I understand why people are irritate by this (which started with Jackson buying RA), but it's the name of the game.  And if you have a limit and people don't want you in, well... then.. you're screwed.  Personally, while I'd like to see RA run against the boys, I think she beat a mediocre field in the Oaks and won't win anywhere near as easy.  This sorta falls under 'too bad, so sad' to Jackson, as far as I'm concerned.

Well this is my opinion.  I feel that she is a wonderful filly. However I was very upset when Calvin decided to take that mount and the fact that she was sold in the first place.  I am happy she is out of the Preakness and not only because of that but also because of her safety.  Thank GOD!  At least we won't have another Eight Belles in 2009.  

I don't it's unsportsmanlike; it's within the rules of the game.  Rachel is a late nomination, and if the other owners want to conspire to block her out of the race, I think it's perfectly acceptable for them to do so.

You confuse being strategic with being unsportsmanlike.  That's akin to saying that bluffing in poker is unsportsmanlike, but in reality it's part of the game.  

I think it would be disgraceful for these two owners to fill the field with literally "filler" to keep out perhaps the best horse racing in America today just because they are afraid of her. That is not sportsmanlike conduct at all. Sportsmanlike conduct would be to  run their horses against her and see who is really the best. They should be ashamed of themselves for even thinking of such a thing. If both owners go ahead with this plan, they are not sportsmen or horsemen in my opinion, but egotistical cowards who care more about their own egos than the prestige of the sport or the fas who want to see a truly remarkable filly get a fair chance to display her talents in an American classic against colts.

That is rather unsportsmanlike.

Safety? Do people not realize that here in Europe fillies take on the boys all the time? Sadly, a lot of high profile fillies have broken down in America but that doesn't mean that they are fragile. i didnt post on the last blog entry, but I am very upset that Rachel got sold, Calvin gave up his ride on MTB etc. However she is a super filly and although I would LOVE to see MTB win the Preakness, it is unsporting to keep Rachel out. I love both of them and the best horse will win.

This just makes me feel ill.  Even though I wouldn't have opted to run her 2 weeks after the Oaks myself, I was looking forward to seeing her show her stuff. I'm ashamed of Mrs. Whitney for being in league with these two fools I have to say.  Not very surprised about Zayat and Allen.  Business decision, maybe, sportsmanlike decision, certainly not.  I'd say the people in question better not be in contention for an Eclipse Award as individuals.  Vulgar doesn't even begin to describe the tactics.  Do they consider it a bonus that it sticks it to Jess Jackson?  I guess the fact that it lets the fans down doesn't even enter into it.

I don't think Rachel Alexandra should run in the Preakness and as a racing fan I hope she does not.  I am very worried for the filly coming into a race such as the Preakness after only 2 weeks rest.  Does anybody know the last time a filly actually won the Preakness?  We certainly don't need another Eight Belles situation.  It doesn't make any sense to me to run her in the Preakness.  She is not the Kentucky Derby winner and has no shot at the Triple Crown.  If they want to run in a Triple Crown race why can't they run in the Belmont which would give her 5 weeks rest instead of 2.  The owner is not putting the welfare of the horse first if they do try to run her in the Preakness and I hope the other owners will enter enough horses to keep her out.  These people have to be stopped if they have no common sense.

I'm a little torn about this one.

On one hand I don't really care for J.J.   But, I would like to see her run against the boys to prove or disprove just how good she really is, which Wiggins wouldn't have done.

I also do like Curlin and Rachael and hope the best for the both of them.   And I can also understand that J.J.'s future intention is to have her bred to Curlin so that he gets off to a good start at stud, which IS a good move.

On the other hand I can also see how entering a 2nd horse TO shut her out IS a very smart decision.   To me it's no different than a trainer entering a rabbitt to try and burn out a favorite.

And as for Calvin...I can see that it's just a total business decision for him to ride Rachael since Asmussen has like 500 future possible mounts vs. Wiggins probably only having about 50 or so ???   Gotta go with the 500 when your self employed.

I agree with the first comment here. I don't think it's fair for a horse that has not been on the Derby Trail and the Triple Crown to simply jump in when it is discovered that he/she is a star. There are plenty of high profile stakes races this summer for Mr. Jackson to showcase his filly at.

The boys are afraid of the filly.  They can give every excuse in the book, but they are wimping out.

I am dumbfounded. I don't even know what to say about this. I am genuinly disgusted by this entire situation. What has this industry come to????

If they feel the need to block her out, then obviously they feel like she is a threat. Calvin Borel feels like she is the best three year old in the country. Shouldn't you want to beat the best of the best? If someone says that the Triple Crown races are only for stallions, then does that mean that they would try to block Mine that Bird if they had a chance? How sportsmanlike is that?

This is the most dastardly deed I have ever seen.  To keep RA out of the Preakness is a travisity just because they want Calvin to ride MTB.  Outrageous and shame on them, I was going to pull for MTB but now I hope he loses, would serve them right.  What kind of sportsmanship is that anyways and as for Mary Lou and whoever else is sticking a horse in there shame on them....If RA is not good enough and does not win that is one thing but to push her out because you don't want to race against her is something else.  What a stinking rat race this game of racing is, they should all be ashamed and never get another horse on a track again.  

I guess what they are saying is: Our colt and gelding are no match for that filly, Zayat is saying I have too much money invested in this business to have my colt beat by a gelding in the Derby and beat in the Preakness by a Girl, Basically that is his position.

This is deplorable.  

Mark Allen is not above board.  His father pleaded guilty to bribery, extortion, conspiracy charges, etc. in Alaska, and there were alleged bribery charges against Allen.  

Amazing, thinking and trying to block Rachel Alexandra on the false premise to be concerned about the welfare of fillies running against colts, that it was a rivalry between his horse and Pioneerof The Nile - hell, he just doesn't want to face a superior horse in Rachel, and is upset with Calvin Borel's decision to ride her....

If he is successful in blocking RA from the Preakness, if I were Calvin Borel, I'd then refuse to ride Mine That Bird in protest, and in support of the filly.

So much for good sportsmanship and the good of racing's still-lousy reputation! You all remind me of bratty 7-year-olds in a sandbox. For shame. I'm a non-owner, have no connections, but am a fan (for the time being). I want to see all three race each other! In fact I hope Fresian Fire is healthy enough to run also. I want to watch history, not a gerry-rigged race. I get enough of that in politics!

Rose GET A LIFE !!! THERE ARE INJURIES IN ALL SPORTS.  This is the reason racing in this country continues to decline.  These pathetic owners are now going to enter horses to keep out Rachel and rip off the fans ??? I will not bet a single dollar on the race nor will I even watch it.  MINE THAT BIRD and the connections are frauds and his horse is a fluke and from now on will only call the horse a fluke.  Way to go racing ... you just took 8 steps back !!! If they block her I will block them and go watch the new Star Trek movie next Saturday.

Besides being incredibly unsportsman-like, the claim that the Triple Crown series is only to showcase future stallions is hitting the nail on the head of what's wrong with the horse racing industry right now.

No longer are breeders focusing on stamina and soundness when mating plans are decided. Instead, it is only the money the foal will bring at sales that decides their genetics.

Commercial breeding is slowly but surely driving the American thoroughbred into the ground. It is no secret that horses no longer run as many times during a year, for as many years as they used to do before the 80s, when commercial breeding started booming.

What will it take for the big stud farms to start revising their stallion books, and for owners to start putting more thought into their mare's partners?

It seems like it will take 10 more Barbaros before the industry really changes for the better. The steps being taken right now are too small, and possibly too late.  

As for the argument that fillies shouldn't run with colts, I don't understand the reasoning behind why they shouldn't run. Fillies compete with colts across the pond, and have just as good a chance at besting them. Eight Belles was, in my opinion, an aberration, and using one example to completely wipe out any chance of filly/colt fields is ridiculous, not to mention unscientific.

AND, since I'm on a roll, I'd like to point out the complete hypocrisy of Zayat in his trying to out-maneuver Rachel Alexandra. His argument that the series is only to showcase colts is laughable as a GELDING won the Derby.

Also, let me add that Mark Allen making a big stink about having the same rider is like admitting that the rider won the Derby, not the horse.  If his horse is truly the class horse that he seems to think, he should be able to get the job done with another top-class jock...not just one.  Jockey's have to look out for themselves too, and they will go where they feel is their best shot to get their picture taken in the winner's circle.  There is no issue whatsoever with the sale of RA - it happens in racing and so-beit.  There is no issue wanting to run her against colts - it happens in racing and so-beit.  Stonestreet and Asmussen are being made out to be the bad guys, and the fingers should really be pointing the other way.  Isn't racing supposed to be about who the best horse is?  This isn't an all-boy campus my friends...this is horse racing.

I think it just shows they're truly afraid of her and are taking the coward's way out...

Something about this whole RA situation just isn't sitting well with me.  Why run her in the Preakness (on a two week rest)?  Why not wait for Belmont?

Right, because colts never break down in TC races (or maybe people just don't care about colts as much?)..oh wait.

Seriously though, no matter how you feel about Rachel running in the Preakness this is rediculous. Running a MAIDEN? Come on, I hope all the people bashing Jackson in the previous thread will show a little consistency here.

Good for them. If they want to enter other Triple Crown nominated horse that is their right. Of course JJ will probably buy up enough of the field to ensure That RR gets in.

Also,by not running in the Preakness it will give SA enough time to acclimate her to his regiment(i.e. pump her up with "vitamins")

Oh come on!! You Cowards!! If you're afraid of Rachel, be men and admit that's what it is.  Don't you dare use the names of our precious lost fillies - Eight Belles and Ruffian. You don't want Rachel to race against your boys because SHE'S GOING TO WIN NOT BECAUSE YOU WORRY AB0UT HER SAFETY. I worry every time I see any horse racing. Remember Barbaro and the Preakness? If you do, then why are you racing POTN and MTB? Aren't you afraid for them? OMG I can't believe this is happening. It's a disgrace.

I am so glad she may not be running in the preakness. I have lost so much respect for Borel, Jackson, and Asmussen. To jump off your derby horse is disgraceful, and to pull a GREAT horse from its already thriving situation, is deplorable and asking for a problem. I have had great respect for jess for what he did with curlin, but this is stupid. Good for those who saw how stupid this was and decided to do something about it. If she does make it in, however, I will be rooting against her, as I believe POTN and MTB, and Big Drama are much better than her. She hasn't faced anything but glorified claimers.

I think that it is very unsportsmanlike to try and exclude Rachel Alexandra! She'd be better than these maidens they're trying to enter!

If they're worried that she'll be better than they're horses, why not just wait and see?

For those who are worried about a repeat of Eight Belles: jsut because a filly broke down AFTER a triple crown race doesn't mean another filly shouln't be entered jsut to prevent a repeat. If Eight Belles was a stallion, this wouldn'y be as big of a concern. Barbaro broke down, and yet almost all of the triple crown are also stallions. Sexist much?

If Stonestreet thinks Rachel is good enough, people should support their decision and just wait and see what happens

Horses that are not half the athlete RA is run on 2 weeks rest all the time.  If the trainer says she is ready and feels good than lets see her run.  That is what she is born to do RUN !!! I have seen horses turned back after 7,5, and even 3 days.  GET OVER IT !  If she is ready to crush this weak group let her crush these pretenders including the FLUKE.

I don't like them entering filler just to keep the filly out. But, I didn't like Jackson taking her from her original trainer. Everyone said, hey, that's the business of horse racing. So I guess this is just business too.

Somebody forgot to send Mr. Zayat the memo.  You know, the one where no matter what you do or say these days concerning your horses, you must end it by genuflecting and mouthing the words, "We only want what's good for the horse."

The positive changes within the "industry" since Eight Belles' death are happening for one reason and one reason only - rich breeders and owners are desperate to protect their assets.  

I find it refreshing that Mr. Zayat, apparently not yet schooled in how to spin for the public, has inadvertently allowed a glimpse into how things are really done in racing.  

Having said that, I do NOT condone deserting the sport.  Like imposing economic sanctions on rogue regimes, that would only cause those at the bottom of the society/industry to suffer the most.  And in this case, the ones at the bottom are the horses.  

Here's hoping this situation focuses an even stronger light on thoroughbred racing and intensifies efforts to improve horse safety - not only at the level of the stunning Rachel Alexandra, the surprising Mine That Bird, and all the others at the top, but for the lowly claimers who toil away, often in pain and with poor care, only to end up needing rescue by bleeding hearts like me or worse, those who get shipped off to the abattoir.

A very good filly can compete against the colts.I do not think it is more likely for her to breakdown than  if she were competing against a top filly or mare.(Remember Go For Wand)However I hate Jess Jackson's cut throat approach to the sport.I hope she is kept out.I think he enticed Borel away from MTB.I think the owners of MTB should not use him ever again. Get another jockey even if he is available.

Kudos to Zayat for reconsidering.  I have followed the Triple Crown races since the 1960s and can not recall a time when horse owners conspired to keep another horse out of a race.  No one tried to keep Rags to Riches from running in the Belmont 2 years ago.  Additionally, there was no evidence that Eight Belles broke down as a result of running 2nd in the Derby last year, so when a filly comes along as talented as Rachel Alexandra, then she should have that opportunity to prove herself.

A lot of horses are nominated to the Triple Crown way before they are actually proven to be potential winners.  For the Allens and Whitneys of the world to fear competition so much that they would enter inferior horses, is truly despicable.  You might as well come out and admit that you're trying to "fix" the race.  As for the idea that the Triple Crown races are for showcasing Three year old stallions, didn't I see in the program that Mine That Bird is a GELDING.  Mr. Allen and Mr. Wooley aren't interested in making a name for that horse, but in collecting winnings.  With Me Allens questionable reputation as a business man, these underhanded tactics should not have been a surprise to anyone.  But, Certainly Mary Lou Whitney should know better.  Please, Birdstone's stud fee is only $10,000.  Does she really beleive that a KD win will make him more attractive as a potential sire?  Upsets happen.  I don't recall seeing Onion on any classic winners' pedigree and he beat the great Secretariat not once, but twice.

At a time when racing needs fans and support more than ever, this kind of poor sportsmanship gives the industry a very bad name indeed.

As for Calvin Borel, he was Rachel's regular rider and only a substitue on Mine That Bird.  Of course he would choose her as his mount.  He should feel no obligation to ride Mine That Bird in any future races, including the Preakness and/or the Belmont.

Just playing Devil's Advocate here about the 2 week time frame for Rachael.

Although I don't like seeing any horse run back in only 2 weeks, we all know that a lot of them have to.   Especially bottom claimers at Beulah.

However...I do seem to remember something about Conquistador Cielo winning the Met Mile and then winning the Belmont only about 5 days later.

Where was the uproar then ???   And that was a Hall Of Famer (Woody) who made that call.

If I remember right wasn't there something like this going on in the 2002 Kentucky Derby? And it was all about allowing War Emblem to get the pace. I think RA should run in the Preakness. I could understand entering another horse if Allen or Whitney had a horse that had a good shot at placing.

I was upset with the "fillies shouldn't race colts" crap before the Oaks and Derby. I wanted her in there. I have no doubt that she would have made mincemeat out of the boys. Now, I feel myself torn between being tickled about the Southwest being represented and finally getting to see RA put them in their place. Oh, fyi, I am one of those crazies that still have my "HER" Ruffian button. They are trying to block her because their scared of her. Plain and simple. Come on RA!!!

The action of those involved to keep Rachel Alexander out of the Preakness is pathetic..

I think that the owners are being very cowardly by trying to block Rachel Alexandra out of the Preakness. Rachel is ten times better than Mine That Bird and Calvin had every right to take her as his mount. I think she has the ability to run against the boys. I hate when people say she will be another "Eight Belles". As another person said, fillies run against colts in Europe every single day. America needs to get over it. I would LOVE for her to run against the boys and WIN and prove everyone wrong!

They better let Rachel get in the race or otherwise I, and I'm sure a LOT more other racing fans will be VERY PISSED OFF.

;/

I'm pretty disgusted by these people. I guess I'm naive enough that I still believe that racing is about who has the best horse, regardless of gender. I'd love to see Rachel Alexandra run in the Preakness (partly because I'll be there). But if these owners, "for the good of the game," enter inferior horses just to exclude her it would cheapen the race. If that happens, none of my dollars will be wagered on any of those horses, including the Derby winner. If Marylou Whitney feels the need to enter another horse to boost Birdstone as a stallion she apparently has little confidence in Mine That Bird's chances. That would appear to be true of his owners as well.

But then, maybe they should go ahead and exclude her. Let Mine That Bird win a Rachel-less Preakness then she can stomp him in the Belmont. I would cheer wildly.

Zayat, Mary Lou Whitney and Mark Allen lack the class of Rachel Alexandra. They should think before they stink.

It is within any & every owners right to enter any 3Yr old Colt, Gelding OR Filly that is TC NOMINATED in any TC race. RA WAS NOT NOMINATED by her owners because they had no intention to race her in any of the TC races and her training regime/schedule was mapped out months ago with that in mind. RA has always been well rested between her Races (5-6 weeks I believe) She hs never raced back in 2 weeks and faced the higher quality horses that she would be facing in the Preakness. I don't care that she won the Oaks by 20 lengths over a extremely small and WEAK field. The way people are saying that her margin of victory in the Oaks was Proof positive that she could have won the Derby IF ONLY she had been entered. What was her time in the Oaks by the way. By all accounts she must have set a World record or at the very least a Stakes record time by how people are gushing about RA extraordinary Oaks race? No record time of any kind? She has been only racing against mediocre 3 year old fillies at the Best. So no wonder she won by 20 lengths so could quite a few $5000 claimers. Oh by the way why didn't Mr Jackson at least try to buy RA couple months ago if he felt that she was TC quality and had her conditioned properly and raced  against  other TC nominated horse like everybody else. Or did Mr. Jackson only  buy RA for media hype for himself and future bookings to Curlin.

So all is fair in horse racing (per JC rules that is-Doping is against the rules right Trainer Asmussen?) o cough medication for her before her next race please or a  "Vitamin Injection" wither.

Could these two owners be any more of COWARDS and LOSERS?!?!?  Rachel Alexandra has as much, if not MORE of a right to run in the Preakness than most of the damn colts being entered!!!!  Seriously, Mine that Bird's win was a FLUKE!  Had Friesan Fire not been hurt at the beginning, he would've DESTROYED Bird!  Marylou Whitney and Mark Allen are bitter losers who are scared to death of a filly beating their boys!  She hasn't had the fast turn around that they have??  Excuse me, she ran 24 hours before they did!!  It is the same damn turn around time!  There has to be a way to contact those owners and call them out for being the cowards and losers that they are showing themselves to be!!!  Rachel Alexandra has EVERY right to be in the Preakness and Belmont!!  

Deuces wild thinks RA has only beaten a bunch of Glorified claimers. If that is true why are they so worried about it ? The boys should have no problems with her if she has only beaten claimers. If indeed RA is out the media will have a field day with it.

Not a suprise.  Mine that Bird is crap, and will never win a race of any consiquence again. I will love it when this horse finishes well back.  Karma what a b!tch

draynay

Enjoy watching startreck.  Hope it is a good episode. :)

Well, we didn't originally know that much about MTB connections.  Now we do!  What a bunch of low life opportunist who don"t want their "15 minutes of fame" to end.  Now we can all quote Dennis Green's famous line "they are who we thought they were!"

This is very sad for the sport if this should happen.  Racing would not even be in existence without fans who watch to see the best of the best run against each other.  This Mark Allen is a complete hack. And entering a freakin maiden to exclude one of the top 3yos is shameful. Marylou Whitney should be ashamed as well. Borel made a great move to want to ride Rachel.  He picked, in his opinion, the best horse and anyone would have made the same damn decision, fluke derby winner or not, so get over it!  

DeucesWild

I agree with you 100%.  I have lost my respect for Calivin too.  I really believe that 2 weeks is just too short for another race.  Really for all the horses. :)

It definitely because of clueless people Like the connections of mine that bird and the Pioneerof The Nile connections why racing is left out of the sporting mainstream today. I wonder if the derby winner connections forgot all of a sudden that it was only because of a few defections they even got into the race in the first place.

Trying to keep the filly out of this race is a most classless act. So what if Calvin decided he wants to stick with the filly, he obviously has that right. Horses supplement into races all the time. Besides it’s an opportunity to put some star power back into what would have been at best  a very  lack luster race. Might we forget Most of the horses that were developing as stars earlier in the year are sidelined. Rachel Alexandra is the star at the moment, she is the only excitement, the only story that can bring attention to an otherwise insulated sport.

To the notion that somehow running with the boys is more dangerous that running with the girls.

It‘s “Ridiculous” A bunch of crap. There is always an element for both horse and jockey, it’s something owners trainers and jockeys know to be possible before they go out there. Eight Bells was a tragedy, but it was a freak accident.  

The notion that somehow the Triple Crown is to showcase future stallions is just plain crazy. It’s the only time of the year that the general public gets a little interest and racing, and people want to see the best three year olds go at it, regardless of gender.  The one thing now one seems to be talking about is the horse. These days people like to say do what’s right for the horse. Well what’s right is to let her be all she can be, let her run to her potential , its quite obvious there is no three year old filly that can give her a good test. So lets see if the boys can test her.

I am confident that she gets to run , and she wins by 5+

Can Mr. Jackson not buy a colt or filly that can be trained and raced to a championship like the other owners?  I am a little tired of his coming in on proven trainers,throw his money around and wind up with someone else's hard work.  I really have no admiration for someone who "buys proven champions" and takes them away from the trainers who made them.  I know most of you only want to see the race and do not care what happens to the "little man" but this makes me not care what happens in the game of racing!

jshandler

I don't believe that Eight Belles running against the boys was why she broke down.   I do  believe that both sexes can race each other.  I just don't like this whole situation.  I doubt that Rachael would break down if she ran but that is really not why this bothers me.  It is the whole damn thing.  

I'm also "ashamed" of Ms. Whitney to pull out more colts to attempt to block Rachel. These owners do not do what's best for the sport. If "Bird" is that good, he'll beat her anyway so everyone should leave it alone.

If they do decide to block Rachel Aalexandra then my money is staying in my pocket.This would be a good way to show distain for such an unfortunate move by other owners.Pimlico will lose but they should be attempting to influence those owners to disband their plan.

Jason I hear you!:)

Tony and Jason....I agree with you completely.  I do think that Tony brings up a very interesting point.  Yes it is true that the public outcry seems to be worse when a filly breaks down and is euthanized (Ruffian, Go For Wand, Eight Belles) as compared to the boys...but this talk of preventing another Eight Belles catastrophy really is ridiculous.  I am a veterinarian, albeit a shelter one who works on small animals, but if we all think back to that horrible tragedy last Derby Day...they interviewed Dr. Larry Bramlage after the incident.  I had the opportunity to volunteer a few times with Bramlage in NY when I was preparing for vet school.  The man is probably one of the foremost equine surgeons in the world...and someone who knows his research.  For someone with that much experience in the field to say "I have never seen an injury like that happening before" says something.  It could happen to any horse at any time really. Everyone is so concerned with RA possibly injuring herself...well...what about all these incredibly inexperienced horses they are throwing into a major race like this (most likely with not the best preparation) that could cause a problem in then race by acting up or shying from the crowd or whatnot.  

Now...as far as the whole sportsmanship thing...it may suck but it is in the rules.  Trainers still run rabbits to soften horses up for the star of the stable.  I do not agree with the whole "showcasing the stallions" comment.  Personally...I would have liked to see RA wait till the Belmont, or maybe the Travers to take on the boys...but if she truly is something special...hey let her show it.

Fresh horses come into the preakness all the time.  Remember Bernardini??  Yes he might have been already nominated...but no one complained when he entered, or Red Bullet...I could go on....

When I started to hear about this nonsense early this morning I was beyond disgusted.  Who ever said the triple crown was only to showcase the colts?  Just because there have been few fillies to enter those races does not preclude one from running.  This is a case of "legal" race fixing.  Whether Rachel Alexandra runs or not is no longer the point.  The owner of MTB, Pofthe nile, and Marylou Whitney have lost my respect.  In fact the whole triple crown will now have the stgma of a joke to many fans.  This is just as bad an incident as the medication problem.  I won't be watching the rest of the triple crown.  Just the fact that those statements were made is completely unethical.

I was upset and angry to see RA sold (out) to the highest bidder rather than kept on the steady, consistent course which, if all went well, would have left her the undisputed Queen and plenty of time to put her best hoof forward against all comers later..perhaps in the BC.  Because you can't tell me that a brand new owner and brand new trainer are going to know her in two weeks, the way those that have nurtured her all along have.  They charted the course, and while the new owner has every right to do what he wants (its only money, right JJ?) I think running her in the Preakness is nothing more than a knee-jerk reaction of someone with more money than God who wants to steal some thunder.  If she's the best horse - let her win in her own good time!  Still interested in the "good of the sport", JJ?  Bid MTB well and let Calvin do his job.  America loves rooting for the underdog as much as we hate watching all those bleedin' bankers getting their bailouts and jetting off while their employees get pink slips.  Did you use some of YOUR bailout money to purchase RA?  

As upset as I was about what happened to RA, I was equally dismayed at the suggestion of "filler" horses being entered in the Preakness to keep her out.  My instinctive reaction was that was soo unsportsmanlike.  Whatever happened to turning the other cheek?  However, after reading what CRob87 said, I have to say that I agree.  (and for the record, I never liked seeing rabbits entered for the sole purpose of trying to wreck the chances of a good horse either)  But, it is just as sportsmanlike to enter a rabbit as it is to enter filler horses, so on that note - fill'er up!

