LIVE BLOG FROM OAKLAWN PARK
By Ray Paulick
There are a lot of people sitting on pins and needles in Hot Springs, Ark., this afternoon, all waiting to see what happens at Santa Anita Park and Fair Grounds when two-time champion Zenyatta and Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra make their 2010 debuts in anticipation of their long-awaited match-up, scjheduled to take place in the $5-million Apple Blossom Invitational at Oaklawn Park on April 9.
From the hotel and motel owners, bar and restaurant operators, the folks who sell their front lawns for parking spaces to souvenir stand concessionaires and Oaklawn Park owner Charles Cella, everyone has the same question: Will they both show up?
Consensus seems to be in the 50/50 to 60/40 range that the Battle of the Amazons will take place, though anyone who’s been following Rachel Alexandra’s camp carefully in recent days wouldn’t be surprised to see Jess Jackson burst racing’s bubble and say his filly won’t come to Hot Springs.
Behind the scenes, there have been discussions for national television for the Apple Blossom, though the Paulick Report has learned that NBC Sports, which will have its camera and crew in place at Oaklawn Park for the April 10 Arkansas Derby, has passed on the opportunity.
If that’s the case, the best opportunity for the Apple Blossom will be on ESPN, which is currently scheduled to show the second round of the Masters golf tournament from 4-7 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) If the published reports of the last couple of days are true and Tiger Woods makes his comeback in the Masters, and has an afternoon tee time for the second round, a 7-8p.m. Eastern time slot would have a terrific lead-in audience.
Sunset in Hot Springs will be around 8:35 p.m. (Eastern Time), and track officials are planning to put the Apple Blossom very late on the card. Thus, it’s possible the race could go off at close to prime time in the East Coast and a reasonable time for a wide viewing audience in the Midwest. But many West Coast are more likely to be sitting in their car on a freeway at post time for the Apple Blossom.
A further indication of ESPN’s interest in the Apple Blossom could come later today when they may cut in to SportsCenter to show Rachel Alexandra’s and Zenyatta’s comeback races. Let’s all hope for a safe journey for both of racing’s superstars.
Today’s attendance at Oaklawn is probably in the vicinity of 25,000, and it’s not easy to navigate through the crowd lined up for beers, food and wagering inside the gr7andstand (not to mention the long line for the ladies room). I can’t imagine what this place will be like on April 9 if Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra are here.
5 p.m. … Oaklawn Park’s general manager, Eric Jackson, stopped by the press box and updated the Paulick Report on plans for the Apple Blossom. It looks pretty the certain the race will be run at 7:45 p.m. (Eastern) as the 11th and final race on the program. Jackson said. That makes a one-hour ESPN spot all the more likely following hte Masters from Augusta. While some will complain that racing needed to be on a broadcast network, the 7-8 p.m. timeslot on the networks belongs to local affiliates who fill the hour with trash like "Access Hollywood," "Entertainment Tonight" or with game shows like "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune."
Jackson talked bluntly about the economics of offering a $5-million purse for the big race. "God bless Charles Cella," Jackson said. "From a sporting standpoint, this is one of the greatest gestures in the history of the sport. From a business standpoint, as I said to the racing commission, it’s the dumbest thing Oaklawn Park has ever done.
"We can’t make a dime," said Jackson, indicating the Friday of the "Racing Festival of the South" would have been a sellout with or without the two champions. "But that didn’t enter into Charlie’s thinking on this."
Prices will remain the same as usual at Oaklawn Park on Apple Blossom (hot tip–the Reuben sandwich for $6.50 is a steal), though private parking lot operators said they will charge as much as $50 a spot (up from $20 on Rebel Stakes Day). The infield will be open, and for the first time Oaklawn will have hospitality and corporate sponsor tents there–even though they don’t have any corporate sponsors yet. "We had a staff meeting when we first came up with this and someone said, ‘You want us to do in seven weeks what most people have a year to do?’" Jackson said. "I told them, ‘No, we actually have eight weeks now.’"
Handicapper Paul Skelton tried to convince Jackson the Apple Blossom day races will be stronger along with the following day’s Arkansas Derby because horsemen shipping in will sent other horses to fit the card. Jackson thought about it for a second and said, "Okay, maybe now we’ll only lose $4.7 million instead of five. That makes me feel a whole lot better."
