'Rachel Alexandra': back to work in 2010

[Glimmerglass]

From some additional digging and consulting with the Nat’l Museum of Racing and HOF historian Allan Carter Bistnet did this “Rachel’s historic quest in perspective” article.

Among the findings …

Carter has found that Summer Guest is the only previous three-year-old filly who has competed in the Woodward, which was run for the first time in 1954.

Summer Guest, trained by J. Elliott Burch and ridden by Laffit Pincay, Jr. both members of the Hall of Fame, finished second to entrymate Key to the Mint in 1972, but was disqualified and placed third.

The only other fillies and mares who have competed in the Woodward are: Shuvee, who was fifth as a four-year-old in 1970 and sixth at the age of five in 1971; Relaxing, fourth at the age of five in 1981; and Lady’s Secret, second as a four-year-old during her Horse of the Year season in 1986.

Perhaps more importantly with perspective:

Furthermore, a victory in the Woodward would make Rachel Alexandra the first three-year-old filly to win a Grade 1 unrestricted route race on the dirt in New York since the system of grading races began in 1974.

Carter has reviewed the results of every major unrestricted Grade 1 dirt route race in New York and could confirm only one victory by a three-year-old filly, Lady Primrose in the 1887 Manhattan, then a 1 1/4-mile race on dirt. In addition to the Woodward and Manhattan, the races Carter examined were: the Jockey Club Gold Cup, the Whitney, the Suburban, the Metropolitan H. and the Brooklyn.

[Glimmerglass]

Saratoga Mayor Scott T. Johnson has given official proclamation of Saturday September 5th as “Rachel Alexandra Day.”

Youtube - NYRA Rachel Alexandra Monday August 31, 2009; Dominic Terry up, Oklahoma Training Track - Saratoga Springs.

(The video btw after the 2.14 mark just dies)

[grits]

Anybody know how to obtain one of those “See Rachel Run” posters that NYRA is distributing? Are they available in .pdf online anywhere?

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=grits;4346057]
Anybody know how to obtain one of those “See Rachel Run” posters that NYRA is distributing? Are they available in .pdf online anywhere? :D[/QUOTE]

It is a pretty neat poster!

Oddly I’ve never seen the silks for Jess bearing the name of his winery before. As we all know she is co-owned by Stonestreet Stables and Harold T. McCormick and thus for all intents and purposes she has zero to do with the wine holdings of JJ

[WhiteCamry]

@Glimmerglass;4346176

It is a pretty neat poster!

Oddly I’ve never seen the silks for Jess bearing the name of his winery before. As we all know she is co-owned by Stonestreet Stables and Harold T. McCormick and thus for all intents and purposes she has zero to do with the wine holdings of JJ

The ad is on the jockey’s jodhpurs, not on the silks. Looks like JJ got smart and bought the ad space.

[Barnfairy]

@WhiteCamry;4346314

The ad is on the jockey’s jodhpurs, not on the silks.

You got told Glimmer. You got told.

If we’re gonna be all persnickety about things: technically they’re breeches, not jodhpurs, so.

:lol:

Personally, I’d like to see more Rachel, less Kendall-Jackson, in a Rachel poster.

But maybe that’s just me.

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Barnfairy;4346414]
You got told Glimmer. You got told.[/QUOTE]

Yep. I’m not going to wine [sic] about it though … NYRA I thought frowned on logos on breeches. The notable exception being NetJets on all riders for the Belmont Stakes and that because all the money went to the Disabled Jockey Fund.

MSG Plus network will also provide live coverage of the Woodward. As such this will afford (for those with the cable package) added viewership for the State of New York, Northern New Jersey, Southwestern Connecticut, and Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The Thoroughbred Times spoke with Jackson and he suggested the Woodward could be one of her last races in 2009.

“She has had a long campaign; she’s had 13 races as a two- and three-year-old, seven of them this year, and four of them in Grade 1s and the rest of them in Grade 2s with one exception, so she’s a tired horse in a way,” Jackson said. “That’s why we’re giving her long rests in between [starts]. She’s entitled to rest up for the campaign in 2010. We intend to try to race her again if her health and conditions are appropriate.”

Jackson said the Betfair/TVG Beldame Stakes (G1) on October 3 at Belmont Park would be an attractive option if Zenyatta would show up there, and he also mentioned the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) on the same card as a possibility. He said the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (G2) on November 27 at Churchill Downs would probably fall too late on the calendar.

Not sure why Jess dislikes the Clark but he snubbed that race as a viable option with Curlin too last year. I still think he should’ve raced Culrin one last time on the dirt in that race to regain his reputation, but thats just me

[Glimmerglass]

I was amused by this quip from someone very much experienced with what a gal can do on the track: regarding Rachel’s work on Monday July 31st

“She could take two seconds off that any morning,” Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said of the work. “For her to work 48, 49 (seconds) in an open gallop … it was just a chance for you all to see her lop around there.”

