The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

LDP — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:41:03 GMT

Rechelle,

I think QR is good up to 9 furlongs, possibly the Preakness distance, but thats it. I know his sire has a rep for siring very fast horses that can get the distance, but i don't think QR can beat the best at 1 1/4. He is very talented, but IWR i think, could've beaten him at ten panels. Your question on UB, she just isn't the same horse she was a couple years ago. CB, she won a, i believe grade one on turf, at the end of last year, and i thought had run on turf a few times prior to that. Also form seems to transition better onto synthetics than dirt does. If RA wins the Woodward, then goes on to win the Beldame, she has beaten every age group, which, IMO means a lock for HOTY.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

belles forever — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:49:29 GMT

i guess this post is not very relevant this week.summer bird dusts the travers field btw he is much more than just a nice horse..i hope this win shows that jackson did indeed make the right choice..some will say that the woodward isn't tough..look out for that macho again horse he has a really funny way of showing up when ya least expect it.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Rechelle — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:50:43 GMT

LDP, I saw that Unbridled Belle came in last, what happened in her race??? Music Note ran a great race earned a decent speed figure. Cocoa Beach came in 4th, but I don't understand the desire to switch her to turf. If Sara Louise enters the Beldame, if NYRA can get Zenyatta out there and Music Note runs, as well as Icon Project runs, it could be a good race. Right now, Rachel has nothing to prove, certainly not against Quality Road. Quality Road didn't answer the questions asked in a very impressive style. He was tired by the mile pole and got third on class alone. I don't think he is a classic distance horse. He seems to be an explosive sprinter. But I don't think a race over a mile suits him. I look forward to seeing Rachel run next weekend and winning. I saw that Summer Bird is heading to the JCGC. That might shape up into a good race and a win there or the Beldame would be a nice way to close out her season.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

LDP — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:57:51 GMT

Rechelle,

UB, just finished last today, and prior to the Ballarina, MN had lost her only race this year. I didn't see CB rac but, out of her last two she had won once. MN also beat Indian Blessing, who i do feel is good, but is not in good form and is a sprinter. Zenyatta is the only horse who has had any real success this year. Now after today if you want add Icon Project into the mix, fine, but the other three still have a lot of catching up to do.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Shane — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:30:37 GMT

very quiet on here now. Well do we still have to worry about QR diminishing RA's greatness?Pletcher is not Jimmy Jerkins....Jerkins made that horse get 1 1/8 not pletcher. Pletcher has a string of stakes horses but when has he consistently won a classic or breeders cup race without him having 5 horses in the race and that is usually because the owners switch horses that are already stakes horses to him and they dont do any better actually they usually even off or go down in my opinion. which aint worth much lol.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Mike Relva — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:10:07 GMT

CARLOS IN CALIF.

Your remark regarding calling Tim Ice a "flash in the pan". Tell me,how's that working out for you now after his horse won the Travers? lol

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

robinm — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:26:56 GMT

Now that the Travers has been run does anyone still think Rachel had more to prove running in the Travers than in the Woodward?

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

robinm — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:34:14 GMT

I've not had a chance to review all of the comments so I hope to be forgiven if I repeat what has already been said (maybe 100 times); I love Rachel Alexandra and I love Quality Road. I'd love to see QR prove he would have been a contender in the classics and I'd love to see RA do something no filly has ever done. I think JJ has made the right choice and I am convinced no matter the perceived quality of the field RA faces in the Woodward, if she beats older males she is HOY even if she doesn't run again this year and no matter what any other contender does the rest of the year.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Householder — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:30:29 GMT

Jason. Bo Derek usually makes opening day at Del Mar...sometimes with Arnold. Perhaps we can get Bo and Jerome "Zenyatta" Moss (another CHRB board member) the same day. Your right about the money. We are lucky to have any Cal racing synthetic or dirt. The State of California owns Del Mar which grants the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club 20 year leases. Its lease is up this year. Its beach front view in on the list of possible state sales along with San Quentin Prison. Hollywood Park will soon be a pile of rocks much like Bay Meadows and I'm not sure what the status of Santa Anita's Chapter 11 is. Pretty soon we will be racing our horses up and down the Interstate 5.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Tim G — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:10:45 GMT

LOL, fact is it's a requirement.

I argue more about others horses than I do my own. Who can I rag on with them, myself?

Potato Chip, you're cracked. Stop the double dipping.

The Arkansas Derby is a G2, the Sunland Derby isn't even graded and look what has come out of it the last year.

