The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

jon — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:20:49 GMT

I'll venture out on a limb to say that Blind Luck could beat both Rachel and Zenyatta....she has the speed to do it, and she could have beaten the males, also, this year.

So...run Blind Luck in The Haskell....

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

jayjay — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:25:12 GMT

I was all for RA running the FDL to get her confidence back, an easy race to let her get a win, an easy race to dominate other horses but I don't know what this race will tell JJ as far as determining whether Rachel is back. I guess JJ will go to her running time and beyers to determine that. If she is truly back, then she probably doesn't need to be tested against legitimate contenders before going to the Classic. I guess, we'll see it in the PE.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

sodapopkid — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:23:50 GMT

So what happens if RA loses to Life at Ten in the 1 1/4 PE race????

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

jayjay — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:56:36 GMT

I can see that as believable and my gut feeling says that all along. Saratoga would never accomodate Jess because they probably think more of the other horsemen than just getting one horse to race there.

I expected that last comment from you livesoutwest, I never for once questioned your admiration towards the "cutthroat businessman" Jess Jackson. I differ though, if I had a star racehorse, I would rather have Jerry making decisions for me because he really understands the value of the animal, not just from a financial perspective but also that IT is an animal. They do need care and understanding and love. I would rather see my star racehorse run in top level competition year after year than run in one good year then have to figure out what to do the following year, fire one of my most loyal worker and figure out a way to get my horse back in form. I also wouldn't want my decision maker having to design races for my horse, it all comes down to planning. If you plan with the horses' health in mind, the horse will give it all back to you. I want my horses' legacy to be all about what the horse did, not what the owner did to make the horse. If my horse is truly good, I don't need to make arrangements for my horse to run in a race. After all, this is HORSE RACING. Then again, it's a difference of character I guess.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

Livesoutwest — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:31:26 GMT

Disclaimer: I used to work in the racing industry, though it's been a few years. Occasionally I get some dirt from a colleague. Thought some people here (especially you, Kay) might find this interesting:

Here's the rumor swirling out of NY. The NYRA is PISSED that Jackson chose the Lady's Secret over the Ruffian Handicap at Saratoga on August 1st. Here's the story:

The NYRA was trying every which way to get Jackson to run in the Ruffian Handicap on August 1st and then the Personal Ensign on August 29th.

Jackson said, "Fine, if you want me to run in both, shorten the Personal Ensign to 1 1/8th mile." Nominations had already been taken for 1 1/4 mile, so it was too late.

Then Jackson said, "If you want me to run in both, put up a $1 Million

bonus." Bankrupt NYRA can't do that.

Then the NYRA said, "Look, your filly is training at Saratoga, we can just pull her stall." Jackson said, "Go ahead, the media will love that!"

There's more, but these posts are moderated so I really can't go any further. I'll just say the threats got even nastier and leave it at that.

My comment: I criticized Jerry Moss a lot on this blog, but as a human being, someone you would want to know and keep company with, no question he has it all over Jackson. Jess has a nasty personality and is an absolutely cutthroat businessman. He won't do business unless he extracts a concession from the other side in the deal - and he doesn't even need the money, it's just a matter of him getting over. But if I owned a piece of a star racehorse, given a choice between the two, I would rather have the decisions made by the ruthless, cutthroat guy.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

Livesoutwest — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:53:02 GMT

Rachel's next opponent will either be Quality Road in the Woodward or Life At Ten in the Personal Ensign, count on it.

As for the Ladies Classic, I think that's a fallback race for them, which they'll only run in if they're convinced Rachel can't beat the top horses. In any case, Rachel like Zenyatta last year will be cross-entered in more than one BC race to give them options. And I expect the weather to be a factor in the decision.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

jayjay — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:01:54 GMT

Let's see if JJ ducks Life At Ten. I don't think he can, he'll run out of options. It would be a really good test for Rachel going 10F if she can handle pressure going that distance, same can be said with Life At Ten. The match up with Rachel should set her up for the Ladies Classic.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

YYZGUY — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:30:59 GMT

What's the point of Monmouth Park adding a $150k to an ungraded stakes race and luring the connections of RA to this race?

After perusing the nominations, and eliminating the obvious that won't enter because they just raced yesterday, this looks another unbettable walkover of a short overmatched field.

Will RA's appearance do anything to increase the handle? Not when the race she's in is a short over matched field. IMHO.

