at 85% of where she should be now. Perhaps a less than stellar race at FG will give them a chance to save face. Nobody wants to see them race each other unless both are at their best. Who could complain if the matchup is postponed until the La Troienne on the Oaks undercard as the national media would take much greater notice of the race.

Everyone would complain, and yes, there are a million Zenyatta fans who want to see Rachel when she's not at her best.

[chucklestheclown]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

Everyone would complain, and yes, there are a million Zenyatta fans who want to see Rachel when she's not at her best.

No fan should want to see this race if either of them is not at least 100%.

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by chucklestheclown

No fan should want to see this race if either of them is not at least 100%.

That's the idealistic view, but it isn't reality. Fanatics on either side care only about winning. Ask Alabama football fans if they cared that Colt McCoy got knocked out 3 minutes into the championship game...nope.

[AeWingnut]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

That's the idealistic view, but it isn't reality. Fanatics on either side care only about winning. Ask Alabama football fans if they cared that Colt McCoy got knocked out 3 minutes into the championship game...nope.

Michael Strahan didn't want the sack record after The Great Brett Favre gave it to him.

[dalakhani]

Ladies and gentlemen...Start your excuses.

I don't want to hear excuses from anyone if this goes down.

[chucklestheclown]

What you will here is a bunch of junk from the Zenyatta disciples if RA pulls out because she is not ready.

[Danzig]

someone else will make a big offer to showcase the two if either is unready. oaklawn wants this-and they're expecting over 100k if it happens, but it appears to be a rush job at this point. i'll be surprised if it happens next month. but i feel it will happen this year.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

The video of Rachel's work is up at Thoroughbred Times, I would have to agree that it wasn't the best work we've seen by her..

What was wrong with the work?

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

What was wrong with the work?

I know you weren't asking me ... and I've never seen her work before anyway, so I don't think anyone can even attempt an opinion unless they've watched her train several times before at various points through her career.

But I'm kind of curious Cannon ... what in the hell can anyone learn from something like that?

To me ... it looked like she was a little keen and aggressive sitting off a lowly 3yo who was recently 4th in a rained off-the-turf N1X alw race .. and when they turned for home she put him away with ease while looking a little unpolished with her action.

I guess if she would have struggled to pass him - it would have been very disconcerting - because she's supposedly a very agressive work horse.

[cannonman]

What was right with the work?

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by cannonman

What was right with the work?

She put away - with ease - a dead fit horse capable of running low 70 Beyers. That's what was right about it I think.