Asmussen: No Rachel for Blossom

[AeWingnut]

Originally Posted by Smooth Operator

Lol … was being sarcastic

Common knowledge that Zetcher wanted little z to crash RA's powderpuff-fest.



And quite a crash it was.

ok, Zetcher cost all parties a chance at $5 mil

happy

[Smooth Operator]

Originally Posted by AeWingnut

ok, Zetcher cost all parties a chance at $5 mil

happy

Somehow I don't think Shirreffs is losing any sleep over this, AeWingnut


Picking off that filly (which STOLE the HotY trophy that your mare deserved) with your third-stringer … PRICELESS...

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by Smooth Operator

Somehow I don't think Shirreffs is losing any sleep over this, AeWingnut


Picking off that filly (which STOLE the HotY trophy that your mare deserved) with your third-stringer … PRICELESS...

stole , yup , she stole it alright

[Smooth Operator]

Originally Posted by gales0678

stole , yup , she stole it alright

Grand Theft Eclipse, in my estimation, gales0678


Thought they had her a bit overrated last year. She never had to face much in those races.

Would be hilarious if she drops a couple more this season...

[alysheba4]

it is o.k. to be a fan of both fillies right, dont understand the " hope zen or rach " do bad thing.....as more of a zan fan i still think rachael is a fantastic horse.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by Smooth Operator

Grand Theft Eclipse, in my estimation, gales0678


Thought they had her a bit overrated last year. She never had to face much in those races.

Would be hilarious if she drops a couple more this season...

I wonder how our pal Kgar is handling it, Serotonin perhaps? I suspect there is abit of that flowing around here. Seriously I feel a bit sorry for all that bought into her supposed superiority over Zenyatta, based on one win in one of the weaker Woodward's in recent memory and obcourse the inflated win over Summer Bird in the Haskell. She did enough to win HOY, that's fine, I have no problem with the decision. Never had. However I never believed she was better than Zenyatta was, especially after what she did in the BC. Some of us cab adjust, reanalyse...If there is a silver lining in this, it did show just how devious Jess Jackson really is and secondly it showed just because a horse was a good 3 yr old, it isn't necessarily a sure thing they come back better at 4. It's not all rain and gloom around here.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by CSC

I wonder how our pal Kgar is handling it, Serotonin perhaps? I suspect there is abit of that flowing around here. Seriously I feel a bit sorry for all that bought into her supposed superiority over Zenyatta, based on one win in one of the weaker Woodward's in recent memory and obcourse the inflated win over Summer Bird in the Haskell. She did enough to win HOY, that's fine, I have no problem with the decision. Never had. However I never believed she was better than Zenyatta was, especially after what she did in the BC. Some of us cab adjust, reanalyse...If there is a silver lining in this, it did show just how devious Jess Jackson really is and secondly it showed just because a horse was a good 3 yr old, it isn't necessarily a sure thing they come back better at 4. It's not all rain and gloom around here.

I'm sorry.. but Rachel and Zenyatta have never raced against each other? You make it seem like one race off a huge layoff where she lost by a lenght makes her worse than Zenyatta, eventhough they still havent faced each other?

I'll tell you that you are correct only when Zenyatta beats Rachel head to head.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

I'm sorry.. but Rachel and Zenyatta have never raced against each other? You make it seem like one race off a huge layoff where she lost by a lenght makes her worse than Zenyatta, eventhough they still havent faced each other?

I'll tell you that you are correct only when Zenyatta beats Rachel head to head.

I really don't want to rehash all of this again, but they did have a chance to resolve this in the Apple Blossom this time around, where only because of Zardana being in the field, wrecked what otherwise was as close to a perfect prep for her as possible. Adding on to the 3 weeks, 6 days of possible works leading up to the big race, it is a mystifying move by what some hailed as a sportsman last year. Optically having Jess Jackson pull out would indicate they don't like their chances. As for them ever meeting, we would all love to see this. Let's face it, if Jess doesn't believe she can win, it will never happen. And that is why they are not meeting in the Apple Blossom.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by CSC

If there is a silver lining in this, it did show just how devious Jess Jackson really is.