The committee is stingy with their gradings and not always on target IMHO.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

GreyK — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:07:30 GMT

Greg J wrote: Dray,

More people want to see Rachel vs. Quality Road rather then Zenyatta vs. Rachel??? Are you feeling OK???

*********************

Uh-oh, maybe I should call my doctor. I'd rather see Rachel face Quality Road. Three year-old versus three year-old. Speed aganst speed. And if Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra ever get in the gate together, I'd have to choose sides.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Jason Shandler — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:01:25 GMT

It's a blog Nancy. Debating is what we do here.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Nancyb — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:58:51 GMT

These comments are like we are trying to start WW3. This is horse racing folks. No guarantees. Please stop confusing your favorites with "knowledge"

The horses belong to the owners and the choices are up to them and their crew.

An added note - each horse should run in their best spot. How would the wonderful Pepper's Pride have done back east? Obviously, Zenyatta's people don't want to move her around. Let's give JJ a break - RA is trying to give us all a thrill. Let's sit back and enjoy.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Zippy Potato Chippy — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:53:49 GMT

JR,

I agree. There are too many stakes designated as G1. Just too many. Keep the classic G1 races and cut the rest. Then it may force the issue of the best running against the best.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Mike Relva — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:33:54 GMT

DRAYNAY

I understand,you and I were a fan last yr. of the same horse. Good luck on your weekend selections,hope it goes well.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Rechelle — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:27:34 GMT

LDP, how can you call the older mare field weak? We've still got Unbridled Belle, Cocoa Beach & Music Note running, and those are 3 very talented mares. If we could get Zenyatta out east, that'd be 4 very talented mares. But I agree with you now, seeing that the JCGC was moved a week later, I suspect that is where Rachel will make her next start (and most likely final start of the season).

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

JR - Adam Man — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:48:42 GMT

Great Posts all. Couple opinions:

- Jess Jackson is a great sportsman. Curling racing at 4, Rachel in the Preakness, can't fault him for the woodward. At least he tries . he is what the sports needs more of.

- Even though we are not the owner, we have every 'right' to challenge Jess decsions. That is what sports debates are all about. We don't own the yankees, but we all have an opinion as to whether vertain players to be signed etc. It's fun. It's still his horse, but that what keeps us interested.

Zenyatta is a monster, and they are hiding more out there than Jess is here (Jess is not hiding, I think he would love to take on Zenyatta).

There needs to be less big races, where these horses can't duck each other, or pick other spots. There should be designated races that you must race in for horse of the year.

If I was MTBird owner, and it was my only real horse, and a gelding, I would race him in easier spots. so many money races that are light but have great purse...no need to get in the history books with this one. Nice horse, and should make more money. No need to be on the biggest stage. Purses with a gelding would be more important.

Don't underestimate Summer Bird. tough horse...His race in the haskell was pretty good. Surprisingly near the pace, and held on well. Can only get better. I saw him at Monmouth, and impressive looking horse (I thought nicer looking than Rachel). (Of course, Rachel did come with her 'tude...was great to see) Summer bird has heart, and will be heard from.

thanks all.

(I think RA heads to Cali in search of Zenyatta).

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Greg J. — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:34:35 GMT

Summer Bird, Kensei, Charitable Man for My Trifecta, And I am sticking to it! I don't think Quality Road is ready for the distance quite yet. Rain and in the 60's is the forecast, Which will throw another monkey wrench into the equation! Summer Bird is primed for this distance...

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

ColetteMarie — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:24:44 GMT

Cowboy Bob, The plan for MTB to lead the post parade in the Quarter Horse Futurity in NM has been in place for at least 3 weeks, long before MTB's entrapped epiglottis. His connections have a strong alliance with the NM racetracks & I don't think they would ever go back on their word. Besides that, MTB is a statewide hero in NM, from what I understand & there are many, many people out in the NM area going to Ruidoso Downs on Sept. 7 just to see MTB.

Then, there is the issue of MTB's surgery. Yes, it is a simple, quick surgery. So is a tonsillectomy. I doubt any of us would feel inclined to race even around the corner 8 days after having our tonsils out. The post op discomfort is similar between both surgeries. Also, postoperatively, after any surgery, the area could look great & then put stress on the operative area & it "flares up" ,ie.: become inflamed and irritated. The reason why a scope was done after MTB breezed was to see if the "stress" of racing would cause that still not completely healed area to "flare up". It did & that was the bulge noted by the vet. Haven't you ever been sick or injured & while recuperating you think you are better than you actually are & don't realize it until you are up & active & then, start hurting or feel sick again?