This is despicable.  What kind of a low person would enter a maiden to exclude the horse who has the potential to win?  The point of racing is to see which horse is the best, fastest, strongest, most courageous, etc.  What are we learning by preventing the potential best our of the field?  And don't eve begin to say it's because she might get hurt.  Why is there a higher chance that she'll get hurt running against the colts than running against the fillies?  If she's gonna get hurt, she's gonna get hurt, no matter who the competition is.  And this whole buisness with 'showcasing future stallions' is such a load of bs.  Clearly that's not the case, as a GELDING won the Derby.  The last time I checked, geldings weren't being showcased as future stallions.  

This race is between the possibly 14 horses who were entered, not between Zayat and Allen, no matter how many horses they have entered, or how much money they have spent.  And it's not between jockeys, or the best jockey would win, not the best horse.  So that means that changing the jockeys shouldn't have too much of an impact. And if Allen thinks his horse is the same horse he says he is, then why would you be so worried?  I personally don't think his Derby win was all that remarkable.  As fast as he was moving at the end, it was more that everyone else was backing up than that he was moving up.  

Why is it fair to give everyone else a shot at beating you, but excluding a filly?  She deserves just as much a shot at the victory as any other horse in the field.  I have never seen such despicable behavior.  They might as well be 4 year-olds in an argument.  Get over yourselves!!!!

hey Jason , some of these boys are coming the same two weeks, and seriously the oaks was nothing but a paid work for RA. Honestly I have seen harder works than that race.that was more of a breeze

Unsportsmanlike is the only word I can think of to describe the plot to keep Rachel Alexandra out of the Preakness. They must really be afraid of her, as I suspect they should be. If they're not afraid, don't block her from coming into the race and we'll see who the best horse is Saturday.

PEOPLE IT IS WHAT IT IS.  LET THE FILLY RUN AND MAY THE BEST HORSE WIN.

OK, to me... this is absolutely ridiculous. Rachel has every right to be there. For those of you who call this by the rules and strategy... strategy would be entering in a rabbit to tire out other horses and give your closer a better shot (Pletcher?) You are not doing it to maliciously BLOCK another contender who you think has a chance to beat you. That is NOT strategy, that is being scared and petty.

Mine that Bird has the rest of his career to prove he wasn't a fluke. He doesn't have to win the preakness. Plus they don't think he will like the shorter distance anyway. So I mean come now! Got over it and let the filly dance.

And for Zayat and the others who are pulling the Ruffian and Eight Belles cards? SHAME ON YOU! There are no rules on running the fillies with the colts, there are exceptions where bad things happened, but that doesn't mean one led to the other. Great, amazing, talented horses break down.  It is heartbreaking but you have to stop using tragic losses as excuses not to run talented horses against each other.

Here in Japan, Daiwa Scarlet beat a field of talents males going a 1-9/16 miles in the Arima Kinen! In the Emperor's Cup Vodka and Scarlet came in 1 & 2 against the top males in the country, setting a track record in the process. Vodka won the Japan Derby in 07 against males, as well the Yasuda Kinen in 08.

Top fillies deserve a shot. And they don't all break down. You will prevent a lot of Champions from reaching their true potential. And the sport can't afford not to let it's champions shine right now!

Perhaps we should go back to the days of old, and exclude geldings from major stakes races. Jess Jackson didn't get scared when Rags to Riches went up against Curlin in the Belmont. What about 2 weeks rest? RA hardly had more than a workout in the Oaks. Let her run if they want. She'll win the Preakness and Belmont.

I can't even to begin to express my absolute disgust at even considering this! I don't care if it's allowed, that's unsportsman-like and cowardly tactics. If Mine That Bird was as good as some think he can run without Calvin. He's a Fluke who got lucky because he didn't have to run anywhere near as hard as the horses who were outside of him. The inside was drier than the outside and he had it easy. Put him on an even playing field and we likely wouldn't have even seen him make it in the money.

And to everyone arguing over the whole two weeks rest, it's ridiculous and hypocritical because if you worry about Rachel getting hurt off of about two weeks of rest what about the the colts?! Most of the horses in this race are gonna run with the same amount of rest that she will get. Yet no one speaks about POTN, Papa Clem, Musket Man, or General Quarters getting hurt. It's sexist, pure and blatant sexism. So just because she's a female makes her weaker? That's an insult to every female thoroughbred in the world because in other countries, females run against the boys all the time and a good deal of them win if they're better. Just because there were a few breakdowns doesn't mean that Rachel should be denied. Obviously her owners feel she's good enough, after all she doesn't have to run in the Preakness, she's already proven she is the best female out there right now possibly next to Zenyatta! If there was a risk of her getting hurt why would they risk losing a future broodmare especially since they only just got her? Obviously her connections are confident in her and now the other owners are scared. Rachel ran a faster Beyer than MTB did on Derby Day without even so much as a hand ride from Calvin. That's why he choose her, she's the better horse and she's more likely to win than MTB.

This is NOT what the sport needs at all. The reputation is already tainted in the general public's eye and this could really lower how people see this sport. It's about the best of the best running together. That's what the Triple Crown races are, to showcase the best and to be denied that just because one scared owner wants to keep Borel on his horse or because she's a filly is wrong and unfair to her.

I agree with the the previous comment that this is akin to running a rabbit.  I've never understood why that was such an accepted practice.  I agree, though, this is kind of the game, and part of the reason why nominations exist.  The whole deal has been distasteful from the sale on, so this newest development is no shocking surprise.

Jason:  Thank you for your last post.   I was about to throw up in my mouth if I read another "she might get hurt because she is running against the boys" post.  What super fans of RA should worry about is getting torched by Big Drama.  Or if she goes to the Belmont, she better hope Quality Road isn't waiting for her.

Why is no one pointing out that Mine That Bird has no more chance of becoming a stallion prospect than Rachel Alexandra does?  He is a GELDING after all.  And if you're going to talk about Mine That Bird promoting Birdstone, the same argument can be made for Rachel Alexandra running to promote Medaglia d'Oro.  A win by her in the Preakness would no doubt elevate him as a sire.  

Basically, the argument Mark Allen is making works against his own horse!  I could understand him wanting to exclude her if Mine that Bird was a colt, but he's not and has no future in the breeding shed.

And for the record, I, too, would rather see Rachel Alexandra wait for the Belmont just because I think she's better suited to that type of race and should have to time to adjust to new connections and a new routine.  However, I do respect Jess Jackson for allowing his horses to show their true potential in an age when owners and trainers are more concerned with preserving reputations than placing their horses in challenging spots.  This a Triple Crown race and it should contain the best field that can be assembled.  Period.

Why is it not an issue for MTB and all the others to run on 2 weeks rest and not RA? As previously stated filles run against colts in Europe all the time and no one has a problem with it there. If MTB really is the real deal his connections should have no problem with RA running. As for Borel switching, I would have made the same choice. MTB's connections are just pissed because they know that a huge part of the reason he won is because of Borel.

Wow, this is pretty low in my book. All the excuses that Allen (and formerly Zayat) were throwing up to exclude RA are just a smokescreen to cover that they have a real fear of losing to her.

Championships should be decided on the track. If we're going to start talking about the Triple Crown being a showcase for the future stallions of the game, then go ahead and exclude geldings and fillies, at least then your arguments wouldn't ring so hollow.

And as for you folks who are going on and on about a filly racing against the boys, oy vey, they do it all the time in Europe. If the individual in question is a large, robust, imposing filly, why not try your hand against the boys?

While I do understand the concept of owners entering rabbits to help their prime contender's chances, what's being proposed by these folks for the Preakness is an absolute farce. If you stand by the performance and ability of your horses, then have them all duke it out on the track. You're afraid. You're afraid. Just admit it.

And if you're going to argue that it's just business, well what do you think business would be for the Preakness Inc. to have a filly with a legit shot to win as part of the field? The marketing hype and interest it would generate, and if she won, the exposure the game would get on the internet, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, etc, a la Rags to Riches?

Not to knock MTB, because he'll forever be known as a Derby winner, but doesn't anyone else suspect that instead of turning out to be a 'Slew, an Affirmed, or a bid, that he turns out to be more like a Lil E. Tee? Having RA in the field really ratchets up the interest and intrigue in the race.

This is not the sport I grew up with in the 70s. It's really no wonder that racing is now a D-list sport these days.

Makes me want to root for General Quarters even more. Seriously, MTB's connections are cowards, and what would the Triple Crown mean if it was won over a bunch of maidens. Rachel ran in several prep races, same as the colts - I'm pretty sure she has more experience than Dunkirk, say, but of course he has equipment that somehow makes him sounder than the poor weak filly. Maybe she won't win, I'm not in love with her jockey at Pimlico, but she deserves the chance to run. As for fresh horses, look no further than Birdstone who didn't run in the Preakness and ambushed Smarty Jones in the Belmont as a fresh horse. There is no rule that says only horses who ran in the Derby can run in the other two classics - Red Bullet didn't, Da Tara didn't, just two instances. The existing Triple Crown winners had to take on all comers. Should they go through with this and MTB somehow win the Triple Crown, it will be tainted because they hand-picked their competition. Racing is dead if this becomes standard operating procedure. Non-racing people who liked the "small guy" story of MTB will not love this move by his connections. Hope Allen's Alaska methods will not work here. Have to hope the racing gods don't want to see this kind of behavior rewarded.

And - I can't stand Jackson and Asmussen, I just think the filly deserves a shot at running.

This is what I have to say.  Run her in the Belmont and see how good she REALLY is.  :)

I think people fear too much of bringing a horse back in 2 weeks.  People make this a bigger deal than it is and the good horses could easily do this all the time and compete at the highest levels.  People say that horses are more fragile today and need more spacing, but how can claimer horses keep performing at high levels with only like a week between races.  I think trainers and owners always expect the worst and are maybe too cautious.  Two weeks for Rachel is no problem...plus its not like she gave 110% effort in the Oaks.

Its disgusting what they are doing on both sides, I was disappointed with the sale and transfer of RA from Wiggins and believe that running her in the preakness was a bad idea(not because she might breakdown)because she has had no time to acclimate to her new surroundings.I would rather see her run againist Zenyata first, then maybe she can run againist the boys. To exclude a horse because your afraid you will lose your jockey or the other horse is too good just shows what cowards they are.  

Egregious level of unsporting behavior. Only exceeded by the sheer arrogance of Zayat's comments.

While I am not a fan of pulling Rachel from Wiggins, or running her back in the Preakness 2 weeks after the Oaks, I am far more shocked and dismayed at the blatant attempt to conspire to keep her out of the race.

Has a filly ever been this feared?

Has a Derby winner ever had such a bad sport as an owner?

How dare anyone take Mine That Birds Derby and say it was a fluke.  That is total disrespect and jealousy.  He deserved to win that race.  I lost money and I didn't give a damn.  He is a wonderful horse.  The people that put him down are naysayers to say the least.  

So some of you guys are thinking that, because an owner/trainer has a horse that was nominated to the TC and would like to run them against what seems to be a relatively weak field THEY are the bad guys here?

Hey, everybody withdraw and let her run by herself.

SHE is the intruder here, not the colts who have been through the grueling prep races and whose owners put their faith in the horses and nominated them.

Ms. Whitney would never intentionally 'block' a horse like that. But I know (like she said) that Wayne really likes Luv Gov (and I Luv his name Elliot, well him and Ninth Client). How fair is that? He's been told he can't enter him if it keeps her out, despite the fact that he liked him for his Preakness horse, realistic or not. Horse racing is tailor made for eternal optimists and dreamers.

Do any of us really think this is a 'stellar field'? The Oaks was basically a workout for RA and we know she didn't get banged around or taxed at all.

Good for the game?  Seems like she's causing a lot of hard feelings amongst a lot of people.

People who don't just come on here and mouth off about something that isn't part of their everyday life (DN) and people who don't just watch the TC and BC each year.

Allen wants to block her from running? Mainly because she hasn't faced the same rigors that a lot of the colts have faced. I don't know if I agree with blocking her but I also don't agree with denying someone the ability to enter a nominated horse they wanted to enter from the getgo.

Draynay, how many horses do you have in your stable now?

"Besides being incredibly unsportsman-like, the claim that the Triple Crown series is only to showcase future stallions is hitting the nail on the head of what's wrong with the horse racing industry right now."

Could not have said it better.  These people can't even be 'sportsmen' because they couldn't care a bit about the sport.  They are far too busy trying to calculate stud fees.

"Let me be as clear as I can on this: Horses do not get injured b/c they run against the opposite sex."

What are you talking about?  It is obviously proven fact that a filly's bone density begins to deteriorate as soon as they enter the paddock with the boys. lol  Yes I'm seriously sick of the "girls are so fragile" argument as well.  Everyone can bring up Eight Belles but what about Goldikova?  Actually at this point I think the girls may be tougher than the boys, the top of the crop make it to their four year-old season far more often.

I also think that the two weeks argument is pretty weak if you aren't going to complain about MTB and POTN running back in two weeks as well!

If her new owners want to pay the supplement so that she could have the opportunity--then by all means, they should AND she should have the chance.  Based on her latest work, I would say she came out the Oaks well and is ready to go again.  It is ridiculous to try to "block" her from running and VERY unsportsmanlike.  I would love to see a Triple Crown as much as any other horse racing fan, but would not want it tarnished by this "strategy."  I know Calvin personally and am sure that he agonized over his decision--the fact of the matter is, he was asked to ride Mine That Bird once and he has ridden Rachel Alexandra to 5 stakes wins--I know it's upsetting to some to see a jockey take off the Derby winner, but this is a business and he went with the horse he has ALREADY BEEN RIDING IN SEVERAL RACES!!!  Stop bashing Calvin--I seem to remember Garret Gomez having a decision to make before the Derby and didn't see people bashing him for that.

I'm hoping for a competitive and thrilling Preakness with a full field of 14 horses including Rachel Alexandra--may the best horse on the day WIN--regardless of their sex and may all involved stay safe.

I don't usually agree with Draynay but hey I must say I agree with him now.  Horses USE to and I mean USE to run every week or two weeks and nothing was thought of it, it was the way it was.  Todays breeding has weakened the true great horse so  he is incapable of racing no more than 4-5 weeks so does that make sense.  Racing has injured their own.  I was angry when I wrote my last excerpt but I am not angry with MTB, it's not his fault he has such sickening owners and I wish no ill on the horse.  It is wrong to keep RA out of racing in the Preakness besides her run in the Oaks was just another day of training for her since the field was inadaqute to begin with so she breezed alone.  Is she that good..who knows but she has the right to find out if she is that talented and should not be left out of the running.  Fillys and mares race against the boys all the time overseas and occasiionally some in this country so there is no difference.  She was born to run so give her the chance to see what shw can do.

My main concern (relative to this brouhaha) is that it might "polarize" Mr. Jackson further and guarantee that RA goes into the Preakness for other reasons vs what is best for the horse.  

As much as one is free to sell/buy a horse, choose which horse you will ride, one is just as free to enter or not enter a horse. So long as the rules as written are followed, there is no dispute, no matter what the reason for the action.

Now there might be complaints, there are some actions taken that don't sit well with me, (a jockey coming off a Derby Winner?), but one can not dispute the individuals right to act, so long as they act within the rules of the race.

To any claims of it being unfair in keeping the filly out of the race; many actions taken by a great many people this past week could be deemed unfair concerning this filly. But the actions are legal, and fall within the rules

of racing.

Deal with it, live with it, but don't let the actions of others deal with how you choose to live.

Eight Belles taking a bad step is unrelated to the sex she ran against.

Draynay, I am finally absolutely onboard with you!!

If I owned RA I would wait - but I am all for JJ's right to run.  What cowards the owner of PON and MTB are.  They will be labled so from now on, I believe.

I was disheartened by the sale of Rachel Alexandra. I am disgusted by the fact that horse owners/trainers are conspiring to keep RA out of the Preakness. Cowards, all of them! I dislike people, like Jackson, who throw their money around. The money angle in horse racing is what is murdering the sport.

RA is a great horse. Calvin Borel recognizes that. I wonder what he is thinking about all of this.

I will watch the Preakness only if RA is allowed to run. Many racing fans, I'm sure, will do the same.

Let the 3 yr. old colts/geldings go at it in the Preakness and Belmont.  IF RA runs in the Preakness, she beats a weak bunch of 3 yr. old colts (and what does that prove?). Save RA (race her in the filly TC) and have a fresh horse for the Breeders Cup and Zenyatta.  That's what I am waiting for.

I have seen enough.  Everyone has an opinion and they all differ.  Well you guys hash this out.  :)

Let's fill the Preakness and the Belmont full of maidens and claimers, Allen can pay Zayat half the purse to hold his horse to 2nd place so we can have a "true" rivalry ending in a TC winner. Because a TC winner would improve the sport beyond all measure, regardless of how that horse (failed) to earn it, right?? Of course, this wouldn't in any way cheapen the performances of the REAL TC winners or further degrade the public's opinion of this sport.

MTB ran a very good race under a brilliant jockey in the KD. But don't kid yourself to assume he'd be of the same quality, class and value of those TC winners who actually earned their titles against the best unless he actually races the best.

Big Brown wins on steroids last year. This year the playmakers are trying to manufacture a TC winner.

What a joke.

No,it won,t happen Rachel Alexandra will indeed run in the Preakness.

I don't understand those of you who are bashing Calvin for committing to Rachel. He has ridden her in her past five races - had he even been on MTB before the Derby?  C'mon, he's going with the horse he thinks is better and  hating him for his choice is ridiculous.

I'm actually glad this situation occurred. It gives everyone a glimpse into the credibility of some who are considered to be movers and shakers in this industry. A Zayat will likely one day be chosen for admission to The Jockey Club. No wonder that racehorses must seek protection from outside the industry (Congress, etc.)-those in positions of strength are chosen for reasons other than true ability/merit. This is near to the heart of the problem.

As to jshandler's comment: You speak with a bit too much certainty, conviction. Now, I'll speak with some conviction: It is certainly possible that a filly (particularly a high class one with "heart") could be more exposed to injury should she compete against high quality colts. Not because they are colts, per se, but because high quality colts would tend to offer them (the filly) greater competition than high quality fillies. For example, the jury is certainly out re-whether running against Foolish Pleasure in their match was not contributory to Ruffian's break-down.    

"Could these two owners be any more of COWARDS and LOSERS?!?!?  Rachel Alexandra has as much, if not MORE of a right to run in the Preakness than most of the damn colts being entered!!!!  Seriously, Mine that Bird's win was a FLUKE!  Had Friesan Fire not been hurt at the beginning, he would've DESTROYED Bird!  Marylou Whitney and Mark Allen are bitter losers who are scared to death of a filly beating their boys!  She hasn't had the fast turn around that they have??  Excuse me, she ran 24 hours before they did!!  It is the same damn turn around time!  There has to be a way to contact those owners and call them out for being the cowards and losers that they are showing themselves to be!!!  Rachel Alexandra has EVERY right to be in the Preakness and Belmont!!"

Rechelle 10 May 2009 6:

No Rechelle, the colts and fillies who were actually NOMINATED have the RIGHT to run, not Rachel Alexandra.

Not because she's a filly, but because she wasn't nominated to run in the TC series and once again Jess is trying to BUY the glory.

The people who NOMINATED their horses to the TC had the faith and wherewithall to take the leap of faith BEFORE the FACT, not AFTER she was deemed to be a 'star'.

For those of you beating up on MaryLou, nothing could be further from the truth about the first lady of racing. She has class. She has always done what's best for racing. She apologized for Birdstone spoiling a TC, should she have pulled out the colt then?

We (anyone who actually KNOWS racing first hand) all know who would enter horses just to block another and MaryLou ain't one of em boys and girls. The comment about her trying to promote Birstone is ridiculous. His progeny are doing pretty well and truthfully a Derby win is worth just about as much as any race in that respect.

As far as the comment about the turnaround time being the same, do any of you even watch races, go to the track, visit the backside?

That race for her was like me walking to the mail box, the Derby was like me running as fast as I could after the mailman with the neighbors dog nipping at my heels, and doing it with flip flops on the mud.  She had a fast track and was in a glorified workout, didn't get clipped, bumped, squeezed, taken 7 wide etc.

I really wish people would THINK before they speak about others and things they know NOTHING about.

As much as I hate jess Jackson for being such an egotistical jerk and stealing away the Derby winner's glory and jockey, he inadvertently is doing Mark Allen a HUGE FAVOR...Borel's a Churchill Downs specialist, NOT a Pimlico specialist.

Mine That Bird needs a jockey who knows Pimlico like the back of his hand and when to pull the trigger...that jock is not Calvin Borel.

Get a Kent Desormeaux, Javier Castellano or Ramon Dominguez...someone who knows the east coast tracks.  That will take care of you for the Belmont too!

Think about what's best for Mine That Bird, not your own ego, Mark Allen!  

This is becoming a strange Triple Crown series! Apparently the Whitney horse will not run if RA is to be excluded. Isn't her exclusion a moot point then?

If I were MTB's connections, I would want Borel, too, but they need to face reality and decide on a replacement.

Let's de-emotionalize this for a minute and take a rational look at this. This all started when Mr Jackson had to get back in the limelight and upset the applecart. I seem to remember him 2 years ago going on a soapbox about "doing what's right for the good of the game, transparency,blah,blah,blah".  Boy, that was a bunch of hooey.  Looking objectively- HorseRacing finally got back on the cover of Sports Illustrated. We had 2 very public-popular stories w/ Calvin Borel and MTB. And the Triple Crown was still the focus. Mainstream America was actually talking about HorseRacing!  Now after these Rachel Alexandra shenanigans its no wonder it will remained relegated to the back page...or no page..in the sports section.  The filly has not faced this level of competition, has only 2 weeks rest, and finally, god forbid..if she comes out of the race injured, the sport will be almost terminally destroyed. Millions more will swear off horse racing forever.  The right thing to do is for Mr Jackson to suck up his ego and run her in the Belmont..or even the Acorn, as originally planned. Should MTB pull off the Preakness, this would make for even added drama and make for a very special Belmont, with the Triple crown on the line.  Seems simple to me.

Mark Allen is acting like an idiot!  Let the best horse win I say, he's a coward.  This is deffinetely the most unsportmanlike move I've ever seen in this sport!!

 Let Rachel run and I have a feeling she'll put all arguments to silence.

I have been a fan of racing for 20 yrs. Today I am ashamed of the sport. I cannot believe anyone who claims to love the sport would black ball any horse because of fear & shame on them. They will face her sonner or later and I hope she kicks their #@!.

I will let you in on a secret...The reason "most" of these owners will put up the $10,000 to enter and then scratch is to keep Jess Jackson out.  He is a classless owner who is an opportunist.  The guy is using mothers day as a guilt trip for the owners trying to block him...Saying that they are depriving all mothers of seeing this wonderful filly run.  He takes his horse from a trainer who was living his dream with this filly, and hands her off to a trainer that is repeatedly convicted of drug use and steroids.  That is the real story.  How can you take a horse away from this man???  I will tell you how.  He is a good ole boy and Jess cant relate to that.  He needs a high profile Trainer.  She belongs in the race and we all know that.  Whether she can stand up to the boys...who knows.  She will have to look one or more in the eye, that's for sure.  The horse to watch is Friesan Fire.  He is kicking the stall door down right now and will turn in a very sharp work Tuesday.  He will be a fair price!!!

It's indefensible, unsportsmanlike and cowardly to "strategize" to keep RA out. I hope MaryLou Whitney is not a part of this. Can you imagine if they succeeded in keeping out RA and then MTB won the triple crown? No one who knows racing would care. If you could pick and choose the field you were running against, you could enter Mr.Ed and win. But you know what, it's not going to happen. So not to worry. It still remains to be seen if she can beat quality colts. She is a great filly but she will be up against some good colts and not the ususal field. On another note, does it surprise me that Mark Allen thought it was a good idea to shut RA out? No, not one bit. That speaks for itself. As for running her within two weeks, its the same difference for the colts. However, Toral said it very well, we need to breed for soundness and stamina, not for the quick dollar. Breeders do horses an incredible disservice when they do that.

As one of Secretariat's biggest fans, I have to correct something. Onion beat him only once, in the Whitney. Secretariat beat him in the Marlboro cup. Allen Jerkins beat Big Red twice, the second time with Prove Out. As us old timers remember, Secretariat was being trained for his turf debut in the Man O'War, but the Woodward came up muddy, so they ran him instead of Riva Ridge (he hated the mud)A WEEK LATER....the great Secretariat still ran in the Man O'War, and won and set a track record.....We will NEVER see this happen again. A Triple Crown winner that was still running in the fall?? Sorry for the digression...

Believe me... She will run.  A strong third I am guessing  

this is getting more rediculous by the second. bunch of wise guys!

First off: To all of you that think this filly doesn't deserve the chance to run in a triple crown race because she wasn't on the derby trail--what the F!  Over the last 150 years loads of Preakness and Belmont winners/competitors have come in from races besides the Derby, what nonsense!!

AS for Zayat and them, what a low for this sport!  These are the people that are ruining this sport by retiring the top horses as soon as they leave the Belmont surface in June.  What is happening here!?! I was rooting for Pioneer in the Derby and was thrilled that he almost got there after all of the naysaying all spring long.  And now this!

And to the goober up top that called it un-american, I disagree with there actions, but what are you? Bush?!?

This is a slip up from the bluebloods - this is The Jockey Club and owners in action. This crap has been going on for years. The owners are singlehandedly destroying this sport.

ttimsan

That is the only reason that Big Brown won those races.  When he was off the drugs, look what happened.  Yeah need I say more?  Let the horses run on hay, oats and water and salt.  NO DRUGS!  Not a fair race at all that way.  Oh and by the way.  Eight Belles did win the KD in my world.  She was clean.  She was beaten by a drug not a horse.  :)

When I started reading this stuff, I had to check the date to make sure it was not April 1.