Monmouth should get a lot of credit for trying new things to stimulate the sport, but this exhibition is a waste of purse money that could be better spent.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

Mike G. — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:50:43 GMT

Rachel's performance this year is serving to validate that her 2009 season may be one of the most overrated performances of all time. Was her victory by a head over Macho Again (carrer winner of 6 out of 24 races) really that impressive? Was her victory over Mine That Bird (winless since the Kentucky Derby) really sensational?? Was her front-running victory in the slop over the closer Summer Bird really dominating??? Perhaps the year 2010 Rachel and the year 2009 Rachel really aren't that good.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

LAZMANNICK — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:23:30 GMT

Sodapopkid

Sad to say, but this will be a money allowance race with a purse of 400K. It's embaracing to Rachel and no matter what she does, it will not enhance her reputation with most people.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

Livesoutwest — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:59:49 GMT

Did you see THIS article, Carlos? It gives a good take on what happens.

sports.espn.go.com/.../story

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

sodapopkid — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 02:33:43 GMT

WoW, after looking at the field that Rachel A. is running against in the LS next Saturday, she should have no problem jogging past this group of unheard of fillies.. What graded horses are these?? Or are they?

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

Carlos in Cali — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:36:02 GMT

Livesoutwest,

I disagree.Ellis is based in SoCal,Dutrow is Siegel's East coast trainer.I still don't see where he's blaming Ellis, it seems like he's upset @ Bejerano's terrible ride.

Maybe the article in NTRA might clarify it a bit better for you.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

Livesoutwest — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:35:55 GMT

OK, before anybody corrects me again, I meant 2008. I'm terrib;e at keeping those years straight.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

Livesoutwest — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:41:25 GMT

Right on, Monica! I also believe we haven't seen the best of Rachel yet. Whether it will be good enough to ever beat Zenyatta, who can say? Time will tell, but time can be cruel. Look at 2007. At the time of the Dubai World Cup, Curlin was king of the world, and Zenyatta had made a mere three starts. But by BC time that year, Curlin was done and I think Zenyatta would have finished ahead of him.

We'll see what time has in store for both girls. Zenyatta is still at the top of her game and Rachel is getting back to hers. There are people who say Rachel has slipped and that makes the race irrelevant now. But like you, I feel exactly the opposite.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

MonicaV — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:21:59 GMT

I have to admit that I too was disappointed in the race chosen for Rachel. I think she's ready for a Grade 1 but this hesitancy may be the result of the campaign Rachel had last year. I see all the posts saying she's not the same horse, she will be retired so on and so on. If that's your opinion you certainly have a right to that but so many people seem to forget exactly what she did last year. Oh, yes, there are lots of people who give her no credit last year because she raced against the worst horses in the country but take a closer look. She raced against the TC colts in the Preakness after two weeks rest and won, after having been hustled to the lead from the very far outside and kept the lead. 5 pound weight break and beat MTB. MTB fans hated her for that and said she stole his TC even though he came in 4th in the Belmont. She won the MG by almost 20, in stakes record time while being eased the last 100 yards and was a tick off of Secretariat's track record. Didn't matter who else was in the race she beat the clock. The Haskell was possibly her best race having won it on the slop by 6. By the time she ran the Woodward she was already tired. She had competed against males twice before the Woodward and had 7 races for the 2009 year. This was a tired horse coming into her last race. She was on the lead the whole way and was pushed hard and she still prevailed. That takes an enormous heart. She wsa put on the shelf for almost 6 months and everyone expected her to be the same horse after having been completely drained in 2009 and having lost over 100 pounds and sat idle for all that time until she had some workouts before the NOL. She lost that race by 1/2 a length and the next one by a head. She was away from the races a very long time but her last race was showing that she is just about where she should be.

Mr. Jackson has been talking about the BC for over a year and I do believe he is pointing her there. He will have to put her against tougher competition to sharpen her for that race. Right now, I think he is just satisfied with public workouts as not to do to her what he did last year.

Make no mistakes, Rachel is an amazing race horse. She has guts, determination and heart and that is her nature. At total fitness, she is a monster. It is my opinion that we will see the same horse as last year and one even better. She's older, bigger and now fit. You may think I'm crazy but I don't care. So many say she can't do this and she can't do that. It's going to be great fun watching her the rest of the year.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

kathleen o — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:57:54 GMT

The 'moments hesitation' I referred to was when Zen took note of ST's demeanor on the stretch run. She noticed it, then ignored it.

