Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

elli — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:27:30 GMT

RA is a truely great filly!

but i have to put in Ruffian!

people say she is overrated and she is not!

if she is overrated then how come in every race she raced she smashed track and stakes records!

she beat secretariats 5 1/2, 6, 7 and 10 furlong records/times and she ran the fastes 5 1/2 furlong race ever raced with a time of 1:02.80!

in the match race she was infront and her jockey Jacinto Vasques said that he heard her sesamoids or well he heard a pop at least 12 strides before she showed any signs of acutally breaking down which means she still tried to race even though her sesamoids had shattered!

thats why in the race you can see he had such a hard time trying to pull her up!

she always won her races by over 5 lengths even when she had a freshly popped splint!

she died not ever knowing what it was like to come second or what it was like to even have a horse infront of her!

she even died racing! when she woke up after the surgery on her leg she thought she was still racing on the track which is why the cast smashed her elbow! she was still trying to finish the race no matter where she was!

the only record of Ruffians that has even been touched is her mother goose all the ohters are still untouched! she won the champion filly award in both years she raced!

and she was also officially given the nick name "Queen Of The Fillies"!!!

but if you really want to know who the TRUELY GREATEST FILLY OF ALL TIME WAS!? and still is!?

even though she was born in 1874 and died in 1887, shes at the top of the list in the leading thoroughbred undefeated winners!

and she was and still is the most succesfull thoroughbred racehorse ever!

she started 54 times and won 54 times! A record that is still un beaten and she raced BOTH females and males! and she raced until she was 7!

and her name was Kincsem!

Kincsem was the greatest filly in her time and Ruffian was the greatest filly in her time! and i dont know yet who is the greatest in the 21st century but at the moment im thinking its a tie between Eight Belles and Rachel Alexandra for greatest filly but no doubt Zenyatta is the greatest mare of the 21st century!

but all in all Kincsem was and still is the most successfull racehorse in history!

#1 Kincsem

#2 Ruffian

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

ferdiefor — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 18:55:00 GMT

Many of you may be too young to remember a brilliant filly named Shuvee. She is the only female horse to win the Jockey Club Gold Cup (1970) when the race was run at 2 miles. She beat the boys two other times in her history. Shuvee ran in an era where owners REALLY RAN their horses. Shuvee was the Second winner of filly triple crown. Ruffian gets too much credit having run in an era of lackluster fillies. Shuvee in 1969 was running against some of the best in her era which were far better fillies than during the Ruffian era.

As for modern fillies. Winning the Belmont against the boys makes Rags to Riches THE BEST. So many great horses have won the Derby and Preakness only to fail to run well at a mile and a half in June. Forget racing records and numbers because owners are manipulative and are unwilling to run and run and run their horses in the modern era. Rags to Riches had the pedigree (sire A.P Indy- Belmont Winner HOF and grand sire Seattle Slew- Belmont Winner, TC winner HOF) needed to win the Belmont.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

Chris Hartley — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:35:54 GMT

Two Words: Ouiji Board

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

billy — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:41:13 GMT

What is with these Zenyatta can't beat Rachel BS?

Rachel is the one ducking the mare in the Breeders..

Get a clue people! get some dose of REALITY!!

Zenyatta has no qualms entering a race where horses all over the world can stop her unbeaten streak..and where's Rachel.

Yeah beating the same 2nd tier colts. Even Jess Jackson wants no part of the mare.

Synthetics..yeah sure..nice excuse when he and some of you posters keep bragging that kryptonite is the only thing that can beat rachel

Rachel is nothing but HYPE!

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

millreef43 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:36:10 GMT

i see alot of you guys and gals are hating on RA on here..I wonder what you are saying now??

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

Draynay — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:46:28 GMT

Spot raced and Overrated ? Rachel is more accomplished as a 3 year old than Ruffian and you make that comment ? She is having one of the top 3 year old campaigns by any horse in history. Enjoy it and the history she is making.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

chalie — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:30:45 GMT

I definitely agree with you. Rachel is just a good horse. Her adoration is way overboard. IMO she is spot raced and overrated.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

Bob Y — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:21:19 GMT

I've seen 'em all going back to Native Dancer and I'm sorry, but Rachel just isn't at the top yet, or all that close to it.