OK folks. It appears that today's craziness is over. All the owners say they will not stand in the way of our Queen Rachel from running so it appears she's in. WOW and Triple WOW. I do want to say this. As upset as I got over this let's keep Rachel out of the Preakness fiasco, I don't think it's right to come down on the horses, i.e, Mine That Bird. I adore this little horse. He's the Derby Champ and nobody can take that away from him. Just because his owner is an idiot, it does not mean his horse should get the brunt of the public disdain. I wish MTB that best and hope he wins the Triple Crown. (P.S. I know he won't cause Queen Rachel won't let him but still what a story that would be)

Rachel Alexandra is clearly better than the boys and thee owners are afraid of having their colts beat by a filly! She'll whip their butts!

I don't personally know Jess Jackson, but I find these comments about him being evil ridiculous. First, re: "stealing the jockey." Do we not remember that in his post-race Derby interview, still on MTB's back and caked with mud, Calvin was calling RA the best horse he'd ever ridden and indicating he'd prefer her in a race that also included MTB? Clearly, he made a choice to ride the horse he thinks is the best, and he was indicating that he would do that before her new owner was even in the picture...JJ didn't have to "steal" Calvin away from MTB, a horse he clearly thought was nice, but had never ridden before...Calvin made the choice.

Now, as to JJ being a terrible person because he bought a great horse- as mentioned on the previous Rachel blog, her owners didn't have to sell her! Just who is the sellout here? I don't know her owners, and certainly doubt that I would turn down even a fraction of the money they were probably offered. But why all the anger at the person offering it? When the original owners sold her, clearly they knew she'd be moving to a different barn. If they believed that allowing their family and Wiggins to "live the dream" of having a horse like RA was worth more than the money they were offered for her, they could have kept her until she was done racing, then offered her as a broodmare prospect. They had a choice, and they made it. You can't "ruin someone's dream" when they are a willing co-participant. Again, the people posting here have a short memory, because these owners were on the verge of selling her to IEAH months ago, and again, she would have been sent to a new barn.

If I could play this game at JJ's level, I would want to be racing the best horses out there, plain and simple. Whether I bred them myself, picked them up from someone else, or some combination of the two, I would certainly try to have the best horses on the track running in my colors.

Here's another big black eye for our sport!  It probably sounds a bit like race fixing to many fans-opposing owners deliberately keeping a horse out of a race who just might be the best in training right now.  Now Mr. Allen has shown his true colors and for the first time now I say that I hope his horse gets beat! I also read that Marylou Whitney is NOT involved.  And by the way, like him or not and I do, Mr. Jackson had nothing to do with this shameful behavior!

De-emotionalize?  On a TC BH blog???

ROFLMAO.

The interloper in the truest sense of the word is, unfortunately, probably the best horse, Rachel.

To me being able to run your horse if you planned on it, nominated it should take precedence over running one that people think is a super horse if it wasn't nominated.

I know I'd be perturbed if someone told me I couldn't run a horse that I'd planned on running all because someone else is a 'Hey world look at me' kind of person.

Those of you who spoke ill of Mary Lou Whitney before you even knew what she really said, were way out of line.

Any of you who know even a minute amount about racing, know that Wayne Lukas will run a horse in a TC race if they have any chance at all. So now he and any others with no ill intent are being told they can't run horses they probably would have run even if Rachel hadn't been sold????????????

This is these guys livelihood we're talking about here especially if one of them were to jump up and win the race the same way MTB did (anybody remember Commendable?). Sounds very unfair to those people and maybe if they were so inclined a turn the tables on the lawyer for denying them the right to pursue their occupation.

If people are worried about what will happen to the poor little filly going against the boys with two weeks rest, then this industry has truly gone south.  Nobody pitched a fit when Silverbulletday was entered in the Preakness, even though she raced in the Black Eye Susan.  What happened to pitting the best against the best, gender be damned?  How can a horse be considered to be on the Derby trail when he may have started maybe twice?

So what's with all the JJ bashing, about him buying RA? For those of you who are so incensed by this and by him, why aren't you vilifying his previous owner for *selling* RA? JJ didn't *take* RA, he conducted a purchase transaction.

As for those of you who've criticized Borel, well, as some others have said, he's been RA's regular rider for her last several starts and MTB's Derby ride was their first pairing. Also, let's not forget that jockeys are independent consultants and there is a potential upside to him having success with RA under JJ's ownership (potentially more mounts from JJ, more mounts from Asmussen) as opposed to the likely infrequent business he'd have with Woolley, who doesn't run nearly as many times per year.

Glad to read the updated article on Mary Lou and her stance on not blocking RA if it came to that. Will be interesting to see what Allen does now.

Calvin Borel is egotistical and insincere. Replay Donna Brothers' postrace interview with him after the Derby. Borel talked about "Mr. Carl" and RA more than he did poor Mine That Bird and his connections. He talked down to the Derby winner, and that irked me no end. Borel can cry and point to the heavens all he wants, but he's as phony as they come.

Sceptre: Very poor argument. Race horses are bred to run and run hard - whether they are fillies or colts. In every race, horses are "exposed to higher quality" horses. They all still try to run hard, regardless if they are fillies or colts. If you put a grade III winner in with a grade I winner, arent they "exposed" to something different? That is the beauty of competition. Please rethink your comments.

jshandler 10 May 2009 8:44 PM

Well said.

Now you see why I made the comment that you deleted? My best line in a long time and very appropriate to some of the outrageous things I'm reading on here.

TO:Rechelle

To label MTB a fluke is "sour grapes". How can any so called fan not appreciate any horse for trying? As for your stupid remarks calling owners "losers" doesn't make sense. It's their right,just like you would argue it's RA connections to run her in Preakness. Tell you what I think it's too short a turn around to run her again so quickly. But,individuals like yourself and others probably could care less if she's running on three legs just as long as you can cash a winning ticket!

Sorry, but this is all BS. Of course this is unsportsman like! O well we're all running scared so instead of having an honest race we'll chicken out and overfill the race by design so she can't get in? Some of you people get PO about a person buying a horse than switching trainers, but this is ok, what hypocrites. This is why ppl don't watch racing. They know they can't win though, so they're just going to try and eliminate any threat. Some of you ppl on hear got so PO when TP entered a rabbit in the FL Derby for Dunkirk, calling it dishonest, well what is this? More dishonest than entering a rabbit, no doubt. To do this to such a star is down right wrong, and that is stealing, cheating or whatever you call it. If you think JJ is bad i got news for you MA just topped him.

TO:SCOTTP

Nice going! Couldn't agree more!

Rachel Alexandra running makes the Preakness a better race.  I do not see her winning it though.

The big question is, if Mine That Bird wins the Preakness, do they switch Borel back to him for the Belmont Stakes?

This is truly offensive. She's the best of the group, and they want to exclude her? Just because she did'nt run in the derby? Bernardini was the best of his generation (take a deep breath, FOB's), and he did'nt run in the derby. Let her run - let the results explain themselves.

Seriously.  This is why the sport is declining with the public.  As soon as this hits ESPN (if it hasn't already), the average viewer will see this story as evidence of the "corruption" in racing that so many think exists.  

Jason

I was just thinking, running RA against the likes of zenyatta,Music Note, and Cocoa Beach, am sure would be alot more challenging than any of these colts.  That boys being tougher is really a mute point

Rose.... You are allowed to have a opinion but does it have to be such a bad one every time. By the way, all those who are going to bet against her step up and be counted so we can laugh at you after the race.

I salute Mr. B [TVG] for calling out Mr. Z for even thinking of doing this.  It's about time some of these owners understood the importance of public sentiment in forging racing's public image.  Sure, he has the right to enter any horse that has been nominated, but the damage done to the sport by such a move is incalculable.  I'm certain that he would have gone ahead along with Mary Lou Whitney and entered their horses in the Preakness had there not been any rebuke from the racing media.  Again, I salute Mr. B and any others who publicly voiced their opposition to this unsportsmanlike conduct.  May the best horse or filly win.

I have skimmed thru some of these posts. I don't really know what the general consensus is. But, I feel the need to post my opinion. I have absolutely no problem with fillies running against the boys. But, I have a huge problem with her running in the balance of the Triple Crown races. If she had run in the Derby, it would be a different story, but she didn't. We have a Derby winner. His name is Mine That Bird. I have a very strong feeling that if many people's pick to win the Derby had won & now suddenly that horse's jockey jumped off to ride a late comer to the Triple Crown races, many more people would be up in arms about it. I almost get the feeling that some are angry at Mine That Bird for slipping by their supposed expert handicapping. I know they would be upset if their horse had won the Derby & the horse's jockey came off him. Mine That Bird deserves the respect to continue on in the Triple Crown races with his team intact. I can't imagine anything more disrespectful & unsportsmanlike. For this I fault Jess Jackson for creating this scenerio. Yes, he had the right to by the horse. But, there is an aura, if you will, that has to do with the Triple Crown, Only the Derby winner has the opportunity to win the Triple Crown, on any given year. I don't care if there isn't a single person to be found who thinks Mine That Bird can pull it off. Wasn't just about 99% of the supposed experts wrong when everyone said he had no chance to win the Derby? He proved them wrong, didn't he? Every other horse in the Derby ran on the same track as he did. They all had the same opportunity. If he had come in last & his connections said it was because he didn't like the track or it was wet, how acceptable would that have been as an excuse? Is it only acceptable if the favorites don't like the track for whatever the reasons are?  Because RA, the horse Jess Jackson bought, has the same jockey as the Derby winner, the sportsmanlike thing to do would be to NOT even consider disturbing the Triple Crown. If he was truly interested in the sport, he would be well aware of the aura that surrounds the Triple Crown & one horse's opportunity per year to capture it. If RA had any other jockey, I would have no problem with her coming into the Preakness. But, that is not the case. There are so many other races, even ones against Mine That Bird in the future, where she could run against the boys with Calvin Boral as her jockey. Just not in to the Triple Crown races. I really don't fault Mine That's Bird's owners for wanting an equal opportunity as all our past Derby winners to go for the Triple Crown. The only way he will have an equal chance as every other Derby winner before him is to go into the Preakness & Belmont with his team intact. From how I see it, that is all Mine That Bird's connections want...for him to have an equal opportunity of every Derby winner before him. They are not saying they want to keep RA out. They want their jockey who happens to also be RA's jockey. Because of the scenerio that Jess Jackson has created, he has made it that there is no way for Mine That Bird to have his team intact, unless RA does not run in the Preakness. You can bet that Jess Jackson would be furious if one of his horses won the Derby & this entire shoe was on the other foot. If RA skipped the Triple Crown races & ran in the Travers & the Breeder's Cup Classic with the boys & won,she would be a shoe in for HOTY, unless JJ is afraid that Mine That Bird could just possibly win the Triple Crown if his team remains intact. Could that be the reason he is doing this,to cover his bases?? Jess Jackson took the gloves off the other day when he announced RA would run in the Preakness & that Calvin would be riding her. Mine That Bird's connections are merely defending themselves. In the true interest of racing, Jess Jackson should announce that RA will not be racing in the Preakness & give Mine That Bird his jockey. I don't care if Calvin has ridden RA in a thousand races & only met Mine That Bird in the starting gate of the Derby. The fact still remains that they won the Derby together & should go forward in the rest of the Triple Crown races together, just as every other Derby winner has done. Anything less is just unfair & unacceptable. Mine That Bird has captured the imagination of Americans across the country. For JJ to undermine him will not go over well at all. How good will that be for promoting racing? Americans are no longer tolerant of  the wealthy wielding power with their money. They are so done with that. JJ has no reason to do this other than for his own ego & because, due to his billions, he can. See how that goes over with the general public.

Colette

FLUKE - I like that Draynay! The MTB connections are cowards. Shame on you! I was hoping that MTB would win TC, but now - I'm totaly against it. Thanks his owner...GO RACHEL!

Please stop with this nonsense that CB's ride was the main reason for MTB Derby win. That little horse was clearly best on that day,Period!I don't know if he is a Triple Crown winner(the odds are probably not)but he is no fluke. Drayney could have rode him that day.

I like Mike Smith but he is the wrong jock. With MS MTB will be 3 wide the whole way and then swung 5 wide at the 1/4 pole.

Looks like they've all changed their minds...

sportsillustrated.cnn.com/.../index.html

I think she could do quite well. Ultimately, of course we won't know what happens until the race is over. I sure would love to see her win though!

Has anyone considered that even if she is able to run in the Preakness, these attempts to sabotage her entry would only escalate to in efforts to sabotage her during the race?  

I hope Mr. Jackson has security on her 24/7 like he did on Curlin, because if she is able to get in & he decides to run her, I fear she may come to some harm. She may become "i'll" or have a "barn accident" in the days leading up to the race. It has happened before. If these two are trying to knock her out, who knows what some one else may do. While Mr. Zayat & Mr. Allen have the right to try & block her it's still a low class move. Why doesn't Mr. Zayat just retire POTN now, he won't be running him at 4yrs old anyway. How good will it look that his future stallion prospect dodges competition? The race has to be run. Maybe all 3 will be upset, who knows.

I commend Marylou Whitney for saying she will not run in the Preakness if it means keeping Rachael out.  Horse racing needs to see its best horses race each other to keep the sport strong.  Isn't that what horse racing is all about?  Even though Rachael is a late nomination, I don't think this means she should not have the right to run if there is an opening.  And it is so true about MTB not being a stallion prospect anymore than Rachael is.  In fact, MTB has no future as a breeding animal and Rachael does, so doesn't that give her more of a right to run to increase her value as a broodmare?  Also, I do not like what everybody is saying about Jess Jackson.  He would not have been able to buy her if her owners were not willing to sell her.  I was very glad to see someone buy her who will give her the chance she needs to show her true talents.  The sport needs more owners like Jess Jackson who are willing to not only race the girls against the boys, but also keep valuable stud prospects like Curlin, racing as older horses.

NO Barry, unfortunately this isn't an April Fools joke.

Just the usual reaction of the majority who blog on here. The situation is, almost NONE of them are directly involved in racing and speak from an emotional standpoint, love racing (well, most anyway, some of the comments about some things are just bitterness) and they tend to lead with their hearts for the most part. Keeps it interesting, yes?

TomF, The fact that she didn't run in the Derby isn't the reason 'they' want to exclude her.

Probably the only ones who may have been serious about that were Allen and to a lesser degree Zayat. Although I have more trouble keeping up with that guy and who he's pulling horses from on a given week.

Some of those who wanted to run, really sincerely want to run. Like Jordy said about Wayne, it's been said and some have even bashed him for it.

This is still a free country, however racing has rules set forth and to start bending over backwards to accomodate one or two peoples wishes is problematic.

She's an awesome filly but her previous owners beliefs precluded her from being nominated. If the race didn't fill, that's one thing. But to force people to stay out whose intent isn't to enter just to block her but to run a prospect in the race is certainly not fair to those people.

I'm just hopeful that everyone who had their horse nominated and  wants to run and take a shot at the purse, gets to run.

If Rachel gets in and no one who legitimately wanted to take a shot at the race is excluded, I'm fine with that and say 'game on'.

For the person who mentioned Silverbulletday. Whoa baby, Bob Lewis was so mad at Baffert I thought he was going to blow a gasket, kind and nice as he was.

Lots thought she was in the race just to hook Charismatic and sucker Chris into going with her not his style, thus denying him a TC, just what happened.

I also commend Zayat for changing his mind about running another horse in the Preakness.

What is JJ thinking ? Rachel is arguably one of the best fillies of all time. Filly is the key word here , asking RA to run against the boys, off a two week rest is absolutly crazy. Keep her on track for the Filly triple crown. If and when JJ decides to bring her back as a four year old(which I hope he does)than carefully look for a spot aginst the boys . They need to give her a chance to develope and mature ( we forget how fragile these horses are). TJJ if you feel you have to prove a point , you can pick a spot aginst the boys next year (4 yr old) It is hard enough for three year olds ( boys or girls) to run these races (triple crown)over a 5 week period .I have watched all RA races and will never forget how talented she really is and need not prove it by winning the Preakness. Like all racing fans we know she is special once in a lifetime horse  and we dont want to remember her as a filly who tried her heart out BUT !. Rememeber Ruffian and Eight Belles . Thats my two cents worth !

I don't know what to think of this. I agree that horses that were nominated for the TC should be the ones with priority to enter. So JJ comes along, waives his milliones around, gets the filly who is getting all the attention and wants to enter her in the Preakness..which she was never nominated for. Is this what racing needed??? I don't like MTB trainer. He came off as an idiot to me and although I think he has a valid point he sure the heck went about all this the wrong way. Trying to band everyone together to oust RA does come off as very unsportsmanlike and chicken. What a mess. I don't worry about the filly vs colt issue but lets face it..if for some reason RA did get hurt during the Preakness this sport would be doomed.  Furthermore I am sick of hearing that MTB was a fluke. If he never won another race in his life, you still couldn't call it a fluke. He was the best horse the first Saturday in May of 2009 period . I hope he runs well. Not only did he show us some physical toughness, his mental toughness was equally as impressive. He had complete trust in Calvin.  I think JJ should have left well enough alone. I want to see RA run just like everyone else, but not under these circumstances.

Sorry, but this move is just greed wrapped up in a convenient cloak of mysogyny, and it's a complete embarrasment for everyone involved. if RA were a colt, NOBODY would be complaining that it's 'unfair' of her to 'spoil' MBT's triple crown run. If she were a colt she'd be welcomed with open arms (at least while the cameras were rolling) as a necessary adversary, because nobody would DARE try to keep a colt as talented as Rachel is out of the TC in such a shameful, obvious way, just so they wouldn't have to face him. It's bad enough to have to listen to the idiotic "fillies always die when they race colts" line, but at least everybody always KNOWS that's an asinine coverup. The double standard here about whether it's 'legit' or not to enter a good horse in the latter races of the TC is absolutely disgusting, as is the underhanded wheeling and dealing to enter maidens in the PREAKNESS just to squeeze the filly out of the picture. unbearable, but sadly believable.

I feel bad for the horses, because now a lot of people are going to dislike MTB because his connections are imbiciles, and poor RA is either going to be boxed out of the Preakness because she's a threat to everyone's cajones, or she's going to be pushed into it to prove a point. I wish they would give her time to settle in with her new trainer and wait until the Belmont, and make things a little easier on Calvin too.

Nicole E.

Is it not the American way to compete with the best to be the very best?  Is it not the American way to welcome competition.  I will certainly say that it is "un-american" to scheme in the backroom to eliminate your competition from even competing!  Call me "goober" if you want but what Zayat originally conspired to be a part of is un-american.  

Blocking RA's entry is within the rules of the race, but if any of the colts are to be respected, they have to beat all comers and not try to block horses that might beat them.

I think RA is about as fast as the faster colts of this group so she isn't a certain win.  So IMO those trying to block her are coming across as wimps.  Now I want to see her not only get in, but kick their rears.  And that's a change in opinion for me.  Before this happened I didn't want to see her in the Preakness, but instead the filly Triple Crown.      

I really would have wanted to see rachel Alexandra run the Derby...but now that she didn't run it. I would love to have a triple Crown winner

So, if Rachel Alexandra run the Preakness, I think she had great chance to win it. I know I might sound a little ''againts the sport'', but after 31 years, I think it's time to let Mine that bird win the Triple Crown. He won by almost 7 seven lengts the Derby

Oh please,,,Rachel Alexandra has seniority over Mine that Bird with Calvin Borel. He has ridden RA several times and Bird once. It is his choice who to ride if both are offered. Jockeys choose to ride the horse they think has the best chance  to win! Happens all the time. Remember Eibar Coa choosing Musket Man over General Quarters? Garret Gomez also had a choice in the KD. You should not think less of Calvlin because of this.  I certainly don't.

Personally, when I want to watch a horse race, I want to watch a horse race.  That means the best competition.   The most recent Derbies have been mediocre at best, but enjoyable hence why no triple crown winner has come up.

If you want to improve the sport, eliminate the Triple Crown Races for 3 year old colts only, open it up to all genders and ages, let the public see real talent.  But that's just my opinion...

I understand the desire to have her race against the boys, but I think this is the wrong time for both her and the sport.  Rachel has nothing to prove by winning the Preakness.  With so many people saying she would have crushed in the Derby, why would a Preakness win surprise anybody?  Most importantly, though, I feel today's horses aren't as strong and durable as yesteryear.  In most cases, horses on the triple crown trail are kept for very long layoffs immediately following the series.  You 'might' hear their names mentioned during Breeder's Cup time, but most will still be nursing injuries.  Most horses don't even run through the entire series.  Many make plans to skip the Preakness and 'possibly' enter the Belmont...but, then many stay away from the rest of the series altogether.  Why is that?  Because the series is absolutely brutal.  They do it ONLY for the tradition of the Triple Crown.  If she enters and wins the Preakness, what does it really mean?  She will have prevented the possibility of a Triple Crown winner...and then what?  Is she going to turn right around and run in the Belmont?  Not likely.  Rags to Riches ran a wonderful race in the Belmont and then retired very shortly after that--and she entered the Belmont properly rested.  Rachel is going to run in the Preakness with only two weeks and if she doesn't run in the Belmont following that effort, then the risk of running her in the Preakness off such a short layoff would have been a complete waste, in my opinion.  I prefer the thoughts of the former owners and the "original" thoughts of the current owners when they said she would stick with racing against other fillies and the ultimate goal would be to run her as a 4-year old.  I believe if she runs in these upcoming races that we will never see her as a 4-year old and you may not even get a chance to see her in the Breeder's Cup or even race against Zenyatta.

As much as I would like to see Rachael run against the boys, I have to question whether or not it would be fair to since she wasn't Nominated like all of the boys were ???  

Because if she IS allowed to late supplement, then why do we even have any kind of a Nomination process at all ???  

Why not just kill it off and leave it open to the top Graded money earners like the Derby is ???   Then there couldn't even be a debate about a late Nomination for anyone.

My take on the Triple Crown being meant for future Stallion fees and such should be re-worded somewhat.

I do believe that it is a very important series for the "Future Breed", but IMO it would be ok for a Filly to run in it also since she "CAN" contribute to the future breed.   But, I am against allowing Geldings to because they will contribute Nothing to the future breed.

So maybe it should be stated in that new way...races that are of a great importance to the "Future Breed" and not just to future Stallions.

I'll leave any personal thoughts on any of the connections out and get on my soapbox about the idiotic conditions for the TC races.

Graded earning this, Kempton this, Derby money that.  Geez.

What's wrong with the BC model. A few win and your in's, points, and selection committee for the last couple of spots.  Ain't no Lov Guv winning that election.

Rose, MTB is a fluke horse of epic proportions.  He will go down as the worst horse to have ever won a derby.  Bank on it.  And for those going on about injury are either stupid or poorly informed.  Fillies run against the boys all the time in europe and are no worse for ware.  Plus horses used to run back in much shorter time than two weeks.  For god sakes, that was the norm.  It is only now that trainers treat these horses with kid gloves.

I will just end with, i can't wait to watch MTB finish well up the track while some non worthy horse wins, all because these people where cowards.

It's pretty safe to say, in the face of overwhelming response, that at least in America, where we still cling to our guns and religion, and competition, the idea of ducking RA through these means is met with great disdain.

Much will be written here and elsewhere debating the ethics and merits of entering multiple horses to block RA, I will spare you all that.

Putting the crux of the ethical debate aside (have at it), there was something particularly fascinating about what he said, in fact I'd call it a brilliant point of view about the circumstances of RA's entry into the race.

Many have undoubtedly cottoned to the idea that RA is too fragile, and shouldn't be coming back in two weeks. Oddly, Zayat himself made this argument. I say oddly, because he later made a point that put that notion about her two week turnaround in the proper context.

The point he made was about how 2yos are prepped for this race, having to go through a entire program of graded stakes that starts when they are two and continues along the "road" to the KD. By the time they get to the preakness, if they've been blessed to get that far, they've been through quite the fire, if you will, and this is why every year we have the arguments about the new shooters who emerge.

This argument extends backward now, all the way to the vaunted Kentucky Derby itself, where we have seen lightly raced challengers attempt to exploit their light conditioning, their light racing schedules (relative to the stalwarts of the "program" like a POTN, and so on) to good effect.

Hull, for example, under normal circumstances, would be getting such attention this year as we prepare for the Preakness, and we'd be debating his readieness for the task, not too good we'd say, because ultimately this race favors runners from the KD. Which is true.

There's a big difference, however, between a Hull, and a Curlin, and a bigger difference, in my opinion, between a curlin and RA.

Zayat intimated that RA had an advantage in the race because she didn't have to go through the ordeals associated with getting a 2yo classy colt to the big dance, and that ordeal is a fundamental aspect of the task as Zayat correctly pointed out. Anyone who owns a precocious, classy 2yo colt does what everyone does who wants to exploit a colt's talent at 2 AND 3 years old.

They race.

Nobody hold's a horse back from running in those races if they are healthy enough to do so (and good enough).

Curlin had an injury at 2yo, so they embarked on a road less taken, if you will, a different approach. Dunkirk same attempt. But nobody lets a perfectly healthy 2 year old go lightly raced. Whatever you want to call it (greed), they race at 2 and hope for the best at 3. That's a fact.

