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Here’s a link to the raplay of the race in case anyone missed it.
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/ … id=4449257WHat an incredible race by a superstar filly!! I was shaking watching the stretch run and thought for sure Macho Again was going to collar her in the final strides but Calvi Borel reminded her that she was getting company and she locked down for the drive, digging in with all her might. It is an incredible thing to see a 3yo filly whoop some good older males for the first time in Woodward history. She is a filly for the ages for sure! Sooooooo classy! In the paddock with thousands of fans screaming her name and waving banners and signs, she doesn’t even turn a hair. She did get a little feisty in the warm up and starting bucking around and Calvin slid off and calmed her down before galloping to the backside. Once she got to the gate she was fine, I thinkt he crowd just really stirred her up. Macho Again has one heck of a stretch run and he closes very strong. He has shown up in nearly all theraces he has run and recently hasn’t finsihed out of the money very much. Bullsbay is a just monster! He is HUGE and so barrel chested you would think he was a draft horse cross! He came to tackle her and she fended him off and stayed out front but she was gawking a bit so Calvin got after her a bit to put her head back into he game. They showed a replay just after the race where they slowed down the final furlong and it shows when Calvin asked her and you can see it in her demaeanor and body l;anguage that she knew she would have to dig down more and that is exactly what she did to hold off the charge by Macho Again. As for her facing Zenyatta (who’s running style is almost exactly like Macho Again), Sea the Stars, Goldikova, etc., in the Classic…It will never happen. Jess Jackson has stated multiple times that he won’t race her over synthetics. He sid allude to this possibly being her last race of the year but also said he likes facing challenges and that there could be another challenge around the bend for her but he wouldn’t elaborate on what that could be. The possibilities for her for the rest of the year are facing Zenyatta in the Beldame (which is highly unlikely as Zen’s connections have pointed her to the Lady’s Secret at Santa Anita and I doubt they’ll ship her for the Beldame) or possibly the Jockey Club Gold CUp (againsty older males again going 1 1/4 miles). I doubt a Dubai trip or a Breeder’s CUp trip will ever be in her plans. Either way she is a deserving champion and a superstar filly that we are lucky to have the privilege of seeing this year. If they shelf her until next year and she comes back as a 4yo (that is the plan) she will be a monster when she is 4!!
WAY TO GO RACHEL! WHAT A CHAMPION YOU ARE!
(this latest victory in the Woodward undoubtedly sews her up for Horse of the Year)Curlin ran poorly because that’s as good as he was. He never did anything or beat anything of any worth on the dirt in sensible conditions. All he did was win a BC Classic in the mud and scare off the opposition in the World Cup. The only performance resembling class was in the Handicap, I forget the name. Stephen Foster Handicap? I think he beat Einstein by about 8L or something. That was the only time in my eyes he was impressive and absolutely no surprise that he was destroyed at Santa Anita. Was embarrassing to see the racing journalist world drooling over him after Dubai. Fat Al’s piece might as well have been a photoshopped picture of him sticking his tongue up Sheikh Mo’s [expletive] while giving him a card saying ‘Thanks for the bail out’.
Zarkava,
With all due respect you talk as if Curlin was a nothing…He beat Street Sense in the Preakness…Battled hard with Rags to Riches to get second in the Belmont…Battled HARD with Lawyer Ron(RIP) in the Woodward and JCGC…He did NOT disgrace himself at Santa Anita AT ALL on BC day last year…I was there…He rane a very respectable race considering he had never raced over a synthetic track…He DID beat up on the World Cup field and the Jaguar Trophy before that…He beat MANY Gr.1 winners from all over and never dogged opposition. Curlin WAS a good horse and in no way a shrinking violet that’s for sure. Unfortunately synthetic didn’t play well for his running style since it typically doesn’t compliment route speed which Curlin had. Believe me he was a monster too…VERY impressive to see in person. The winner’s circle celebration was subdued compared to the standing ovation Curlin got walking back. Raven’s Pass and Henry ran GREAT races and were just better equipped for the win that day. COngrats to them as they were both awesome to see battling each other but it was also nice to See Curlin still manage to hold 4th after a grueling race and a hard campaign leading up to it. He deserves respect as he ran his heart out on many occasions and was a true class act.Also, just read this article tonight:
(Courtesy of Thoroughbred Times)
Woodward may be Rachel Alexandra’s 2009 finale
by Jeff Lowe
With the Breeders’ Cup World Championships out of the equation and a showdown with Zenyatta still an uncertainty, owner Jess Jackson said Rachel Alexandra may get a break after the Woodward Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.
Jackson left the door open for an opportunity to get Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra together on the track this fall, but he stressed that her physical condition will come first and that she has earned a four- or five-month rest in the near future.
“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.
“I want to give her four or five months rest,” Jackson said. “She’s certainly entitled to it.”