Its telling that they haven't run her at 1-1/4 miles yet, and that they flat out refuse to consider the Breeders Cup due to it being run on an artificial surface. She beat a mediocre bunch of 3yo males, and staggered to the finish line doing it. When Rags To Riches won the Belmont, she not only did so at 1-1/2 miles, she beat a horse named Curlin. Remember him?

She'll probably beat the boys again in the Haskell, once again at less than a classic distance and a less than stellar field. She'll probably whip her contemporaries in the Alabama. But if she hooks Zenyatta, especially at any distance beyond 1-1/8 miles, she'll be running for second.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

Mike S — Sun, 17 May 2009 18:24:10 GMT

I think the primary reason I don't crown WAR EMBLEM, BIG BROWN and RACHEL ALEXANDRA "The Best of All Time," is because, first, I'm not Gary Stevens, and I happen to remember the past. Because I remember the greats of the past so clearly, and can recall that they ran year after year, it's hard for me to crown a horse "The Best of All Time" when they've only ran "great" during one season. Lots of horses have done that.

However, RACHEL ALEXANDRA is very impressive. I give her all the credit in the world. She is superb. MINE THAT BIRD is her equal, in my estimation. With a better trip he would have won yesterday. They're both excellent, though. Calvin Borrel sure is classic though - right after the race, which his horse won impressively, he starts whining about how she didn't handle the track and how she was "laboring." Of course she was "laboring"! It was the first time she ran against good horses! And she handled the track just fine. I think Calvin is under the impression that if she doesn't win by 20 lengths from now on that something "just isn't right." Everything is fine, she is a sensational filly.

Mike Smith kept calling RACHEL ALEXANDRA a "mare." I wonder why. Did 2 years just transpire in one day?

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

Filly — Sun, 17 May 2009 13:51:16 GMT

I hope that you all will take your blinkers off now and recognize just how truly special this filly is...and the best thing is that her career is just beginning. She will go on to win many more big races. I wouldn't be so quick to say she isn't the greatest of all time yet. She overcame a lot of adversity yesterday. After I saw how much she was struggling with the track at the beginning of the race, it was a wonder that she was still able to win.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

fencingmom — Sun, 17 May 2009 01:07:40 GMT

RA was purchased two weeks ago, is this correct? My question is her purchase price which I can not track down!

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

Mike S — Sat, 16 May 2009 22:40:58 GMT

The Preakness is over and RACHEL ALEXANDRA just danced into the record books as one of the great fillies of all time. "The Greatest"? I don't think so. But she surely is one of the greats. That was pretty amazing. And MINE THAT BIRD ran an excellent race as well, and I hope that everyone gets over it (their "shock" at his win in the Kentucky Derby) and just starts giving him the credit he deserves.

By the way, if any of you COUGAR II fans want a copy of a 30 minute DVD about COUGAR II (shows about 9 of his wins) please let it be known and I'll try to figure out how to get you a copy.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

The Deacon — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:43:10 GMT

Great comments regarding Cougar II. I watched him run many at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park. He was true warrior, he always gave his best. There were some pretty good horses running during those days. Cougar II could run at pretty much any distance and on any surface. A couple of folks mentioned Fort Marcy. I also saw this brilliant horse run many times. He was argueably one of the top 10 greatest turf horses ever to run. But that is where it ends, Fort Marcy was brilliant on turf, Cougar II was great on dirt and turf. I might add that Fort Marcy was beaten by Dr. Fager and Advocator in 1968 in the "Docs" last race. That was the only time they ever ran against each other. I think the "Doc" carried 134 pounds and fought Advocator pretty much the length of the stretch to win. It was the first and only time the "Doc" ran on turf and it showed the world how great he was. I think he is listed at #5 in horse racing's top 100 thoroughbreds of the 20th century. I would rank him in the top 4 of all time along with Man O' War, Spectacular Bid and Secretariat. All 4 of these greats could beat each other on any given day. Cougar II though should rank in the top 100 mof all time, that is a no brainer.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

Matthew W — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:07:42 GMT

Preakness to answer your question I said about greatness--you KNOW it when you SEE it---like Secretariat, 'Bid, Brownie--it does not matter who they ran against--that was out of their control--but I stand by my observations--you know greatness when you see it--as for Cougar II only carrying 130lbs twice (and losing) Cougar GAVE much weight to everybody else for over thirty races in a row--all graded--give me a break!!

