What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Nancy — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 03:14:21 GMT

Hey Joe - how about the only horse to win the Preakness from the 13th hole in 138 years? The fact that it's a filly that did it is even more impressive. Too bad your blinders prevent you from recognizing a historical feat.

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Linda/Maryland — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 14:44:47 GMT

I am very dissapointed with her retirement and that she was totally mismanaged this year.

My only hope is that she is healthy and is able to be happy in her retirment. They certainly did not make her 2010 year happy for her at all.

I am through with J Jackson and any horse he "Purchases Race trained, just purely because he has the money." He doesn't deserve a horse like Rachel.

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

ZenFan — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 22:24:46 GMT

I love all the comments from the arm chair quaterbacks... excuse me owners/trainers. RA was last year's HOY and she deserved it. Zenyatta will be this year's HOY even if she loses the Classic. Each mare has accomplished something outstanding and what is that point of trashing them, their owners and trainers?

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Saratoga AJ — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:15:26 GMT

I thought originally her retirement was pre-mature in view of the fact that the Monday a few days earlier she realed off a great workout at Saratoga's training track, (5F, 48:4, fastest of 50 that day).

After the Beldame, which Asmussen was training her for, I'm POSITIVE it was premature. She would have romped.

Think about it. In the Personal Ensign on 8/29, she gave weight to Life At Ten and absolutely buried her by 10 lengths. Then Life at Ten wins the Beldame easily. And let's not forget they would have raced at equal weights in the Beldame. And the fact that Rachel loves Belmont and it's one big sweeping turn 9 Furlong course. After all, she almost broke Secretariats track record in the Mother Goose, and that was with Borel easing her up the 1/16 of a mile.

Jackson should have let her go out a winner, if not at the BC, at least in last Saturday's Beldame. I hear Asmussen was not a happy camper with the decision.

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Mike Relva — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 21:51:44 GMT

ZENYATTALUVER

That's the difference bet I love Zenyatta as much as you,but can appreciate what a truly great racehorse RA is.

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

ZenyattaLUVER — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 13:37:10 GMT

I have never liked Rachel, never will. Thats just me. I think her retirement WAS horribly unneeded! She had a good workout, so they retire her? I am confused on WHY they did, but we will probably NEVER KNOW!!

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

RHO — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 04:58:59 GMT

I am a zenyatta and rachel fan I have followed the girls for a long time,and I must say I think they got it right when they picked the 2009 HORSE OF THE YEAR.I have respect for the Moss family but I would have a lot more respect for them if they left california more then once a year! Rachel had the most exciting career, and thats why I think she is the better of the two!!!!!!!!

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Meydan Rocks — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 08:38:44 GMT

markinsac,

Fascinating. I had no idea that Beyer come from a long line of handicappers. Thanks for that story.

Shines a light that I hadn't seen before.

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Racingfan — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 05:31:17 GMT

I am sad that Rachel is retired and surprised at the timing like everyone else. But I am also quite surprised that so many are condemning the choice to run in the Woodward. I specifically remember a number of posters complaining that they took the "easy" route by choosing that race instead of the Travers. Nobody was hollering for them to put her in a filly race. It appeared that nobody (probably her connections most of all)expected that race to be so hard on her. Especially since it was being billed by many as "ducking" the Travers competition. But it seems that with the fans it was a no win for them. I don't think it's fair to second guess everything they've done. Mistakes may have been made but hindsight is 20-20 for all of us. She was a great horse and I really enjoyed watching her. I will miss her!

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

jayjay — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 05:25:11 GMT

dianne : When you find a race where RA ran against males in slop in Kentucky, post it here.

Also, when you find a horse that comes from dead last EVERYTIME, regardless of pace and runs mostly in G1s and WINs everytime, call me. I think it's just impossible for any horse to do that. Let me know. :)

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

jayjay — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 05:15:17 GMT

Kelly : I don't get it either, there are RA fans on this blog that can't seem to stop themselves from blaming Zenyatta for anything that happens to Rachel. They don't talk about her owner but they can blog forever bashing Zenyatta.

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Dr Drunkinbum — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 03:52:06 GMT

Zookeper

Have a great time tomorrow. Let me know what you think of Jaycito, who now has Mike Smith on him. Big day, Twirling Candy, Zenyatta, bloggers. Wow!!! I knew you knew that I knew what you knew. Or something like that. Be safe.

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Footlick — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:54:39 GMT

I agree ElPrado. Her 3 yr old year was stellar.