Jackson touched on a lack of depth in the older male division, which will be stretched thin between the Woodward on Saturday and the $1-million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) on Sunday at Del Mar.
Among the older males who will concede eight pounds to Rachel Alexandra in the Woodward are Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) winner Macho Again and runner-up Asiatic Boy (Arg), ’08 Woodward runner-up Past the Point, Whitney Handicap (G1) winner Bullsbay, OBS Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes winner It’s a Bird, and Grade 2 winner Cool Coal Man.
“What you’re witnessing is the failure of people with great horses to race them in their four- and five-year-old years,” Jackson said. “It’s an issue that racing needs to face. I’m not in any way discounting Macho Again or any of the horses in this race, they are the best of what’s in that age group. We felt it would be a further definition of Rachel if she could take on older horses.”
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer
Didn’t know where to put this but every time we lose one of our favorite runners to injury, daeth, or retirement it could be classified as a "low" for sure. Just read this tonight:
Courtesy of Thoroughbred Times:Group 1 winner Lush Lashes retired
Group 1 winner Lush Lashes has been retired from racing, trainer Jim Bolger told Racing Post.
The four-year-old Galileo (Ire) filly won five of 14 career starts and banked $2,386,374. She will be offered at the Tattersalls December breeding stock sale.
Lush Lashes won four of ten starts at three, including victories in the Coronation Stakes (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot and the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-G1) at Newmarket. She also won the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes (Ire-G1) last year but was winless in three starts this season for Bolger.
"She was one of the most talented and versatile fillies I have trained,” said Bolger, who conditioned Lush Lashes for his wife, Jackie. “She was beginning to show bits of wear and tear, so we decided not to take any more chances with her."
Bolger purchased Lush Lashes for $102,072 at the 2006 Goffs Million yearling sale. From the family of 1990 CIGA Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) winner and sire Saumarez (GB), Lush Lashes is out of the winning Anabaa mare Dance For Fun.
It sure would be an exciting matchup but unless Zenyatta ships Jackson has stated Rachel will never run on the "plastics" as he calls them. Too bad because I think he is denying his filly a chance to prove she CAN do it…and win! She is really something before every race…just as cool as a cucumber whereas Zenyatta is a beast…she walks like a Tennessee Walking Horse and paws the ground as if taunting he ropponents. She is a character.
There is a Breeder’s Cup win and You’re in race at Del Mar this weekend Sunday) as well in the Pacific Classic. Whoever wins gains automatic berth into the Breeder’s CuP Classic. There are a few good horsesin there and it should be a good race. I am sort of anxious to see who wins. On our forum we try to keep track of all the Win and You’re In winners so we get a better idea as all the prep races are ran as to who may be coming and to which race. We have a local horse (Assessment, as mentioned above) that is going to the Dirt Mile so I am excited to at least have a "home team" (from Seattle) to root for…assuming he makes it inmtot he starting gate that is….*fingers crossed*
I am really curious and looking forward to seeing Rachel run in the Woodward on Saturday. I have a friend who is going up to Saratoga to see the race. Since I am going to the Breeder’s Cup this year at Santa Anita I am truly bummed that her connections won’t send her as well. She has won her only start over a synthetic track but serious considering that there is a big division between supporters and opposers of synthetic surfaces and Jess Jackson is an opposer and if of the belief that Curlin got disgraced last year (which he didn’t) because he ran on "plastics" I doubt he will send Rachel. I would be shocked if he did. Too bad too because this filly is a monster and I think her mentality is so professional and she is so classy that she could totally handle it. The surface does seem to favor closing speed as opposed to route speed which is more Rachel’s style so perhaps they are afraid she won’t be able to hold her speed and will get caught up by big closers with a running style much like Zenyatta’s. I dunno. I wish they would bring Rachel to the BC but feel that as of now it is juct chasing a pipe dream. I am no pro when it come sto analyzing synthetic surfaces vs. dirt ones. Is there a similar debate over in Europe about the safety of synthetic tracks as opposed to traditional dirt and if so are there more injuries to horses on any particular surface more than the other? Just wondering.
I just attended the Longacre’s Mile (a WIn and You’re In race for the BC) a couple weeks ago and the Mile winner, Assessment looked fabulous! They just announced that he is going to go to the Breeder’s Cup. He doesn’t show any decent wins over synthetics BUT they will ship him in early and perhaps run him in the Goodwood.
I just read today that Tiago (who came in 3rd in the Classic last year) is coming back with a Classic goal in mind.
I too hate that Jackson won’t give Rachel a chance. She is already a proven winner on synthetic and she is a such a classy filly she could handle it I am sure. Talk is that Zenyatta is supposedly going to take on the boys in the Classic as opposed to the Ladies Classic. If she does that Careless Jewel will be a danger in the Ladies Classic.