We who have been in this game since the 80's (and before) know and understand that this game is changing right in front of our eyes. Out is the "how to make a KD contender beginning at 2" system, you know, the one with all the rules about graded stakes wins, earnings in such races, and so on. The old rules are on the way out(perhaps to be rediscovered in 20 years?) and the sharpie-conditioners have most definitely uncovered the hole in those old tried and trues...... whereby these sharpies can enter a horse who has been lightly raced (due to small, but time-eating injury most often) into the triple crown series at some point. Curlin was the most prolific, and he will be the first who leads all the rest, an important first that we will no doubt appreciate as the coming years bring a host of lightly raced triple crown racers.

RA, HOWEVER, is in a different category than your Curlins or anyonre else you can think of for that matter. In a good way. Essentially, she's the equivalent of a top 3yo colt who (in the bizarro world) was given the Oaks as a Preakness prep as opposed to the Kentucky Derby.

Did "he" have a suitable prep for the Preakness, especially compared to "his" counterparts who had to run in that impossible goo? You bet "she" did, a great prep, perfect in every way.

Like a good comunist, all I can say is, YES SHE CAN.

Many will see the two-week turnaround as a negative, handicapping-wise, and miss the idea that RA has it all over the field. She's Curlin squared in terms of her readieness to beat this group, and this is what gripes Zayat, whether he knows it clearly or not (although he stated it quite well in the otherwise odd interview).

To handicappers, the light should click "ON". The two-weeks idea, the idea that Racheal is too-stressed for the event, is a smoke-screen, a smoke screen that misses entirely the correct idea that it is precisely her conditioning, her readieness - in contrast to the well-used colts - that will allow a 2 to 5 horse to go off at 2 to 1, or even 3 to 1, in an affair the public cannot get straight in their minds.

If Mr. Zayat wants to really make a statement he should scratch POTN. That would be a correct response, because he has little to no chance of beating her. Looking at the whole picture, RA is in the perfect condition to exploit these, better condition than Curlin was, and she should dominate, with a capital D.

Just my opinion, of course (one I intend to back up with half of whatever I can liquidate).

I don't expect everyone, or perhaps anyone, to agree with me, but I feel very strongly that RA is being entered in the Preakness because she has a huge advantage (and given the size of the win pool it wouldn't shock me if JJ were to make back much of what he paid for her in one fell swoop). Because of her gender and because of handicapping stereotypes, RA will be overlooked by a great number of bettors who will view 2-1 or 3-1 as underlaid, but when I estimate her true chances, she will be an overlay at those odds. I view her true odds as something like odds-on, something below even money, well below.

Allen is doing this because of the jockey change?  No, hes knows that his horse (Mine that Bird) sucks and just wants a better chance to win!  Whats up with that?  And who says just because RA might go in everybody automatically thinks that she will break down?  She might be fragile like everybody says, but why would she get hurt in this race?

This is the biggest load of garbage ever. The triple crown races are the best races for the 3 year olds. 3 year olds. Not 3 year old colts. If Rachel Alexandra is the best 3 year old, or can run with the best 3 year olds, then she needs to be in this race. Those owners are pathetic, and they know that Rachel is a better horse than what they have. If they didn't believe that, then they would not try to block her. To be the best, you have to beat the best, not run from them. Whatever happened to horse racing being a sport, and seeing who has the fastest horse? If she is blocked from the race, the feed will also be blocked from my tv, because the Preakness will be a joke. Mine That Birds owner should be thankful she wasn't entered in the Kentucky Derby, because he would be be in a truck on his way back to New Mexico if she had been. Let the best 3 year olds run, and may the best horse win.

"I'll leave any personal thoughts on any of the connections out and get on my soapbox about the idiotic conditions for the TC races.

Graded earning this, Kempton this, Derby money that.  Geez.

What's wrong with the BC model. A few win and your in's, points, and selection committee for the last couple of spots.  Ain't no Lov Guv winning that election.

Scarletandgraypimpernel 10 May 2009 10:51 PM"

Well never say never about ANY horse winning a win and you're in.

Problem with that is a lot of those who do aren't NOMINATED and the supplements are over the top.

Now to me the 'selection by a panel' is pretty political and subject to a lot of serious questions, particularly by the non-race savvy people.

Nominate em, take em by graded then non graded earnings, do the win and you're in I guess and that eliminates any human element and political good ole boys, moneygrubbing.

Why is everyone upset because she wasn't a triple crown nomination? Was Bernardini a triple crown nomination? His 3rd race was the Preakness, and he won in dominating fashion. What about all those other horses that are put into the Preakness and Belmont with 1 win, or are even maidens? Why isn't there an uproar about that? They may be supplemented, but they have not been on the triple crown trail. Let her run. She deserves to, and it is quite obvious there is no competition on the female side (except for Zenyatta, if she runs again). Am I am also curious, were people up in arms when Goldikova ran in the Breeders Cup Mile? That was a filly against the colts, and I am not quite sure, but it looked like she belonged.

Does anyone know if RA had that small chip removed from her ankle. That stop her from being bought in the winter.

Randy O mentioned “…Secretariat was being trained for his turf debut in the Man O'War, but the Woodward came up muddy, so they ran him instead of Riva Ridge (he hated the mud…”

--- I was going to use that as an example of a horse being taken out of his normal training routine & he lost – no disrespect to “the Chief” – just saying they changed their plan & threw him in there & it didn’t go too well.

 As I have said before, no problem with fillies running against colts.  

Just think they should wait until the Belmont because of Rachel’s 5 week schedule, it’s early in the season ---plus I think a showdown in the Belmont would be better anyway.  

I am amazed at the things i have read in here. I am surprised at the Whitney,s very classy people, but I was also very surprised when they hired Lucas,I really think this is a Lucas move. The whole thing could be eliminated, by just doing one thing no supplement entries excepted to the triple crown, don't blame Jackson, he bought a great filly, Borel knows she is the best , he is no fool, pick was a no brainer,jockeys change mounts for the better all the time,He certainly could not ride both of them, so he took the one that he thought is the better. Hope she runs, and whips the hell out of them, I am not an Asmuseen fan, but I love that filly, She just may be the best thing that has happened to horse racing in a long time, MTB was good for racing, but I got more out of watching and reading about Calvin Borel, than listening to anything else,Jason you must be sitting in your chair really laughing and enjoying all this banter,

First of all...Mine That Bird's win in the Derby was a fluke and his connections are frauds.  For the sake of the sport, I hope he loses. Keeping Rachel Alexandra out is very unsportsmanlike. If Zayat wants to prove his horse is the best, why not run him against the best even if it is a filly? Pretending to care for her safety?? Come on!

No doubt about it, RA is a monster! But she is also a young, still developing filly and it's ridiculous to even think of pushing her so hard so early in the year! I would love to see her run "against the boys" but why now? Why not later in the year, when the really good, legitimate racing takes place, and she's had more time to mature? The one person who should gladly step in and keep her out of the Preakness is Jess Jackson & Co., but he apparently doesn't care about what's good for her. Otherwise, he'd never have created all this hoopla by even suggesting she would run in Baltimore. What an ego!

Dave, just bet you'd love to have that 'fluke' in your 'barn' (lol).

Only problem with your theory is that everyone keeps saying that horses are more fragile and less durable as they once were. Plus I sure think they looked much less refined and who knows how many of them ran crippled or broke down that no one ever heard about in the era of no internet, no very prominent activists?

Fillies have run against the boys for a long time. Most without any problems. Think what has everyone spooked is well known and a lot of people, even some in racing are well aware of what the activists will do if something happens. That could be the death knell to an already struggling industry, what with the economy, a lot of folks are getting out of the business already. Cards aren't filling at most tracks, even some where the purses are large.

What about the fans?  I loved Mine That Bird and bet on him because Calvin Borel was the rider; the horse needed a better rider.  I would like to see the horse and rider go forward as a team for the Triple Crown.  It doesn't seem fair to the fans to take the rider off of a possible Triple Crown winner.  Borel has to think about his pocket book, yes, but I think he make the wrong decision ... this should be about the Triple Crown. So, I hope the Bird wins with a new jockey.

Personally, I think this entire situation stinks!! This whole scenerio is taking away from both The Triple Crown & The Preakness. Had Rachel not been sold, there would not be any of this discussion and we would all be focusing on the upcoming Preakness; but .... noooooo ..... we now find ourselves distracted by all this bally - hoo.

The debate has been going on about the state of affairs in horse racing since last years Triple Crown. You've all voiced your opinions, pro & con. Now, take a good look at what is happening presently. Is this fiasco really necessary , I think not.

My solution is this .... The Haskell is the summer showcase at Monmouth Race Track in New Jersey, and the race is an invitational.

Let Rachel & the Triple Crown contenders get together there.

The Triple Crown will be over and it's before The Breeders Cup.

I'd be curious if the new owners of Rachel will enter her in the classic against the colts.

Now, if you want a story line, there's one .. will Rachel go to the Breeder's Cup Classic ???

If it's decided to run Rachel in The Preakness, then why not The Breeder's Cup Classic ??

Yes Bernardini was  TC nom.

Man, it's like $600 for an early nom, pocket change.

As far as I recall Goldikova was  BC Nom as well.

The point isn't that it's a filly, maybe even the best horse, point is, THAT is racings rule.

You keep a nom out just to let a certain colt/filly in and why have any guidelines?

To finish my thought, bend the rules? Keep the noms out or face another of Jess' now famous litigations?

Just wondering what everyone would be saying if Rachel Alexandra had NOT been sold and her previous connections suddenly decided to supplement her to the Preakness?  It would be interesting to see the other trainers/owners reactions in that scenario to compare to what has gone on today.  AND, yes, Calvin would have chosen to ride her in that scenario also.  

For Mine That Bird's connections:  I love that the little guy got up and won the Derby--the longshots having success always makes it more fun.  As for a jockey--the trainer said several times he KNEW the horse needed to be taken back and make one big run--Calvin followed instructions perfectly in the Derby.  Mike Smith, while a good jockey, will not be a good fit for MTB.  Go with Joe Talamo who lost his TC horse when I Want Revenge was injured....he would be an excellent fit for MTB and give him the ride that will give him the best opportunity in the Preakness.

I personally can't wait for this Saturday!!!  It's going to be a great race no matter what!  There are many talented 3 yr olds this year--I hate that so many people start to say that there is not after a few disappoint in the Derby.

Don't pick on Mr. Borel. He was faced with the same decision that Jacinto Vasquez had to make in 75 between Foolish Pleasure and Ruffian. He chose the girl (hmmm)! The decision of which mount to take happens everyday, on every track around the world. It boils down to which mount the jockey thinks is the better horse, soooo... Leave Calvin alone.

Go RA!!!!!

I love this sport, but not today.

I always feel like the common racing fan is utterly unimportant to the sport. (Or maybe this is a very clever marketing ploy....)

Zayat and Allen should hire PR people to help with the damage control.  Anyone who thinks they wanted to keep Rachel out of the Preakness to "prevent another Eight Belles" or for some puritan reasoning as the Triple Crown being "a showcase for stallions" (although apparently they forgot Mine That Bird is a gelding) is a fool.  The presense of Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness shifts the bright spotlight off of MTB and POTN.  And it is also testimonial to how much of a threat they perceive Rachel to be.  Does she belong in the race? Absolutely.  She doesn't have competition within the ranks of fillies her age right now, she is ready for a step up in class.  It's an ambitious step up, to be sure.  But the 3 year old ranks, with Quality Road and I Want Revenge sidelined, are alot softer then they were a few weeks before the derby.  Rachel is just the type of filly that can compete in a triple crown race.  She is big and fast.  I don't remember anyone complaining when Genuine Risk ran in all THREE Triple Crown races, and the Wood before that.  Special fillies can compete with the colts, and off two weeks rest.  Rachel galloped home with ease in the Oaks.  She is ready for the next step and it is disgraceful to the sport that there are owners out there that would consider stacking the field to eliminate her.  

Thank You Katherine!  It absolutely ASTOUNDS me the number of people who are angry that Borel would choose Rachel over MTB.  HE WAS HER REGULAR RIDER LONG BEFORE MTB SHOWED UP!!!!  Good Grief!  He knows her inside and out.  He rode MTB in ONE race people.  I don't care if that race WAS the Kentucky Derby!!!  

It is tacky and classless that Mine That Birds connections would even entertain the idea of keeping her out of the Preakness.  If your horse is good enough he will win!  If we are to have a Triple Crown Winner this year I would want him to beat the BEST...If that field includes RA then thats the way it should be.  

If they go ahead with this and keep her out to run a MAIDEN in her place and then MTB manages to pull of the Triple Crown it will forever be tainted as far as I am concerned.

Hmmm interesting take on this, just saw it on TVG.

MTB's connections thinking of a rabbit due to the fact that the race is virtually devoid of speed.

Like they said, that's been done forever. By some of the most respected horsemen in the business, example discussed was Charlie Whittingham.

If the colt is nominated, who's to say it's not 'fair'?  It's within the 'rules' and we know how much everyone on here thinks horse racing should have stringent

'rules'. or is that just applicable for the 'rules' people who don't race, think should be in place?

I hate this.  If she wins the Preakness, what does that prove.  This is beyond stupid.  Her connections are just going to use up a nice filly before her time.  If she was handled with a bit more thought over the summer, and she proved herself to be a super horse, then run her in the Classic at the end of the year.  Personally, I'd love to see Zenyatta and RA in the Distaff.  There is no reason to run this filly back in 2 weeks after her effort in the Oaks against boys or girls.  The a$$es are just trying to get a quick return on there purchase price.

Zayat needs to relax. They have the Preakness winner.

Maybe someone else wrote this, but do any of you remember the 2002 Derby? Bob Baffert entered Danthebluegrassman at the last minute which knocked out Winward Passage who was trained by Steve Asmussen. Then, at the last minute again, Danthebluegrassman "tied-up" after a jog and was scratched after Banamine was given to him.

Now, the truth is, Winward Passage was going to go after War Emblem and set it up for another Asmussen runner, Private Emblem. So Baffert entered "Dan" to knock out "Win".

Right or wrong, this stuff goes on all the time...

The TC races should be a showcase for the best 3 year olds available, period. Keep a high supplement fee, add allowance-type conditions (stakes winners prefered, etc) that include the supplementals, and you're good to go.

Now on to a couple things that are bugging me. First of all, if something is 'un-American', then shouldn't you be calling out the American(s) who do that before others? Didn't see a mention of Allen or the benighted Mrs. Whitney there (though after further developments I give her the benefit of the doubt for now). And the other thing: How many of you folks actually cared about the Triple Tiara before now?

Jason:

I hear your reasoning, but it seems you fail to grasp (lack sufficient perspective/insight) all the variables (components to this). The fact that you would immediately label my argument as "very poor" speaks volumes about the confidence (rather lack of) you possess in your own point of view. Such ridgidity of thought is growth inhibiting, and I doubt that any additions to the subject I might add would change your position. For me, this isn't about winning arguments with you, but rather to contradict/question ideas that could prove of potential harm to the racehorse... Your argument is all too general; as if all horses were endowed with identical desires (will to win), and as if relative speed has no impact on potential for injury. For example, a faster horse is not by necessity a sounder one, so all else equal, a faster racing horse is at greater risk for injury than one less fast. Added to this, some horses expend more effort in attaining similar speeds than do others. Speed and degree of effort both play a role in potential for injury. So yes, it is more dangerous for the horse that is willing to expend more to "run over its head", than for the one who is willing to expend less. The greatest danger of all lies for the horse who is particularly well gifted physically for speed and is also quite willing to give a great degree of effort. Now place this horse in a situation that may require them, (or where they may be confronted)stimulate them, to exert themselves to a greater extent than had been their previous experience. Are they then not more at risk? It is also rather possible that the resultant physical effect of the mental stimulus to exert more could be counterproductive to ideal forward motion (fluidity of gait,etc.). So, to use one of your examples- if you put a Grade-III winner (who is inherently no better than a grade-III winner) and who is by nature very game, in against a field of Grade-I winners-for the first time-, said Grade-III winner is at greater risk for injury than had been before. Game horses running at greater speeds (depending upon the circumstances) are simply more at risk. At the highest levels, one should choose their spots with some caution. The individual horse's running style, and that of its competition also factors here. As you've no doubt observed, horses permitted to run as is their want (perhaps uncontested for a reasonable portion of a race) will often finish in a faster time than if the situation were otherwise. There are probably ideal intermediate fractions (example)distinct for each horse. The more the horse must differ from those, (sometimes affected by the competition, its relative "desire", etc.) for many the greater the impact on final outcome (time). There is a lot more to this than what I've offered here. Fatigue and relative fittness certainly play a part in this. So, to use another of your examples-if you're a particularly game horse exposed to a field that is superior to you, and on that day you are racing at an extremely high rate (relative to the conditions) then, all else equal,  you are at greater risk to sustain an injury.

So Jason, why not consult some leading vets (or equine physiologists) on the subject, and get their take? Likely, your conclusions are based upon observation and deduction, as are mine. Perhaps we'll both discover who has seen more and/or has better deductive skills. I'm quite open to being proven wrong. Lastly, and I despise anecdote, but allow: The Breeders' Cup Bayakoa/Go For Wand matchup keeps occurring to me as I write this post. My gut tells me that Go For Wand would have finished that race unscathed had not Bayakoa been entered. That said, I firmly believe that almost all catastrophic injuries had a pre-existing pathology. (but certain situations more than others may cause them to manifest).                                          

the only solution i see is to have jj throw more money around and purchase mtb...

To all who are upset at RA possibly being supplemented to the Preakness, you must remember it is within the rules of racing.  It happens often, especially in the Breeder's Cup. If any of us bought her would we want her to be excluded from a race (any race) just because her previous owners did not choose to nominate? I think we'd all want to run OUR own horse wherever we choose.  I agree that no nominated horse that was intending to run should be excluded (and they won't be by the rules) but before the ownership change there were not 14 entries being discussed.  The inclusion of a maiden by Mr Allen, while allowed, is completely ridiculous!  As far as it not being fair for her to run in the Preakness after not running in the Derby, historically the Preakness field has been loaded with those that did NOT run in the Derby. In fact, there are a number of colts running that were not in the Derby-where are the complaints about that? No horse is running to "deny MTB the triple crown".  They are all just running to win the race.  If he is good enough-he will win just like the others did. She may not have been on the "Derby Trail" but there is actually no such definitive thing - it is whatever preps each trainer wants to use and in fact she has had more starts so far than some of the colts. If she does get excluded and MTB wins the triple crown by some chance-he will always have an asterisk next to his name in my book.

JASON:  Are you really joining CB MAN in knocking this years crop of colts simply because "Rachel" has a good winning shot against them, or is it because you are still smarting from pre-Derby disappointment over Old Fashioned and Mr Fantasy?

Let's be reasonable here, if "Rachel" beats the boys that doesn't mean its a bad crop unless she is not that great in your estimation.  In my view it will take not a very good colt but a brilliant one to lower her colours, however there is at least one and possibly two or three brilliant ones (underrated so far) entered in the Preakness, so beware of "drawing your own conclusion" (you know, like the pig pulling a cart load of sausaghes) my friend.  Big Drama, Mine That Bird, Hull or Friesan Fire could prove my point.

I must congratulate you on these blogs.  I think that you are giving voice to public opinion and it is quite effective.  keep up the good work.  

Those owners/trainers who would try to manipulate the sport, appealing to the rules, in order to keep RA out of the Preakness are going against the spirit of the game and should be ashamed of themselves.  Zayat's argument about the rigors of the Derby preps entitling some horses and their connections to compete over the "new shooters" is plain nonsense.  if anything, those seasoned horses should be sharper, fitter and more battle-tested and ready to give the "new shooters" a baptism of fire, unless they are not good enough but just scared of being whopped.  I tell you, never a dull moment this season and so shall it be for the remainder of this year.  Lets get it on.

I must say I am amazed when I opened my email this morning and saw these headlines.  (I'm here on exchange in England from my home university, so I don't read the news at the same time as everyone else.)

With the selling of RA I was surprised, but happy when JJ bought her, because I had wanted her to be racing in the TC where I feel she belongs.  When I read the articles and this blog I'm even more amazed that owners would contemplate adding as an above poster said "filler" horses just to prevent one of the best 3 year olds from competing in the Preakness Stakes.  To say that the gesture lacked class on the owners' part was an understatement.  I'm now looking forward to Saturday's Preakness results.  May the best horse win, and as nice as a TC win would be, I'm pulling for RA.  

Heather

Let the bset horses run together...if she's fit, let her run!!!!!!!!!

Slew, You must have read my mind! I feel 2-5 would be appropriate odds. I am not saying the colts are that bad, I am saying SHE IS THAT GOOD!!

draynay is a seriously disturbed person. He's here to ridicule someone if their choice loses. No mention of the fact that after choosing somewhere around 12-14 different horses to win the Derby he was wrong every time.

"Rose.... You are allowed to have a opinion but does it have to be such a bad one every time. By the way, all those who are going to bet against her step up and be counted so we can laugh at you after the race.

draynay 10 May 2009 9:39 PM"

Get a real life.

I have an indirect economic stake in two of the colts who are probables for The Preakness.  But, I can honestly say this...I am way less worried that Rachel Alexandra beats the colts than I am that something bad happens to her.  And yes, she should have a chance to beat the boys...in a race that she's been trained and pointed to.  Not rushed into The Preakness.

She's never been in such a large field, she's never run so far, she's never faced this level of competition (her numbers DO NOT justify the opinions of some that she is way better than these colts...they just don't).  

It's simple risk/benefit analysis.  So what is she wins?  On the other hand, what would it do to the sport if she is rushed into The Preakness and gets hurt or worse on national TV after all this "big drama"?

I'm a breeder/owner, and a fan.  I want her to have her shot at the colts too.  Under optimal conditions for her.  It is NOT in the best interest of Rachel Alexandra to run her in The Preakness.  All of you who want her to run against the boys, ask yourselves...do you honestly think she will be at her best with two weeks between races?  Do you think you know more than her former trainer what's best for her?  It certainly isn't in Calvin's best interest...he was "forced" to give up a mount on a KY Derby winner. Under a "No Rachel in The Preakness scenario", he retains both mounts!!! It's NOT in the best long-term interest of racing.  If she wins, it's fodder for a week and it goes in the record books.  If she gets hurt, it's NOT the same as a colt breaking down in the race.  It will be much worse.  It will make Eight Belles look like a Birthday Party.  Why even risk it?  Train her up to The Belmont...or some other race against the colts.  Jesus some of you are cavalier with the lives of these athletes, and with the popularity of this sport.    

How weak!!

Here's my synopsis:

"Well, sniff, sniff, the colts trained sooo hard..sniff, sniff, and SHE didn't, so she had it easier than them, and, besides, her OTHER owners didn't want her to run, so there. I'm playing by the rules and only the same horses should run against each other that was in the Derby, that's only fair, I mean, if I enter another colt I'm gonna scratch him come Preakness day...this is a business y'know $$$$ and girls belong with girls, pregnant and barefoot in the breeding shed, and we got stud futures to consider $$$$, plus MaryLou, she wants to protect Birdstone...yeah i know she's the kind of class act that apologized to the racing world when Smarty lost to her colt, and yeah, I know, she's a true blue horsewoman who's never been afraid to run anyone anywhere and has been in the sport for 50 years through good and bad, has a major stakes named for her family, but, geeeze, against RA?? boohoo"

"Well, I gotta maiden, he's really talented, but he won't last, yeah I'll bust this good colts heart against Grade 1 horses, but, you, know she stole my jockey and I want him baaaack, sniff, sniff, and besides I got all these calls and they TOLD me to, they told me to not let that filly run, they TOLD me..."

And if RA were in THEIR barn come Preakness day??????

Horse Racing is a business and in business money talks. Why is anyone the least bit surprised this was even considered? Those with money love to use it to force their way on the world. I for one am glad that this time that somewhere along the line it was stopped. Mark Allen does not seem like a good person and his dirty oil money is a disgrace to the sport.

I can't believe people make those comment about the Whitneys, they will never do anything to hurt the sport of racing,now Lukas maybe will do something like that because he just want to be some sort of attention.

If I read one more comment about Jess Jackson and his money, I will be sick. Where did all the high praise go from last year, "Oh, Thank you, Mr. Jackson, for letting us have the opportunity to see Curlin as a 4 year old?" I really don't see him as evil. Too many people jealous because he can?Rachel's previous owner did not have a gun to his head to sell her, he is a BREEDER and said the racing game was too much for him at his age.

The Derby a showcase for Stallions? How about Rachel's value? A colt or filly born to Rachel and Curlin would be golden, and surely capture the eye of everyone.

Calvin Borel disrespecting the Kentucky Derby by his choice? Looking at past performances of Mine that Bird and Rachel, I see Calvin's name all over Rachel's, yet see Chantal Sutherland in Mine That Bird's. So much for Allen's comment that he wants HIS rider back.

A maiden in the Preakness? Nominated or not, now that is disrespect.

Jess Jackson should not be penalized because Rachel's previous owners didn't enter her, look at all the "win and you're in" horses. Maybe the winner of the Kentucky Oaks should be treated the same way.

Let Rachel run. If she wins, great, if she doesn't, then point her toward a race I would really be interested in. Rachel v. Zenyatta. Now, that would be a race.

SKW.

And in the previous blog, what did IEAH do wrong? I think they care about their horses...oh,wait, they have money too.

This whole thing turns my stomach!! I was so looking forward to the Preakness and the possibility of maybe a Triple Crown winner.  Don't get me wrong-I love Rachel,MTB, PON, and Calvin but the other human connections of these horses remind me of a bunch of money grubbing, fame seeking,under handed multi-millionaires only interested in promoting themselves and not these champion athletes they represent.  I have no problem with Rachel running in the Preakness, but JJ is just doing this for his own benefit not hers.  I thought that he had more class.  May the best horse win.

