NO RACHEL IN THE BELMONT

by | 11.17.2010 | 12:47am
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Statement by Jess Jackson on behalf of Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick


“Rachel Alexandra is an incredible thoroughbred who has proven to be the best three year old in racing today. We are elated by all the attention her wins in the Oaks and Preakness has garnered the sport. The many letters and emails we have received from young girls and racing enthusiasts lets us know that many fans are proud of Rachel.  When we purchased Rachel, our goal was to restore the sport’s vitality and grow its fan base by extending the racing careers of its stars.


After careful consideration, we have decided not to run Rachel Alexandra in the Belmont Stakes next weekend. We have advised Calvin Borel, Chip Woolley and Belmont of our decision.  We thank them, the media and the fans for their many courtesies and patience while we pondered.


We know the media and many fans would have liked to see her run in the Belmont Stakes — we feel the same. But all of us sincerely interested in the horse must agree that we only want to see her run when it is best for her. While she is in great shape, having strong works, and recovering well from her amazing performances, we feel Rachel deserves a well-earned vacation.  Since March 14, Rachel has won four graded races with just two weeks rest between her last two victories.  We will always put her long-term well being first. And, of course, we want to run her when she is fresh. 


Rachel, her owners, her trainers and her fans can continue to anticipate an exciting campaign.  All major races will be considered as we look to the rest of Rachel’s racing career.”

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  • D. Masters

    WOW!!! I guess the old adage, “no answer IS the answer”.

    WOW!!!!

    Go MTB and CB…Go, Baby Go! Best wishes and that all come home safe and live long lives.

  • http://myspace.com/jock4hire jock4hire

    Way to go team Asmussen/Jackson!! It really wouldn’t have been worth taking the chance with such a brilliant filly. She’s gonna have her hooves plenty full if she gets to face Zenyatta later in the year. Four graded stakes since March is a very rigorous schedule. I’m glad to know that your concern is for your horse first!! They are the most important part of this sport! It’s about time someone started to show it!! Thank You, lj

  • Joe

    “No Rachel in the Belmont”: great, that’s what I was hoping for Rachel.

  • Margrethe

    What a surprise. She won the Preakness on pure ability. She hadn’ t been trained for it. She must have walked a week before purchase, as the original connections were pointing for the Acorn. Jackson milked every possible bit publicity out of the suspense.
    We look forward to seeing her run this summer when she is ready.

  • http://www.theknightskyracing.blogspot.com The_Knight_Sky Racing

    When we purchased Rachel, our goal was to restore the sport’s vitality
    and grow its fan base by extending the racing careers of its stars.

    __________________________________

    LOL what a tease. :D
    Big strong beasts todays unable to bounce back even after 21 days of rest.

    Let’s be realistic and put the onus on all the breeders and trainers to “restore vitality”,
    it is their responsibility not a single horse like Rachel Alexandra.

  • Saratoga Johnny

    Gee from that windy statement you would have thought that Jess Jackson was withdrawing his nomination to the Supreme Court. While he is stil a pompous, arrogant, self-indulgent windbag, he did make the right decision here with Rachel Go Calvin.

  • Priscilla Peabody

    “proven to be the best three year old in racing today” ???

    That cannot be determined off of one race. It remains to be seen who is the best three-year-old and it won’t be decided until the end of the year.

  • Tiznowbaby

    Although she ran out a convincing winner, she was obviously laboring at the end of the Preakness — probably from having to work harder over a track Calvin said she did not like.
    This is just no surprise, and I don’t think it’s even being overly conservative.
    I do think it a bit of hyperbole to call her the best 3YO in racing today. Would love to see her prove that.

  • Ida Lee

    Well, as much as I love watching Rachel race (or do anything for that matter), I’m glad she’s going to get some time off. I don’t know if she’s the best three year old racing today but if she’s not, she’s close. And I would love to see a race with Rachel and my other two loves, the mighty Zenyatta and the lovely and talented Stardom Bound. Yes Sir – I love my Fillies!!!!

  • http://aol Dagmar Sykora

    Very smart decision on part of team with Rachel A.Filly who is a front runner and likes to clip 23 and 46 and change and 1: 10 would perish by the 3/8th pole.Mile and 1/2 is not her distance but she has a chance to look Zenyatta in an eye in last 1/8th of the mile in the Breeders Cup after Zenyatta will come from about 15 lenghts out of it and they will hook up in the strech.Besides the filly(Rachel A.even though winning )did struggle a little and rest is best think for her.

  • Glimmerglass

    Good to see and thankfully an example of better judgement. No need to recreate the excitement of the Preakness again at the expense of what will be a solid summer campaign. That hopefully will include the Travers Stakes.

  • Richard Coreno

    Doing right for a racer…that is why Mr. Jackson is a shining light in the industry.

  • jr

    Don’t buy the windbags statement. She’s got a problem.

  • Bill

    They knew they weren’t going to run her in the Belmont weeks ago. That horse is spent from her Preakness effort, and has been since she crossed the wire. Atleast he ended his grandstanding charade a few days early.

  • Bill

    “Doing right for a racer…that is why Mr. Jackson is a shining light in the industry.”

    – He’s a shining light of someone to avoid.

    If he wanted to do right by the ‘racer’ he would have not run her in the Preakness. He should have given her the scheduled 5 weeks off and we’d be looking at her trying to prevent MTB from winning the Triple Crown. Now, that would have been great for racing.

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