I used to love to watch my broodmares. The signals were always very subtle. In reality, the herd mentality dictates that there is safety in numbers, therefore it's very rare that mares will do any real damage to each other. My role has always been, whether with my stallions or my mares, alpha mare. It's amazing how just raising my carriage ever so slightly would back a problem horse right down.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

Livesoutwest — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:21:02 GMT

Carlos,

Mace Siegal's quote when asked about the barn change was: “It’s simple,” said Mace Siegel. “We had a game plan that included winning the Gold Cup. The race was run so slowly it was a travesty. He should have won by six lengths.”

Doesn't sound to me like he takes the horse away from Ellis if he wins the race. Besides, Ellis trained on dirt tracks for years before the synthetics were installed, so he knows his way around them. And the training tracks at Santa Anita and Hollywood are both dirt so he could work the horse on it.

I still think he's blaming Ellis for the loss. But in sports, the coach is usually the fall guy when the team doesn't play well - whether it's his fault or not.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

jayjay — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:33:41 GMT

Boyinaplasticbubble : Thanks I think, but Draynay being a pet ?!? No thanks, at least a pet can be potty trained. I can be around cats and dogs and even had a hamster but suffered with my allergies to the point that I had to give up the hamster lol. My lil girl cried for a couple of weeks until I got her Zsu Zsu, a pink one and she finally forgave me.

moodygirl : For a minute there, I thought you were describing my marriage lol. I can survive violence, but the cycle, I just don't know how to deal with it. I guess the wife will have to deal with the mare on those days (and I'll be far far away.) It's just something that I'll never understand. :)

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

Boy in a plastic bubble — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:06:23 GMT

OhMyGoodness! jayjay

I'm soooo sorry!You never had a pet because of allergic reactions?I weep for you,I feel for you.

Have you ever smelled a flower before?Please tell me how it smelled.

Maybe Draynay can be your pet- kind of like that dude in Pulp Fiction was.I'm afraid I have noticed he gets off on being told where to go and what to do with himself,shamelesssly I might add.

S.O.S. H-E-L-P

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

moodygirl — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:06:09 GMT

Jayjay, I was thinking some more about the Alpha Mare. They have all the characteristics of a wife most men would not like.

They are bossy, sometimes mean and even violent. They don't want to be touched by a stallion unless they say so and again may resort to violence if necessary. They also have food issues, better let her eat first and all she wants. Oh, and don't forget she has her time of the month every 21 days.:) Sounds a little scare, huh?

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

flashyfilly — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:41:25 GMT

I'm not sure about what is going on with Team Rachel and Team Zenyatta, but I must say I'm tired of thinking and hearing about it all. Yes, Zenyatta is great yet needs to have her horizon broadened by racing against better competition, etc. Yes, Rachel proved herself with a remarkable '09 racing year, has fizzled so far in '10, and yet the future may not become any brighter as the remainder of the year rolls by. These gals are good. No one can take away their accomplishments, just hinder any new ones. I don't know if it is greed on one side and being scared on the other side that is showing through the actions of the owners of these horses, I do wish the horses all the best but as it is said "all good things must come to an end". I say to the owners-Either do it or don't.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

jayjay — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:22:53 GMT

moodygirl : Thanks, that's a cool story too. I guess it's pretty much the same with cats and dogs like Laz said also. I've never had a pet, I'm allergic to pet hairs for some reason. I can't stay near the paddock at GG as I go into a sneeze attack and don't want to scare the horses.

If I ever get a chance to buy a horse, I think I'll start with a non-alpha. I need to learn more and be closer to them before I can tackle and alpha.

Thanks for the info! I learn more on these blogs through personal experiences than reading books.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

GailGro — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:34:27 GMT

I said at the on start of Rachael's season she would not race against

Zenyatta. While I still feel strongly Zenyatta should have been horse of year, oh well, I think Rachael is smart enough to know she doesn't feel like racing any longer. She refuses to put her heart and soul into it because she has lost that love for racing. She should be retired. There have several other great youngsters' who made the discovery, after a fantastic 2/3 year old campaign that they just didn't like it anymore and refused to win.

re: The Rachel Show: The Year's Most Disappointing Drama

Carlos in Cali — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:32:53 GMT

Livesoutwest,

I don't think they're making Ellis the scapegoat for RT's awful ride.They had planned his relocation to the east before the HGC in order to acclimate him to the dirt surfaces before the BC.I know I read that somewhere..

Plus,the Siegal's regularly use different trainers like Ellis' brother-in-law Paul McGee(mid-west) & recently Dutrow(east) when relocating their horses.