'Rachel Alexandra': back to work in 2010

[WhiteCamry]

I was there, in Section V towards the quarter pole. The electricity was up the whole time, even before RA unseated Borel in the post parade. It just got all the more intense as they ran, with RA fighting to hold the lead all the way. When they hit the top of the stretch the 31,000+ crowd screamed at rock concert/Yankee Stadium volume. The air was thick with echoes coming down from the roof.

The noise let up only after the winner’s circle pics. But people still applauded as RA passed by, hotwalking back up the track.

[Laurierace]

The NTRA is a gigantic waste of money. They haven’t contributed anything meaningful to the sport since their inception. When I was on the board at Penn National I voted to halt our $50k yearly contribution and put that money into the backside healthcare program where it could actually do something helpful.

[Glimmerglass]

ESPN’s Jeremy Plonk (Sep 9, 2009) speculates on 2010 races suited for Rachel - example

Looking at the calendar and surface issues, the absolute best the 2010 campaign could look would be: April’s Apple Blossom, June’s Stephen Foster, August’s Beverly D., October’s Jockey Club Gold Cup and November’s Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic or Classic. That’s a five-race scenario of maximum intrigue and accomplishment.

In terms of legacy, however, Rachel Alexandra’s existing wins in the Preakness, Haskell and Woodward already trump anything she could add in the 2010 Apple Blossom or Stephen Foster. The real historical hurdles would be the potential turf date at Arlington, the 1-1/4 miles of the Jockey Club Gold Cup and an appearance at the Breeders’ Cup.

One of the things that has been nagging at me in a citation on her Wikipedia entry which comes from some dubious source and has a quote that I’ve never found elsewhere:

“I think she’s something for the ages,” said co-owner Jess Jackson. “She certainly proved her mettle again. I think she was a little down today, but she still won, and that proved her greatness.”

The inference being that somehow she wasn’t 100% has never been suggested elsewhere. Has anyone seen that before?

[Zevida]

Glimmerglass:

I remember reading that quote too, it was here in the post-race conference notes from NYRA. Look under Jess Jackson, then in the “Horse of the Year” comments section:

http://www.nyra.com/saratoga/stories/Woodward09Quotes.shtml

I will be saying prayers to Jess Jackson that he brings her to Oaklawn for the Apple Blossom as it will be my chance to get to see her in person! I think the schedule above it a little too conservative and too long of a lay-off. I think we’ll see her in the Donn, though that makes for a long year.

[cloudyandcallie]

Horse of the year? She shoud be athlete of the year!
Forget Tim Tebow and all the others.

[Glimmerglass]

@cloudyandcallie;4367801

Horse of the year? She shoud be athlete of the year!

I wouldn’t be shocked if she appears in some sort of ESPY award category then again if she doesn’t race again in 2009 that means almost a full quarter of the year with inactivity and as we all know out of sight, out of mind. ESPN isn’t exactly on the horse-racing bandwagon. Not sure who didn’t shake someone’s hand, or send flowers, or whatever the case may be but right now ESPN could care little about racing.

[Glimmerglass]

Making less then an 4 hour news cycle is the bumped up BCC offer and much anticipated decline.

Breeders’ Cup Press Release 9-11-09 “Classic purse bumped $1M if Rachel, Zenyatta run”

Adding the $1 million would raise the base winner’s share of the Classic from $2.7 million to $3.7 million, making the winner’s share the richest of any race in the world this year.

(IMHO that’s a wee bit offensive in so far as does that mean not offering the same bonus for say “Sea the Stars” to run in the BCC means he’s chopped liver? It is a terrible precident to set.)

USA Today 9-11-09: Rachel Alexandra won’t run in Breeders’ Cup

Despite the lure of an extra $1 million by the Breeders’ Cup, Rachel Alexandra’s co-owner said his sensational 3-year-old filly won’t run in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 7.

Jess Jackson said late Friday he was humbled by the interest Rachel Alexandra has generated, but “Rachel already has completed a brilliant long campaign.”

“As to the Breeders’ Cup, my position has not changed,” Jackson said. “My concerns are well known about the tracks in California. … Bottom line, despite an increase in the purse, she will not race at the Breeders’ Cup this year.”

