Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

Forbidden Apple — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:38:19 GMT

The $5 million purse is a hefty price to pay to watch the best versus the best. I would say 100% that this high price was negotiated because of pressure from team Rachel. After all they did pay $12-$15 for Rachel and they treat her like royalty. Zenyatta was going to run even if the purse was $500,000. If Oaklawn did not step up and offer this money, we might never see these 2 champions compete against each other. An alternative was the Dubai World Cup which is worth $10 million this year. But I forgot that Jackson is afraid to run his baby on a synthetic surface. We should all be happy that this race is happening at all and in our own country.

Racing does not need a modern day match race period! It is very difficult for me to write anything on this topic without mentioning the immortal Ruffian. A prep race should set both horses up for a peak performance, the best horse will win the Apple Blossom.

As for the promotion of the event I did hear about 25,000 cards being produced for Rachel and 25,000 for Zenyatta. I would like to see Oaklawn promote this as if it was a heavyweight boxing match. Does anyone remember when boxing promoted Ali vs. Foreman in Zaire? Print up thousands of posters and pin them up in airports and train stations around the country. Also put the posters up for sale on the Oaklawn website so that all of us can own a piece of this historic race. To me this is a huge opportunity to promote horse racing and attract new fans. ESPN is to busy covering poker, bowling, pool, and golf, these are games not even sports. Somehow the days of Phar Lap, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Ruffian, and Seattle Slew need to resurface again. I see this as a great American Prize Fight with the speed happy champion trying to duck the hungry knockout artist named Zenyatta. So in the end I am pleased that $ is the force to bring about this long awaited matchup.

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

vegasvixen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:21:03 GMT

It is very sad. Today, many tracks are cutting purses for races and the industry supports and encourages the super-rich to award themselves with a $5M race to attract only 2 horses. Yes, I want to see RA and Z race but I prefer to have an international ambassador like Z travel to other countries to increase the perceived value of American-bred thoroughbreds. RA could also represent USA internationally but Z's undefeated status makes her more interesting. We degrade both by allowing one to challenge the other simply for money in this country.

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

Pam S. — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:58:40 GMT

I wish "fans" of this sport would quit being negative about the Apple Blossom. Once and for all, it is not a match race; I'm sure an effort will be made to recruit as many quality horses as possible to fill out the field and it will NOT NECESSARILY boil down to Z vs. RA.

I agree with L that this race more closely resembles the contrived "Great Match Race" rather than a genuine rivalry such as Affirmed and Alydar. But the vast majority of fans wanted to see the two superstar females in the same race, and Mr. Cella tried to make it happen. We missed Curlin vs. Big Brown, Smarty and Alex vs. older, and the list goes on .... should racing fans be deprived of what they are hoping to see when there is no compelling reason not to have this race?

Yes, racing has a tragic history. But it has a glorious history too, and we want to add to it rather than have all the glory be part of the past. If we keep bringing up Ruffian all the time, we should just discontinue the sport. I mean, it goes without saying that no one wants to see a gallant horse break down. But what DO we want to see?

Tim, I tend to agree with you that Jackson wants three races because he fears Rachel will lose the first one. But he SAYS he wants it to sustain the fans' interest and truly prove which horse is better. How 'bout that, Nervous Nellies, he is the owner of one of these magnificent animals and he wants to have TWO MORE renewals of this great and terrible matchup!! How reckless is he?!

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

frank p. clearwater, fl. — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:07:30 GMT

do you remember the movie "seabiscuit"...wouldn't this race between rachel & zenyatta make for another heart warming sequel...

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:00:24 GMT

I think 5 million is a big gamble.

These two mares are not 'rivals' as I would term it, not the way Alydar and Affirmed or Sunday Silence and Easy Goer were. Those colts who met each other again and again, eye to eye in races they *made* special, not races made special for them.

No, the more and more I see of this, the more it looks to be another Ruffian / Foolish Pleasure situation and at this point I just hope both mares come back in one piece and continue to run.