While Saratoga ends on Labor Day, Rachel Alexandra will remain in residence at Saratoga. Steve Asmussen said she will remain at the Oklahoma Training Track — like Curlin did the last two years — and train here until her next start, which has not been determined. The slightly chilled air is “perfect for her” Steve remarked.

Rachel will gallop on the Oklahoma today - Wednesday - and then school in the Spa paddock on Thursday.

[Glimmerglass]

The field was drawn this morning for the [corrected] the Fifty-SIXTH running of the Woodward Stakes (Grade 1) for Saturday (Sep 5) Race #10

PP. Horse (Trainer, Jockey) ML Odds

1. Da’ Tara* (Nick Zito, Jose Lezcano) 12-1
2. Bullsbay (Graham Motion, Jeremy Rose) 6-1
   3. Rachel Alexandra (Steve Asmussen, Calvin Borel) 1-2
3. Cool Coal Man* (Nick Zito, John Velazquez) 12-1
4. Macho Again (Dallas Stewart, Robby Albarado) 8-1
5. It’s a Bird (Marty Wolfson, Julien Leparoux) 10-1
6. Asiatic Boy (Kiaran McLaughlin, Alan Garcia) 10-1
7. Past the Point (Eoin Harty, Edgar Prado) 15-1

Rachel Alexandra will carry 118 pounds; the rest will carry 126.

• • coupled entry

[City_Ponies]

I’ve always loved Macho Again. It’s just ashame he’s going to lose to a girl

[ivy62]

I would love to see her in the JCGC with Zenyatta but I think it is doubtful…Good luck to all and have a safe trip…Wish it was still 2 miles long!!!
When is Zenyatta supposed to race again? Anyone? Glimmerglass?

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=ivy62;4348733]
When is Zenyatta supposed to race again?[/QUOTE]

Undetermined. Most reports have it that Zenyatta will have just one more race before the Breeders’ Cup; either a defense of her 2008 Ladies Classic title or the ultimate test, a run against the boys in the Classic.

If she follows (as she has to date) the same path as last year, then her next race will be Lady’s Secret Stakes (Grade 1) October 10, 2009 at 1 1/16 mi for F/M 3-yr and up held at Santa Anita. (Sad to say this but a big yawn if that is their next choice …)

As for Rachel Alexandra I have still yet to find out more on that poster. While it was a NYRA handout, I would’ve thought it could’ve been available via K-J or Stonestreet Farms website or even NYRA. Nothing yet.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

PP. Horse (Trainer, Jockey) ML Odds

1. Da’ Tara* (Nick Zito, Jose Lezcano) 12-1
2. Bullsbay (Graham Motion, Jeremy Rose) 6-1
3. Rachel Alexandra (Steve Asmussen, Calvin Borel) 1-2
4. Cool Coal Man* (Nick Zito, John Velazquez) 12-1
5. Macho Again (Dallas Stewart, Robby Albarado) 8-1
6. It’s a Bird (Marty Wolfson, Julien Leparoux) 10-1
7. Asiatic Boy (Kiaran McLaughlin, Alan Garcia) 10-1
8. Past the Point (Eoin Harty, Edgar Prado) 15-1

That’s an uninspiring assemblage for a WFA G1 this time of year. Hard to get excited about a walk in the park. Hope I’m wrong and she gets a run for her money, but I won’t be waiting on tenterhooks for this one to roll around.
Looks like it’s a deflated weekend all round, with Sea The Stars likely defection from the big one at Leopardstown.

[Acertainsmile]

[QUOTE=Barnfairy;4346414]
You got told Glimmer. You got told.

If we’re gonna be all persnickety about things: technically they’re breeches, not jodhpurs, so.

Actually, what the jocks wear are called pants…

[Acertainsmile]

[QUOTE=Barnfairy;4346414]
You got told Glimmer. You got told.

If we’re gonna be all persnickety about things: technically they’re breeches, not jodhpurs, so.

:lol:

Personally, I’d like to see more Rachel, less Kendall-Jackson, in a Rachel poster.

But maybe that’s just me.[/QUOTE]

Actually (and technically) what the jocks wear are called pants.

[lauriep]

Do we have a time and channel for the Woodward? I’ll be at a show, and want to record it. Thanks!

[Barnfairy]

@lauriep;4349600

Do we have a time and channel for the Woodward? I’ll be at a show, and want to record it. Thanks!

As of right now, the Woodward will be shown on TVG and HRTV, post time for the race is expected to be 5:50 on Saturday.

It’s a shame no major network is picking it up. This commentary on the Blood Horse gives us insight on the whys & hows of that: Labor Day Pains.