So it all comes down to what Bill Murray’s character in "Caddyshack," Carl Spackler, got the time he caddied for the Dalai Lama and got stiffed on his tip. "I say, ‘Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know.’ And he says, ‘Oh, uh, there won’t be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consiousness.’ So I got that goin’ for me, which is nice.
So will Charles Cella and Eric Jackson. Gunga galunga.
5:40 p.m. … Well, if the Tampa Bay Derby is any indication of how this day is going to go, it could get a little strange. Odysseus, making his stakes debut after romping to a 15-length allowance/optional claiming win at Tampa Bay, surged to the lead right at the wire to edge Schoolyard Dreams by a nose in a weirdly contested race. Super Saver, the 3-2 favorite who set fractions of :23.52, :47.02, 1:11.74, and 1:37.42, was a close third for trainer Todd Pletcher. Final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:44.37.
Rajiv Maragh had Odysseus in a perfect striking position throughout the Tampa Bay Derby but the Malibu Moon colt looked to be struggling at the top of the stretch, falling back to fourth or fifth position when Schoolyard Dreams moved to the lead. But as Schoolyard Dreams and Super Saver battled in the final sixteenth, Odysseus squeezed between them and had just enough to get up at the wire and win in a head-bobbing finish. Local hope Uptowncharlybrown had a rough trip from the rail, having to block and steady around the final turn before winding up fifth. Gleam of Hope was pinched back to last after the start but rallied into contention on the stretch turn before fading to fourth.
The winner races for Satish Sanan and family’s Padua Stables and was the 2-1 second choice in the wagering. The $250,000 OBS March 2-year-old purchase, bred in Kentucky by Haymarket Farm and Lakemont Stable, is trained by Tom Albertrani.
6 p.m. … Saw Airdrie Stud owner and former Kentucky Gov. Brereton Jones earlier in the card and didn’t think much of it when he said he’d only been to Oaklawn Park three other times, and each time he ended up winning a graded stakes race on the day. "Of course, I don’t really know if we belong in this field," Jones said about his filly No Such Word’s chances in the Grade 3 Honeybee Stakes. All I could think about as the Canadian Frontier 3-year-old filly pulled away from favorite Beautician and the rest of the Honeybee Stakes was "Thanks, Gov!" The filly is trained by Cindy Jones, whose husband, retired trainer Larry Jones, is one of the most recognizable hotwalkers in all of racing.
6:16 p.m. … The fillies are walking toward the starting gate for the New Orleans Ladies and I notice that Rachel Alexandra has taken about $975,000 of the $1 million in wagers in the show pool.
6:20 p.m. … It got awfully quiet at Oaklawn Park when Zardana pulled up alongside Rachel Alexandra and then went right on by in the stretch run of the Ladies to win by three-quarters of a length. Trainer Steve Asmussen has been telling anyone who would listen that he’s concerned Rachel wasn’t quite fit enough, and guess what? He was right.
Zardana, coming off a fourth-place finish in the Santa Maria Handicap for John Shirreffs–YES, THAT JOHN SHIRREFFS, also the trainer of Zenyatta–is a Grade 2 winner of the Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park who was ridden to perfection by David Flores. Zardana settled into third position while Fighter Wing set fractions of :23.84, :47.22 and 1:12.86 for six furlongs. Calvin Borel had Rachel Alexandra second early, racing wide around the first turn and then just off the leader down the backstretch while appearing a bit eager. She moved to the front before hitting the far turn, but was quickly under attack from Zardana, who had all the momentum entering the stretch. Rachel Alexandra fought back, feeling the sting of Borel’s whip four times from the left hand four times from the right, but then the rider wrapped up on the filly when defeat was certain.
The winner, a Brazilian-bred daughter of Crimson Tide was winning for the eighth time in 19 starts. She is owned by Arnold Zetcher. Zardana paid $21 to win on a $2 mutuel. Unforgotten was a distant third, followed by Fighter Wing and Clear Sailing.
Here’s the New Orleans Ladies Chart.