You've got two very different running styles, two different ages going against each other for a 'media frenzy' event. I also keep flashing to Go for Wand, who laid her heart and her body out on the track trying to get in front of that older mare, a similar situation with Serena's Song I believe and of course Ruffian.

We are no longer in the day and age of the iron horse like Sea Biscuit and War Admiral. Today's modern thoroughbred is proving time again to be all heart and will but on more and more fragile legs.

Maybe in that respect the 5 million isn't such a bad gamble. In trying to beat each other, one or both of these great horses could destroy themselves either physically or mentally. I'll be pleasently surprised if both these great mares come out of their head to head match race (because that's what it is) with all their limbs and more importantly their great hearts, still intact.

But I have a bad feeling one of them won't race again after April 9th.

Horseracing seems to refuse to learn from it's own history.

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

Tim — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:18:17 GMT

First of all I don't know why so many people think running on a Friday is a bad idea. Alot of big female races are run on Friday like the Kentucky Oaks,Black Eyed Susan,and the female Breeders Cup races. From a financial standpoint it makes a lot of sense for Cella to get back some of his money. With the Arkansas Derby being run the next day you have two big days of racing instead of one and alot of the people who travel from out of state will stay for both cards therefore increasing attendance and handle for the Arkansas Derby. Lets not forget that Sam Houston offered $2,000,000 so I think that Cella wanted to make sure he was the highest bidder because you know that other tracks would start offering 2.5 and 3 million. Jackson seems to think this is boxing with a rematch clause in the contract with his 3 race series. He obviously doesn't like his chances of defeating Zenyatta. Why else would he want three shots at her? I'll tell you why. He's afraid Zenyatta beats RA and then Rachel's so called legacy goes down the drain. As i've stated many times Zenyatta faced the better competion last year hands down. The 3 year old crop last year was pathetic except for the late devoping Summer Bird and Quality Road. Rachel's win in the Preakness wasn't impressive since she was all out to hold off MTB who only had one win all of last year. Her win in the Haskell was against the same group of weak 3 year olds except for Summer Bird who needs at least 10 furlongs and she barely beat a field of grade 3 caliber horses in the Woodward. Zenyatta was flattered when Life is Sweet won the Ladies Classic and she beat the winners of 19 grade or group 1 races in the Breeders Cup Classic. Quality over quantity. There needs to be a change in the Eclipse voting system because synthetic surfaces were supposed to help the sport but instead they are killing it. All you have to do is look at the winners of the Eclipse Awards to see that people won't vote for horses racing over synthetics.

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

frank p. clearwater, fl. — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:39:40 GMT

some, if not all the monies could come from hollywood, i look back at the seabiscuit movie...the plot could already be in the making.

on another note...no one talked about or mentioned young two year olds running on synthetic surfaces,

i see nothing wrong with two year olds racing providing the races are kept at four , no longer than five furlongs and only on dirt.

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

TylerG — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:39:13 GMT

Lets get real, having them race on a friday is a horrible idea.

With the sport circling the bowl, we need to have our biggest draw in years broadcasted to the nation on a day people can watch it.

if oaklawn was smart they would have this race on saturday then the country could see the two best racehorses in america and they would have more potential views of the arkansas derby

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

PAUL RANDALL — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:10:04 GMT

I AM ARGUABLY ONE OF RACHEL'S BEST

FANS AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE HER BEAT THE QUEEN OF CALIFORNIA BUT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF RACING MY HOPE WOULD BE TO KEEP THEM APART TILL THE BC DISTAFF.THATS RIGHT DISTAFF .THIS IS FOR THEM TO SETTLE ON THEIR STAGE. IF EITHER BEATS THE OTHER BEFORE THAT IT WILL SEVERELY DAMAGE WHAT COULD BE THE GREATEST YEAR FOR FANS WE HAVE SEEN SINCE SECRETARIAT . THEY ARE BOTH CAPABLE OF STAYING UNBEATEN TILL THE BREEDERS CUP .LET HORSE RACING GATHER ALL THE MOMENTUM IT CAN .IT REALLY NEEDS IT.