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

Karen2 — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:55:53 GMT

Mike S.... I must say your May 13th 3:39 post is one of the most well written and well said post I have ever seen on these blogs. Thank you for saying what needs to be said. As an avid racing fan your post speaks volumes. All the horses running deserve our respect.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

LDP — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:24:22 GMT

Householder,

In the Oaks RA ran her final furlong in 12 seconds w/o being asked. No way in hell can Zenyatta catch her coming from that far back. You can't look at times to tell the story, RA has the lead through the race most of the time and just gallops along. Zenyatta sits at the back and is made to speed up to catch others. Zenyatta if she faces RA will lose. No horse right now can close on RA.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

RICH D — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:36:52 GMT

And the whole Cougar II issue, he was so good they had to name him twice.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

RICH D — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:28:41 GMT

I think it takes a graduated eye to identify potential "greatness" in a racehorse. Of course final times, company and trouble lines, winning margins, and pace scenarios are the normal tools utilized in ID'ing the next new star. However I believe how a horse did it is most important. My graduated eye tells me, and I'm obviously not alone, but prob' not for the same reason(s), that this will be our next "super" star-RA. Go ahead fry me to for saying it. I'm still dragging my jaw over her Oaks win, CB didn't even blink, I'd be suprised if he even took a breath. I'd bet that if RA was coming down the stretch just 5ft. from you that you wouldn't even hear her coming, or going. Not because of her speed either for what begets her speed is her motion. It is such an effortless stride that her feet barely hit the ground which creates her natural speed. Watch her Oaks closely- her effort( barely any), the jock's motion(none), if poss. video of winners circle( couldn't blow out a match), and we know that the jockey knows best so who's CB riding? Perhaps those of us who can see this super talent, and I say "super" with just that purpose, just can't hold back our enthusiasm and let's face it-- the opportunity to say "I told you so", and making a couple of bucks never hurt. So please play against RA and tell all your friends.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

Julie L. — Thu, 14 May 2009 02:28:38 GMT

Thank you Mike S. for sticking up for Cougar II, I whole heartedly agree with you that Cougar II was one of the all time greats, too bad some of these bloggers either haven't seen his races or read about him. His duels with Ack Ack were classic and legendary. Again thank you.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

SR 71 — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:11:47 GMT

. Ruffian

2. Personal Ensign

3. Zakarva

4. Zenyatta

5. Silverbulletday

6. Azeri

^^^^ just a few that are better IMO

agree with the original post..

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

CEF — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:28:32 GMT

Unfortunately, I don't think Rachel A. will beat the boys. She has humiliated a bunch of not very good fillies. My vote goes to a tie between Personal Ensign (undefeated and brilliant), and the tragic Ruffian, whose potential was cut short by that foolish match race. If Ruffian had been handled wisely, it would have been no contest. She was flat out brilliant. When a horse that fast is SO insane for running, you have to respect that. Ruffian died trying to win, so I vote her a slight edge over Personal Ensign.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

Mike S — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:55:54 GMT

Just because the folks at The Bloodhorse didn't put COUGAR II in the Top 100 of the 20th Century doesn't mean he doesn't belong there. If I put the list together he surely would have been included. Others would have excluded him. So what? It's all based on opinion.

By the way, SHUVEE was great, you're right, and COUGAR II handled her with ease. DR. FAGER and DAMASCUS were great as well (yes, greater than COUGAR II), and I pointed out how FORT MARCY (another great horse) got beat by COUGAR II (twice) and FORT MARCY was very competitive racing against DR. FAGER and DAMASCUS.