I worry for the safety of the horses every time there is a prestigious race, Triple Crown, Wood, Blue Grass, etc.  Rachel however, does have some things going for her (1) she is big and strong (2) she is extremely  athletic and very much in control of her body (3) Calvin Borel.  Although I would be happier if she stayed in the Triple Tiara, you know that given her performances, she will be entered with the boys eventually.  In my book, this filly has proven herself capable.  Although not yet in the same class as Ruffian, Genuine Risk, Go for Wand, I believe with the right management, she will be right up there with these great gals.

Penny B,  if I'm this is the triple crown this is the only American racing that gets any type of main stream attention. And seriously RA has more racing experience than almost every other horse lined up for this second leg.

You should keep those comments to your self. She is racing biggest star rite now and only supper star, win or lose let her run.Just like any other horse in any other race she can only go as fast as she can.

This is so pathetic. So what happens to the other fillies in races that run second or third, don't they try to win, aren't those races hard for them too? It the same track they will only go as fast as they can.

By the was Am no big JJ fan but too many people making the guy out to be some bad guy. He didn't force the owners to sell, he made an offer, they accepted. If he is bad for buying then they are just as bad for selling.

Franky I'm Glad this happened, put some life into this dying thing. Those guys just wanted to keep running a monster like Ra with fillies that had no chance. That's not sportsmanship, That was taking  advantage. JJ might be allot of things but he is a sports man.

Look at Zenyatta last year dominated the fillies and mare , but that was not good enough to earn her horse of the year. Quite obvious to me that beating up on the little girls would not cut it for RA either.

Hey Jason, your the man

Borel is a specialist at Churchill, but doesnt do very well anywhere else. What irks me about RA invading the TC is that now we might not have a shot at seeing a new TC winner. If RA had run the derby that would be one thing, but to throw her in now is bad for racing. I hope that the MTB team can get a Pimlico jockey that will guide him to victory, and show the nay-sayer's he wasnt a so-called fluke.

Also, if Sheik Mohammed had bought RA, and was planning this kind of disruption instead of Jess Jackson, the uproar would be enormous!    

Draynay:  I will be betting on Big Drama.  Just wanted to stand up beforehand and be counted.

The rules are the rules. If Rachel can get in she can run, but if other horses with greater earnings are entered she does not deserve to run. Simple as that. In any business people and companies strategize on how to beat the competition. Horse racing is no different and in this case they are playing within the rules. I do question the new owners decision to enter the filly in the Preakness after a two week layoff and after Eight Belles break down. What could be worse fo for the sport, not seeing Rachel run or seeing something happen to her? It's a foolish risk by owners with simply too much money and ego.  

I was glad to read the retractions. I do not see Marylou Whitney as the sort of person who would block another horse from running in this kind of way. Like other writers, though, I worry that Rachel Alexandra will be ruined if JJ runs her in both the Preakness and the Belmont, even though I feel she is clearly the best 3 year-old in North America.

Well there sure will be speed if she runs ... Big Drama, Rachel Alexandra and someone else. If they burn themselves out guess who comes to dinner .... MTB

looks like someone is  affrade of  the big bad {rachle} she wolf.

go baby go!!!

  she has every right to run, she has proven her selfa worthy runner and should not be denied because of  her owners/ or sex.

may the best horse win!

has everyone forgotten the story of signorinetta??? look  that one up GUYS!!

Why run her against the boys now? Just because you can afford to buy the best horse out there and pay the supplemental entry, doesn't mean it's the best thing for the horse!  I think she should continue to run against the girls thru the summer and take on Zenyatta and then run against the boys either in the Classic or wait til next year.

Colts are running for much more than the purse--fillies and geldings are only running for the purse.....there's more at stake for an intact male horse--winning a classic ups your breeding value.....

Wow, I knew this blog was going to be full of opinions so I will add mine, you people seem to forget that there will be 12 horses other then Rachel and MTB and a couple of them will be fresh and ready to run ie: Big Drama, Terrain and Take the Points, all of who could be sitting on a big race.  If there is a spot then RA should be allowed in.  The best horse on that day will win.  She is a great filly but who has she really run against?  She goes to the lead and stays out of trouble, getting bumped like some of these boys did in the Derby may change her a bit.  If she doesn't run whoever does win the Preakness will always have to listen to well if RA would have run...  Just like we are hearing with MTB in the Derby.  Face it people fluke or not he came across the line first if he never wins another race he will still be a KY Derby winner.  Let's move on to the future races and have fun!!

With the unethical and perhaps illegal collusion of certain owners/trainers to keep Rachel Alexandra out of the Preakness now out in the open, the authorities have no choice but to let the filly run if her connections choose to start her.  The rules of racing cannot be interpreted in a way that compromises fair play and promotes race fixing (directly or obliquely).  There are scoundrels aplenty, both high and low profile that need to be exposed.  In view of what has come to light, if Rachel was to be kept out under the guise of "the rules", it would be better for the integrity of the sport, that the Preakness be abandoned this year as a matter of principle.  That would be a crying shame as this year's renewal is shaping up to be a "a thrilla in manila", one for the ages indeed.  Go Rachel, go Big Drama, go Friesan Fire, go Mine That Bird, go Hull, go INTEGRITY, go FAIRPLAY, go THOROUGHBRED RACING.  

Thank you Bijjjoux for some reality.

The MTB connections wanted the right jockey for Churchill Downs, hence Borel. So now they need the right jockey for Pimlico, that's not Borel. As far as JJ, if he cares so much about racing, run RA as originally planned which would give fans 2 races to be excited about, not just one scandal clad Preakness. Once again, the horses out class their connections. How come suddenly we are only hearing from Mark Allen? What happened to Dr. Blach? Thought he was the "brains" of the bunch. Does Allen have more money in MTB? I think he's seeking revenge for the defection of Borel. This reminds me of 1999, the lack of respect for Charismatic going into the Preakness, Baffert jealous about Lukas having the Lewis' horse and not him. Excellent Meeting runs in the Preakness, finishes last. Baffert runs Silverbulletday as the

"rabbit" in the Belmont to foil Charismatic and we all remember what happened there.

MikeM

I agree.  Mine That Bird really did deserve to win the Derby.  He was the best horse.  All these people that are saying bad things about him just either lost money or they are very very cold hearted people with probably less than a half a soul.  People like that don't care about the horse, they care about the money. :)

If RA runs, I will box her.  I would be an idiot not to.  I can afford to throw her into my boxes.  She is just one more horse.  :)

RACHEL ALEXANDER WILL WIN PERIOD. SHE IS BETTER THAN THE BOYS AND THEY ARE SCARED. SOME REPORTER WHO HAS THE GUTS SHOULD JUST STRAIGHT OUT INTERVIEW THEM AGAIN AND TELL THEM, "THE REASON YOU WANT TO BUMP HER IS BECAUSE YOU ARE SCARED SHE WILL MAKE A MOCKERY OF THE FIELD RIGHT?". THIS FILLY IS THE SECRETARIAT OF THE FILLIES, GO TO YOU TUBE AND WACTH HER OAKS, FEEL THOSE GOOSE BUMPS, THEY DON'T LIE!!!!

This is all ridiculous, I hate it that Zayat and even people here keep referring to Eight Belles like they are going to try to scare people into not running the filly.  When will they get it that Eight Belles was a fluke, it had nothing to do with her running against boys.  By Carol B's reasoning only a horse that has a shot at the triple crown should run...really, wouldn't that just be one horse?  Let her run, quit the games, if those other horses want best 3 year old I think they need to beat her to get it, not steal it away by excluding her.

First off...I dont' see why people are upset that Calvin would choose to ride Rachel Alexander over Mine That Bird.  He is her regular jockey, not Mine That Birds.  It would be only natural for Jackson to ask Calvin to stay on as her rider.  He knows her and as many of you have pointed out her new trainers and owners don't...so....why not keep someone on her that does know her.

Second:  Eight Bells did not break down because she ran against the boys.  End of Story...quit using it as an excuse.

Third:  If two weeks is too short of a turn around for her, then two weeks is too short of a turn around for all the horses who ran in the derby.

Fouth:  Her training skd wasn't planned for it.  She is a very fit athlete.  I agree w/another post (Draynay)but there are lesser horses out there who have done the 2 week turn around or less and come out fine.  Tired I'm sure, but fine.  If she's healthy fit and sound, let her run.  

Fifth:  She wasn't nominated.  A little more tricky...but if the Jockey Club allows it then its not "illegal."  If the race doesn't "fill" she is in and while it is not against the rules for other owners to run their horse to fill the race so she can't get in...it is very unsportsman like and cowardly.

Sixth:  She wasn't in the derby trail races and only ran against mediocre fillies that $5000 claimers could have beat.  Well then...Set aside Pioneer of the Nile and Fresian Fire and she should have won the Derby hands down.  Because when I read the list of entries for the Derby and had to go SEARCHING to find out who they where and what they had...or had not done...sounds to me that with MOST (not all) of the big name promising horses sidelined w/injuries...The Derb was nothing but a weak horse winning agaisnst a weak field after some unfortunate luck to the actual contenders.  Rachel Alexander may have only one against mediocre fillies, but I'm pretty positive she can beat some mediocre colts and geldings.

Seventh:  Showcase for stallions...Um...broodmares play a pretty big part in the breeding area and if that broodmare won 2 legs of the triple crown while she was racing...thats a pretty good showcase for that broodmares sire.

All that being said...I'd be disappointed if she didn't get to run.  I'm a loyal racing fan I won't protest the race if they block her out.  

Sooo yeah.  RIDERS UP!  Let her in and may the best horse win!

OWNERS AND TRAINERS THROUGHOUT RACING HAVE HAD FILLERS FOR RACES. THEY USED TO CALL THEM "RABBITS". THIS IS NOTHING NEW.  UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOUR, CODEX AND GENUINE RISK IN THE '80 PREAKNESS.  RACE RIDING AND TRAINER STRATEGY ARE ALL FAIR GAME.  HOW MANY FILLERS ARE ALLOWED IN THE KENTUCKY DERBY?  OTHER POSTERS HAVE SAID IT BEFORE, WHO HAS RA BEATEN?  MTB HAS BEATEN STAKES WINNERS. JUST WHAT IF SHE CANNOT HANDLE THE TRACK, IS RAIN IN THE FORECAST FOR SATURDAY? WHAT ABOUT TRAFFIC?  IT IS A SQUEEZE PLAY OUT OF THE GATE, HOW WILL SHE HANDLE A HARD BUMP.  I AM NOT CONVINCED RA IS A SHOE IN TO WIN, ALTHOUGH I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE OWNERS CRAPPY PLOT. THAT IS HORSE RACING.

jshandler

I have a question for you.  In your comment about RA winning the Preakness.  That to me is a very good comment.  My question to you is..... Doesn't the same apply for Mine That Bird in the Derby?  :)

Hey how about this idea.  The TC races are all raced by the SAME horse.  THAT WAY, it is the horses running against each other 3 times.  What about that?  Is that a stupid idea?

LACS70

Mine That Bird won the 2009 Run for the Roses.  NO-ONE can take that away from him.  He was the right horse with the right jockey and the right track on the right day.  That is what REALLY happens in racing.  I feel that RA should have run the Derby too and then the Preakness.  THEN we would really know if SHE could beat MTB on all the tracks.  :) ANY horse can win any race on any day.  I want them all safe.  I want the best horse to win and I want them all to go home on 4 healthy legs.  That is what I want.  

Jason, just commenting on what I was hearing in real time. Ruminating about what the talking heads, actually an ex-trainer was saying.

I think what CS is saying is that winning the race only proves she can win the race. We've already concluded the 3 year old crop is iffy at best. If the worst were to happen, however farfetched that may be, it would harm racing more than her winning the race would help. Especially things like not enough horses to fill a card, like CD asking to cut a day a week out of their meet or DelMar reducing their dates.

Truthfully the ONLY persons with any intent to block Rachel were Allen and Zayat.

Allen to get Calvin back on his horse, but he was actually going to run his, Zayat was going to enter and scratch.

But, like someone pointed out, this goes on all the time. Bafferts done it, Whittingham used to do it. Lots run horses as rabbits, lots enter horses to exclude others or as a strategy.

This is these people's way of earning a living. It isn't cheating, giving drugs it's good old fashioned strategy that's been practiced since horse racing began.

If people want an idealized, feel good, love everybody sport they won't find it in real life. If people strategized the opposite way to make sure racing had a Triple Crown winner, the screaming would and should be loud and clear.

Maybe everyone should step away from the keyboard for a minute and stop and apply all of this in some way to their own professional lives and see how they would feel about it if it applied to them in some way, shape or form.

I KNOW almost everyone has had the situation where a young gun who has had a smashing success or a dazzling degree/resume has come into their workplace knocking others out of their way who may have more experience, seniority worked their way up the ranks and paid their dues (similar to a nomination?). Tell me that there isn't a boatload of resentment when that happens? Even more so when the guy flames out.

More of the ridiculous conspiracy theories about people sabotaging the filly. If she loses I fear that is what we'll hear, legitimate or not. Remember, this filly has lost 3 times, she's not unbeatable (or wasn't at one point and they can and usually do regress especially with a change in routine, even if that routine and care is exceptional, it's still different.).

For those talking about Lukas, he actually checked with Pimlico officials BEFORE he entered Luv Gov, and with his entry, RA was still in. Also, remember HE ran against her already and said he'd be happy with second place so it didn't really make sense for HIM to try and block the filly. Now if he'd have had the winner, maybe. But even HE said bring em on when Lewis was upset about Silverbulletday running against Charismatic.

This whole thing as made it very easy on me this weekend

I was going to put RA on top of 3 horses, althouth I could not narrow them down, I liked MM, PC, MTB, BD, and POTN. We'll now it's easy MTB and POTN are out.

You know what is really funny.  Everyone has all of their opinions and to them, they are valid, OK that's coooooooool.  When the race comes and it is over, we will all know the results.  It is really strange.  People argue about the winner. People argue about who is going to win, going to get hurt and going this and that.  

THEN people argue about the results.  That horse "should have won", etc.  Well that is why they have competitions.  NO-ONE really knows the future.  BUT we all know the past.  :)  Let's all just try to hope for a safe and good Preakness with or without RA.  

Saturday is not far off and by the evening of that day, we will ALL know the answer to all of this.  Do I feel that RA should run the Preakness?  Well if she ran the Derby yeah.  I don't believe she should run the Preakness.  I do however wish her the safest and best trip for HER if she does run the Preakness.  I am starting to make myself dizzy but I just wanted to babble.  :)  Please let's everyone get along.  It is much nicer when people are getting along.  :)  Let's try to make the debates healthy and respect EVERYONE'S opinion.  They are all entitled to it.  :)

The owners of POTN and MTB were just scared of this filly. I think Lucas said it best when he said " She is all speed, and she just keeps going!" I will tell you one horse you better watch out for besides RA, and that is Big Drama. He should be undefeated, broke the track record at Gulfstream and was dq'ed, and was second in his first race in which the jockey lost that race for him. But if RA just clicks off 11.5-12 second furlongs, no one will challenge her after the 8th pole.

    Amazing the interest this has received, Kudos to you Jason!, Awesome for racing, regardless of where you stand, First, This Mark Allen is a sleaze for trying to block RA, I won't waste any more of my time on him, He is a joke, Don't get me wrong, Love Mine that Bird and his Trainer.  Second, In my opinion, Racing RA against the colts is fine, You want to race against the best, and she certainly qualifies, In my humble opinion, I just think it is going to be too much for her to go through everything in just two weeks(I.E., New Owner, New Barn, New Trainer), If nothing had changed after the Oaks, then it would be fine to race her in the preakness, I do think she is the most talented horse, male or female.  We will see in five days if the RA we have seen in the past, An incredibly smooth, fast, effortless Filly shows up in the preakness, if so, then she will win handily, if I am right, and all of the changes take there toll on her, then we won't see the true greatness she is capable of.  Only time will tell....

Stardust,

    On your comments on Friesan Fire, No one can count his Derby as a true reflection of the type of horse he is.  Watch his trip from above(he is the sixth horse from the left), He got beaten up, stepped on, grabbed a quarter, then his jockey(Saez) had him go right, left, hit another horse, sped up to sixth, then eased him. YES, In my humble opinion, It was a terrible race by Saez!  If his work tomorrow(Tuesday) meets Larry Jones expectations and he is sound, Then there is no problem for him to be in Preakness, Nobody knows better then Jones, He will only put him in if he is Perfect(I still am worried that, even if he is sound, That his head might be messed up from the Derby trip).  But, No one, can use the 18th place finish in the derby as a knock on him...

Overhead View(FF sixth from left):

www.youtube.com/watch

Lastly,

    Great Peter Pan by "Charitable Man" ....

Travis L

Mine That Bird and PON are out?  

So many good points and so many bad points.  JJ is still being portrayed as Snidely Whiplash, evil man that he is.  The people conspiring to keep RA out have changed their minds.  Keeping RA out so MTB can win the TC?  What kind of a TC champion would that be?  People with money are ruining the sport?  Borel is selfish and egotistical?  JJ shouldn't have taken the filly from Wiggins?  How can the new owner and trainer know this horse since they haven't nurtured her?

O my goodness!  When someone owns a racehorse they have every right to do as they see fit.  Having money is not a sin.  Owners who have horses in the TC usually have money as this is the top level of competition.  Without wealthy owners there would be no top level of racing.  Asmussen will pump up RA with "vitamins"?  Curlin ran drug free last year.  Any horse as well known as RA is not going to get "vitamins".  All those horses are tested.  We are all passionate about this sport but we aren't footing the bills.  We couldn't afford it!  I just don't understand making JJ out to be the villain.  He wanted RA and he legally purchased her and her former owners didn't have to sell her.  Mr. Wiggins has had other horses taken from him, I'm sure.  That's part of this business and it is a business.  I've also seen several comments on what is ruining this sport. Let me tell you, this sport has been decling for decades.  In the sixties, there used to be at least one major race televised everyweek.  Not so anymore.  We have football, the biggest sport in this country and that's part of the decline.  Also, how much do you see on horse racing in the media?  The only thing you see is when something goes wrong.  Look at ESP's site.  Horse racing is under "other".  There are several reasons for this decline but JJ is not one of them as has been suggested.  We need a triple crown to promote horse racing?  No. The only people interested in a triple crown are the people that have seen triple crown winners and have followed the sport for a while.  They talk about changing the TC race schedules to make it easier and to shorten the Belmont.  If that is done, there should be no Triple Crown races because any horse could do it.  It's special because only 11 horses have done it.  If they change the races to make it easier, it diminishes it and makes no sense to have it.

The biggest boon this sport has had was the movie "Seabicuit".  People went to see it in droves and then Smarty came along and engaged their hearts.  This type of thing is what is needed.  We need to engage their hearts and make them excited to see these marvelous and wondrous creatures flying on the track, to watch the beauty and excitment of it.  It's a wonderful sport that has received so much bad press.  I hope it rebounds but I rather doubt it will unless things change to bring it to the forefront in a good way.  Sure there are things wrong in the sport but there is a lot of right in the sport as well.

I'm just really surprised at the anger at people that is undeserved.

How can any of us know why someone else does something?  How can we know the true motive?  Buying a horse is not evil.

I realize I've gone off topic but I felt the need to express this just as all of you have expressed what you feel.

Jason, think I'm trying to give a synopsis of what some are saying on here. Not that I agree with it.

We all know there is a fear and possibility of any horse getting injured in a race in the spotlight and what the activists will try to do. We, who watch all the time know that any horse can get hurt at any time, injuries happen to athletes every day.

I'm not saying don't run her, I could care less. I'm a handicapper who bets on horses. I do have  feeling for the animals but refuse to put human qualities on them.

I've been around it my whole life and am well aware of what can and will happen, as much you are. But the one thing I won't presume, and one thing NONE of us should is how the trainers, owners etc should react to all of this because if you only bet on em or write about them can we truly know how we'd feel or react? We could say we do but that's empty rhetoric.

My whole point is, was and will continue to be, I don't want ANY horse, be it colt, gelding or filly to run if it excludes someone who has a nominated horse excluded because of it. That's the rule and until that rule is changed it is what it is.

Will the best horse win in that scenario? Maybe not, but it happens 'all the time' for various reasons.

I'm also a firm believer that 'one horse' or 'one race' or 'a Triple Crown' won't save racing. People are too fickle for that to happen.

Due to all this hullabaloo!  I'm right back where I started from:  it's BIG DRAMA for this one!

He was my early pick late last year and he shall remain my favorite for the Preakness and, hopefully, the Belmont.

Go Big Drama!  How 'bout that name, folks!  [laughing]

I laughed my head off when I heard this story yesterday. Who in their right mind wants to make Jesse Jackson a sympathetic figure? Mr Zayat needs to get himself a good public relations firm, so he can be seen and not heard! This is really funny. Not funny like in haha but funny like in stupid!

I don't like the rabbit angle anymore than I like to see jockeys boxing in a horse or squeezing one against the rail. I don't call that racing, I call that trying to keep someone else from winning. If you try to keep someone else from winning, you're not trying to win on your own merit. The public is the looser in any event.

Should she run? That's not my call. Can she win? Seems like she's as good as any colt I've seen. I think the Belmont is more suited for her but that race was already won by a filly recently and if I'm correct, Mr Jackson is only interested in getting something unique for her or rather for Curlins benefit. Mr Zayat and Mrs Whitney aren't the only ones looking to further their stallions allure.

Why all the Eight Belles and RA talk? If anyone wants to say that, then say Barbaro and the rest of the field.

Read what JS said. You can't go through racing fearing injury.

I think Mark Allen is doing enough damage with his talk about Indy Express, a maiden with earnings of under 13,000. Try to explain nominations and late entries to a person that only watches racing 4 or 5 times a year. They just see a race fix by a person in other news for bad reasons.              Racing deserves, no, NEEDS stars. The damage being done by Zayat and Mr. Allen, even if they retract, is enormous. I leave out Mrs. Whitney because I believe her, that she would never harm the sport she has loved and been good for her whole life.

Stop taking away from your horse and have a little faith in Mine that Bird.

Let Rachel run.

SUPER FILLY?????????? LMAO!!!

Small fields and weak opposition in her wins- in a rather disappointing year for 3 year old fillies, how does that make R Alexandra a Super Filly? That is almost as ridiculous as when Eight Belles was called a 'great' filly and one of 'the best ever'....both absurd comments as she was a good horse that lost 4 of her first 5 and never won a Grade 1 race.  

All this fuss over what goes on day after day. It's part of racing but has received more publicity because of the size of the stage. I'd have no problem either way, as long as the rules allow for it nobody can complain.

I'm not seeing Calvin Borel aboard RA once JJ and crew have a chance to get a better rider around the horse and used to her. It makes sense to retain the rider most familiar with her this close to a race but If I were him I wouldn't keep my hopes up too high over time. Then again this Filly may be so good it doesn't matter who rides her. If she sticks with the ladies she'll be competing most of the time against Secratariat size fields anyway.

JSHANDLER, I AGREE LETS RACE WITHOUT FEAR. IN THE OLD DAYS HORSES WOULD RACE NORMALLY EVERY TWO TO THREE WEEKS AND SOMETIMES EVERY WEEK. SO COME ON, LET'S RACE, SHE IS SOUND AND TWO WEEKS IS ENOUGH REST PERIOD, THE FEAR IS SHE WILL DESTROY THIS FIELD AND CHANCES OF THAT HAPPENING ARE "REALLY SCARRRRRY!!!!!"

Is it just me or does anyone else see the resemblance of Calvin Borel to the little banjo playing boy from the movie "Deliverance"? He grew up to be a pretty good Jockey didn't he?

    So dray is a trekkie.  That explains a lot.  Anyway, I would have no problem with Allen entering a maiden or Lukas entering a horse who took 10 starts to finally break his maiden.  Last year D'Tara won the Belmont & was still eligible for N2X.  There was another horse, Guadalcanal, who was still a maiden entered in the Belmont last year and I think it was in 2005, that the Ramseys entered Catienus in the Belmont to showcase him as a stallion and he was either a maiden or still eligible for N1X.  It happens.  What I do have a problem with is the reasoning behind the decision.  That's disgraceful.  To say the TC is to simply showcase future stallions is pathetic.  Even if MTB were to win the Preakness, as stated by many, he has no value as a stallion.  His sire's value, Birdstone, won't really increase much since MTB already won the big one.  LuvGuv is by Ten Most Wanted so that wouldn't increased Birdstone's value as a stallion if he were to somehow win.  POTN would be about the only horse who would benefit as he would then have a GI win over synthetic and dirt and he broke his maiden over turf so that would look nice on his resume, but to be honest, a win in the Preakness over Rachel Alexandra would be more impressive than a win in the race without her.  I don't know who these guys thought they were fooling with their reasons behind trying to block RA from the Preakness.  Their reason was simply, WE CAN'T BEAT HER SO LET'S DO EVERYTHING WITHIN THE RULES TO EXCLUDE HERE!  I'm happy they have since decided to scrap their plan.  It's simple, as an owner, trainer, whatever, you should never fear just one horse.  A lot of things can happen in horse race.

    As for Zayat, I do remember him stating just before the Derby how disappointed he was that Quality Road was out of the race because as a competitor, he wanted to face and beat the best.  Now here's his chance and somehow, he was trying to keep from facing RA.  That's simply pathetic.  And to also say it's disgraceful for Borel to take off his mount on the KY Derby winner to ride a filly is also pathetic.  Riders have to make those decisions all the time with big name horses.  I remember last year when Albarado chose Curlin over Einstein in the Stephen Foster.  Leparoux rode Einstein that day and after that race, if I'm not mistaken, Robby never got the mount back.  Zayat wanted to talk about business decisions, well jockeys have to make sound business decisions as well.  