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

raceon — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:14:22 GMT

Pink slips..please...Zenyatta in Steve Asmussen and Jess Jackson's hands....I don't think so. I very much dislike the fact that Rachel is in their hands. I have a feeling that if they had Zenyatta, she would be retired or worse by now.

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

Mike G. — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:02:51 GMT

The $5M purse seemed ridiculously high at first. But if they want to attract other horses to the race, then it makes sense. To enhance their participation, I think I would have distributed the purse more evenly instead of giving a super-majority of the money to the top two finishers. But I have to wonder if any East Coast filly or mare really wants to race against Zenyatta, the only female winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic and a previous winner of the Ladies Classic?? They can skip this race and run against softer competition on the East Coast. So it wouldn't surprise me if Rachel does not show.

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

Pasturelands — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:19:00 GMT

ANN: I don't agree with Crist's very negative view of the AB's 5 mil gamble.

First, we aren't talking about Anabaa's Creation or a Jackson Bend here-- we are talking about the HOY 2009, Rachel, and the California super diva, Zenyatta! These 2 alone have MORE fans than all the colts in the 2009 Kentucky derby!

Second, the race is already MARKETING ITSELF-- fans and horse lovers are seeking this race out, so with just a little LUCK, Cella may actually get his 5 mil back, plus change!

Third, the TIMING is just right-- the weather is warmer, and people are bringing out their Sunday dresses for the Derby. No chance that a thunderstorm will turn the track into a pond! So, we can expect a record attendance from all horse-loving folks and fans!

Fourth, the AB is well-supported. Jackson and Moss supports it, all the TB orgs including NTRA support it, Cella supports it.

The only thing that could spoil this Garden party is if any of the two superstars don't show up. But I don't think that is likely.

GO, GO, BABY GIRL, GO! GO KICK BUTT, RACHEL!! WE LOVE YOU, BABY!

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

Pam S. — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:37:34 GMT

It's a very large purse, to be sure. I think it had to be to attract other competitors (as several folks have mentioned). Mr. Cella is obviously a gambling man and a man who loves racing. I really think his motivation was to try to give the fans what they want. I applaud him for his efforts and hope he is rewarded.

Jess Jackson's grand plan notwithstanding, I also think this might be the only meeting of the two stars. Some writers have indicated that just one race will not settle the question of who is better. I'm not sure I agree. Each of these ladies pretty much runs her race every time (certainly Zenyatta does). I just feel like a rematch isn't going to be necessary, or nearly as anticipated as the one, the only, the unparalleled Apple Blossom Invitational!!

I guess that's mainly why I'm not opposed to the $5 mil pot -- it's a once in a lifetime race. Having a three-race series with three huge purses is a different matter. I wouldn't support that.

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

TBsAreMyLife — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:23:53 GMT

I don't want to see Zenyatta lose her winning streak but I don't want to see Rachel lose hers either. I want Rachel to win but honestly, i think its a bad idea. and the mosses might send out a rabbit!

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

TBsAreMyLife — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:20:08 GMT

They say its not a match race but it is. Thier pinning one horse against another and forgetting about the other horses that may, OR MAY NOT enter. 5 mil is way too much even for two horses of thier caliber. how about 2 mil? is that fair? i dont like this race at all. its too soon in the year and i think these girls are going to be pushed too hard and over trained and maybe even overraced to prepare for it and i just keep seeing Ruffian and Go For Wand. i will hate to see another Ruffian incident especially with the two greatest horses of this past year. the fans will walk away forever if something goes wrong. it wont be that exciting either until the homestetch because rachel is a frontrunner and zenyatta is a closer. rachel is too crazy to relaz througout the race and zenyatta will have relaxed and when its time to make it count rachel will be beyond exertion while zenyatta will be just starting to go and itllbe closer than rachel's woodward, which i witnessed! (it was awesome)! this will not be good for racing. already NYRA is almost bankrupt!