You're right, he's the devil in disguise.

NT

[CSC]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

You're right, he's the devil in disguise.

NT

NT, don't make me come back here and post, everyone is so happy when I am not around.

[kgar311]

Originally Posted by CSC

I wonder how our pal Kgar is handling it, Serotonin perhaps? I suspect there is abit of that flowing around here. Seriously I feel a bit sorry for all that bought into her supposed superiority over Zenyatta, based on one win in one of the weaker Woodward's in recent memory and obcourse the inflated win over Summer Bird in the Haskell. She did enough to win HOY, that's fine, I have no problem with the decision. Never had. However I never believed she was better than Zenyatta was, especially after what she did in the BC. Some of us cab adjust, reanalyse...If there is a silver lining in this, it did show just how devious Jess Jackson really is and secondly it showed just because a horse was a good 3 yr old, it isn't necessarily a sure thing they come back better at 4. It's not all rain and gloom around here.

How am I handling it? I would say I couldnt be happier with the race Rachel ran. I along with everyone else knew she was short for that race. She gains 150lbs, is off 6 months and is probably 50% fit going into the race. Zardana had been racing all along and probably peaked in that race and Rachel ran into a buzz saw and still only lost by a length. Id like to see Zardana in a couple months and she wouldn't even be able to see Rachel at the finish line. As far a Zenyatta goes, I still cant wait till the meet up and Rachel is at 100%, it wont even be a contest. Rachel doesnt lose again for the rest of the year guaranteed!!!

[Smooth Operator]

Please, hoovesupsideyourhead

For the 63rd time, RA didn't face much last year.

Z's the one which took on "all comers" … including a couple high-quality Euros … and dusted them in the BCC.

RA would've been another also-ran in that championship contest.


SB is probably a better 10f runner than RA.

QR will drill RA this summer … unless they duck him too…

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by kgar311

How am I handling it? I would say I couldnt be happier with the race Rachel ran. I along with everyone else knew she was short for that race. She gains 150lbs, is off 6 months and is probably 50% fit going into the race. Zardana had been racing all along and probably peaked in that race and Rachel ran into a buzz saw and still only lost by a length. Id like to see Zardana in a couple months and she wouldn't even be able to see Rachel at the finish line. As far a Zenyatta goes, I still cant wait till the meet up and Rachel is at 100%, it wont even be a contest. Rachel doesnt lose again for the rest of the year guaranteed!!!

I bet she doesnt race again period. Put a fork in her she's done, those 3yo triple crown races cooked her.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by kgar311

How am I handling it? I would say I couldnt be happier with the race Rachel ran. I along with everyone else knew she was short for that race. She gains 150lbs, is off 6 months and is probably 50% fit going into the race. Zardana had been racing all along and probably peaked in that race and Rachel ran into a buzz saw and still only lost by a length. Id like to see Zardana in a couple months and she wouldn't even be able to see Rachel at the finish line. As far a Zenyatta goes, I still cant wait till the meet up and Rachel is at 100%, it wont even be a contest. Rachel doesnt lose again for the rest of the year guaranteed!!!

I can see her moving forward off of the prep, however aren't you somewhat off that she was only 50% fit going in? To me she looked closer to 85% fit. What was evident was the lack of high cruising speed she showed in 09. That is what I would be concerned more with rather than the fitness part, if indeed she is to not lose again the rest of the year as you have guaranteed.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by Smooth Operator

Somehow I don't think Shirreffs is losing any sleep over this, AeWingnut


Picking off that filly (which STOLE the HotY trophy that your mare deserved) with your third-stringer … PRICELESS...

This post was almost awarded four trophies, but one was stolen......


