Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

Bob Z — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:04:51 GMT

Rachel is going to the August 2nd Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park!

Attendance is going to be huge.

I haven't been to Monmouth in 20 years.. can't think of a better reason to go...

If she beats the colts again ... this time at a mile and an eighth they will be crowning the Horse of the Year in the winners circle.

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

BOB Z — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:12:43 GMT

LDP,

So hypothetically you are the owner of Rachel Alexandra... she is ready to run based on todays workout..

What race do you run her in?

Delaware Handicap July 19th fillies and mares 3y/o and up 1 million 1 1/4 miles

Coaching Club American Oaks July 25th 3y/o fillies $300,000 1 1/4 miles

The Haskell Stakes August 2nd 3 year olds 1 1/8 miles $1 million Papa Clem and Summer Bird committed

I think the least likely is the CC American Oaks... because of the purse and its against 3 y/o fillies..

I'm hoping they run her in the Delaware Handicap and then come back with 2 weeks rest for the Haskell... but thats a long shot..

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

LDP — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:47:41 GMT

Bob Z, my last sentence i meant one month to six weeks. sorry.

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

LDP — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:17:01 GMT

Bob Z,

The person said that there had been no word from the Zen connections, but JJ agreed. So obviously they arent running. I though this could've been the offer, since RA could've picked races at a track closer to where she is stabled, like the CCAO or Jim Dandy. I also think they give her about 1 to six weeks rest.

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

Bob Z — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:18:15 GMT

LDP,

I wasn't even thinking about Zenyatta... that would be great if she would run in the Delaware Handicap... but she is committed to the Clement Hirsch on August 9th...

I would have thought that if she was going to run in the Delaware (July 19th) they would have already announced it... and is 3 weeks enough time in between those races?

I don't know how long Zenyattas handlers typically rest her between starts...

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

LDP — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:58:36 GMT

Bob Z,

I think, but am not sure, that you are correct in saying that weights are assigned after commitment. A person on another blog said that a track has put up and offer for both the horses, and that JJ has already accepted with no work from Zenyatta's connections. Could it be that maybe the DE handicapp with a larger purse is the offer?

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

Bob Z — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:39:04 GMT

I just noticed that Rachel Alexandra has been assigned top weight... 123 for the Delaware Handicap July 19th...

Does anybody know if they assign weights only after a horse has committed to run in the race(?) or do they assign the weights to all horses that are invited...and then the decision to run or not is made...(?)

I didn't see any announcement that she was running in it .. only that weight had been assigned..

Thanks....

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

LDP — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 04:33:54 GMT

ron.m,

A match will not happen, i wouldn't mind one, but it won't. For one you'd need more than a 1mil purse. The Derby is worth double that DWC is worth 6mil and the Classic worth 5mil. Also Zens connections would be dumb to say yes to a match race because of Zens running style. RA is a speed horse who doesn't mind running quick early, but Zenyatta is a pure closer and makes only one run. If Zenyatta were to make her run early or be forced to stay with RA early on you'd take away that closing kick. If you let RA shake loose by five or more, Zen won't catch her, because not only does RA have a high cruising speed she has a burst of acceleration at the top of the stretch. Either way Zen is at a huge disadvantage.

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

ABZ — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 02:32:13 GMT

Rachel has already proven to be an all-time great, partially due to her connections willingness to test her. I am sure they will cement and strengthen this by running in the biggest races. Zenyatta continues to run in SoCal on synthetics and in the same races as last year...boring! Come on Zenyatta (Moss and Shireffs), hike up your skirt and make this thing happen!

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

Pedigree Shelly — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:56:34 GMT

It's Time now for Zenyatta to face the boys !!!!!! RA has proved herself ! The only horse she needs to beat now is Zenyatta !! Bring it on !! By the way welcome back DrayNay !! You know how to keep things entertaining on the blogs ! :)

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

ron.m — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:41:33 GMT

how about a match race for 1 mil dollars, some money,s put up from the track they run at , some from each owner, or any money,s from fans that want the match race. i dont care what you think , i love the idea. lol

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

jd in owensboro — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:46:14 GMT

this has happened before- the PRESS has to make it happen-it did- does anyone remember RUFFIAN.Now the PRESS has to make it happen again??? STOP THE INSANITY NOW!!! This 3 yr filly is pretty good but she is not a super horse. i hope it never comes to pass- ZENYATTA is much the best.