    As for me personally, I love it when the girls take on the boys and even better, succeed.  Hell, I hope Zenyatta stays healthy and keeps racing all the way to the BC and trys to take on the boys in the Classic.  I hope she does so and wins.  I hope RA can also be succesful in the Preakness.  I simply don't like the 2 week turnaround.  Let the horse get familiar with her new handlers and her new surroundings first, then try the boys.  I honestly don't think it's a matter of if she can beat the boys, it's just a matter of when so why not try the Belmont or wait for Saratoga and try the Jim Dandy or Travers?  I know it happens in Europe all the time where the girls take on the boys.  There are just a couple of big differences.  In Europe, they breed more towards stamina and endurance and race way more on the turf, which seems to be easier on horses, where in The US we have geared our breeding more towards speed and race more often on dirt.  Our horses simply tend to be more fragile due to the breeding practices towards speed, our preferred racing surfaces and let's not forget all the wonderful drugs we pump into our horses.

    In summation, I say let RA run.  Trying to block her from the race might be within the rules, but it's very unsportsmanlike.  I blame this whole potential mess on MTB! (just kidding)  But seriously, if POTN, FF or Dunkirk had won the Derby instead of the 50-1 MTB, do you really think the field would be full in Baltimore?  Seems to me it's not just the general public who thinks this horse was a fluke, but also the owners, trainers, etc.  

Tony,

What is 'Un-American' in American Racing? I'm curious- as even the Derby Team all pointed out that the United States is the only major horse racing nation in the world that races and trains its horses and legal and illegal drugs. I guess it was un-american for Big Brown to miss his regular steroid shots- LOL. Not attacking you, but my point is, with all the drugs, suspended trainers and illegal steroids. Look at the article by Joe Drape in the NY Times before the Derby- only 3 of the 20 shared their veterinary records with The New York Times.

From the story (Even with the prohibition of steroids in the past year, the United States continues to have the world’s loosest medication policies for thoroughbreds.........The aggressive use of legal drugs is a big reason this country has the worst mortality rate for thoroughbreds)

I could go on- my point is- in racing- being 'Un-American' is a good thing.

Holy Cow!!!I didn't know anything about this until this morning. Mother's Day kept me safely away from the TV & the blogs.

My opinion is that horse racing is about HORSES, not about owners. Humans have a tendency to act like humans (mostly sh...y). Horses just try their best no matter what their owners do or don't do. At Pimlico, the best horse of that day will win the race and no amount of hoopla from humans is going to make any difference whatsoever!

Most of the bloggers seem to think that Rachel Alexandra is a shoe in if she runs in the Preakness...I'm not so sure. So, I will sit down and enjoy the race, because of the HORSES and their honest effort and happily forget about their human connections and all their shenanigans! Go beautiful HORSES!!!

C'MON PEOPLE, FOR ALL YOU WHO SAID THAT 2 WEEKS IS TOO EARLY FOR RA TO RUN IN THE PREAKNESS, WE ALL KNOW THAT THE OAKS WAS JUST A GLORIFIED WORKOUT FOR HER. SHE HAS NEVER BEEN SHOWN OR HIT WITH THE WHIP AND SHE WASN'T EVEN BLOWING AFTER THE RACE. ALSO, IF 2 WEEKS IS TOO EARLY, THEN WHAT ABOUT THE SPACING BETWEEN THE DERBY AND THE PREAKNESS?! IT'S NEVER BEEN QUESTIONED BEFORE, SO WHY NOW?  BY THE WAY DRAYNAY, THE NEW STAR TREK MOVIE IS VERY AWESOME!!!!

I agree with you Jason, and the others who are disregarding the injury argument.  Look at Rachel, she is solidly built, by all accounts a very smart, mature horse, and WELL PREPARED, surely more so than the maidens and maiden winners we were hearing about being entered in this prestigious TC race.  Were they being trained for this race?  If they were it was a secret.

Mostly, Rachel should be in the Preakness because THE FANS WANT TO SEE HER.  I am sick of hearing about how everything in racing ahould serve the breeding industry.  Without fan interest in the racetrack competition, what purpose is there to all these grand matings and multi-million price tags??  There has to be a purpose and the purpose is racing, gambling, enjoyment, entertainment, competition and finding out who's the fastest and the best (on any given day). Without that, breeding is just a big pyramid scheme and it can't last forever.

Rachel's previous owners said the TC series was a showcase for the future stallions of the industry.  I had actually never heard that before and I strongly disagree with it.  Older racing fans, when you saw Secretariat or Alydar and Affirmed or even Citation, was that what it was about for you??  I have to say I doubt it.

Jason, help me out with this one.  Wasn't it just a few years back when Ken Ramsey paid a fine levied by the KHRA or he might have even been suspended for a little bit  because he approached another trainer or owner towards the end of the year at Turfway about not entering a horse in a race so he would have a better shot at his horse winning and having the most owner's wins in a year or something along those lines?  I seem to remember this situation and he even accepted an award Eclipse ceremony and during his speech, he admitted his wrongdoing, said what he did was highly unethical and that his parents didn't raise him that way.  Wouldn't this whole situation fall somewhere close to that?

Yeah, here it is.  The situations are eerily similar, but I guess since there was not a "money" proposition, Zayat and the rest of the owners were right, but Ramsey was wrong.  Money or not, both situations were disgraceful and IMO, highly unethical.  Judge for yourself.

www.usatoday.com/.../2005-01-17-top-owner-suspended_x.htm

Greg J.  

Thanks about FF.  :)

Draynay(Trekkie Fan):

    "To boldly go where no man(Draynay) has gone before".....

    That would have be to cash a winning ticket, lol...

I agree with you Zookeeper... the horses are what keep us coming back. We sure know its usually not due to the "human's" in charge. For the record I think MTB is a beautiful horse. Plain brown rapper and all. Thought he looked fantastic in his workout photo.

Lol... Jason you're the best!  I applaud you for trying to answer some of these people in a calm rational manner.  I wish you the best of luck....lol.... Go Rachel !

AMY, I RESPECT YOUR OPINION BUT I DON'T AGREE WITH IT. RACHEL IS AWESOME. I SAW PRINCESS ROONEY RUN ON TV. I WAS AT BELMONT PARK WHEN LADY SECRET BEAT TURKOMAN AND PRECISIONIST. I WAS AT BELMONT PARK WHEN PERSONAL ENSIGN WON THE MASKETT. I WAS AT GULFSTREAM PARK WHEN PASEANA WON THE DISTAFF. ZENYATTA HAS IMPRESSED ME ON TV. BUT RACHEL IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT SHE IS BIG AND POWERFUL, LOOK AT HER STRIDE, GARY STEVEN SAID ON TV THAT IT WAS," TWO STRIDES COMPARED TO THE OTHER FILLIES." I WOULD PAY BIG BUCKS TO FLY TO PIMLICO...AS A MATTER OF FACT IF THEY SAY YES....I MIGHT JUST HOP ON THE NEXT FLIGHT TO SEE THIS AWESOME FILLY TAKEN NOTHING FROM THE COLTS!!! I MAY BE WRONG AND SHE STILL NEEDS TO WIN SOME MORE RACES BUT THAT OAKS WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!

Jason-

Is there a blog about Bloodhorses 'Top 10 All-Time' list? If not- there should be as the greatest days of racing are in the past and even now excellent 3 year olds are retired to the breeding shed ASAP.

The Bloodhorse top 10 was a good list- but any tope 10 without Round Table is no top 10! LOL

My sentiments exactly Pam S! Have said many times that the breeding industry serves no true purpose without racing, therefore the focus should be on lining them up and running the best against the best.

Pam S,

The answer to your question is yes. The Triple Crown races were intended to showcase future sound and drug free stallions. I miss those days.

OK.  I NEVER thought I'd be defending Draynay but fergawdssakes! no bad comments about Star Trek!  If you don't remember the initial series (and can spout off lines and story plots -- and not just "The Trouble with Tribbles") then BACK OFF!

On the RA side: let the best horse win.

Isn't that the whole point of horse racing?

Otherwise, why is it called "horse racing"?

Run the filly and see what happens on the track, where it is supposed to be decided.

I like MTB.  No one should crack comments about him just because of his owners/trainers.  He'll do just fine in the Belmont (after RA wins the Preakness.  (Do I get any points if I'm right?)

And re: the Triple Crown:  it always was set up as a "trial" and not just as a coronation.  If a horse can do it, he OR SHE can do it. I remember waiting a loooong time to see Secretariat and then, Seattle Slew and Affirmed.  Now, we just wait again.

p.s. "Un-American"? Northern Dancer (the greatest Canadian of the 20th Century; Sunny's Halo, Tomy Lee....and you do recall, don't you all, that there are other 'Triple Crowns" in the world including the granddaddy of them all, in the UK.  (Nijinsky, being the last one there)

(I still can't believe I'm defending Draynay!!!!!!)

GREG J.: That overhead view of the Derby makes me all the more disappointed that LJ is going to keep Saez on FF for the Preakness.

Most likely the pace will be slow in Preakness.HUll wasted his race last out with that {4 f 44.20) pace effort leaving BIg Drama all alone on lead.THE filly will THEN HAVE too preasure big drama which in turn could lead her to breaking down. SHE WIll be facing a well rested horse and she coming back in two weeks.

Dany,

That large type throughout your posting makes it impossible not to constantly smile while reading what you posted-seriously-relax. I'm glad you travel so often around the country to have watched some of those races in the past as racings best days are in said past.

In regards to what you said above- I have to say that I could give you so many examples of how you are wrong- this would turn into a book! Yes- RA HAD AN OAKS THAT WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD, well.......ONE EXAMPLE OUT OF MANY- take Althea- she won the Hollywood Juvenile Championship by 10 lengths- then the Del Mar Debutante by 15 lengths- then she crushed the boys again in the Del Mar Futurity- you could make the arguement that these were the best 3 back to back to back races ever run by a two year old filly- in history. BUT- ask most of the fans on this board to name a race that Althea won- and they would have asked.....who? Everybody jumps on the bandwagon when horses look like they are going to be great.  You mentioned Lady's Secret- she beat males in the Whitney Handicap and ran competitively with the best handicappers in the Woodward and Marlboro Cup, yet how does that compare to RA destroying a weak field in the Oaks?

All of RA's races show small fields and an easy pace with her at very very low odds. Let me ask you this one question- supposed that Rachel Alexandra was in the Arkansas Derby, or even the Rebel! BOTH of those races required RUNNING- not easy half miles to open the race against ridiculous opposition. She would have hooked up with Old Fashioned in the Rebel- and she would have been tested every step of the way in the Arkansas Derby which saw a :46.1 half.

This wouldn't have been the fluff that she is use to, so my point- based on her running style and career record- is there one person here who thinks that she would have won either the Rebel or the Arkansas Derby?  

She won't be a factor in the final outcome of Preakness- though that is my humble opinion. I just don't see her making the jump from those weak fields with her front running style to winning the Preakness.

Draynay, What happened to Big Drama? You said he would put a  big butt kicking on the mutt. You change horses as often as most people change underwear.

Rachael Alexandra will get beat.

Take it to the bank.

No, Rachel is not a shoe in to win the Preakness if she runs.  Not all fillies do well against the boys.  I know Bayakoa never won against the boys but against the fillies she was almost unstoppable.

Rachel may or may not win but it will be interesting to watch.

Greg J.... If FF grabbed a quarter how can he possibly be sound by Saturday??

I like these blog places. Reminds me of sittin around the campfire shootin the breeze, eatin beans, and fartin. It doesn't get any better than that. RA should run, let's get the debate over with who's better than who. The rest of the owners shouldn't be there if they don't think they have a chance with or without RA.

The following names are not exactly in order: Old Fashioned; Quality Road; I Want Revenge; Win Willy; The Pamplemousse; Beethoven; ....

Would someone who has been around and who has the knowledge, please explain the impact of the injuries the forementioned horses has on two year old racing or today's training methods in general?

I believe there is so much concern about RA and the Preakness because who knows who would run there horse whether or not he/she was completely sound.  And, the concern of what would happen to horse racing next.  

To Jason:

It isn't necessary that I consult this blog for data on european racing, or listen to your take on this matter. I've seen and followed european racing from a time before you were born (attended Mill Reef's '71 Arc)...Also, you have failed to address reasonably the larger issue I had offered. By the way, thinking that you know something doesn't always equate to actually knowing it. The written and spoken word often offers ample proof of this.    

Rachel has ran twice on the same day that the boys did and ran faster times while being geared down for fun...If you dont want to bet her then dont thats better odds for me...Who do you actually think is gonna beat her ???? The 1 hit wonder Mine That Turd hahaha yea right...Trust me theres no QUALITY ROADS in here...She will jog on them for fun..

Someone call the WAAAAMbulance!  Get this guy some french cries!  He's just afraid Rachel is going to beat his horse.  Horses running in the other two legs and not in the derby has been going on forever.

I can not remember the last time the week leading up to the Preakness was more exciting then the week leading up to the Derby.

GO RACHEL GO!!

Questions; Has there been any colt

supplemented on any TC races?

In the history of American horse

racing, how many colts has broken down? How many fillies?

In the previous blog, i advocated not running her in the Preakness.

Not because i was worried she might breakdown, but to allow MTB to win and then challenge him in

the Belmont.

It was mindblowing to hear how the

connections of MTB and POTN are conspiring to shut RA out.

I am now rooting for RA to run in the Preakness.

Jason - Mr Fantasy has run 4 times and now won a graded stakes race over a much better than average field his last time out. He turns 3 on May 26th. Kiaran M and the principal owners will run him next in the Met Mile for 3 yr olds and up - field will include Two Step Salsa and Gayego so far. Let your "fans" mouth off all they want. Watch what he does Memorial  Day and then lets listen to what they have to say. I can also tell you for a fact that the connections have been right on with this colt and are so relieved they were not in the middle of that Derby or part of this Preakness mess. Surprised Hull will skip the The Met Mile and go right to the Woody Stephens?

I would really appreciate it if all you people who are getting off on calling Mine That Bird ugly names would just stop it.  If you want to call any of the people involved in this sport names, that's fine, they can answer back but the horse does not deserve to be denigrated.  He won the Kentucky Derby for Gods Sake!!! Whatever your opinion about why or how he did it, (without drugs tests are back) he did win in an exciting, fun and remarkable run.  Fine! Don't cheer for him but stop with the ugliness.  Calling Mine That Bird names doesn't make Rachel Alexandra a better horse, it only makes the speaker (writer) look bad.

JShandler, Derby wasn't impressive? 18 horses in 21 seconds, icluding squeezing by two on the rail and weaving around one? Last quarter the fastest since 1934? Fastest mud Derby ever?

Call me easily impressed...

Most of the horses in the Preakness will be running back on two weeks rest - I would say the Derby horses are at more of a disadvantage than Rachel, as the Derby was more of a "demolition Derby" than a horse race!  To the person who said Go For Wand wouldn't have broken down if Bayakoa hadn't challenged her - that made no sense to me at all.  So Wanda shouldn't have run against an older, good mare? Then heaven forbid Rachel goes up against Zenyatta - she's doomed then, if that analogy holds true.  Just sit back and enjoy the Preakness, folks.  And if any of you are so worried about the horses breaking down everytime they step on a racetrack, then maybe you'd better follow another sport.

Greg J.

LOL that was good!  Yeah it is fun to cash those tickets in the thousands aye?  Still want to hit the 6 though.  Maybe someday.  :)

JASON:  I do appreciate and respect your columns but if you are going to join those naysayers who would bash or trash-talk this years vintage crop of 3YOs I'll definitely be shooting down those arguments.  BTW I like Mr Fantasy too and I am glad that you've noticed Charitable Man.  See my point?

She'll race in the Preakness, dropouts have already  started.

Here's a lock -Nicanor on wed at Delaware, load up easy money to be made.

Amy, you may have missed the earlier comment I was responding to there, where somebody attacked Zayat for being 'un-American'(whatever the hell that even means anymore) over this blocking flap, but didn't mention Mark Allen's involvement at all. Do the math?

Karen2,  you ever hear of cobra venom? there is no test for it, funding to develope a test for it was eliminated. that is why a pre-race detention barn is a MUST at all racetracks but race commissioners look the other way

      Rachel Alexandra deserves to be in The Preakness !!! To me it shows bad sportsmanship to enter a horse who does not even belong there to ensure that RA cant RUN!!!!!!!!!

For Big Red,

    I agree on Fire and Saez, 100 percent, A terrible ride, He had him all over the place, BUT all I can think of is that maybe Saez explained to Jones that maybe there is more to it then what our eyes are seeing?, Maybe Fire was rank, Maybe he wanted to go up front after the start, maybe Saez couldn't control him?, I have no clue, Jones must have amazing faith in Saez to let him go again on Fire if he makes the Preakness after his work tomorrow morning, I do know that he uses Saez for alot of his mounts at Delaware, So he does trust him(BTW, "Nicanor" is going against a Jones trained colt named, "Whistlejacket", on Wednesday in race 6 at Delaware, With Saez on board!, I will take the drive down from Connecticut to see it, Hopefully Nicanor will break his Maiden after two tough seconds!)  

Karen, PA.,

     Karen, I truely believe Jones would not race Fire if he was not sound, Remember, A grabbed quarter is a superficial wound, no damage to any muscles, so no pain, yes, it will be scabbed over, but it shouldn't affect his stride in the least, I hope, We will find out after his work tomorrow if he will make the Preakness...

Maybe there is one thing we can all agree upon,  this will be one of the most intriguing Preakness' runnings in a long time!  I can't wait.  

Longwaytomay don't be stupid please... I said Big Drama would romp in the Preakness before I heard Rachel A. was getting in.  As Jason knows I was in love with the horse in March and would have been my Derby pick but the owners chose another path and I promised to stop talking about her in the Derby since she wasn't going but I always felt she was better than the field of weak horses we saw in the Derby.

    I have to agree with Jason on this one, 100 percent. There is nothing inherently dangerous in racing fillies and mares against the opposite sex, A FACT, Believe it or not, but,  It happens more often then you might think. Ouija Board, Rags to Riches, and Xtra Heat are just some of the more recent examples of fillies that ran, and won, against their male counterparts. Of course, the problem is that when the average sports fan thinks of fillies running against colts, they will invariably think of the great Ruffian, and last year's  Eight Belles. Because they are tragic and stand out,  Two incidences in 30 years, however, do not make a trend people.  

    I don't think RA should race in the preakness, but for completely different reason's, as I have stated above, My reason's have nothing to do with her safety racing against males.

Jason, first I'd like to say great blog as usual.

Ok, here it goes, and I'm great at stirring controversy, but I just can't keep quiet about this one.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH SOME OF YOU PEOPLE!!!?????

Jess Jackson is one of the BEST things that could have ever happened to this sport. You better thank your lucky stars that he was the owner of Curlin, or you most likely wouldn't have ever seen Curlin race as a 4 yo. He won't send Rachel right off to the breeding shed if she's still sound at the end of this year either. When Jess Jackson is the owner, you get to actually see them RACE. He is a very sporting person and is helping point horse racing in the right direction. He does very right by his horses and does very right by this sport. When someone good actually happens to come along in horse racing, the general public is so quick to condemn them. Maybe some of you didn't want Curlin to race all over the world as a 4 yo? I thank and applaud Jackson for giving me the opportunity to see that wonderful horse race as a 4 yo on three different surfaces in which he ducked no one.

Also, HAL WIGGINS SOLD RACHEL. Jess Jackson just happened to be the one that bought her. Anyone that had millions to spend could have bought her.  

Calvin Borel is riding Rachel because he said that she is THE BEST HORSE that he has been on in his 30 years of being a jockey. He has been also her regular jockey since last NOVEMBER.  He has rode MINE THAT BIRD TWICE...once in a workout and in the Derby.

If you don't think Rachel is a fantastic filly, you need to get your glasses and watches fixed.  She is the best filly I have ever seen. Even though older horses usually beat younger horses, I don't think any horse in the country including Zenyatta can run with her on dirt right now.  

I'm going to say it now...Fresian Fire has NO SHOT whatsoever to win the Preakness.

The "fillies shouldn't run in the Preakness argument" is just absolutely ludicrous and ridiculous. 4 fillies have WON the Preakness in the history of the sport.  There is no reason why Rachel can't or shouldn't run.  I like this spot better than the Belmont because it is harder, IMO, for a horse to stretch out from a 1 1/8 to a 1 1/2 race.  The Preakness is a nice stepping stone to the Belmont.  

With all the unsportsmanlike behavior from some of the owners, Mary Lou Whitney excluded as she said that she would scratch Luv Gov if it meant that Rachel got in (I hate that her name was smeared for awhile in all of this), I hope that Rachel goes out there and blows them out their feet!  

Draynay, You proclaimed Quality Road would romp, then you said Dunkirk would romp, then you said Big Drama would romp, now you say Rachel will romp, eventually you might be right. I'm sure you will let us all know when that time comes.

What ever these owners do you can be sure the rules for the race will be rewritten to keep this from happening again.

Let her run these races were made to showcase the best 3yo, not the best stud propect.

   A lot of good and interesting comments on here. To Rose for 11:27am, very well said. A safe trip wished for all horses and jockeys for Saturday's Preakness Stakes.

Zenyatta caught Heatseeker at even money.  I would bet on her catching RA.  Zayat needs to relax.  Baffert put a speedy work into POTN today.  Pace "stalking" is a good strategy for the Preakness. I like Smith on MTB.  Will his finesse be enough?    

Filly,

I just love you! I dont know about horse racing, just loved Barbaro. You just bring the truth to light............. Thank You!!!!

I agree with everything you said!!!

Although I think Rachel Alexandra's new connections should not run her back in the Preakness in two weeks it is soley their decision. For other connections to plot to keep her out just shows what they think about their own horses. Jackson and Asmussen made all the right decisions for Curlin so I hope they are making them for Rachel. God Speed.

Just wanted to let the people who say Calvin is a "Churchill Specialist" know that he has won numerous riding titles at several tracks--he just happens to win the Derby twice in the past 3 years and the Oaks this year and everyone wants to think he can only ride at Churchill.  I have personally seen him pull off some amazing rides as well as being an extremely consistent and conscientious rider at many tracks.  Like so many other jockeys in the world today--he loves what he does every day and tries his best to make the best decisions for the horse and himself.  The drama happening now is not his fault, so please stop bashing him.  

I'm so looking forward to Saturday--the Preakness is ALWAYS a great race--there is the excitement of moving one step closer to a possible Triple Crown, the opportunity to see new (and sometimes fresher) competitors, the chance at redemption (POTN, FF, etc.) and sometimes, just sometimes, we get to see a new superstar appear on the scene....

I will never let the actions of the owners/trainers diminish my love for the horses and the sport--on the day, there is really only one individual who calls the shots... THE HORSE.

I have a question.  Is Borel guaranteed the ride on Rachel for the rest of the year?  I've been hearing it was a two-way deal; he will be on her for all her races, period.

Wow all this LOVE ............. My goodness If RA Runs GOOD for her .. I wish MTB connections luck as well I know it must sting loosing Calvin but thats the game , and while I admire CALVIN he didn't carry MTB to the wire ... The Horse had to do some work himself and his closing 1/4 was a respectable one .. Call him a FLUKE if you like and then should he run good on Sat what then? Do I think he can beat RA? No But then again no one thought he could wind the derby .. thats why they run races otherwise we should just give the purse to the most popular horse that moment

Filly....by all means you can be a fan of JJ, but please don't give to much credit to Curlin running at 4. Curlin was tangled in a nasty legal battle and they had no choice but to race him. I would like to believe he did if for the "sport" but unfortunately IMO if he was free and clear he would have been swept off to the breeding shed a lot sooner than he was.

Greg J....it was my understanding FF grabbed a quarter and ripped off a portion of his hoof. That doesn't speak superficial to me. In fact with first hand experience with grabbing a quarter, they are nasty wounds and can take weeks to heal. My thought is it either wasn't as bad as originally portrayed or Larry will be running him patched.

Clearly the filly vs colts argument is getting a lot of opinions. I think for arguments sake both sides have good points. I think the folks that are against it feel that fillies generally mature later than the colts. They also will give it their all up against superior competition which ultimately leads to untimely injuries. Laugh if you want but if you have spent anytime with horses at all, mares will generally give more. They have more heart (obviously there are exceptions). But in general it is a known fact among horsemen. Rags ran a heck of a Belmont but she was done after that. Curlin went on to do great things. Here is a question to ponder..in life, males are generally the "physically" stronger sex. This is true with just about every species I can think of. What makes you think horses are any different?

Tony- I tried to read the posts in order here, however, it quickly became ridiculous, hence my saying I wasn't attacking you- I just see 'un-american' as a good thing based on the laughing stock racing here is regarding drug aduse and having horses race on drugs legally- and illegally.

In regards to Dray- granted that the best three year olds are injured, and what is left of this crop isn't exquality 'thrilling', there is no way in hell that Big Drama even shows in the Preakness if he ran the race, unless they lowered the disyance to a mile.

In regards to Filly- seriously- LMFAO if you think RA is the greatest filly you have ever watched- the only way that is true would be if you have only just come into the sport of racing.  

I said in the Derby that FF would be off the board and no factor- the same is true for the Preakness- this isn't Louisiana Downs. I said Papa Clem would also be off the board- although I was right- he did run a better race than I thought he would even though the field was a weak one.