6:45 p.m. … Zenyatta did her job, winning the Santa Margarita with yet another dramatic stretch run. More in a few minutes, but let me just say that Mike Smith did one hell of a job negotiating through traffic at the top of the stretch, then swinging ooff the fence and winning comfortably without ever going to the whip.
6:52 p.m. … Champion Lookin At Lucky just got up to win the Rebel, defeating Noble’s Promise by a nose, with Dublin third. That wasn’t what I would call a comfortable win, and I’m not thinking Lookin At Lucky looks like a horse who has another three-sixteenths of a mile in him.
6:55 p.m. … Planning to escape the press box for a while and catch the post-Rebel press conference. Back in a little bit. Need to catch my breath. Too many exciting races in too short a time.
7:30 p.m. … Horses in the paddock for the day’s final 3-year-old prep,. the San Felipe at Santa Anita.
7:35 p.m. … I asked one of Lookin At Lucky’s co-owners, Mike Pegram (pictured, left), if he thought after today’s narrow win in the Rebel if he thought the Smart Strike colt could get a mile and a quarter for the Kentucky Derby, and he had a quick response. "Mickey Mantle never knew he could hit a curveball till they threw him one. This horse is an athlete."
Trainer Bob Baffert said jockey Robby Albarado aboard Noble’s Promise put Looking At Lucky in a box near the half-mile pole and said jockey Garrett Gomez told him he got bounced around a little near that point of the race. Watching the head-on replay as the horses were pulling up when Gomez could be seen saying something to Albarado. "Look, he’s telling him something," Baffert said, "He’s saying, ‘You sonofabitch!’"
Dublin ran a solid third behind the top pair after moving toward the lead at the top of the stretch.
7:50 p.m. … Like taking candy from a baby. That’s how easy the win by Sidney’s Candy was in the San Felipe. Under jockey Joe Talamo, the John Sadler-trained colt cruised through soft fractions of :24.39 for the opening quarter mile, :48.55, 1:13.53 and 1:36.26 en route to a final clocking for the 1 1/16 miles of 1:42.30. Interactif chased early and late, finishing second, beaten about a length, with American Lion third after taking back off the early pace while wearing blinkers for the first time. Sidney’s Candy was coming off an easy win in the seven-furlong San Vicente Stakes, so this was the Candy Ride colt’s first try around two turns.Sadler’s other entrant, Dave in Dixie, a stretchrunner, never fired.
8:00 p.m. … I am still in absolute awe of Zenyatta and the manner in which she won the Santa Margarita, spotting from 11 to 15 pounds to her rivals and coming off a four-month layoff. Today’s win was "only" by 1 1/4 lengths, and the filly that finished second, a 51-1 shot named Dance to My Turn, is obviously not a world beater. But when Smith was caught in traffic at the top of the stretch more than a few people watching the telecast around me said ‘She’s gonna lose.’ But just as in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Smith found room along the inside (he’s not Five-Wide Mike any more), then guided her into the clear to make a breathtaking run to the lead in a matter of strides.
I don’t want to get in the 2009 Horse of the Year debate, but those who continue to put Zenyatta down mystify me. What more could they possibly want her to do? 15-for-15 is pretty darned good.
Here’s the Santa Margarita chart.
8:25 p.m. … Media relations director and race caller Terry Wallace stopped by for a chat and you could feel a great sense of disappoint about the Apple Blossom from him—not that the race or the day will be any less exciting for racing fans (with or without Rachel Alexandra, since Zenyatta is scheduled to come here either way). "If both fillies were to come here off a win, this would have really given the sport something it needed," Wallace said. "It will still be a big day, but this really took the starch out of the sails." He agreed that it would be like a prize fighter losing his warm-up bout before a championship boxing match against an opponent he’d never faced. Racing people understand that prep races are meant to get horses ready for something bigger down the road, but the general sports fan or non-racing media person might not. The New Orleans Ladies should be viewed with the same significance as a spring training game for Major League Baseball or a pre-season game in the NFL.
The only problem with that philosophy is that Jess Jackson wants to win them all, and now that Rachel has lost carrying his silks I’m afraid he will back out of the Apple Blossom,. even though veteran horsemen I spoke with after the New Orleans Ladies thought it was an excellent prep race for Rachel Alexandra.
