Apple Blossom Diary: Feb. 11 - 27

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Karen2 — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:19:49 GMT

Monica....

Thanks for your last post. I was literally laughing out loud. What a great way to start my Wednesday! Be nice Zen! hahaha

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

CV — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:48:02 GMT

I expect Rachel will come out of her Saturday prep race sharper and more fit, as will Zenyatta.

And, at least Zen's 127-pound handicap is 2 pounds less than she carried in the Vanity Handicap last year.

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Zookeeper — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:16:13 GMT

MonicaV,

You are TOO funny!

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Zookeeper — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:14:25 GMT

The impost of 127 lbs to Zenyatta is a recognition of the depth of her talent and capability. I don't like it very much but such is the nature of a "handicap". Trying to level the playing field has not worked in the past and I don't think it will work again this time. I'm more concerned with the pace (or lack of) than I am of her carrying more weight than her adversaries. If Mike Smith's internal clock is working, the rest is up to Zenyatta and we all know how that turned out in her 14 previous races...

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

MonicaV — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:59:48 GMT

Having seen so many of Zenyatta's races, I just don't think that weight assignment will hinder her in the least. This girl won the BCC! She's amazing and they have to give the other girls a chance!

There is something though about Zenyatta that nobody seems to mention. It is her utter lack of caring about how she ruins the other horses' self-esteem! I mean, she yawns as she runs by and I have heard that many of the other horses have gone back to their stalls and ate a gallon of Dreyer's ice cream. I also hear that some have ordered Cosmopolitan's. At this rate, she will not win Miss Congeniality of 2010 among the thoroughbred set. I think someone should have a talk with her and tell her that the least she could do is maybe act like she had to really work hard to win, like maybe blow a little for effect. I mean it couldn't hurt and it would do a world of good for the other horses to think that maybe, just maybe they might have won if they had tried just a little harder.

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Lil Darlin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:52:01 GMT

Thanks for posting the works Bob Z...I think the game face will come back this weekend when she's got a couple other horses in the gate next to her. Zen certainly seems to have hers on...I just hope both are game on come April 9th!

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Bob Z — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:14:52 GMT

SMTDL,

Yes maybe a little tentative with Rachel's training... maybe a situation of not knowing what you have ...(?)

... meaning not believing how great this horse is...(can be)

just taking the tack to bring a horse along as you would any other horse...

My hope is that they both (Zenyatta and Rachel) win their prep races in whatever fashion they feel like doing it in ....

If that happens... this going to be nuts....

I already hear people that are not track goers yapping about both horses...

This has now crossed over into the mainstream like an Apple IPhone or IPAD...

If this happens Oaklawn is going to be ELECTRIC like the Garden was for ALI and Frazier(I) ...

I had the opportunity to see Rachel at Monmouth Park for the Haskell and the vibe was off the charts... much bigger than for Curlin or Big Brown....

... maybe because she is a female... or because of what she has accomplished...

I am getting the sense that the anticipation for this will eclipse the Seabiscuit War Admiral race in 1938 and the result has the potential to eclipse the spectacle of the the Belmont Stakes in 1973.

More than likely... eclipsing the spectacle or the 73 Belmont will have to wait until the Breeders Cup.... but hey... even in the same breath ... that means the attendees at Oaklawn are going to see somtehing special...

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Householder — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:10:26 GMT

Time to cue up the TVG Zenyatta DVD and watch what she does to Life is Sweat at Hollywood Park after coming off a 7 month lay off. Keep in mind Life is Sweat had just rattled off 3 consecutive victories at Santa Anita, owning the winter/spring meet beating Grade 1 company (Santa Teresita?). The jockey aboard Life is Sweat tries some "tactics" (like pinning her in) but Zenyatta backs out and just passes him.

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Karen2 — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:56:49 GMT

I'm with you Paula. I thought the weight assignment for Zen was nuts. She has carried that much weight before and won but giving 19 1bs to some of these horses??? wow....

Bob..thanks for posting RA's works. She does look so much better in her latest work but I am concerned about her shifting her nose to the outside. She seems to straighten out a little once she gets rolling but she still is carrying her head and neck funny to me. Probably nothing. I just think she is one of the most beautiful horses I have ever seen. She is so fluid and Steve is right...she just moves so easy.

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

MonicaV — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:29:12 GMT

As far as Rachel's prep, I have no idea what she will do. Seems as though we have been receiving comments from the connections that she could lose the prep due to not being 100% which I'm sure she isn't. The postive thing is that she LOVES to run and with Borel on her she will probably be okay. She will be reunited with him and she will know what her job is just by him being on her back. I think she has a lot of pent up energy due to the slower works. If Calvin can get her to relax the first half of the race, she will probably explode in the stretch winning easily. Maybe. We shall see. I will be watching both girl's preps and I know for sure that Zenyatta will win but we've been given doubts from Rachel's camp so it will be interesting. I just want them both to return safe and sound and happy.

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

MonicaV — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:23:04 GMT

Paula,

Yes, trainers have withdrawn horses due to high weight assignments. With Zenyatta, though, it doesn't seem to make much difference to her. She won last year carrying 129 and still won easily. She's a huge mare and so strong that I doubt it will make any difference to her. She still runs as though she has wings.

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

shane — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:56:46 GMT

Sorry the 1:11 was after the haskell

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

shane — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:48:37 GMT

Rachel did work a 1:11 for Asmussen before the Haskell.

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

shane — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:47:08 GMT

I think the main thing to take away from Rachels works is the rider getting her to sit down 25 second first quarter splits....that is brilliant IMO.

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

jpsbman — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:39:15 GMT

Zenyatta has to carry 127 pounds in her prep race, this just does not seem fair. First race back after a long layoff and she has to spot the field 10-18 lbs? This just is not right.