I am perhaps one of the only ones but I don’t think Rachel and Zen should ever have to meet. I say we enjoy them while we have them both and if they can both be champions at the same that is just fine by me.
I am hoping he holds his form leading up to the BC too! He is just an awesome colt and I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about him recently. I wish we had better access here to watch his races as we usually have to wait for them to be posted on YouTube before we can replay them and sometimes there are races I would just love to watch live.
As for STS in the Calssic, well he looks like he’ll handlt the switch to the synthetics with ease (most turf horses do well over it) BUT if they decide at the last minute NOT to run him in the Classic (don’t know WHY they would do that but IF they did) then the Turf would be a good race for him too as I think I have read that he likes a firmer ground and so the Santa Anita turf course should play to his liking as it doesn’t get to much rain down there in sunny SOuthern California. If I remember right, last year when we were there the last week of October (it was almost freezing here in Seattle) and it was in the upper 70’s low 80’s the whole time. Bliss for those of us who had already busted out all our layering winter clothes! It was a shock to be able to wear sandals ands shorts at that time of year! LOL! Either way, the turf there is usually firm and if what I read is true that could play up for STS as well and he’ll have two options at the Breeder’s Cup.
Haha! you think you guys have it rough! LOL! Over here (in the USA) sometimes we have more televised Volleyball or Little League (kids) Baseball than we do haorseracing and RARELY will they even show the horse races on National television but insdtead putting in cable TV channels that many don’t have anyway because they are considered add-on premium channels and therefore a specialty channel. It is tragic ( I have the horse racing channels) to hear about so many people who have to wait to replay a certain race or two over the web because they was no avalability. Sorry but I would MUCH rather watch horse racing than Volleyball or Kid’s Little League Softball! UGH!
Stacelita~
Thanks!! I am so curious and interested in Euroepan racing and just love reading the enthusiasm here which is similar to the US. It’s nice to see people stick with and root for (and defend….since there will ALWAYS be naysayers no matter where you are. We have had flat out rivalries over the years and it seems the horses always develop a following but usually that is a biased following and most of the time they cannot even recognize the accomplished of their "rival". We are seeing alot of that recently with Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta.
I am excited that Sea the Stars is coming to the Breeder’s Cup. Do you know what race(s) they plan to prep him for it in next?
Does anyone know if they are thinking of send Sea the Stars to the Breeder’s Cup this year?
Gerald,
Thanks! Voodoo Prince (how appropriate for a "Weegie" baby)…Is that her Kingmambo colt?? Is she in foal again to Kingmambo (do you know) or another sire?THANKS so much for the link…I will avidly follow any stories about her I can get as I just loved her and nvere wavered in my support of her in any of the races I ever saw her run in . A brilliant turf mare for sure and I look forward to see ing if her babies can replicate her brilliance.
Moehat,
I absolutely HAVE heard of Ouija Board…………I LOVE OUIJA BOARD!! I miss her…she was a brilliant girl for sure and I wish I had had the chance to see her when she came to the US for her amazing Breeder’s Cup wins. WHere is she? HOW is she? I’ll bet she is spoiled and still beloved by all. I know she had a Kingmambo baby but haven’t heard anything further after that. Is she in foal again or has she had other babies?
Another mare I would have just LOVED to see was Makybe Diva. Holy Smokes she was tough girl too! Her 2005 Melbourne Cup win gives me chills still. We have had some phenomenal fillies and mares the last few years (all over the world). And how about "Goldi" winning the ‘Le Marois"? Sounds like it was a good race by her…Do you know of a link where I can watch it? All we have (so far) is just a word replay on it but it sounds like it was a good one.
I am afraid I don’t know anything about The Ante-Post King but Most Welcome sounds like a gritty horse who was a thrill to watch. It is true we tend to lose them so young sometimes. We had a couple stallions here this year died prematurely and it was so sad because they were so healthy and strong and the POOF they were gone.
Slew DID almost die once of a collapsed jugular vein. He also overcame some injuries and ailments but none of that diminished his star power or quality. He was a formidable opponent willing to battle any horse who took him on. He is the only undefeated Triple Crown winner. His grandson (my friend’s horse) is alot like him in temperment and it is such a joy to be so close to some of racing’s immortal blood!
Here’s the link to Seattle Slew’s website if you are interested in reading about him and his impressive career (both as a racehorse and as a stallion). He is a racing icon here for certain.
http://www.seattleslew.com/If you ask me, I’d MUCH rather watch them ride around the track in the rain (after all I live in Washington state, USA where it rains more rains than 99% of the rest of the country) than parade around anywhere else. LOL! Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still wear a fancy Derby hat every year on Kentucky Derby day but other than that I’ll traipse around in the rain to watch them run! Hopefully not too much rain however other wise the tracks get too soggy and dangerous for the horses and jockeys.