I have the utmost of respect and admiration for Rachel Alexandra.

No doubt though that Zenyatta and her connections have managed to not miss a proverbial "Jerry Moss beat" in how they have managed her career and reputation.

I'm not sure how the "Rachel Alexandra was and is not ready" argument holds any water against the open planning and prep the Zenyatta team has done.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

No doubt though that Zenyatta and her connections have managed to not miss a proverbial "Jerry Moss beat" in how they have managed her career and reputation.

Yep. A nice, slick, overdubbed, processed production lacking any sort of imagination, innovation, or heart.

Not to mention a whole bunch of payola to get airplay at the end of the year. Didn't win them the Grammy, though.

I'm not sure how the "Rachel Alexandra was and is not ready" argument holds any water against the open planning and prep the Zenyatta team has done.

What does one horse have to do with the other in terms of form and fitness?

This isn't some Us And Them battle. It's about two of the top horses in the same division actually butting heads for a change.

Frankly, it's pretty pathetic that both sides think that they're really going all out by agreeing to run in the same race together. They should be ashamed of themselves that they've stirred up all this BS, controversy, and straw-man theatrics that's taken most of the spotlight off the actual horses and put it onto their own withered, decayed, senile heads instead.

I laugh when people say this is "good for racing". If these decrepit old misers took 30 minutes to go on Youtube and punched in "Alysheba Bet Twice", "Alysheba Ferdinand", "Sunday Silence Easy Goer", or "Skip Away Formal Gold" or even "Silver Charm Free House" they'd see how much overwrought fanfare they've brought on for a mere baby step in the realm of sportsmanship.

A curse on both their stables.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I laugh when people say this is "good for racing". If these decrepit old misers took 30 minutes to go on Youtube and punched in "Alysheba Bet Twice", "Alysheba Ferdinand", "Sunday Silence Easy Goer", or "Skip Away Formal Gold" or even "Silver Charm Free House" they'd see how much overwrought fanfare they've brought on for a mere baby step in the realm of sportsmanship.

A curse on both their stables.

I was a fan and a witness for most of those match ups. I realize that current event accomplishments real time often seem to pale in comparison to accomplishments by achievers of yore. Time heals wounds, and time helps good stories ferment, develop and gain traction in acceptance.

I think the Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra stories and races of 2009 and 2010 certainly deserve more than mention in the names you reference, and others. And trump some of them.

Again, I have great respect for Rachel Alexandra and have enjoyed her career. I just don't think the Rachel Alexandra connections played their cards as well and managed their filly as well as the Zenyatta connections managed their unique and great mare.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

I think the Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra stories and races of 2009 and 2010 certainly deserve more than mention in the names you reference, and others. And trump some of them.

The point was that all those pairings mentioned faced each other multiple times with merely an iota of the press these two horses have received for a matchup that still has yet to take place.

Again, I have great respect for Rachel Alexandra and have enjoyed her career. I just don't think the Rachel Alexandra connections played their cards as well and managed their filly as well as the Zenyatta connections managed their unique and great mare.

Rachel Alexandra's legacy will likely pay the price for Zenyatta coming out of "retirement" and getting another streamlined campaigned with the main focus maintaining an unbeaten record as opposed to taking on all-comers. Zenyatta seems poised to maintain her form whereas Rachel Alexandra appears hard-pressed to find her 3yo form, not to mention any improved form related to maturity.

It's ironic that you suggest that Rachel Alexandra's camp somehow mismanaged their filly. Her 2009 season was clearly one of the greatest campaigns for a 3yo filly of all time. Unfortunately, it appears as though that campaign has gutted her in much the same way that fillies like Silverbulletday, Winning Colors, and Genuine Risk were gutted.

Of course, Zenyatta supporters will turn a blind eye to this probability, equating the 3yo Rachel Alexandra with the 4yo version. Sadly, that group must rely on Rachel Alexandra failing this season to be able to trump up their own heroine, who, ironically, has few real noteworthy accomplishments herself, save one.