8:45 p.m. … Bouncing around yet again, I want to revisit the Rebel Stakes. Lookin At Lucky really had a rough trip, according to the Equibase footnotes: "Lookin At Lucky, bothered start, settled off the pace and on the inside, jumped across Noble’s Promise heels when that one came out just outside the half-mile marker, quickly recovered, advanced four wide into contention turning for home, set down, late bid, gained the nod in a game effort."
"There was a lot of race riding going on. They put him in a spot," said Baffert, who said he got exactly what he wanted out of the Rebel, whether Lookin At Lucky had gotten up to win or not. "This was kind of a Kentucky Derby experience he got." Baffert hasn’t been to Oaklawn Park for over a decade, but said he really liked the dirt surface of the main track, saying it’s as close to Churchill Downs in its composition as any track he’s seen. He even told the track superintendent he’d like to take him back to California with him. (Of course, I have to wonder how many days Baffert would be here before he started complaining about the track surface, something he’s known to do just about anywhere he’s been stabled.)
He said "anything’s possible" regarding the next start for Lookin At Lucky, though indicated the Wood Memorial or the Arkansas Derby would be the most likely spots. He compared Looklin at Lucky to the first of his three Kentucky Derby winners, Silver Charm. "You know he’s gonna give you everything he’s got," Baffert said. Speaking of Silver Charm, it was when he was considering what to do with Bob and Beverly Lewis’ horse after scratching out of the Santa Anita Handicap that he said, "We could either go the Oaklawn Park for the Oaklawn Handicap or Dubai for the Dubai World Cup (which Silver Charm won), but it’s a lot easier to get to Dubai." The private jet owned by one of Lookin At Lucky’s owners made Baffert’s trip to Hot Springs a little easier this time around.
Here’s the chart for the Rebel Stakes.
Here’s the chart for the San Felipe.
9:20 p.m. … Oaklawn Park is becoming one of my favorite racetracks in the country. It’s all about horse racing, and the management and staff seem to always put on a good show. Today’s attendance turned out to be 36,298. Yes, a lot of them came in hopes of winning the pickup truck and boat/trailer given away, but find me another track that packs ‘em in like this on the weekends. From Arkansas billionaires to farmers in bib overalls they love their horse racing here in Hot Springs and the whole region that Oaklawn Park draws from.
Come April 9, the day of hte Apple Blossom Invitational, this place will be jumping again, whether or not Rachel Alexandra shows up.If she is here, she’ll be a lot fitter and better prepared filly than she was today in the New Orleans. And if she isn’t here, racing fans will be treated to what I think is the greatest female Thoroughbred in my lifetime. It will be a day to remember…. no matter what.
That’s it from Oaklawn Park.
Tags: Apple Blossom, Charles Cella, espn, fair grounds, Hot Springs, jess jackson, Masters, nbc sports, New Orleans Ladies Handicap, oaklawn park, Paulick Report, Rachel Alexandra, Ray Paulick, San Felipe, santa anita park, Santa Margarita, SportsCenter, Tampa Bay Derby, Tiger Woods
March 13th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
How do you spell FRAUD.
March 13th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
I wonder what affect this will have on the race with Zenyatta. That is if it is still on.
March 13th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Oh boy,. here we go…so much for the Oaklawn race between Z & R…maybe it will be Z & Z… one other thing to note. I’m trying to watch the socalled “live feed” on the NTRA website…and the website itself won’t even load!!!!! I see many people twittering about the pathetic excuse for technology at the NTRA….Yeah..go baby go….whatever…
March 13th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
NTRA website probably crashed.
Rachel probably needed the race, and they did say she was 80 percent. I will be curious if they will let her run in the Apple Blossom.
March 13th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
You spell fraud NTRA. As in NTRA.com which crashed and no live racing was actually broadcast. Rachel on the other hand proved she needed the prep to get into shape. She’ll be ok..
March 13th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
if the REAL horse of the year wins her first start back today, I’m almost certain Jackson will not run Rachel against her. I know I wouldn’t. If Zenyatta is the mare I believe her to be, she will run Rachel into the ground. I like Rachel, but she’s no Zenyatta!