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Kelly in Chicago — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:28:18 GMT

Why must every display of excellence by animal or human these days necessarily provoke such vehement naysaying? What if we were never again allowed to marvel at Secretariat's 31-length Belmont victory without having to hear someone point out that the rest of the field ran the race in 2:30 1/5 or slower? Let's be tolerant enough to allow others to get as excited as they want about Rachel Alexandra or Zenyatta (both of whom have impressive resumes), whether or not you agree with just how impressed others are. This sport is too fraught with "downs" to get angry whenever you feel someone else is too excited about one of the "ups." It's inarguable that both Zenyatta and RA are rarities and deserving of our appreciation. Let's all attempt to show some of the class that these two fillies have always shown.

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Zookeeper — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 23:05:58 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum,

I DO know you better than that, that's why I went to sarcasm first. Then, it occured to me that you might be teasing me... that's when the fuse came into the picture. :)

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Mike Relva — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 22:54:21 GMT

DIANNE

Kay is correct,you don't have to run on a wet track to be great. Get a grip!

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

ElPrado — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 22:01:17 GMT

One mare you are completely ignoring, and you shouldn't, is Dance Smartly.

Rachel was not the greatest filly ever. DS won a colt triple crown, then came down and stole the Distaff back away to Canada.

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Kay — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:00:36 GMT

dianne:

"We will never in our lifetime see another horse or filly have the times, slop, 5 tracks, males, 13th preakness slot, Haskell, Woodward etc. records. That Rachel had.

When Zenyatta runs in the slop in Ky against the males, call me."

When Rachel beats males at 10F, call me. Oh wait... that will never happen.

I wasn't aware of the fact that in order to be considered great, a mare had to beat males at 10F on a sloppy track. Interesting yardstick you've made up there. Especially since it makes so many fillies and mares not great. For the millionth time (not that you people pay any attention to the facts), Zenyatta scratched from the Louisville race because the track was SEALED, and because it was her first start of the year. Why don't you call up some of those East Coast trainers and ask them how they feel about a sealed racetrack? Start with Nick Zito, and get your earplugs ready.

It's a shame you can't appreciate Zenyatta, but it's really your loss at this point. What a bizarre racing fan you seem to be...

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

dianne — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:58:18 GMT

We will never in our lifetime see another horse or filly have the times, slop, 5 tracks, males, 13th preakness slot, Haskell, Woodward etc. records. That Rachel had.

When Zenyatta runs in the slop in Ky against the males, call me.

In fact if she ever runs on a damp track call me! Not even Big Brown juiced could have beaten her at her best. Curlin was beaten by AP Indy daughter, I say forget Curlin, Beg, APIndy for a date!

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:01:13 GMT

Zookeeper

I don't remember ever trying to light your fuse. That was sarcasm !!!! The link, low speed figures, people not liking horses when they run too much on synthetics etc. etc. etc. Not understanding their greatness when most of their races are on synthetic. You should know me better than that !!!!!

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Dianein Maine — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:23:21 GMT

I wrote at the beginning of 2010 campaign that I thought Wiggins would have been the better trainer for her. I admire Jackson for going for a 4 year old run, but they mismanaghandled her. Sometimes Jackson's ego seems to get in the way. I certainly agree that the Woodward may have "fried" her. Z is a great horse, but RA deserved her Horse of the Year because she ran against the boys three times. I wish Jackson had gone to Calif., but maybe there were other factors. Let us celebrate a great filly. I am sure going to miss her. I'll think of her in green pastures under golden sunshine having a good run of her own choosing.

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

joe schmoe — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:16:33 GMT

Chris,

I stand by my earlier comment that you can skew facts to make your case look stronger than it is to the uninformed. If 8-10 Fillies had contested the Preakness EVERY year in the past 85 years and she was the only one to win that would be a big deal. Since only a couple have attempted in that time it's not such a big thing. That FACT on top of the fact she beat nothing that day makes it not so big of a deal in my world "pal".

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Zookeeper — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 06:29:05 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum,

"Isn't it strange that there hasn't been even one decent horse since California switched to synthetics" What? I hope that was sarcasm... or are you trying to light my fuse? :)

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Bob — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 05:27:29 GMT

I am just wondering. If Zenyatta wins the BC Classic are people going to finally shut-up about RA and just admit Zenyatta is the greatest mare of all time and to even mention RA in the same sentence is an insult to Zenyatta?

I mean, look who she lost to this year. One season, unless you are Secretariat, does not make you a legend.

She didn't even compete in the Breeder's Cup!!! That alone says a lot. Don't give me the synthetic argument because she won on it at Keeneland.

It's too bad RA was sold. Who knows what might have been.

re: What I Think About Rachel's Retirement

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 03:29:46 GMT

Zookeeper

Isn't it strange that there hasn't been even one decent horse since California switched to synthetics, and isn't it strange that the horses get the blame rather than the California Horse Racing Board? The only thing Zenyatta ever said to me was, "Darn, synthetics, they're going to synthetics, oh well I'll just make the best of it. That's a shame. I can run like the wind on dirt."