As far as Zenyatta is concerned, make no mistake, being "managed well" has more to do with what races you don't run in, not what races you do.

Yes, the Moss's and the Shirreffs have pulled off an amazing stunt; they have created the illusion that Zenyatta is unbeatable. And it is the main blight on her career.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

The point was that all those pairings mentioned faced each other multiple times with merely an iota of the press these two horses have received for a matchup that still has yet to take place.



Rachel Alexandra's legacy will likely pay the price for Zenyatta coming out of "retirement" and getting another streamlined campaigned with the main focus maintaining an unbeaten record as opposed to taking on all-comers. Zenyatta seems poised to maintain her form whereas Rachel Alexandra appears hard-pressed to find her 3yo form, not to mention any improved form related to maturity.

It's ironic that you suggest that Rachel Alexandra's camp somehow mismanaged their filly. Her 2009 season was clearly one of the greatest campaigns for a 3yo filly of all time. Unfortunately, it appears as though that campaign has gutted her in much the same way that fillies like Silverbulletday, Winning Colors, and Genuine Risk were gutted.

Of course, Zenyatta supporters will turn a blind eye to this probability, equating the 3yo Rachel Alexandra with the 4yo version. Sadly, that group must rely on Rachel Alexandra failing this season to be able to trump up their own heroine, who, ironically, has few real noteworthy accomplishments herself, save one.

As far as Zenyatta is concerned, make no mistake, being "managed well" has more to do with what races you don't run in, not what races you do.

Yes, the Moss's and the Shirreffs have pulled off an amazing stunt; they have created the illusion that Zenyatta is unbeatable. And it is the main blight on her career.

[westcoastinvader]

It's ironic that you suggest that Rachel Alexandra's camp somehow mismanaged their filly. Her 2009 season was clearly one of the greatest campaigns for a 3yo filly of all time. Unfortunately, it appears as though that campaign has gutted her in much the same way that fillies like Silverbulletday, Winning Colors, and Genuine Risk were gutted.

Of course, Zenyatta supporters will turn a blind eye to this probability, equating the 3yo Rachel Alexandra with the 4yo version. Sadly, that group must rely on Rachel Alexandra failing this season to be able to trump up their own heroine, who, ironically, has few real noteworthy accomplishments herself, save one.

As far as Zenyatta is concerned, make no mistake, being "managed well" has more to do with what races you don't run in, not what races you do.

Yes, the Moss's and the Shirreffs have pulled off an amazing stunt; they have created the illusion that Zenyatta is unbeatable. And it is the main blight on her career.

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____

First, I'm more of a fan of enjoying Zenyatta's wins than saying claiming she is unbeatable. However you are correct in that Zenyatta has never been beaten in 15 races.

It's an agreed in advance tainted stat, but Rachel Alexandra has been beaten in over 25% of her 15 races. She may have taken on all comers, but not necessarily successfully.

If her connections brought her to the Breeders Cup she might have moved to being beaten in 31% of her races. We'll never know, because they didn't show. They don't run their horse on that kind of track (though Berkeley's Jess Jackson will get his grapes and $$ from California soil).

I agree that Rachel Alexandra had one of the greatest 3 year old filly campaigns of all time. Through those 8 races she was placed and managed with perfection.

When I cite mismanaged, I note she had six+ months off and returned to lose and then seemingly her camp has given up on seeing Zenyatta anytime soon. Even calling off a scheduled date in their comfort zone dirt and supposedly out of Zenyatta's comfort zone.

It was seven months between the September 5 Woodward and the April 9 Apple Blossom.

Knowing what the racing world was thinking, expecting and all were pointing to, I'm now sure anyone here defends they played all their cards superbly.


I'm happy to celebrate Rachel Alexandra's great success AND Zenyatta's fun career.