March 13th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
at least we know the NTRA isn’t investing their money in technology….so where is it all going??? oh right…never mind….Avioli’s pocket, among others. What a painful joke they are
March 13th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Just saw the replay. Rachel Alexandra appears fit as any horse can be. She put up a good fight. Except that what every Zenyatta fan has been saying for months now she only beat marginal horses at best last year played itself out in this race.
Today she got a taste of real competition.
I’m afraid that this will not be the only loss for RA this year.
March 13th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Rachel Alexandra had absolutely NO excuses today. She is fit. Trainer Asmussen has done a fine job with her. Except that what came home today was the God’s honest truth. Rachel Alexandra is just a fine horse. Nothing more. She had a great year beating so-so horses.
Today, she was exposed for what she really is.
She is not in Zenyatta’s class.
March 13th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
THE REAL HORSE OF THE YEAR…ZENYATTA….SHE WAS ROBBED!!!! RACHEL WILL NEVER EVER BEAT THAT MARE…
March 13th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
I agree with Tiznowbaby and RyeHill. I personally don’t think Rachel needed to win today to be in top form for the Apple Blossom. She’s had a 6-month layoff, an accelerated training schedule, and issues to deal with in that training schedule (e.g., the rain). And she only lost by 3/4 length running at 80% of her ability.
I hope Mr. Jackson decides that she’ll be ready for the Apple Blossom, but I’d rather her not run if she can’t be 100%. There’ll be plenty of time for her and Zenyatta to duel before the BC Classic.
March 13th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Great year beating so-so horses? Are you delusional?
March 13th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if you hear about an “injury” she has sustained during the race and is retired….I wouldn’t be shocked at all…in fact, I’m expecting it…just wait. Jackson will not continue to run her knowing she isn’t up to running with the BIG MARE.
March 13th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Zenyatta to Mike Smith: “Rachel who?”
March 13th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
RACHEL GOT BEAT BY SHERIFFS 3RD STRINGER. CASE CLOSED
March 13th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Rachel Alexandra being 80%. Come on folks, you don’t know that. She got beat. Can you say it. Rachel Alexandra got beat.
She’s not that good.
Already, their are people twitting their remorse over their vote for HOY for her.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Rachel could have been off for two years and was still supposed to beat that weak bunch. A real HOY doesn’t fold it up like that. Done.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
“not quite fit enough”–”running at 80% of her ability” and she couldn’t beat these?
Congrats Arnold, John and David!
March 13th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
I just watched the replay and Rachel ran ok. She should get something out of the race. She definitely “looked” fit, maybe even a bit “light” to me.
MarginMaine,
No what Zenyatta said was. “Send Rachel my address…I WANT MY HOY AWARD BACK!!”
March 13th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
wait a minute…What Zenyatta is really saying is “forget about HOY, they can just create a new award …HORSE OF THE DECADE, that’ll work for me”.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
“Zenyatta should have won HOY in 09 because she ran on dirt in 08. Rachel should have lost HOY in 09 because she lost in 10.” How do people justify these rationalizations?
Zenyatta folks should just hush and let her do the talking on the track this year. Even last year I thought she would have beaten Rachel, but I still think Rachel had the HOY campaign.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Wow the emotion of people just after a race is quite amusing. Rachel losing meant absolutely nothing. All it did was ensure I’ll get a fatter price in Arkansas.
See you there Zenyatta.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Thanks Ray, for live-blogging this. Wasn’t at home and forgot to set the DVR, so this live blog and twitter is how I found out who won what today.
Oh yeah, I tried watching it on NTRA. And wanted to break my computer. Which I should have known would happen.
As they say on Twitter: “@NTRA #fail”
March 13th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Is it final that Dublin took 3rd? I saw the race too but per the DRF, they’re showing “Uh Oh Bango” for Show. Was Dublin taken down?
http://drf.com/static/results/13/rOP13.html?rn=314458#10
March 13th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Molly indeed. Thanks Ray for the live blogging. Sitting in Australia trying to watch NTRA.com made me want to break my computer…
March 13th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Ryan,
this is horseracing….LOSING does mean SOMETHING…
SORRY!!!!
March 13th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
JS,
Ask yourself something. Was today the day that mattered?