Chip W. said all along that if MTB was not 100%, he would not race. He also said he would not race even if 95%. He is always first & foremost for the horse. He is also protecting the horse's long term career. Being a gelding, this will not be his only racing season like most of the 3 yr. old colts running today. He will have plenty of G1 races in his future.

ColetteMarie

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

L.A. — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:55:52 GMT

Once again, the horse industry has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by -- and arguably, fairly so -- making a decision with anyone but the spectators and public in mind. Sure it's fair for to keep Rachel A at 1 1/8, I'm all for keeping what is still just a 3 yr old, in their physical comfort zone, and yes, I agree that a win by Kensei will improve his stud fee price. But from a publicity stand point at a time when racing could really use ye olde 'shot in the arm' it's biting your nose to spite your face. A couple of owners or syndicates will make out well providing everything goes according to plan, and meanwhile, seats will remain empty in grandstands, televised coverage will continue to drop, and overall interest in racing will remain tepid b/c we didnt recognize the bigger oppty of capturing the public's imagination and putting Rachel A in the Travers. And let's not blither about the argument of oh, it's saving the filly, b/c the blunt truth remains that Rachel, and any of them (can someone say 'Ferdinand" pls?) remain disposable to this industry once a few yrs have passed. At least if we could capture the public again, and regain more support for racing and its four-legged celebrities, we'd not only give the industry a boost but maybe create a trickle down effect of better lives/retirements for the horses that got us there. Rachel in the Travers would have been a chance at grabbing that promotional brass ring. Instead, it will be an afterthought for anyone but the most stalwart racing aficionado. We need to make more decisions with the public's appeal in mind.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Zippy Potato Chippy — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:29:48 GMT

"Jackson did not want to run Rachel at 1 1/4 miles. I think he would rather keep her in her comfort zone at 1 1/8 and do so against a pretty average field."

It's pretty obvious after The Preakness. If she showed up for The Travers, I think everyone would have wanted to take a shot at her since she is a question mark at 10 panels. These 3 year old colts are still improving.

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

steve s — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:04:30 GMT

FOR SHANE

ALL THE PAINKILLERS IN THE WORLD WONT HELP KENSAI BEAT WARRIOR'S REWARD THIS TIME

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Greg J. — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:42:28 GMT

Great news regarding Michael Straight's Surgery going as well as could be expected, Thoughts and Prayers go out to him and his family...

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Sunny — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:23:00 GMT

It does not make sense to run both Kensei and Rachel in the same race and Jackson has made a good choice. The Woodward will be watched because of Rachel. What keeps Zenyatta out of the Woodward?

re: The Woodward is Fine, But the Travers Was What We Wanted

Tim G — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:15:01 GMT

Bob, yep, if you KNEW where I was from originally you'd feel foolish and REALLY hate to know it. I've dropped a hint or two in other blog comments.

My cowboy lingo? Probably more original and realistic than your own. Although I didn't really notice anything of that nature in my response.

Being ranch raised I know dozens of ranchers all over the TX, NM, OK, CO areas and most if not all of them have at least one family member who rodeos in some way shape or form. True they own their own outfits and don't just cowboy for a living as a hired hand. Plus no rancher I know would have the time to answer blog comments.

The team roping/shipping comments weren't interrelated.

Question, do you own race horses?

Why would Chip stay here on the East Coast when his horse is probably not running here again until after the Breeders Cup or next year?

He shipped the horse back from CD to Baltimore and then to the Belmont, trainers (at least ours) do that routinely. Ship from their home base.

Why did Chip unnecessarily ship back to CD? That wasn't his base. Why didn't he just ship on up to Elmont from Maryland?

Is it because it's NM that makes THAT different?

Most trainers who ship regularly have it set up to where the horse has the same situation no matter WHERE they are. I'm sure the horse will be flown back to NM and from there is apparently going to California for the Goodwood.

Think of it as a layover, similar to the one at Lone Star when Chip hauled him to CD. Bet they trailer him from NM to Cal.

This ISN'T the FIRST horse to be 'trotted out' for fan appreciation while still in training. Wasn't it Casino Drive and Lava Man who had works in the middle of the races?

Reading your stuff? I'll eat your hat (one of the many) if you're from NM, ranch or even LIKE the horse. The 'duck the Travers' sort of spelled it all out.

But, mention where you ranch, I'm sure amongst the dozens of ranchers, cattle brokers, auctioneers I know someone who will know you.