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

LisaT — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:20:28 GMT

2 comments.... the 5 Million is but a drop in the bucket compared to what other sports figures make, and it sure would be nice to watch a horse race instead of golf on television. Horse racing needs to get on the ball and promote this sport like any other does... there was a time when it was at the top of the list.. now it's sunk so far down you can barely find it in the sports pages of some major newspapers.....

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

Claire Novak — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:00:01 GMT

Right on, Mr. Hammonds.

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

Zookeeper — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:10:53 GMT

Reading the comments, on here and other blogs, from the people in the Oaklawan area, I'm struck with how friendly and welcoming you guys are. I've never visited your beautiful state but I'm putting it on my list of "places to go, people to meet".

I'll be watching on TV, wishing I was there.

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

Racingfan — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:57:56 GMT

I am glad the race is going to take place but I think 5 million is way excessive in these times! I also think it's sad that he felt that is what it would take to get them to run. I know it will make the race easier to fill, but at a couple million the rest of the field would still have had a chance at a rare payday. I also was very disappointed to hear Jackson make the comment about the purse for the Beldame. If he is the sportsman that he claims to be and that I thought he was, then the amount of money should not be an issue. (Obviously there needs to be purse money - but he is already super rich so that makes him sound greedy to me!) All races have established purses so if you think a purse is too low, then choose the tougher races for more money. BUT, just because you have superstar does not mean suddenly the tracks should have to pay more to have the horse run there. They are race horses and they are meant to RACE, not be bargaining chips for money in my opinion!!

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

mikey — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:05:27 GMT

spa city,live in little rock and agree with all you say.Been going to Oaklawn for 40 years and enjoy our quality of racing,our hospitality,and our affordable prices.I have been telling all my co-workers and friends who are marginal horse racing fans about the race and now they are all pumped and telling their friends.As horse racing fans we can all do this to market the race to folks that know little about it.Thank goodness we have Cella,he did a pretty good job promoting Smarty huh?

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

spacity — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:32:59 GMT

Only live about 15 min. from track and cannot wait.Hopefully both remain in good shape and primed to fire. Thank you yet again Mr. Charles Cella for getting this together. most are upset it will not be on Saturday, but with already 50-70,000 here every year for the Arkansas Derby. There would simply not be enough room to fit everybody. Running it before Derby day is genius. If you have to travel to come watch Rachel and Zen, it would seem foolish not to stay and watch the Arkansas Derby on Sat. This race has produced Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Lawyer Ron, Curlin, Gayego, and Summer Bird. Chances are a triple crown race winner will come from the Arkansas Derby. That means Mr. Cella will have more people in attendance on Derby day now with the apple blossom Friday. You talk about attendance dropping Oaklawn may set attendance records on consecutive days with over 100,000 est. for the apple blossom. Cella is a genius and that is why a litle race track in Arkansas is constantly raising purses. While the big boys drown in debt. Oaklawn continues to thrive. Go Rachel

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

bsinboots — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:50:16 GMT

Mary in VT...the secret to Jess Jackson's 3 HOY trophies isn't focusing on the big picture, it's deep pockets. He bought 2 superstar horses AFTER it was already clear they were special, and just rode the wave.

This will be the biggest race between two rivals in my lifetime (and I'm not young). The $5M purse is befitting. And, like others have stated, it is to attract other horses to the field.

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

Mark — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:31:24 GMT

I agree John T, that is what attracted Smarty Jones and a few others to win a 3 race series there back in 04.

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

Geo from MO — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:58:34 GMT

Have you ever been to Oaklawn Park duing the last week of the meet? Strong fan support, great racing in the stakes races, AFFORDABLE tickets and great customer service. Just the way racing should be today in NY, CA, KY, FLA. Mr. Cella is just saying thanks to the patrons who have supported OP for the last hundred years. By the way, I have been an Oaklawn and Hot Springs fan since 1976

re: Beyond the Money - By Evan Hammonds

Ann — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:48:39 GMT

I thought Steve Christ had an excellent column on the same topic but with a slightly different spin. If anyone is interested: www.drf.com/drfNewsArticle.do