Crist is right. It’s the discussion that builds the interest, more than the race itself. Just as the possibility of a Triple Crown winner is IMO) a bigger boost to the game than an actual winner.
Jackson’s Kensei schooled in the paddock during a thunderstorm yesterday. He handled things well.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Saratoga-Newsdesk/228677960620?ref=ts
Photo taken yesterday morning after Rachel Alexandra schooled at the gate. Rachel Alexandra and Juan Gonzales: Shampoo for Two
:lol::lol::lol:
Further stupidity by the racing press in their remarks regarding any big win where Rachel wasn’t :
Now we know why Rachel Alexandra didn’t run in yesterday’s Alabama Stakes …
Yeah her owners are so scared of good horses that they have faced the Derby and Belmont winners this year.
Please…
Yep, they ducked Careless Jewel (who was very good!) to face Quality Road instead. Some duck!
Rachel might not work on Monday 8-24 due to the weather and as such if no work, then no announcement with the next race …
While Steve Asumssen has previously ruled out any work on the main track at Saratoga (they prefer the Oklahoma training track) they might use the main track if its the only option. If they do then the crowd would be in for a treat as he’d do it between races.
8-23-09 “Rachel’s work dependent on weather” - Steve’s comments:
"First, we’re going to watch a little weather channel, and try to decide what we need to do from a training standpoint.
“I’m nervous about the weather, the track conditions and all that. We’re one good rain away from being in trouble here. It’s taken plenty of water the last couple of days, and you can tell everything’s pretty saturated. They’re doing a great job with the racetrack, but it isn’t nearly as important to Mother Nature as it seems to be to me.”
Though he has worked Rachel exclusively over the Oklahoma, Asmussen will consider breezing on the main track if it is in better condition.
“You consider all scenarios,” he said. "If today was tomorrow, looking at what happened today, I would probably request to work her between races. What we’re going to do is watch what happens today, listen for raindrops on the roof tonight and start this thing again tomorrow.
Is it insane that I told my fiance that if our future child was a girl she MUST be named Rachel Alexandra? I was serious and he agreed! Watch me have a boy… John Henry, though great, just doesnt have that alluring ring to it. Haha 
Certainly not! The day RA won the Haskell I took in a beautiful, classy dark brown foster kitten. Guess what her name is?
I know what you mean about boy racehorse names! There are some lovely filly names for future children, but my husband is NOT excited about Spectacular Bid Newell!
As for the Alabama, I think if Rachel had two hooves tied together and started to fade in the stretch, she would have been two seconds ahead of that very nice filly.
It’s official: She’s going to the Woodward:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/52259/rachel-alexandra-to-woodward
Trainer Steve Asmussen said Aug. 24 that top 3-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra will run in the Sept. 5 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) and that stablemate Kensei would contest the Aug. 29 Shadwell Travers Stakes (gr. I).
No surprise at all to me - I’ve thought even before the Haskell that would be her next race. It will be very interesting to see how that field shapes up. And I think it will be far from an easy race. No matter how special she is, a 3 year old filly going up against older colts in early September has a tough task.
Although it would have been exciting to see her in the Travers, the Woodward is another great challenge. I’m so thankful for Jess Jackson showcasing her in tough spots and letting her talent shine through!
[QUOTE=City Ponies;4326797]
Is it insane that I told my fiance that if our future child was a girl she MUST be named Rachel Alexandra? I was serious and he agreed! Watch me have a boy… John Henry, though great, just doesnt have that alluring ring to it. Haha ;)[/QUOTE]
No, I did the same thing. It is a beautiful name. I thought of John Henry for a boy too! That’s when you know you’re a horse person.
NYRA will likely bump the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes purse up from $500,000 to being $750,000 and unlike other races I’m quite certain there won’t be a lack of interest from trainers looking to enter good older male horses.
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;4327457]
NYRA will likely bump the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes purse up from $500,000 to being $750,000 and unlike other races I’m quite certain there won’t be a lack of interest from trainers looking to enter good older male horses.[/QUOTE]
OK, since I’m out of the older male loop. Glimmerglass (our expert COTH handicapper ;)) who do you think with take interest in entries with the Woodward?
I’ve been so caught up with RA, Zenyatta, and I do like Summer Bird a lot, with Curlin’s retirement this year I haven’t kept up with his former rivals.
NYRA’s list of 30 received nominations for The Woodward (pdf)
Rachel will tote 121-lbs as any 3-yr old would regardless of sex
All horses aged 4 and older will tote 126-lbs
From the 30 horses nominated, these are the very likely starters although with a bump in the money to 3/4 of a million might get a couple more.
Asiatic Boy, Bullsbay, Cool Coal Man, Da’ Tara, and It’s a Bird.
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;4327808]
NYRA’s list of 30 received nominations for The Woodward (pdf)
Rachel will tote 121-lbs as any 3-yr old would regardless of sex
All horses aged 4 and older will tote 126-lbs
.[/QUOTE]
Are you sure of that? WFA usually means a 3lb sex allowance for F/Ms in sept.
So you’d have
3yo C - 121
3yo F - 118
4yo H - 126
4yo M - 123
[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;4327847]
Are you sure of that? WFA usually means a 3lb sex allowance for F/Ms in sept.
So you’d have
3yo C - 121
3yo F - 118
4yo H - 126
4yo M - 123[/QUOTE]
Drvmb1ggl3 you are correct and the nomination form is incomplete.From the NY Post
Yet “Rachel” will be odds-on against a non-descript field of older horses while carrying 118 pounds to their 126, getting a five-pound break for being a 3-year-old and a three-pound break for being a filly.
Graham Motion indicated that Whitney winner Bullsbay would pass onthe Woodward if RA showed up.
Here is the list of nominees for the Woodward. Mind you, nomination doesn’t mean that they are planning on running. http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbHorsemenAreaDownloadAction.cfm?sn=SN-SAR-20090905-486881
Worth noting that the gals have knocked on the door before with almost finding a win in the Woodward: Summer Guest (1972) and Lady’s Secret (1986) each took second place.
[QUOTE=Horseforthecourse;4327406]
No, I did the same thing. It is a beautiful name. I thought of John Henry for a boy too! That’s when you know you’re a horse person.;)[/QUOTE]
We took in 2 rescues last week, both mini’s and mares. I want to name one Rachel and the other Alexandra…then when Calvin comes to visit in December, we can have a great photo op with him and Rachel and Alexandra! He usually has his racing saddle along. we could put it on one of the girls…unfortunately, my daughters think I am sick!
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;4327924]
Worth noting that the gals have knocked on the door before with almost finding a win in the Woodward: Summer Guest (1972) and Lady’s Secret (1986) each took second place.[/QUOTE]
Another mistake and correction on my part with info above Brisnet (cited link) was incorrect in that Summer Guest didn’t not finish 2nd - she finished 3rd back in 1972 behind Key to the Mint and Autobiography. In 1986, Lady’s Secret was second to Precisionist.
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