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

SMTDL — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:21:30 GMT

I think Asmussen is covering himself a bit beacause he's been so careful and may have caused Rachel to work too slow while trying not to work her too fast too early.He has never brought her back from a long layoff.He got her in almost peak condition after the Oaks and did a good job running her the balance of the year.Remember how Wiggins worked her in 46.4 for the half mile before the Oaks and what a performance she gave in the race.She was never worked that fast by Asmussen before her other races.They were in the 48- 49 range, which was ok given her fitness then. She should be ok for a mile and 1/16 now and should win against these horses while not dominating as she normaly does.Whether she will move forward far enough for a race against Zenyatta is a tough chore but if she wins Saturday they will have to try!

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

BAMARACK — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:50:48 GMT

OMG YA'LL!

Just took a look at Bambera's pedigree. Her dam is a direct granddaughter of Seattle Slew on one side and Affirmed on the other side.

Her sire is a direct grandson of Northern Dancer. She is bred to beat just about anything, and that is exactly what she has been doing. This is gonna be great!!!!!

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Sarah G — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:24:38 GMT

"KYoaks09...How fortunate you were to reschedule your tickets, and your response reflects the problems facing both OP and and original AB ticket holders. And Sarah G...I feel terrible for you also. I wish I could take you up on your ticket offer :-D, but I live even farther away than you. Since you would lose a chunk of change if you don't go (because of the reservations), I just thought going to Hot springs just might turn out to be an enjoyable trip if you took advantage of it. I've always enjoyed traveling..

...anywhere..but the past few years have made it next to impossible, and I truly regret not seeing everything I wanted to see when I had the opportunity to do so. I just didn't want that to happen to you. :)"

Slew...within 15 mins of the date change announcement, we switched our awesome hotel rooms to the weekend of the 9th. We haven't cancelled them. If Rachel and Zen are both a go for the 9th, we may just go anyway and try to get in. Between that and the Arkansas Derby, we should be able to get in for one day of racing, right? ;)

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Footlick — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:31:27 GMT

Just a note. They retired Vodka because she bled again in her race at Dubai.

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Bob Z — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:44:45 GMT

A comparison of Rachels last 2 works...

March 2nd 6 furlongs

www.youtube.com/watch

March 8th 4 furlongs

www.youtube.com/watch

She seemed more fluid and more focused today...

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Paula Higgins — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:29:52 GMT

Here's the good news, Rachel did well today in her short work. That is encouraging and makes me feel better, and I bet it makes Steve Asmussen and Jess Jackson feel even better, LOL. I hope she wins her New Orleans race and then we will get our wish to see her in the Apple Blossom.

I am not happy about Zenyatta getting a weight of 127 pounds. Who figures these weights out anyway??? Way too much IMO and unfair. I would refuse to run her with a a weight that heavy. Has anyone ever refused to run a horse with a high weight imposition?

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

My Juliet — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:18:10 GMT

Steve, I enjoyed the Diary very much. When the meeting does happen(I'm late on here, I know things could be changing) looking forward to your taking us 'behind the scenes' like only you can. What a treat for fans :)

Paula H, I wonder also about Jess's and now Steve A's comment. These guys don't make statements unless there's a reason. I guess the prep race will tell the most, but I am glad these aren't people who will be pressured into anything. I'm a huge Rachel fan, but she will be meeting the other best horse in racing. I'd feel better if she were going into it 100%.

Pasturelands, I love your comments, such enthusiasm for the Brilliant Superfilly Rachel :)

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Slew — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:56:02 GMT

RiverCitySmitty..how fortunate you are. My daughter lives in NOLA. I'll get back there, yet. Enjoy the Jazz Fest. I do have the Fair Grounds bookmarked, so I check it all of the time for works and entries.

KYoaks09...How fortunate you were to reschedule your tickets, and your response reflects the problems facing both OP and and original AB ticket holders. And Sarah G...I feel terrible for you also. I wish I could take you up on your ticket offer :-D, but I live even farther away than you. Since you would lose a chunk of change if you don't go (because of the reservations), I just thought going to Hot springs just might turn out to be an enjoyable trip if you took advantage of it. I've always enjoyed traveling..

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Pasturelands — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:18:38 GMT

NOOOO! Please don't tell me TVG will again broadcast the Pre-Apple Blossom analysis!! nobody, not even me, have TVG! Please get ESPN or ABC-- I have them.... not TVG again! Crap.

NTRA should get ESPN on this. AB is a HUGE thing. I hope that NTRA doesn't get left out of the Smorgassboard!

re: Apple Blossom Diary - Part 1

Pasturelands — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:26:20 GMT

I still feel that Rachel is fine. Maybe Asmussen is "shaking the tree" a bit, so that they won't get the jinx-- saying that something is a sureball puts hexes on the best-laid plans, and ruins expectations.

Otherwise, Rachel seems physically ABLE. She is strong, healthy, with no pain or injury keeping her from doing her best. In fact, her strength now is BETTER than before -- she can run for miles with no chance of fatigue. Unlike before at the Oaks, where her legs are wobbly but yes, showing early signs of strength to come later.

Contrary to what fans say at the Woodward, Rachel developed rapidly over the months since the Oaks, and her strength is on display for the first time in the Woodward. Notice how she held off the late-charging Macho Again? If that race happened in March, Rachel should have lost. But in September, her bones have become harder and bigger. Despite the pressure, her legs held on, and she won.

We may NEVER see a filly as good as Rachel in the next half century! I am glad to have seen such a talented horse in my lifetime.

At four, Rachel is fully developed, and I think, with the right weather and lots of luck, this 2010 she can surpass her 2009 records with ease.

GO, GO SUPERFILLY RACHEL!!