ACK ACK made the 100 best list, and COUGAR II almost ran him down in the Santa Anita Handicap, after racing about 8 wide from the far turn to the stretch. Later that year, Charlie Whittingham scratched him from the Hollywood Gold Cup so ACK ACK would not lose. SUSAN'S GIRL made the Top 100 list (and she was great as can be) and COUGAR II beat her by 7 lengths. So I think I drew the appropriate conclusion about COUGAR II.

The Bloodhorse was remiss in omitting COUGAR, so I'm going to go out and buy the book and ADD MY OWN page on COUGAR II to the end of the book. :)

I do, however, agree with you about how RACHEL ALEXANDRA's 20 length victory means nothing. I say that only because it indicates that the second horse (not to mention the rest) was very slow. It's not like RACHEL ALEXANDRA broke a track or world record, like SECRETARIAT. SECRETARIAT's 31 length romp meant everything because he lowered the track record by 2-2/5 seconds and set a world record to boot. That was a show of brilliance that we haven't seen before or after.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

Mike S — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:39:06 GMT

I don't know what it is about some people, about some racing fans, that they need to put down everything and diminish its significance. The people who look back at SECRETARIAT disdainfully not only are trying to diminish his greatness, but they also completely dismiss all the other horses that ran against him in 1972 and 1973. If you can diminish all the horses who ran in 1972 and 1973, especially by dismissing all the stakes winners (who are the best of the bunch) as being "nobody" then why are you a racing fan? If everyone is a "nobody" then I don't know what it is that you like about our great sport of horse racing.

SECRETARIAT's 1973 Marlboro Cup field was one of the best fields ever assembled for a race. I don't know if any race before or since has showcased five champions (SECRETARIAT, RIVA RIDGE, COUGAR II, KEY TO THE MINT and KENNEDY ROAD). If you can't appreciate the quality and greatness of that field, and can dismiss it out of hand, then I don't know what allure racing has for you. If the best horses are worthless then why bother associating yourself with racing?

COUGAR II was definitely in the top 2 or 3 older racehorses in the United States from 1971 thru 1973, both on turf and dirt. Seriously, he was one of the very best horses running each one of those years. Ignoring him, or dismissing him, seems ridiculous when he was either the best of the bunch, or very close to being the best, and if he was no good then what does that say for the other thousands of horses running at the time? Was everyone "no good"?

RACHEL ALEXANDRA and STARDOM BOUND get the same treatment, from the dismissive crowd, who color all their victories with disdain because they "didn't beat anybody." BIG BROWN got the same complaints. Horses can only beat horses that are in the race, they cannot beat horses who are sitting in the barn. And horses who are winning stakes race after stakes race, year in and year out, are the best of the crop and should be appreciated.

When I start perceiving every horse as "no good" and a "nobody" then I'll stop watching the races.

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

Preakness — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:41:38 GMT

As for Cougar II “carrying high weight”, he only ran twice with 130 lbs. with one 2nd & one 3rd, so much for his weight carrying ability. Go and study the history of Thoroughbred racing in America before you attach the label GREAT to a horse. If Cougar & RA are great, then what are horses like Man O’ War, Roseben, Pan Zarita, Citation, Dr. Fager, Damascus, Kelso, Shuvee, Preakness, Discovery, Native Dancer, All Along, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, TaWee, War Admiral etc, etc, etc? Perhaps they are Great Great Horses, or maybe Super Great Horses. I have to laugh at the way the word great is thrown around.

Last but not least, if you pay credence to such things as many people do. Where is Cougar II ranked in The Blood-Horse magazines List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century? Answer he isn’t, neither is Key to The mint.

Steven Crist put it best in his Racing Form blog a few days when he said that RA beat the worst Oaks field ever. Now there is really no way of knowing this, but they were very, very bad. So the 20 lengths means nothing.

Am I nuts or did someone on here just post that Big Brown was a great horse?

re: Rachel Alexandra - The Greatest Filly?

Matthew W — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:22:17 GMT

Secretariat's Marlboro Cup was at 1 1/8 mi vs older--in September...Riva Ridge, Cougar II, Key To The Mint..........also won TC, won twice on turf by wide margins...you simply could not see him and not percieve greatness.....like Big Brown....like 'Bid.....