The finest crop of horses ever to come out together- in my opinion- without a doubt was Round Table, Bold Ruler, Gallant Man, Iron Leige, and GeneralDuke.  General Duke is not known to probably 99% of this board- he won the 1957 Florida Derby and set the World Record for the distance- he is often called the greatest horse that history has forgotten, after that I would rank 1973 which included Secretariat, Sham, Forego, and Desert Vixen.

What makes Round Table so great is that when you look at the races he lost- it was usually on only a weeks rest, or giving his rivials 15-22 pounds. Not only was Round Table the greatest American Turf horse, but he won many races on the dirt and set many track records.

I don't mean to get off track- looking at last year- and this year......then looking back in the past- racing looks rather pathetic these days.

Finally, regarding RA- once again- IS THERE A SINGLE PERSON ON THIS BOARD THAT WILL SAY THAT RA WOULD HAVE WON EITHER THE REBEL, THE ARKANSAS DERBY, THE GOTHAM OR EVEN THE SANTA ANITA DERBY???????????

SPARE ME ALL IS FLUFF ABOUT HOW GREAT SHE IS AFTER BEATING NOTHING IN HER LAST 3 RACES SETTING EASY FRACTIONS ON UNCONTESTED LEADS!

Maybe Allen can talk Rick's Natural Star into running, keep that mean old filly out. Sheesh.

The thing that really makes me shake my head is these boneheads not planning to exclude her, I guess its a business, but to go around blabbing it. Openly. Stupid.

Also, filly's don't break down b/c they run against colts or older mares. Horses, in general, break down because of really poor breeding practices and mismanagment of the people who care for them.

longwaytomay... give it a rest I cheer on the horses in the race ! Quality Road didn't make it so what is your point.  I HAD to pick a Derby winner with what was left in the race but make no mistake I made it VERY CLEAR Rachel Alexandra is the best 3 year old period.  Big Drama would have been lone speed and romped this class of plodders. BUT... as we all know now it appears things have changed and now the horse I felt was the best since MARCH is being given the chance to prove she is the best.  SO... I guess to make you happy I will say things more exact... should Rachel Alexandra make it to the gate she will whip this very very very very weak group of plodders.

Jason I think Mr Zayat was very to the point (if to a fault), about his stake in winning a classic--and Mr Zayat's anger is valid! His stake as breeder /owner of POTN is way higher than Team Rachael's...he wants to breed a horse that wins a classic---that is what it's all about, right?...I mean there's a female Oaks winner every year, right? Why "punish" the breeders by denying them a classic winner? As far as England, that includes geldings, as they are not allowed in the Epsom derby---Yeah, I'd be pissed if I had POTN, and that big filly goes---but RA will have to look POTN in the eye on Sat...

I just think POTN was wide all the way and no one can dispute the inside bias....Rachael will have her hands full with this one Sat.....POTN is a street fighter...an alley fighter...he is a March foal who's getting better--was tired and still put out in Derby--No way will I take RA v POTN, and you'll get the price once again....

Fillies can compete equally at two kinds of distances: pure speed (2-5 fuurlongs)...or stamina (1 1/2 mi or longer)...at 1 3/16 it would take a top filly to win--it's not likely--no matter what the figures say, it's not likely she's gonna be able to hang from the 1/2 pole to the 1/8 pole with Papa C and friends...then eyeball Mr Pioneer in last 1/8....

HELLO JASON:

I've always thought Mr. Fantasy was something special. You have people on this blog that "their light doesn't come on"!

RA racing in the Preakness will only hurt one thing, possibly two. When she finishes destroying the field in the Preakness, no one will be interested in the Belmont, thus first thing hurt is the Belmont. I believe this to be true because it appears that the best thing that could of happened for the Preakness was for the "fluke" to have won the Derby. This left everyone still interested in the Preakness, with the hope of proving it was just a fluke, no one seems much interested in the "flukes" chances of winning the triple crown, afterall he is a gelding, so who cares. Its just the opposite of what happens after a dominant colt, legitimate favorite wins the Derby, and the Preakness sees everyone from the Derby head for the sidelines, with the Preakness seldom filling with quality horses.

Second thing that might get hurt here, following the logic of so many that have posted here, suggesting that RA could be injured because she will have to try too hard against the colts after only two weeks between races, is that the colts that face her may have to try too hard and may therefore suffer possible injury trying to keep up with her.

Why dance this dance with the filly when there are WAY bigger fish to fry--that's right, beating Zenyatta would be a crowning achievement in the annals of racing greatness--she HAS her target--why go Sat v males? that is a HUGE step up from anything she has remotely faced (if I said that right).....let her season v the Oaks set then try those Godolfin mares and finally face off v the Big Black B!!!! God Bless Rachael if they go!!!!!

I don't think the Preakness is a romp for RA if she runs. As for MTB, we will see if it's just a fluke, but I don't think we should assume that either. He ran a great Derby and no horse that can run like that is chopped liver. All of these horses have done well at one time or another and could do well again at any given time. RA was dominating against the fillys but that could change to competitve but not dominating against the colts.

According to my trainer, I could have ridden RA in the Oaks and won...

I think she is a very good filly and waking up and reading all this crap gave me a good chuckle this morning. The sports writers are getting a good laugh too. These big owners are making a mockery of the sport once again. Too many chiefs and not enough indians I say.

I will be cheering for the Bird, RA to place but I have a feeling a well rested horse will win the Preakness and Belmont.

I just hope for the sake of the sport these owners just shut up and let the horses do the talking.

I'm sure disappointed in the two parties involved that they would even think of doing something so unsportsmanlike. You know horseracing is all about sportsmanship in that a bunch of people get together to find out who's horse is the fastest. That's the way it all started back then and it's sad to think that things are no longer that simple.

Quote: "There is an old axiom that says in effect that anyone who reaches the top of the heap is fair game to those who would like to climb to the pinnacle.

If reaching the summit is impossible, then the next best thing is to embarrass the champ, or best him in one fashion or another."

from The Most Glorious Crown

by Marvin Drager

I think that I shall keep that quote in mind as I reflect on the antics of the human element that surround the equine heroes that we route for.  

Personally I hope it's the greatest Preakness ever and the track record is blown away..I hope everyone's faith in their horse is rewarded and we have a heart-pounding stretch drive among multiple horses, that at the end of the day all come home safe and we all come back to this blog ecstatic that we just witnessed the greatest Preakness of all time.

Nice work by Friesan Fire at Pimlico this morning.  5F in 58 2/5ths. Sounds like he is doing well despite his cuts and scrapes.

FYI,

   This from Rick Porter yesterday:

"Friesan Fire galloped a mile and a half this morning at Delaware Park and shipped to Pimlico around noon. He will work 5/8 tomorrow morning right after the renovation break. I will post as soon as I have the result."

Rick

   This from Rick Porter this morning:

"Friesan Fire had a very good work. He went in 58 and 2/5ths. He came back great so far. Larry is still cooling him out. The foot is not a problem now and he is set to hopefully show the real Friesan Fire on Saturday."

Rick

   So there you go, The real Friesan Fire will show up on Saturday at Preakness, 100 percent sound, Hopefully, He will get a clean break and great ride from Saez...

    May the Best horse win!, Rachel Alexandra, you better watch your back coming down stretch(lol)....

I really can't understand the problem some people seem to have with running fillies against colts.  It is par for the course here in Europe and we certainly don't have any problems.

To give you an example, there are 4 Flat meetings in Great Britain today, 3 on the turf and one on the all-weather (synthetic).  Of the 26 races being run across the day, 18 of them have both colts/geldings and fillies/mares running in them.

I have to admit that I have scanned most of the comments on here so I apologise if I am repeating what has already been said.

The one comment that drove it home for me was the one that stated American horses were bred differently and that the emphasis on speed rather than stamina made them more prone to breakdowns - surely that says it all!  The sooner you import some hardy middle-distance/staying bloodlines and run more 1m & 1/2 plus races the better for the USA racing/breeding industry!

FILLY,

     First off, As you say, "HAL WIGGINS SOLD RACHEL", I would like to correct you, Hal Wiggins was her trainer, not her owner.  Co-owner/breeder Dolphus Morrison decided to sell her to jackson after the oaks., Wiggins thought the possibility of Rachel Alexandra being sold had passed, but a few days after he saddled her to victory for the biggest feat of her career, he received a call from  Dolphus Morrison that changed everything.

 Wiggins: "With all the hoopla with the Oaks, my mind was somewhere else, and it never entered my mind  she would be sold afterwards," Wiggins said. "Then the night before last, I got a call from the owner, and he said, ‘Well, we’ve got something working, and they’re going to be by in the morning to take a look at her.’ So that was the first time I had any inclination that anything was going on.”  

     Just wanted to set the record straight, He had nothing to do with her being sold .

    And as far as your comment, "Fresian Fire has NO SHOT whatsoever to win the Preakness."

    Well, We well see, That is why you run the race, NOBODY knows for sure what will happen, Case in point, "Mine that Bird"...

    May the best horse win, And since Fire is my favorite, Call me crazy, I hope he shocks the world!!!!

Filly,

Well said,

FF has a better chance of flying to the moon in his lifetime then winning the Preakness.

I can't understand why all the harping about:

a) Borel jumping off MTB to take the mount on RA.  It's his choice.  He was the regular rider for RA all along.  His mount on MTB in the Derby was basically a last minute decision and for Calvin I'm sure it was so that he could at least ride in one of the world's great races.  The fact the MTB won can basically be attributed to his ride and the decision he made.  I'll say one thing...when the owners an trainrs can get a better jockey they don't hesitate.  Chalk one up for the jocks for a change.

B)  I can't believe the complaints that RA is taking on the boys.  All year long all you hear is that the owners retire horses and you never get a chance to see the best against the best.  When it finally gets a chance to happen all the blue-bloods come out from wherever they come out and complain. I hope she races an I hope she performs to her best.  To think this isn't good for racing is a laugh.  

Hey "Filly"...

Get serious.  Curlin raced at four because his ownership situation was in legal limbo, not because JJ was some great sportsman.

jshandler...

I see your response to some who oppose racing fillies against colts.  For me, I'm against THIS lightly challenged filly running in THIS Preakness, when the former trainer has gone on the record that she needs more time between her races.  An objective analysis of her times and the times of these colts shows that she DOES NOT tower over them...she does, however, tower over this crop of fillies!  Big difference.

Give her more time...point her to a race against colts.  Go for The Belmont like Rags to Riches did.

But that's NOT what JJ is up to.  He threw this situation up in the air on purpose.  He wanted to put Borel in a compromising situation, and he did.  He's pulling the strings.  Mine That Bird is a gelding...but his sire is not... obviously.  Shift the focus onto the one disturbing the manure here, and you will get closer to the truth about what's really going on.  Sportsmanship has little to do with it.

Everybody else is just having to react.

And what about Rachel?  I don't see a lot of people on here looking out for her welfare.  Pathetic.  To those of you who are, good for you.  You are the class and foundation of this sport, no matter how much you are "worth" economically.  Colts that come back too quickly get ruined too.  Colts that are asked too much get ruined too.  Rarely is it on a national stage however, and that is one of my major concerns.  

Lastly, it seems so easy for some of you on here to talk trash about other peoples' horses.  That's class!      

Just to add to my earlier comment, I've been looking at the World Thoroughbred Rankings for 2008.

There are 5 fillies in the Top 20 3yos - all trained in Europe - of these 5, 4 raced against colts/geldings/older horses:

Zarkava (ranked 3rd) won The Arc beating top class colts

Goldikova (ranked 8th) won the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp G1 and the BC Mile beating plenty of colts

Fleeting Spirit (ranked 18th) won the G2 Temple Stakes before placing in the G1 King's Stand, G1 Prix de l'Abbaye and the BC Turf Sprint.

Look Here (ranked 20th) finished 3rd in the St Leger (British equivalent of the Belmont if you like) to Conduit and another filly - Unsung Heroine.

Are you still sure fillies shouldn't race against colts?!

AMY, SORRY IF MY CAPITAL LETTERS HURT YOUR SENSITIVE EYES. RACHEL WILL BE TOUGH TO BEAT IF SHE RUNS IN THE PREAKNESS, I DON'T OVER LOOK MTB OR FREISEN BUT WILL SEE. THE BEST THING ABOUT ALL THIS IS ON SATURDAY WE WILL SEE IF SHE RUNS AND IF SHE WINS, THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF THE SPORT, THE FASTEST HORSE NORMALLY WINS.

I have to say I have really enjoyed most of these comments.  However, getting on the subject of "Rabbits" I can't help but wonder how many trainers of the past that used rabbits foiled their own ambitions?  Dr. Fager was still a champion even when Hedevar ran.  Right? Wrong?  I wish I had the time to research how many times rabbits failed to suceed.

You all enjoy the Preakness and may it be a good race for all.  I love surprises.

Mike Relva if you actually read the vast majority of my posts re: 3yo fillies running against 3yo colts, you would know that normally I do NOT agree with it, due to the fact that the filly is still growing and the bones are still very fragile.  It's different if it's an older mare against the boys, but at 3 I don't agree with it.  That said, Rachel Alexandra is a different filly and more exceptional than any of the horses thus far in the field at the Preakness.  Mine That Bird only got into the Derby because he finished in the money on stakes.  He had NOT won one since October 2008, which actually is where he got the earnings to enter the Kentucky Derby.  He finished dead last in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, then ran 2 ungraded races and still couldn't win them.  So no, I don't believe he belonged in the Kentucky Derby and I don't believe he belongs on the same track as Friesan Fire, Pioneerof The Nile, Papa Clem, Dunkirk or any of the Kentucky Derby field, much less on the same track as Rachel Alexandra.  Had Friesan Fire not been hurt coming out of the gate, or had the dirt track been dry, MTB would never have won, or even hit the board.  He is not a first class horse, he is a horse who won on bad luck of other horses (Friesan Fire, I Want Revenge) and not because he is a first class horse.  In fact, he has shown in the past that he is not a star.  Winning a grade 3 does not make a star.  Winning the Kentucky Derby due to a bad track and more talented horses being injured, to me, does not make a star.  

Oh Dray,

Just had to say that RA was going to romp, eh? You're 0 for the Century on your picks, but I guess pigs fly (swine flu) sometimes right? lol. Just looked at the pp's on the probables for the race and she just looks tops against the rest its not even funny. The Post positions will tell the rest of the story but if she's outside Big Drama.......game over.

Funny how Quality Road is forgotten all of a sudden, isn't it?

I agree with the first comment here. I don't think it's fair for a horse that has not been on the Derby Trail and the Triple Crown to simply jump in when it is discovered that he/she is a star. There are plenty of high profile stakes races this summer for Mr. Jackson to showcase his filly at.

Sue 10 May 2009 5:16 PM

Ok, so what about Bernardini running the Preakness and not the Kentucky Derby?  What about Rags to Riches running the Belmont but not the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness?  It happens ALL the time, that horses are supplemented into the Triple Crown's last 2 legs.  Your comment is ridiculous.  Look at the history of the sport and you'll see that this happens more often than not.  The only reason this is getting attention is because owners like Mark Allen are terrified their colt (oh, wait, GELDING) will lose to Rachel Alexandra.  Got news for Mr. Allen, MTB will lose anyways.  

well no safty involved,  because RACHEAL will win in hand in prekness under wraps by 6 plus.  none of this colts want none of this and i only wish i can get 4/5 odds. ill be betting 20,000 win on her.

Greg J.

You may want to answer my question over here that I asked over there. LOL....... Go check out LVR's blog.  I just up-dated things.  :)

Well I have remained silent for as long as I can on this topic. I can not belive the unsportsmanship being shown by these owners. I know that since this all have recanted and will not try to block Rachel A from running. However, the point is that they considered it. SHAME ON THEM!!!! Rules of the game or not, you don't use a loop hole to sabatoge your competion! I have seen three TCC--and I would love to see another, but how tainted would it be, should it be accomplished with such an underhanded manuver on the part of these owners? Excuse me, but this harkens back to the darker past, when "sponging" and other devious methods were attempted. Talk about giving the sport a black eye!!! Win or Lose, it should be against the best competion out there, and Rachel is one of the best. One last thing, Ms. Whitney, I am shocked that you should conspire in this manner. The Whitney name has always been revered in racing.

I was sad to see her sold. I am Ruffian's biggest fan (along with thousands of her other biggest fans!) and I would hope that they would let Rachel continue to run against fillies and older mares to condition her up to face Zenyatta at the end of this racing season. Why risk her now? It makes no sense. We know that mares can run against and win against colts, its done in Europe every day, however the big test for Rachel is NOT the Preakness, it is the Big Z, as in Zenyatta.  Bring her along, let her continue to have that winning mental edge and let her face Zenyatta, and perhaps Stardom Bound, and maybe some other good mares in the Breeders Cup. Race of the year, hands down.

Also, would the announcers please stop calling her or bringing up the possibility that RA could be the greatest ever?!!  She's darn good, but the greatest female was born in 1972 and she was a gorgeous, big, fast filly named Ruffian.

And, let us not forget the great Personal Ensign.

Jason,

Help me here, what is this mumbo jumbo about the only reason JJ ran Curlin at 4 is becuase of the legal situation. That has no merit, there was just as much issue's with what races to run, purse money, ect. It would have been no different if they were issue's over stud fee's. Show me some legal proof of this or keep quiet.

I won't deny that Rachel has looked awesome this year. But I do believe that she is very vulnerable this Sat. She has had it her way in every race, soft fractions against very weak and small fields. Is she going to be able to rate or will she chase a fast pace? I belive she will chase and ultimately that will cost her the race. I believe Big Drama and RA are going to get caught in a speed dual upfront with Take The Points right on their tail. She is not going to get away with running a 47 and change opening quarter as she has in the past. Most important is the fact there are going to be some very good horses in the stalking position a few lengths behind her. I totaly disagree that this is a weak bunch of colts. I don't think that many of the horses in the Derby liked the slop except for MTB who obviously loved it. If Rachel is as great as some of you think, then it won't matter what the pace is and she will turn for home with a clear lead and smoke the field to the finish line. If that happens I'll be screaming at my television for her to pour it on. However, I learned a long time ago to bet with my head and not my heart so I will be betting against Rachel this Sat.  

Jason  In other countries, the horses don't take any drugs at all.  How do you feel about that?  They run on hay, oats, salt, water, apples and carrots.  Isn't that the way it really should be? :)

good horses are competative by nature and i,m sure both Mine That Bird and Pioneer of the Nile welcome the chance to run against any horse that shows up in the starting gate  and the best horse that shows up on Preakness day will win .their respective owners on the other hand are Pukes...spoiled overage brats...who have to have their own way or they will take their ball and go home...last years winning owners of Big Brown  fall into the same catagory.

Friesan Fire is going to whip Rachael Alexandra. She's lucky to hit the board. That's my opinion and I don't care what anyone else thinks.

Jason... with all due respect, you don't agree with the filly vs. colt logic and say it is "absurd". Please explain why you think that. Why are there so few in history that have taken on the colts in these high profile races? Why is it that very few fillies are even up to that challenge? Just curious as no one has really answered any of the logical points that have been brought up on this board. All we hear it is a bunch of garbage, crap, nonsense and absurd. I am open minded but feel some very valid points have been made.

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this: there was an article in the Toronto Star today about the people who dealt with MTB's training after his first purchase (for $9.5k).  They explain pretty clearly why he had to be gelded: he seemed to be a major handful and may never have trained on to win the Derby.

(Not being technologically sound, I can't get put the address here but maybe you can just go to the Star's webpage and move on from there.)

BTW: I always felt that it wasn't fair that geldings couldn't run in the English classics.  At least the best horse has a chance in the American (North American) classics.

eblazing_saddles,

      I thought I was confident on Fire winning the Preakness, But you have me beat!  I don't know if Rachael Alexandra will finish off the board, I will take Fire winning by a nose!, That is good enough for me...Then after that he will be flying to the moon, TRAVIS L.(lol)....

For Big Red,

     I don't know if you are aware of Rockportharbor.com(Rick Porter).  But, for updates on Friesan Fire, It is a great resource, Rick Porter posts regularly, I am sure you probably know about it, if not, here you go:

rockportharbor.com/.../index.php

TO GREG J.: Just saw your post re FF's work this morning. It was not quite as nuts as the :57 and change work before the Derby, and he galloped out stronger this time.

Friesan Fire wore blinkers and went after the renovation break, working 5f in :12, :23.60, :35, :47.40 and :58.40, and galloping out in 1:11.90. (Fractions are from the DRF.)

Before the Derby, Mike Welsch, the DRF clocker, really disliked how FF got so tired at the end of that :57+ work and didn't really gallop out. So it's good to read that the colt galloped out much stronger this time.

Can't tell much from photos, but I've found a few on Yahoo News. As usual, Saez worked FF on a very loose rein, with his hands at the colt's withers. The colt looks good in the pics. One shows them going back to the barn after the work. Larry was on his pony. Had a big smile on his face. FF had his ears pricked and was looking around. Wish I could find a video of the work as it would tell me a lot more than stills.

Well, Well, Well, so many people with so many Blogs about the 2009 Preakness.

I guess we all think we are Mavens that know what is really right and what is really wrong when it comes to this years upcoming Preakness.

Well I too have thoughts and I guess for me they are correct! It is sort of an ugly person looking into a mirror and seeing their beautiful face when it comes down to it! Mirrors never lie, viewers see what they want to see usually.

This year is an extremely unusual one regarding this race coming up. There were many views expressed regarding they should not have the Filly in it, as well as those that believe the trainers and owners of the other contenders should do exactly what any good businessman would, "MAKE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE IF YOU CAN OF THE RULES".

This year we come across a series of unusual and actually bizzare circunstances that come into play. We see a man become a hero to the frauds who now would jump on any winner after the results are in, as in Calvin, "THE ALWAYS REAL DEAL" Borel, and those few of us who cherished him through his sometimes lean and mean times when most looked the other way when the Cajun would pass them by.

Now here is the amazing nuances I see, (not that my vision is the last word) but I think that over 60 years of being interested and loving every minute of Racing, one might say I have an opinion with some merit.

This Preakness provides so many negative aspects of the game that have already taken away many of the newer enthusiasts steam that might have let them fall in love with racing.

My fellow readers and Horse Lovers now have to realize that a new name for the Sport of Kings as it was coined many years ago, now is really a sport of "GREED AND RICH PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THEM INTO PHOTO OPS AND TELEVISION VIEWERS EYES JUST BECAUSE OF THEIR WEALTH"

Just loving Racing is no longer important to them, now taking new developing Champions away from our small and shrinking number of lovers of this amazing sport is the way and rule.

Giving the die hard fans, (I have always considered myself one of few ) many kicks in the "BUTT" over and over again, are common place these days.

How can any logical fan of this game, justify keeping what seems to appear as a Modern Filly Wonder

no chance to step up to the plate and show proof once again, that a True Champion is not a male thing always.

I am a male and always marveled at Regret, Genuine Risk, Winning Colors and in my heart believing Ruffian would have smashed the colts also, so why use rules that can be used unfairly and really unsportman like to keep out Rachel when it appears she just be that next Filly that can handle the boys.

Does it take away the other mens masculinity, does it threaten racing, who really loses if she is what many, (including myself) feel is a marvelous and truly amazing and talented Filly.

Her new owners are not on my favorite people list, the original owner did what he felt was the correct financial thing to do, and then of course Calvin, according to those that have no idea what position he is in, chooses to ride the Filly who he has ridden to all her victories and just was a catch rider on the Derby Winner.

Calvin is doing what he feels is the right thing to do, I give him more credibilty than the Blue Bloods who use men like him as shoes to walk on and dispose of them when they feel they no longer want or need them!

Calvin is using good sense and in my heart he knows who he should be on considering the Filly is given the chance to run. The trainer of Mine That Bird gave him his own approval. Calvin never ever has done anything selfeshly in the past

and he hasn't done it this time picking the Filly.

We have come to a point in Racing that sickens me and those I know that love the game to consider giving up our interest in it. Too many of us understand it is "A BUSINESS NOW ONLY" not intended to keep or develop fans, no to keep and churn and burn horseflesh and use it till it no longer has a use.

Maybe I got a bit carried away, maybe I am being too harsh, but let me tell you my fellow Horse Racing Lovers, we are a real dying breed that is being passed by for Money Only, no care for the Game, just money that I hope , at the end of the days, Burns a hole in their hearts as watching what is happening for me is doing the same.

Rachel Alexandra's new owners and trainer should keep her out of the Preakness. Does racing need another tragedy on T.V. during covering a major race of yet another beautiful and talented filly breaking down?

There have been 3 bad outcomes of brilliant fillies racing against male horses.  

We have Ruffian, Eight Belles and Rags to Riches. (She was never the same after winning the Belmont.) She was pushed too hard to win that race and it triggered a career ending injury.

Rachel Alexandra should stick with the filly triple crown, which she could easily win. Maybe she should face male horses later this summer or Fall, after she gets a little rest.

As for her former owner (Mr."Colts being our future studs and fillies should only race with other fillies" blah,blah, blah...

Shame on him!! He took the money and ran, just like Smarty Jones owners did. They care nothing about the future of racing.

Someone waved a big check for their horses at them and they grabbed it.

Smarty Jones could have been  rested, his bruised feet allowed to heel and he could have come back to race as a 4 year old. But n-o-o-o! Lets take the money and enjoy our retirement in style.

Go Mine That Bird!, I hope Calvin Borel can ride you in the Preakness.

Karen2

I can tell you exactly why we don't run as many fillies with the boy's in high profile races. It's becuase of people like you that bring up this garbage that it is unsafe and then the media has a firestorm with it. God forbid RA breaks down and so on and so on. Thats the only reason, you people have scared the trainers and owners into making unrational decisions.