Nope.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Ryan,
Fatter price on whom in Arkansas? If you mean the field against Zenyatta, then perhaps 5-1. If you mean Rachel Alexandra, you might get a better price on the Nets winning the NBA Championship.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Bloodhorse’s website is down. This evening has been some great racing!
March 13th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Ryan,
Zenyatta won ANOTHER G1 today….what did Rachel do?
They are not in the same CLASS. I get emotional about this because I truly believe Zenyatta may be one of the GREATEST mares this sport has ever seen…and for her to lose a notable award to a horse that will not be remembered in the same way is not just sad but WRONG. I’m just so glad the Moss’ decided to run her this year. She will rewrite history herself.
I won’t write another thing…the BIG MARE will do all the talking for me and the others who know she was ROBBED.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Just saw the replay of the Santa Margarita.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a horse that can will herself to win races with shear determination and strength.
Not even the great Secretariat.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
WOW! I must be in a minority in that I have loads of respect for both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. Rachel’s campaign last year was one for the ages and she was a worthy Horse of the Year. Zenyatta I think gets better and better and would have been a worthy Horse of the Year last year. That being said I think Rachel will be up against it, if she shows up at Oaklwan. Zenyatta seems about to unleash a campaign that will be unreal. Rachel is going to have to step it up. That being said, lets hope both these ladies have great years.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME,ZENYATTA PEOPLE STILL CRYING ABOUT LAST YEARS HORSE OF THE YEAR,EVEN LAST YEAR,I NEVER SAID THAT RACHEL COULD BEAT ZENYATTA,ONLY THAT SHE HAD DONE MORE IN 2009,I STILL FEEL THAT WAY.THIS YEAR MIGHT BE ENTIRELY DIFFERENT,QUALITY ROAD COULD BE HORSE OF THE YEAR.IN ORDER TO GET ANY SERIOUS RESPECT,ZENYATTA WILL STILL HAVE TO STOP RACING IN HER OWN BACKYARD.
ONCE AGAIN,TODAYS RACES PROVED ABSOLUTELY NOTHING AND WILL NOT HAVE ANY BEARING ON HORSE OF THE YEAR 2010.
NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TO RACHEL,ZENYATTA HAS TO LEAVE THE FRIENDLY CONFINES,BE IT IN THE APPLE BLOSSOM,THE BREEDERS CUP OR SOMEWHERE ELSE.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
I know it won’t stop the Zenyatta people crowing from the rooftops about how terrible Rachel is, but anytime the trainer tells the press that he has serious concerns about his horse’s fitness it should tell you something. I’m not sure where everyone got that 80% from but I’m not sure Rachel was even 80%. If they weren’t trying to make the Apple Blossom I doubt she would have been in that race today.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Just remember, JS, Zenzatta beat a buncha nothing today on her good ol’ polytrack.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
JS,
Your’re absolutely right. It always has to be that way based on east coast bias. We’ll just sit back and let Zenyatta doing our bidding.
March 13th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
What today proved is that Zenyatta is still perfect, wins at will no matter stands in her way, add another Grade 1 win to her win total with 127lbs, further cements her legacy among the greatest racehorses of all time, and further infuriates people that her lost HOY Award last year was one of the the greatest injustices in horseracing history.
What today proved that Rachel Alexandra was fit to run, didn’t win against a Grade 2 winner, and exposed that the level of horses she beat last year were marginal - at best.
March 13th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Ok folks what we’ve witnessed today at Santa Anita is the beginning step in a quest to establish Zenyatta as the most incredible race horse to EVER set foot on a racetrack. At 127 lbs she won with Mike acting as a NASCAR driver maneuvering through wreckage from side to side without drawing a deep breath. What awaits her now is not a race against Rachel (bless her heart she tried so hard but was just not quite ready) in the Apple Blossom but rather a mission to pass Peppers Pride (remember 19-19) and fittingly become the greatest of ALL TIME. Racing fans everywhere should revel in Zenyatta and enjoy her races this year for we are likely to NEVER see another like her in our lifetime.
March 13th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
The ONLY horse I think could have a chance of beating Zenyatta is Quality Road. There I said it…I think he could test her.
