'Rachel Alexandra': back to work in 2010

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Eventer13;4076955]
OK, I don’t really follow racing, so could you all tell me why everyone seems to hate Jess Jackson? He’s one of Curlin’s owners? Didn’t a few of them go to jail? [/QUOTE]

I think I voiced my opinion on JJ enough with the long Whooowhoo Curlin thread

In the interest of clarity the original owners of Curlin - who’ve retained a 20% interest - under Midnight Cry stables have been the ones convicted and reconvicted on embezzlement of funds, lost their right to practice law, and went to jail.

[hitchinmygetalong]

Jess Jackson came into the Bluegrass with a boatload of money from his other ventures, bought a beautiful farm, many fine horses, then proceeded to alienate just about everyone in the TB business by trying to “clean it up”. His attitude was completely “you are all wrong and I am the only one who is right”. Not a great way to make friends or business partners.

He was right in many ways, and maybe he has brought some self-awareness to some of the dubious dealings routinely practiced. But when he started his campaign with some flashy headline-grabbing lawsuits, well, he was a pariah after that. However, he has enough money that he doesn’t need any friends.

Oh, and the main reason Curlin continued racing? Because of the messy ownership problems, period. I would be willing to bet on it.

Speaking of Curlin… I haven’t heard of any mares in foal to him yet. How about you?

[ravenclaw]

I don’t have good feelings about this. :no: I guess it could be worse, though. She could have gone to IEAH and Rick Dutrow. I can certainly understand Jess Jackson wanting to buy her, but (as others have said) why change her trainer when he has done such a great job with her. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I am so sad for Hal Wiggins.

On another note, why do so many people dislike Steve Asmussen? I have heard he is a jerk, but what does that mean exactly? Is he arrogant? Moody? Does he treat people badly?

[Blinkers_On]

I like Asmussen. The sale was destined to happen one way or the other. People, like JJ, have boatloads of money to toss around and he does. Any bloodstock agent, trainer with owners with that much money to toss around would have been foolish to not even make an offer. When horses run big races there is always someone on the phone before the horse has cooled out. Part of the game.
It is a shame that Wiggins didn’t get to keep her. IMO that could have been something that was left in the sale contract. BUT JJ is also kind of very loyal to Steve. Good for him.
I sincerely hope that the filly will take this in stride with as much class as she has shown thus far in her short career!

[Glimmerglass]

Next plans for her work schedule …

Asmussen, who saddled Curlin to his 2007 Preakness victory, indicated that like most of his runners nine to 10 days after a race, Rachel Alexandra would have her first recorded workout on Sunday or Monday.

Dominic Terry would be her regular exercise rider and she would go out in the second set, around 6:15, each morning.

[Mara]

[QUOTE=ravenclaw;4077250]
I don’t have good feelings about this. :no: I guess it could be worse, though. She could have gone to IEAH and Rick Dutrow. I can certainly understand Jess Jackson wanting to buy her, but (as others have said) why change her trainer when he has done such a great job with her. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I am so sad for Hal Wiggins.

On another note, why do so many people dislike Steve Asmussen? I have heard he is a jerk, but what does that mean exactly? Is he arrogant? Moody? Does he treat people badly?[/QUOTE]

That was my fear, that IEAH would get her.
I don’t have a problem with Jackson. Yes, he has money. Yes, he was perhaps a bit arrogant to come charging in thinking he has SO much money that he alone can change racing and save it. But the dual agency disclosure regulation was needed.
He’s given every sign he’s in racing for the long haul. Racing NEEDS more owners who breed to race instead of for the sales ring. Asmussen isn’t my favorite, and I sure hate it if Borel loses the mount on the filly, but I’m not altogether unpleased to see Jackson come out the winner.
We knew she was going to be sold - it was just a matter of time. Jackson may actually run her through a 4YO campaign if it looks like the thing to do. Better him than Sikura (who would retire her right away and try to get her in foal yesterday), or Coolmore (same scenario). Darley - who knows? And thank god it’s not 15 years back in time or the Japanese would have their mitts on her in a big hurry-MDO as well, and we’d never see her again.

[poltroon]

I just hope that whenever she retires, she’s still going sound and strong. Lovely filly.

[saratoga]

I feel bad for the trainer too but I think its great that she will be racing against the boys. It seems like the horses nowadays only last a season, if that, and running her in the Acorn and those filly races dont seem like much of a challenge. Watching her run against the boys will definitely generate a lot of excitement and she sure seems to be good enough!