~

I got a kick out of Steve Haskin’s disclaimer heading his Woodward Analysis, also from the B-H:

Please note the following analysis was written by someone with a glass-is-half empty mentality and is not meant to frighten, upset, or antagonize Rachel Alexandra fans and zealots.
:lol:

(p.s. My money will be on Macho Again, not because I don’t love Rachel, but rather because it will be a better value if he hits.)

@Acertainsmile

Actually (and technically) what the jocks wear are called pants.

Duly noted, and thank God we have that little detail squared away once and for all.

[Glimmerglass]

@Barnfairy;4349709

It’s a shame no major network is picking it up. This commentary on the Blood Horse gives us insight on the whys & hows of that: Labor Day Pains.

Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the NTRA, points out it’s a “challenge” to maneuver across the TV landscape on a few weeks’ notice these days. Networks—and advertisers—like to lock in six-to-nine months out with a financial commitment.

There is also a little matter of money. Waldrop notes that to put on an hour of television, it’ll run you about a quarter of a million dollars, and it’s more to sit down at the table with a network.

I posted on that topic and cited the need to get more creative.

While I can understand that Jess by holding back on his final decision with the Woodward created a scramble, the NTRA could’ve re-approached NBC Sports and do just as they did with the Kentucky Oaks: put it on Bravo!

Bravo! has a strong female audience and it would give even more viewers access beyond MSG+, HRTV/TVG while not taking likely one view from any of those three. Its a widely seen cable channel albeit unorthodox from the sports channel mentality. For the Oaks they used NBC Sport’s anchors so it was just as every bit professional as anything from ESPN or TVG/HRTV.

Rather then re-air for the 20th time this Saturday a 'Real Housewives of [insert new money town here]" or another Top Chef marthon again from 2007 they could’ve put together a 30-minute package with Kendal-Jackson as a core advertiser and again Susan G. Komen as the benefactor.

Life is not all about getting on ESPN and I concur the big-three Networks with even 2-months lead time and so many professional sports in swing would be impossible. However the world is more then that, it can be SpikeTV, Vs., TNT, or USA Network …

[Glimmerglass]

From one of those persons who is in the know and ‘no’ he wasn’t asked to compare Rachel to Ruffian …

Times Union - Tagg like Rachel Alexandra - 9-3-09

When trainer Barclay Tagg was coming up in the game, he spent some time as assistant to trainer Frank Whiteley, who trained the great Ruffian.

Tagg galloped Ruffian when she was a 2-year-old. And he has seen the wonder filly of our time, Rachel Alexandra. Yes, Tagg said, it’s fair to compare the two.

Tagg, standing outside his barn on the Spa backstretch Thursday morning, was asked what he thought of Rachel’s chances.

“Well, it depends on the 3-year-old filly and it depends on the older horses,” Tagg said. “I don’t think Rachel will have any trouble with this race. At least, I don’t think so.”

ESPN’s Bill Finley cites the success of those horses defeated by Rachel to dismiss the poor-sport comment of “who has she beat?”

Rachel Alexandra trounced Summer Bird in the Haskell, winning by six lengths. Summer Bird came right back and won the Travers by a decisive 3 ½ lengths and is now widely recognized as the leading 3-year-old male in training.

Five races before the Travers, Sara Louise returned from a nine-month layoff to win the Grade III Victory Ride Stakes by two lengths. It was her first appearance since she finished second behind Rachel Alexandra in the 2008 Golden Rod at Churchill Downs.

Flashing: She finished 31 ½ lengths behind Rachel Alexandra when third in the Mother Goose. In her next start, she won the Grade I Test at Saratoga.

Gabby’s Golden Gal: After finishing 29 ¼ lengths behind Rachel Alexandra in the Kentucky Oaks, she won the Grade I Acorn at Belmont.

Just Jenda: After finishing 11 ¾ lengths behind Rachel in the Fantasy, she suffered a loss when second in the Eight Belles, but has subsequently won the Serena’s Song and the Grade III Monmouth Oaks.

Yep - nothing but a few allowance-level horses

[Zevida]

@Drvmb1ggl3;4348932

That’s an uninspiring assemblage for a WFA G1 this time of year. Hard to get excited about a walk in the park.

Man I hope that she wins easily, but this race terrifies me. She is facing several Grade 1 winners and every horse in that race is capable of stepping up and running a big one. These are the best older horses on the east coast and while there is no Cigar or Curlin in the field, they are still very, very nice racehorses. I hope like heck she wins, but I’m going to be so nervous I don’t know if I’ll be able to watch!

[quote=Glimmerglass;4350597] Yep - nothing but a few allowance-level horses
[/quote]

And don’t forget Take the Points who finished well back in the Preakness and came back to win the G1-T Secretariat.