[Glimmerglass]

Regardless of age - as noted by ESPN’s Bill Finley - is this bit of trivia:

In the Woodward, Rachel Alexandra became the first filly to win three Grade 1 races over males in North America in the same year since All Along captured the D.C. International, the Turf Classic and the Rothman’s [Woodbine, Ontario] in 1983. During the same year, she also won the Group 1 Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

All Along (FR), 1983 HOTY based in France, and owned by major art dealer the late Daniel Wildenstein. (In case you’re wondering it was his daughter-in-law Jocelyn who became the infamous “catwoman” via intentional plastic surgery. Yea, it’s a crazy world.)

You’ve got to give someone props for taking a newspaper to task for not covering Rachel Alexandra. In this case its The Tennessean and their lack of citing her Woodward victory:

The Sept. 6 Tennessean sports section covered tennis, golf, baseball, every football that was thrown in the USA and the stunning news that a Vanderbilt player had a cramp.

Not a word, anywhere, about a big, dark, long-legged thoroughbred named Rachel Alexandra who became the first filly in 58 years to win the Woodward Stakes …

[Glimmerglass]

Sports Illustrated - Photo Gallery - Woodward Stakes

The second photo with the 15-MPH sign in the background is great

[Barnfairy]

The tenth picture is disappointing.

[City_Ponies]

[QUOTE=Barnfairy;4375159]
The tenth picture is disappointing.[/QUOTE]

That was mean!!

I get SI (magazine) and had already seen the article with a few photos. But had to see what #10 was … thanks barnfairy!! :lol:

[Barnfairy]

I’m sorry. But it was disappointing though, wasn’t it?

[Glimmerglass]

From Sep 14, 2009 The Troy Record’s Nick Kling: Is Rachel overrated?

… at least one commentator believes Rachel’s mantle of greatness has been affixed inappropriately. Daily Racing Form (DRF) European correspondent Alan Shuback expressed just such an opinion last week.

According to Shuback, Rachel Alexandra’s victory over older male horses is not unique. He wrote, “(Rachel Alexandra) wasn’t doing anything that hasn’t been done dozens of times around the world in the last 50 years.”

That said, Kling rips into Shuback’s theory and as to why her efforts have been unique and worthy of praise. In particular is the comparison of turf racing [and the succes fillies have had over the boys on it] to dirt. It’s an interesting read.

[Glimmerglass]

The price of that limited edition “Rachel Alexandra” wine (2007 Pinot Noir) is now published: with a version signed by both Jess Jackson and Calvin Borel (but no Steve Asmussen, oddly) and in a special wood box for $150.

A non signed edition, single bottle, will go for $50. Neither offering appears to be availble to retailers but will only be direct to consumers with 500 cases total made.

For those folks in New Jersey, for example, you’re out of luck. Just like restrictions on pumping your own gasoline, no wine can be shipped direct to consumers

[Zevida]

Anyone know what Rachel’s been up to lately? She’s dropped off the radar completely. I know she’s likely done for the year, but that’s not really the best way to promote stars. Is she walking the shedrow? Galloping under tack? Still at Saratoga? Moving to Belmont soon? Going for a rest on the farm? Getting two carrots daily? Takes her latte with half and half? What’s up?

[Zevida]

Finally found a video of when Rachel unseated Calvin in the Woodward post parade. Looks like he jumped off because she was going to run into the pony. Not too bad except her scrambling and almost sitting down. Looks like she just got a little amped.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnR3tu2zKog&feature=related

[grits]

Impressive factoid from Steve Haskin, who notes that RA has defeated 8 derby winners this year - an unheard of feat.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/watch/D9B17071-4006-4254-B809-40C57F4DEAAF

[dogdays]

[QUOTE=Zevida;4398230]
Finally found a video of when Rachel unseated Calvin in the Woodward post parade. Looks like he jumped off because she was going to run into the pony. Not too bad except her scrambling and almost sitting down. Looks like she just got a little amped.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnR3tu2zKog&feature=related[/QUOTE]

If you play the video in slow motion, you will see that Calvin took a lick to the head from Rachel when she unseated him. It’s a credit to him, that he got right back on and ran a good race with his clock ringing!:yes:

[Linny]

I saw Rachel on Tuesday. She’s having some down time at Saratoga. She spends alot of time every day out in a round pen - ironically enough, BIRD watching.
She has not trained since the Woodward, in fact she’s only jogged.

[ivy62]

She has had an active campaign this year as a good race horse hsould so she deserves the down time…Is there a thought to running her again this year or will she be off? I hope they do keep her racing next year…Most really great fillies never produce anything like themselves anyway so taking her to the shed may not be a good idea as long as she is healthy and sound keep on racing…