[iloverocky]

[QUOTE=ravenclaw;4077250]
On another note, why do so many people dislike Steve Asmussen? I have heard he is a jerk, but what does that mean exactly? Is he arrogant? Moody? Does he treat people badly?[/QUOTE]

I don’t like him because he has a long record of suspensions; a couple of years ago, he was suspended for six months, and if I am not mistaken, he is in the midst of fighting another potentially long suspension. The only good thing I can say about the man is that his horses are well groomed and in good flesh (but that could be all the steroids).

As far as Jackson goes, he is an obnoxious old man who wants to be in the spotlight and talks about all the things that are wrong with racing, with special attention to all the drugs and how bad they are and should be banned and then sends his horse to a trainer who is consistently in trouble for medication violations.

[Glimmerglass]

It looks like Jess is a bit - as feared - far more fixated on the breeding:

USA Today 5-7-09 “New owner skeptical of running Rachel Alexandra in Preakness”

Jackson and new trainer Steve Asmussen also must weigh what can be done to enhance Rachel Alexandra’s chances of gaining horse of the year honors.

“I’m quite aware that winning a classic race against males would assure her consideration as horse of the year,” Jackson said. “But it doesn’t add any value to us except for her foals.”

Jackson is motivated by Rachel Alexandra’s breeding prospects, calling her a “perfect mate” for Curlin, who was retired at the end of last season. “Curlin certainly represents a super horse,” he said. “There aren’t many that come along like him. And I don’t think you will see another like her (Rachel Alexander).”

[DLee]

I read that he was more interested in running her in the Belmont as it suited her style more.

[rcloisonne]

[QUOTE=DLee;4078276]
I read that he was more interested in running her in the Belmont as it suited her style more.[/QUOTE]
Huh. I would think the Preakness much closer to her style. Has she even run/won at more than a mile and an eighth? Not that she couldn’t…

She’s a freak for sure and like other freaks it’s doubtful she’ll be able to reproduce herself in the breeding department, Curlin or no. :winkgrin:

[Mara]

I’d rather see her go for the Acorn, CCA Oaks, Alabama. Then maybe the Woodward, and if she performs well there (meaning a decisive win), send her on to the Classic.

Just maybe.

[Barnfairy]

@rcloisonne;4078398

She’s a freak for sure and like other freaks it’s doubtful she’ll be able to reproduce herself in the breeding department, Curlin or no. :winkgrin:

Exactly.

Screw Curlin; I’d be bringing Roar mares to Medaglia d’Oro.

JJ has been giving me the creeps ever since the Eclipse awards. First it was the sudden appearance of the van Gogh facial hair (is Asmussen rubbing off on him?), and now the procurement of Rachel Alexandra as part of his plan to arrange the marriage with Curlin.

[hitchinmygetalong]

I repeat my earlier question: Has anyone heard of any mares in foal to Curlin?

[Mao]

[QUOTE=hitchinmygetalong;4078762]
I repeat my earlier question: Has anyone heard of any mares in foal to Curlin?[/QUOTE]

I’ve heard some buzz about Curlin being a bust in the breeding shed. Or maybe he’s just off to a slow start.

[Lori_T]

According to Calvin’s mom-in-law:
The new owners are trying to get RA into the Belmont. If that happens, Calvin will be the rider.
In that case, he obviously will not be riding MTB and the owners have stated they don’t want anyone else on MTB.
Can anyone say HEARTBURN?

Also, Calvin will be on Jay Leno next Tuesday night!

[lizathenag]

and we all remember how well the Genuine Risk-Secretariat mating went. . .

[pinkdiamondracing]

@Mara;4077431

I don’t have a problem with Jackson. Yes, he has money. Yes, he was perhaps a bit arrogant to come charging in thinking he has SO much money that he alone can change racing and save it. But the dual agency disclosure regulation was needed.

My problem with Jackson is he seems to be a bit of a hypocrite— dual agency and disclosure???
Well, how about disclosing the "undisclosed " purchase price??

The enquiring minds want to know, Jess, just how much money are you willing to pay to buy a horse you can’t outrun with one of your own??

[VirginiaBred]

From Bloodhorse:

Stonestreet Stables, majority owner of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, and partner Harold T. McCormick announced May 8 that Calvin Borel has agreed to ride Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra for the current racing season.

Also, Stonestreet said it plans to run the filly in the May 16 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).