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

LDP — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:16:25 GMT

24 races,

Did you see the potential races lined up for RA. Most are races against the boys in the Jim Dandy, Haskel, or Travers. JJ has also said other races against older fillies or even going for todays version of the fillies TC. How are those the easiest possible. Zenyatta is running at her home track all year long, and all the races she's running in i believe are now stakes. The only tough race she now has a possibility of entering in is the Classic, which that plan hasn't even been confirmed. RA has a much more ambitious sheduel than Zenyatta. JJ is trying to make up for not potentially facing Zenyatta by racing RA in harder races, making up what would be a historic campaign by a 3yr old filly if she succeeds. JJ listened to the fans all year last year, letting them pressure him into bring a tired Curlin to CA last year, where he finished a gallant fourth, where honestly on dirt the horse would've won by five. To be frank if i were JJ i wouldn't run down there again either. Oh just to let you in on something, JJ had stated if he had gone to the Cup it would've been the Classic, not the Distaff, which as of now is the race Zenyatta is being pointed most towards. So even if RA had gone to CA the match up would've never happened.

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

Bob Z — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:37:35 GMT

Based on what I've been seeing with the races run so far by both of them... I look at it this way...

Rachel A has a very high cruising speed meaning she will either be on the lead or... just off of it if there is a speed burner or two in the race... she also has afterburner acceleration when she's let go...

Zenyatta is usually 8-10 lengths back based on what I've read and seen...

So if both horses are at that race position when the jockeys hit the gas.. I don't see how Zenyatta is going to get close with Rachels acceleration at the end...

This is assuming the distance is 1 1/8 miles... at 1 1/4 it might be a different situation...

If I was scheduling Rachels races and she was ready to go...

July 19th Delaware Handicap

1 million dollars, for fillies and mares 3yo and up... 1 1/4 miles

This would take care of her not having run against older females and would also get her ready to run the same distance in the Travers against the males...

Depending on how she comes our of it and if she is able to recuperate..

August 2nd The Haskell at Monmouth.

1 million dollars 1 1/8 miles for 3 year year olds... Summer Bird, Musket Man, Papa Clem and Big Drama are either confirmed or expected... another chance against the colts..

If she is able to run in the Haskell she will have 4 weeks to rest before the Travers...

August 29.. The Travers Stakes at Saratoga... 1 million dollars for thoroughbreds and filies at 1 1/4 miles... The toughest test because of the distance and the quality competition in the race...

I'm wondering if 2 weeks is enough time between the Delaware Handicap and the Haskell... 2 weeks was enough time between the Kentucky Oaks and the Preakness... but that was then...

The issue is would you rather keep demolishing fields in lower purse races like the Coaching Club American Oaks for 3 year old fillies.... $300,000 July 25th ... these 20 length wins look nice but... it might be better to step it up and really see what this horse can do... thats how legends are made...

re: Rachel vs. Zenyatta - How to Make it Happen

J Shore — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:24:18 GMT

I have lived on the Jersey Shore nearly all my life (so far). I've been coming to Monmouth Park since I was 2 years old. The folks at Monmouth would always love to have the fans come out and be treated to great performances. For instance, they created the Monmouth Stakes last year to lure Big Brown, which turned out to be a big hit. If they pick up on the idea, I believe Monmouth officials will do what they can to market this event and try and bring both horses to the track. However, owners and trainers are so damn cautious these days that it will take every effort possible to get them here....and that may not even be enough. The problem is, I will be going away to college on Aug. 25 and will not be able to see this race if it does indeed unfold. Steve, while your idea is fabulous in my opinion, the chances of it happening are slim. If the Mosses weren't so hyped up on detention barns, the $300,000 Ruffian Handicap at Belmont on Sept. 12 would be the most viable option. However, if Rachel Alexandra skips either the Molly Pitcher or the Ruffian for the Travers (which could possibly bring together MTB, SB, and RA among others), then all hope for a showdown is lost. So there are actually two scenarios: either a Zneyatta-RA showdown, or a Triple Crown showdown in the Travers. One thing is for certain, even though I saw her live at the Preakness, I very much hope she comes to Monmouth for the Haskell.