March 13th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
I think Colonel Jessep said it best. We’ve got to have loads of respect for both horses. And I’m hoping Rachel shows up at Oaklawn for the Apple Blossom. She no doubt needed the race today though.
March 13th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
This deal is over.
Jess will not run in the Blossom. He will take her back to the east coast and let all of you fools drool all over her again. Zenyatta is without a doubt the finest mare I have seen run in 50 years. She is huge, entertaining, and in a class by herself. RA is a great mare as well but she beat a bunch of bad three year olds last year.
March 13th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
I think Rachel looked “light” and a bit weak today. She hasn’t filled out as well as a 4yo should. She still looks like a rangy 2yo. I hope they don’t push her too hard. Maybe last years campaign was just too much for her. When you compare her demeanour to Zenyatta’s they’re like night and day. One exudes strenghth and confidence and I don’t see that in Rachel. At least not today. And getting beat never help a filly’s confidence.
March 13th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Next stop - CIGAR/CITATION’s record.
March 13th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Folks,
Rachel Alexandra ran her race today. She didn’t do ANYTHING different from last year.
That is, if you take out the California shipper, that is.
You take out Zardana, she would have won in a romp.
This should speak volumes about the 2009 HOY Award.
March 13th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Say, Ray, that’s William Murray, the racing writer, in the photo, right?
(He passed away five years ago this week.)
Oh, well, there goes The Big Payday.
I say we blame Jennifer Flowers!
(I’d go with Monica, but she’s out of reach, training up in Finger Lakes.)
March 13th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Don’t know what the connections will do as regards the Apple Blossom, but it’s clear from her race that RA is either not the same horse as last year or simply not fit (at least for the highest level). If it’s the latter, she may be able to run back to last year but it seems very doubtful that she would be able do so by the time of the Apple Blossom. And it’s just as likely (if not more so) that she will regress from this race rather than improve. The only other race on the card with which to compare her race was an earlier allowance race which had slower fractions but a faster final time. But those were only allowance horses; perhaps some good horses in there but hardly world-beaters. If she were my horse, I would not run her in the Apple Blossom.
March 13th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Zenyatta = un-be-lievable (again). On to Oaklawn…
March 13th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Hey # 42 Cigar & Citation were passed by the New Mexico bred Peppers Pride….How do you not know that!
March 13th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Zenyatta is doing her talking on the track…looks like we’re in for a real treat this year. What a hoss.
March 13th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
MOUSSE - Peppers Pride doesnt count, we;re taking graded stakes competition - not new mexico breds….with all due respect to New Mexico breds….cant even compare…
March 13th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
When asked if Rachel Alexandra got enough out of the race to go on to the Apple Blossom, Asmussen replied, “Well, if I thought she’d get beat I wouldn’t have run her today, so I’m definitely going to be cautious.
This does not sound like a trainer that didn’t feel his horse was ready for this race. This was a quote after the race from Steve Asmussen.
Zenyatta carried more weight today than the colts did in all of their races. She came back off a layoff and carried 127 pounds. How that big mare manuvered herself as she did today, is amazing.
March 13th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Woosy ass Jess Jackson will bail on the Apple Bloosom just like he did on the Breeders Cup.
March 13th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
We won’t see RA again any time soon, certainly not at the Apple Blossom. They ran her into the ground last year, used her up, and she may never be the same again. She’s had more than six months to recover but still couldn’t beat a third-stringer from the Sherriff’s barn. It’s a sad day for racing because this puts into jeopardy any chance of a showdown with the incomparable Zenyatta. The “race of the decade” may never happen. At this point Zenyatta seems invincible.
March 13th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving group;
Rachael and her connections
Zenyatta and hers.
The real Horse of the Year showed up today.
Like I said before, the Race will never happen.
Jackson you can’t buy your way to success no matter how much you spend, Who are you going to sue now.
March 13th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
It can’t be billed as the “race of the decade” any longer. RA is no match for Zenyatta. Never has been..never will be.
And this debate isn’t about belittling RA, it’s about HONOURING a truly EXCEPTIONAL CHAMPION….BEYOND COMPARE!
March 13th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Jackson was and is trying to create some excitement with Rachel but unfortunately it might come at the expense of the horse. That filly was run very hard last year and she deserves respect. I believe they should reconsider running her back against Zenyatta. It wouldn’t be fair to Rachel. There isn’t any disgrace in doing RIGHT by your horse. I hope they do the right thing. Unfortunately, that means less “excitement” for racing fans. But the alternative is too scary to think about.
March 13th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Another bad ride by Calvin Borel. His last one on RA featured repeated whipping to get her to the finish line in a desperate finish. Today, he just sat there thinking he could coast to the finish and let another horse run by, realizing too late it had happened.
March 13th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Anyone who thinks they can predict what will happen in a horse race , may also think they can predict the date a mare will foal. Neither is ever a certainty & anything can happen.
I think RACHAEL ALEXANDRA will be at the APPLE BLOSSOM in AR. win , loose or draw.
Unless the mare has truly sustained an injury, I am going to give Mr. Jackson & his connections the benefit (sp?) of the doubt , because this challenge is just too hard to resist for the true sportsman and will be recorded in history.,etc , and will be one of the most exciting events one could imagine !
#38 mentioned that only QUALITY ROAD could ever beat ZENYATTA , but I saw GIO PONTI come REAL close at the Breeders Cup World Championships 2009 . WHAT a Classic that was !!!…and don’t forget CONDUIT, VALE OF YORK, and so many other excellent horses.
ZENYATTA is an AWESOME mare, AWESOME !!!!….BUT as I said , anything can happen in a race & until the race has been run , there will be no 100% in anything..THIS is why horse racing is so exciting and what makes the sport so great for those involved.
It tingles me JUST thinking about it ! GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE !!!!
March 14th, 2010 at 1:32 am
Today, Zenyatta gave from 12 to 19 pounds to the field in her first race in four months. She hit a wall of horses at the 3/16 pole and had to weave around like an NFL running back but then won easing up with her ears pricked - all Mike Smith had to do was steer. Today, she tied Colin’s record for North American perfection in Grade 1 company at fifteen wins and no losses - from 100 years ago. Ribot’s world mark of sixteen wins and no losses - from 50 years ago - is just ahead. Somehow, Zenyatta always knows where the finish line is and that it’s her job to get there first. And she always does. We should celebrate the fact that we’re able to witness what just may be the greatest race mare in history - and one of the greatest horses we will ever see.
March 14th, 2010 at 8:52 am
I am pretty confident Rachel won’t be in the Apple Blossom, which is too bad - I have tickets! It’s quite obvious Zenyatta is a super mare and I think anyone who saw the two race today would agree that Rachel just doesn’t compare to Zenyatta. And I hate to say that as I think a lot of Rachel, she did wonders last year, but she is no Z.
March 14th, 2010 at 8:54 am
I forgot to mention, I totally agree with JS’s post, No. 54. It’s not about belittling Rachel, as she is a very special filly.
March 14th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
JS - agreed. Quality Road - had he loaded at Santa Anita - might have changed things up at BC. 2010 he’s looking even better!
Agree again with JS, post #55. I doubt either horse is in her stall muttering, man, I really need to race against the other one.
This match-up is about the people. Prestige to be “the track.” Fan pressure, at an almost insane pitch. Dissing one magnificent TB over another? Why? Both are deserving of respect and awe.
The Apple Blossom is early - middle of the prep race season. What’s the rush (unless of course you are “the track?”) I hope they just let the horse dictate what’s next.
March 14th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Hey did anyone read Borel’s comments after the race…..he kind of through JJ, Steve, Scott under the bus. Ray you should look into this a bit….
March 14th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
I thought it was courageous of Borel to say his mind but it could be his demise.
Since there is no match up race now for the Apple Blossom it changes the race build up but they needed to do what was right, for once. Zenyatta is nothing to laugh at. She is the real deal even though some people do not see it because of her CA connections. I am hoping she will show everyone what she truly is capable of doing. Winning!
March 14th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
They are jumping ship already. ASSMUSSEN saying she didn’t have the training, now BORAIL, can’t wait to hear Jacksons excuse.
March 17th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
The blog looks good. Maybe improving the website design will make it look more professional and earn you more followers. Keep up the good work!