She's too valuable to run and needs to be retired immediately.  Looks like her new owners are not in this for the well being of the horse or the sport.  I have a bad feeling about this.  We don't need anymore breakdowns.  I believe that what happened with Eight Belles really did a number on horse racing.  I'm not seeing as many races being televised on big networks like before.  Running this filly in either leg of the Triple Crown is a poor decision.  Turn her out and breed her to a proven stud.

BETH,

   HAVE YOU SEEN THE SIZE OF THE FILLY, SHE IS SHAPED LIKE A "LINEBACKER" AND SHE IS BIGGER THAN THE BOYZ. SHE LOOKS STURDY AND IS BIG ALL OVER, HER CONFIRMATION IS TOUGH. SHE IS BUILT TO RUN FAR AND TO KEEP HER COMPETITION AT BAY WITH THAT LONG STRIDE,LIKE ROCK HARD TEN OR EASY GOER.

why do owners allow their horses to run on race track with one inch of dirt above rock base. seems that what Big Drama did on Florida Derby day. how can track owner get away with that.

After RA whips the field I am hoping for a RA vs. QR in the Belmont.

Karen2,

      Regarding Friesan Fire's injuries in Derby, This Article explains everything about them...

www.baltimoresun.com/.../bal-mine-that-bird-512,0,4830412.story

Also, Jones on RA: ""Only the Lord knows how good Rachel Alexandra is," Jones said. "If I've got any chance to beat her it will have to be with a boy horse because I've tried all my girls and they couldn't get close."

Karen 2,

 I honestly believe that most of the time the males are just too fast and too big for the fillies to compete against. Every once in a while a big, strapping, fast filly comes along and she is no competition for her female competitors. Such is the case with Rachel as it was for Rags. Run her against the boys and see how good she really is.

Draynay,

Sorry to tell you but Jerkins said QR is all but out of the Belmont. Bummer. That is the horse I wanted to see how good he really is. Maybee this summer or fall.

It sure is easy for those of us who never have to pay a feed bill or sigh forlornly while looking at a balance sheet to tell all these people what to do, isn't it?

And if Jones really used the term 'boy horse' unironically, he just lost points with me, sheesh. (half-joking)

they can run 20 Rachel Alexandra's..musket mans winning the race he lost his footing in the derby and got bumped, you can take the 1-2 on her and throw it in the gutter!! my moneys on the musket..GO MUSKIE!! GO!!

Matthew W: Check out the history of the Breeders Cup Mile, Miesque won consecutive runnings, and fillies/mares have routinely done well there. They have also done well in the Sprint, which is a bit longer than your short distance range. On that note, I got to meet Very Subtle at the dispersal sale before she was a serious Sprint candidate, I actually had a bit of a preminition that she would win it after I left (and then blew it by only betting her in DDs that got ruined by a photographer, doh!) She was a proper lady, offering to take my sweater!

Amy: I fully agree with you about the drug laws, hopefully they can  be phased out as quickly as is feasible. I also think there are currently too many tracks (mainly too many CHEAP tracks), and the trend towards running less dates may be for the best in the long run. Remember for quite some time there was no racing in the winter at all!

Vision  again- it'll be either Popa Clem or Musket Man in the winners' circle.

Nona, retiring a filly/mare for breeding purposes is no guarantee of longevity.  Remember Citronnade who just died from her first foaling (of a stillborn).  

Travis.... People like me???? Get a life. I have never stated for or against fillies racing with the colts. I just think there are some valid points that have been made and instead of them being addressed..... it is called a bunch of garbage... I agree with Longwaytomay..... most of the time males are just physically stronger and faster at this age. That is what keeps most fillies from challenging the boys. I also stated I wanted to see RA run with the colts because I think she is ready. Its good to know Travis that us common folks have so much pull with the trainers and the owners. We have "scared" them in to not running?? LMFAO!!!! It is the public breakdowns themselves that have caused that stir. Sorry...just a fact you can't ignore.

Karen2,

 Good point on public breakdowns. I think Jason brought that up in an earlier post. If Eight Belles would have broke down in any other race than the Derby, only the people who truly follow horse racing would have known or cared about it. It's unfortunate but true.

please enough with the borel basshing,just like zayat and taylor

explained it was a buisiness decision to enter their second string mutts,it was a buisiness decision for calvin to ride the filly.after all fans racing is a buisiness,thats why they have parimutual betting to support the game.enough already hearing everyone give the corporate line .i do whats best for the horse.if you believe that i've got plenty of bridges for sale at a new discounted rate

thanks

Rachel Alexandra  First...

Musket Man  Second....

Big Drama  Third....

Pioneer of the Nile   Fourth ....

10 dollar straight Super ticket and 50 dollar exacta with 20 dollar straight Tri. Go Rachel !

Good news for you Jason ... FF can do no worse then 13th in this race.

Draynay:  Clearly you haven't learned how to tout your favourite horse without wholesale dissing of the competition.  Well you will be in for another lesson in Saturday's Preakness.  "Rachel" is a superstar but she is in for a "baptism of fire" among some very classy colts and a gelding.

Big Drama is going to torch (not torcher) her, as could Friesan Fire and the "freak".  BTW learn how to spell freak.  When referring the Mine That Bird, the word is NOT spelt f-l-u-k-e but F-R-E-A-K ...got it? F-R-E-A-K.  You were depressed after the Derby now you should pay closer attention to the competition and learn from the errors of your one-dimensional handicapping ways.    

Just a few responses:

Audra 11May8:20 It would really be great if it was all up to the horse in the end because I believe it would be much more honest but, both fortunately (for some horses) and unfortunately (for other horses) their connections do have something to do with their success or failure.  A horse can't run, much less win a race if the jockey jerks him up and makes him walk across the finish line (any guesses who I'm talking about?)

Nona 12May2:16 Rachel Alexandra does not need to be retired to the breeding shed - that would be a travesty.  She is in perfect health, at the top of her talent and ability and she loves to run.  It's what she was born loving to do.  Racing needs her and she needs to race.  Making her a broodmare won't keep her safe.  Horses have freak accidents and illnesses all the time down on the farm.  

And I totally agree with Jason.  Horses should run with other horses period.  Male, female or gelding it doesn't make any difference.  The difference comes in the individual talent, heart, training, ability, size, conformation, health and luck of each beautiful animal.  Either they have it or they don't and sex doesn't really matter.

Karen2,

Jackson still has legal entanglements with Curlin.  He is majority owner and could have retired him last year but didn't.  The 20% owned by the incarcerated attorneys is still up in the air and probably will be for years. He did give us Curlin for another year and increased his value while he was at it.

While I am appalled at the actions these stallion/gelding owners may take to block RA, all it really says is that they ARE scared of her.  Allen even wants to run a maiden???  Hell I'll give him my 3 yr old gelding if he wants to supplement.  This is unscrupulous and it is a poor show of sportsmanship. If RA were a colt, would they try the same tactics?

On the other hand, you have to do what's best for the horse (and unfortunately horses don't get to choose their owners).  RA ran a hard race and was training toward the Oaks, not the triple crown.  I do not believe that 2 weeks is enough time for her to recoupe, especially with a change of owner,trainer and surroundings.  I would keep her out of the Preakness if she were mine, BUT I would definitely aim her toward the Belmont.

And one more comment about 8 Belles- she belonged in the Derby.  She finished ahead of 18 colts.  The accident was freakish, yes, but it has nothing to do with her sex.  More horses are killed by accidents in their paddocks every year than on the track- just look at St. Liam as an example.

RA, if you're in, you will take them down, but I hope JJ keeps his ego in check and waits another 3 weeks for the Belmont.

Ahhh Beth- Are you a vet?  Did YOU personally examine Rags to Riches after the Belmont????

I didn't think so.

So please keep your ridiculous theories on Rags to Riches to yourself.  She belonged in the Belmont.

Sitting Bull- good to hear from you!!  I've been waiting for your predictions.  Pappa Clem or Musket Man hey-anything about Rachel?

Cultural differences or not, I think this is as unsporting and lacking in integrity as anything I've heard in a long while. Sounds as if they figure Rachel will beat their horses. Well, isn't that what happens in a horse race? Are they really afraid of her?Pioneerof the Nile isn't afraid to try her; maybe his connections should listen to what HE has to tell 'em! I do have a hard time imagining Marylou Whitney doing this. She's a lady of the highest order and her love for honest racing has always been her hallmark. Her husband's response sounds much more credible to me! The thing is that every Preakness I've ever seen (and I've seen 50 years of 'em) included horses who didn't run in the Derby, so what's different about this one? Calvin Borel was riding Rachel before he ever rode Mine That Bird, so why would he turn her down now? As for the "risks" of fillies in Triple Crown races - anyone out there remember Winning Colors and Genuine Risk? Seems to me they lived to a ripe ol' age - and had other starts after the Crown too! I think maybe some people need to take a second look at Larry Jones and remind themselves about how they should be conducting themselves. He's an ICON for the way racing people ought to behave, in good times and bad: with humility, self-control and the utmost in integrity. If Rachel can beat the boys, more power to her. It will prove the class and quality of every horse in that race - and I can say that even knowing that if she wins she will beat MY boy, Friesan Fire as well. May the best horse win - colt or filly.

One last thought and I'll shut up and go back to lurking ... One of the articles made the point that the Crown races are to test our stallions. Funny when you remember that Mine That Bird will never be a stallion as he is a gelding!

MINE THAT BIRD WIN WAS A FLUKE.

I AGREE HE WILL NEVER WIN ANOTHER GRADE 1 RACE.AS FOR CALVIN  BOREL ITS AN INSULT ,WHAT JOCKEY GIVES UP THE MOUNT ON A KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER.I HOPE RACHEL CRUSH THEM ALL IN THE PREAKNESS.

SPEEDBALL:  It looks as if Sitting Bull is seeing doubles ... blurred vision of the winner's circle.  Me thinks bogus,hocus pocus needs a focus.  LOL.

No bias, no bull.  Just keeping them honest.  

Tony I'm not saying fillies can't beat males at middle distances---I'm saying they are "up against it" so to speak....but ah, Very Subtle...I think her BC Sprint was/is the best ever and the fastest horse I ever saw was Crimson Saint, a filly/dam of Terlingua.....

Is Friesan Fire the next Hansel?? I mean he wasn't hard used in the Derby...probably took way less outta him than Papa C/POTN/Musket Man...

Ranagulation... I will stick to picking the Derby winner each year. Did I miss in Fluke 05 and Fluke 09 yes I did.  But so did everyone else so I don't feel so bad.  I am upset that the best 3 year old was not allowed to race in this years Derby.

Say what you want... RACHEL is going to run wild on this very weak group of colts.

Doesn't this nonsense prove that horse racing needs a commissioner with authority?

About Smarty Jones retirement

The stallions (not Dynaformer) are ridden under tack at 3 Chimneys

However Smarty Jones is NOT ridden.

I get tired of hearing his connections bashed for his early retirement.

I don't understand the logic of bringing up Eight Belles, Ruffian, Rags to Riches opposed to those long, brilliant post triple crown careers of Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Charismatic, Fusaichi Pegasus, Monarchos, War Emblem and Big Brown

Take POTN right back.  The trainer has 4 Preakness wins in 9 starters. The horse likes the dirt and he is working well.  POTN, Papa Clem, Musket Man...take them all right back.  RA is a nice filly but she is in over her head.

AS A NEW OWNER IN THE GAME I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THIS.THE FILLY COULD HAVE RUN IN THE KENTUCKY DERBY CORRECT! NOW SHE FACED A MUCH WEAKER FIELD CORRECT!I MAY BE WRONG BUT IF THE OWNERS WANTED TO RUN IN THE TRIPLE CROWN RACES;WHY DID THE CONNECTIONS GO AFTER A WEAKER FIELD????IS THAT FAIR TO THE HORSES THAT RAN IN THE DERBY? I KNOW YOU COULD SAY WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER HORSES THAT DID NOT RUN AS WELL! IV'E SEEN WHAT A FILLY'S DESIRE TO WIN CAN DO! ON THE OTHER HAND ANY OF THE HORSE'S COULD GO FORWARD AS THEY PROGRESS!IT SEEMS TO ME THAT PEOPLE ALWAYS ARE WANTING FOR THIER OWN ENJOYMENT!PERSONALLY IF I COULD RUN ANOTHER HORSE THAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE A LOSER I WOULD NOT WANT PRESSURE NOT TO RUN! DON'T FORGET THE OWNERS HAVE TO USE EVERY ANGLE TO WIN.BUT I GUESS THE OWNERS DON'T COUNT! I DON'T THINK THE FILLY HAS A CHANCE AND IF THE CONNECTIONS DID THEY SHOULD HAVE RAN THE DERBY!AND CALVIN YOU SHOLD BE LOYAL TO THE HORSE THAT YOU LOVED SO MUCH IN DERBY!YOU JUMP ON THE FILLY AFTER WHAT BIRD SONG DID FOR YOU-WELL YOU DESIRE WHAT YOU GET WHEN BIRDSONG BLOWS THE FILLY UP!!! YOU DID NOT WIN THE DERBY BIRDSONG DID!!!!!! THAT MY FRIEND IS WRONG IN MY OPINION!!! I'M NEW TO THE GAME BUT YOU SURE SUCKED UP THE GLORY JUST TO BETRAY THE HORSE THAT PUT YOU IN THE CIRCLE!!! HOW MANY THINGS CAN BE WRONG WITH THIS RACE!!!!!! THOUGHTS FROM A YOUNG NEW OWNER!!!!! JUST THOUGHT!PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ME!!!

If Rachel Alexandra runs this Saturday off of 2 weeks rest, she will bounce higher than a kite. Pioneerof the Nile had the perfect trip and still couldn't win. Big Drama wins. The connections showed great patience, and skipped the Derby to run in the Preakness. The horse could have won all seven of his races, if not for jockey errors.

Why they make a big deal about a champion filly running with colts,in Argentina they do that all the time and more often a good filly will win.Also she won so easy that was like a work and she is full of herself,so now is her best chance to take a shot and be the champion of both fillies and colts,After all the new owners paid lot of money and they deserve to take a shot.

Friesan Fire, Big Drama, Pioneer of The Nile, Musket Man, Mine That Bird, 5 reasons why Rachael Alexandra will not win and possibly be off the board. I hope they bury her.

Jason, just like you're tired of seeing the comments about how Rachel runs a greater risk of being injured because she's running with the boys, I've grown tired of seeing asinine comments about how Calvin Borel has supposedly violated every rule of civilized society and racetrack comportment simply because he's opted off a Kentucky Derby winner -- PARTICULARLY because in this case, it's emerged that Borel was actually UNDER CONTRACT to ride Rachel Alexandra in all her races.

Moreover, even if this wasn't the case (which it is), where in the world is it written that a jockey MUST ride a particular horse for a particular owner? Jockeys are NOT indentured servants; they are, for the most part, independent contractors, except in those rare instances when they are under contract for a particular owner. This is a fact that most jockeys are painfully aware of, as many have been forced to suffer the public embarrassment of being bounced off a well-regarded horse simply because a miffed owenr has grown upset over the poor performance of their entry in its last endeavor and conveniently wishe to blame the jockey.

It seems to me that there is a peverse sense among many racing fans that jockeys ought to display an  unstinting loyalty to the horses they ride and their owners who have employed them, when the owners rarely display even a fraction of such fidelity to the jockeys who risk their lives riding for them.

So, even if we're to assume, for the sake of argument, that Borel ISN'T under contract to ride Rachel Alexandra (which, as I've stated, is the case), the question arises: Should Borel be required to ride a the Mine That Bird, even if this jockey, who has won more than 4,500 races, has tated that Rachel Alexandra is the BEST horse he's ever ridden?

To anyone who says, "Yes," I can only say, that's the most preposterious assertion I've heard in a long time.

Best,

Phileboy

RACHEL ALL THE WAY WITH YES MINE THAT BIRD SECOND.LET'S SPREAD THE WORD TO OUR NONE RACING FRIENDS THAT THIS SATURDAY THEY WILL WITNESS SOMETHING SPECIAL!!!!

Karen2

I hear ya.  Don't even bother with the posts that are negative toward you.  It is not because of you, it is because of the public and the fans and non racing fans of horse racing that this is all happening.  People are tired of some of this and they are taking a stand.  :)  Some of these people can say things to the "right people" to make it count!  :)

Convene

So was John Henry, Forego and a few others.  Got a problem with that?  We need to geld more of them. Cut down on the over population.  :)

Rachel is an outstanding individual. She will add class

and competition to the race.  Isn't

that what the sport is all about?

Beth,

You don't make much sense. First you call for the owners of RA to not run her against the boys because you are afraid of another breakdown like Ruffian, Eight Belles. In the next breath you are saying they should run her against the boys only later in the year. If you are really concenrned about a breakdown why is it better to happen later in the year? I say let her run against the boys and get beat. Game over no more dispute.

slyder, it should be "If she sticks with the Fillies", not "ladies", ;-), Mother Theresa and my Mom are Ladies, RA is a horse...

All in good fun,

Rachel A. (but not Alexandra)

OK hunch players, what do you think of this?

My name is Rachel A****, I'm sitting here at my computer while Mi(ne) Birds are sitting beside me and my Uncle does military re-enactments with real muskets and men????

phileboy: Good comments again. I can't understand either why people are so down on Borel's choice in the Preakness. It's his call right or wrong and do you think maybe he's thinking that he can ride a few more of Jackson's down the road? Come on people this is his living we're talking about and he will do what's best for him period.

Dan,

Typing an entire post in caps is rude and idiotic- it has nothing to do with my eyes since you want to take the gloves off.

Also, I would have thought you'd have learned by now that the fastest horse usually doesn't win most races!

That is why there is a pace strategy- different running styles- why fractions are important. The fastest horse out of the gate means nothing if the fractions are too fast, just as the fastest horse at the end means nothing if it was a slow half and there is too much ground for closers to make up on speed that set easy fractions and isn't backing up.

As with last year- this is a very weak group of colts. Despite that fact- RA will not finish in the top 3 in the Preakness- in my opinion. If she were a colt I would say the same thing- small fields, easy leads- not tested much lately......she isn't ready for the Preakness even though this isn't a strong group of males.  

TO MR. ED: In your 13 May 2009 4:58 AM post you wrote, "Big Drama wins. The connections showed great patience, and skipped the Derby to run in the Preakness."

Although I don't have an opinion on who will or won't win the Preakness, Big Drama has a real shot. The Baltimore Sun has a few video clips of some of the contenders. Big Drama looks like he's in great physical shape.

TO GREG J. and other FF fans: Watching the clips of Friesan Fire at The Baltimore Sun website, I'm not encouraged. It's awfully hard to evaluate a horse's condition from short clips, so I could be very wrong. Even so, got to call it like I see it. The colt looks sore to me. I don't know...would love to see him win the Preakness, but scratching my head about what to make of how he looks in those clips.

nay nay,

Yes you stick with picking Derby winners. By further review if you picked the winners in 07, and 08 you certainly weren't alone as both those were off time favorites. Yay!!! You and millions of others were right. Barbaro in 06 was the second choice so you didn't uncover something there millions didn't see either. Big deal, only millions can make the same claim you do.

This will be a good betting race for exotics there will be at least 5 horses in single digits hopefully more You need to know which longshots have a chance I think the pace for this preakness will be exceptionally fast with the derby contestants coming off a race on a track that was probably extremely heavy and tiring and big drama coming in fresh definitely wanting the lead before the first turn the amount of pressers and the fractions will determine if mine that bird has a chance for first The reason they only allow 14 starters is the narrowness of the track I think one of the pressers will win the race and IT IS THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED COLT IN THE RACE

Hi Danslyson-

Yes, R.A. is a big, strong filly. she is looks ruggedly built and well muscled.

But Ruffian and Eight Belles were also, big, tough and more masculine in type then most fillies. But look where it got them?

All of the fillies I mentioned were/are tremendously game and fiercely competetive. Fillies have to run harder against male horses, and they will bust a gut to try to beat them.

There lies the problem. They are/were still teen-aged girls as far as their physical maturity.

To bUshwacher, I just think it would be safer to keep R.A. out of the Preakness and wait to race her against the guys (f they must)when she is a little older.

Young horses grow and fill-out a lot during the late spring and Summer, especially if given time off to rest.

One person I know had 3 year old colt that grew an inch and a half and gained 175 pounds during a 5 week lay-off from racing over the summer.

Remember, horses are not full grown until 4 years old!

How can ANYONE say that Smarty Jones was retired prematurely when he is not able to be ridden like all the rest of the stallions at Three Chimneys? Unfortunately the manner in which the retirement happened raised eyebrows, but that doesn't change the fact that he could not have handled further training and racing if he can't even be ridden for light exercise! That was the case when I visited him a year after his retirement and last I heard it was still the case.

To Pome De Terre-Rags to Riches was diagnosed with a slab fracture of her pastern shortly after losing her last race-the Gazelle stakes?

Did she race and win again as a 3 year old after she won the Belmont? No.

They tried to bring her back in March of her 4 year old year but her leg still was not healed.

Did she ever race again? No.

Case closed.

TO:RECHELLE

Your attitude illistrates your total lack of respect for the race horse. I read your post weeks back on True Nicks where you blasted Peppers Pride stating that she's "substandard". People like yourself that refuse to give props,just disrespect makes me sick. From that post I knew you didn't have a clue what you were talking about. Like her trainer said,"if being undefeated is so easy,then everyone would be doing it". You should read the response I gave for your silly post.trust me I had an answer!

Ranagulzion-Do you think the Bird has a chance of repeating his win Sat?  It seems as though when a horse is elevated to have already won the race before it's run ie-Rachel- that things turn out quite differently.  I'm surprised IEAH and the Sheik haven't gotten into the Preakness act by tring to buy one of the strong contenders.  Everyone else has.  I do think Sitting Bull could be seeing double,but we seldom hear from him.  He seems to be a man of few words unlike Dray for instance.  

DRAYNAY:  "Rachel" can certainly win this one.  I wouldn't be surprised BUT she will certainly not have things all her own way.  Maybe you haven't thought through the likely pace scenario but perhaps you should think about it and come back here and tell us at what stage in the race is she going to shake off Big Drama.  Consider also if indeed she can outrun him by open lengths up the lane.  You are in for a rude awakening my friend.

SPEEDBALL:  I have a great respect for MTB's chances.  In my opinion his Derby win was a breakout performance.  Irrespective of the weather or track conditions I expect that "Bird" to be flying at the death on Saturday.  He is a versatile horse that doesn't have to lay as far back as in the Derby to have a shot but he can run and win.  His pedigree tells the story.  My fancy however is Big Drama and if the track is fast he could at least threaten the Stakes Record, if not the track mark.  Rachel Alexandra and Friesan Fire will keep him honest (and vise versa).  This is gonna be a really spectacular race.  Enjoy my friend.  

BTW Sitting Bull does add a pecuilar "visionary" angle to the fun of handicapping on this blog ...even if it makes him a "sitting duck" for my shots ...hope he doesn't mind.

For Big Red,

 Went to Baltimore Sun and watched the clips. I don't know if I see the same thing as you as far as FF looking sore but I definitley see Big Drama as looking very well indeed. By the way, thank you for all you post. You are very informative. I read the Louisville paper every day and for some reason did not think to check out the Baltimore paper.

these 3 year olds are weak, rachel stacks up very well to them if not better. POTN best beyer is a 96 when he meets real horses he will get crushed, good horse not great. The best thing for this sport is rachel running whether she wins or loses she will draw attention to the tv on saturday. As far as Borel he should stick with the derby winner i know rachel is awesome but one bad ride they kick him off rachel and then he has nothing. A deby winner is a sacred thing fluke or not. Cant wait to see the pps and hopefully win some money good luck to you all

TO longwaytomay: Like I said, I could be very wrong. I want to be wrong, because I'm nuts about Friesan Fire. Nothing would please me more than to see him storm to the front and win the Preakness.

Ranagulzion- I've never seen Big Drama run so I'm anxious to see him.  I also think MTB is a horse that will be fabulous in the coming years if he stays healthy.His pedigree screams so. Can't wait for the race.  Good luck!!  

Regarding MTB being a fluke, he could well be but he could also be coming into his own.  He may just be unbeatable from now on.  It could happen.  His Derby win was amazing and there could be other amazing races ahead for him.  We will see in the Preakness and the Belmont.  Even if he doesn't win both, winning one of them will give him two legs of the Triple Crown and that would make him a special horse.

Look at Cigar, he didn't really learn to run until he was past 4, yet another reason to keep these horses around.

Some of you make no sense.  We will be watching history Saturday when RA does something NO HORSE has ever done.  Winning the Oaks and the Preakness ? Unreal.  I am just happy that the best 3 year old is being given the chance to show how much better she is then the rest of this group.  Big Drama is the real deal but will not want to run the last 200 yards.  1 1/16th is all Drama wants... Rachel will run him down and be forever considered one of the greatest fillies ever.

For Big Red,

 Maybee I don't see what you saw because of wishfull thinking. I would love to see FF and LJ win a TC race. What are your thoughts on Big Drama? I feel the distance could be his biggest obstacle. If you watch his other races, he refuses to let a horse pass him coming down the stretch. I think he is fresh, fit, tough, and won't get a crappy ride from Johnny V. I also think people are not giving any love to MTB. Might be a big mistake. I'm looking forward to wagering on this race.

Mike Relva

Did you hear about Nicanor?  What a impressive win.  Ignore these naysayers.  They are NOT worth your time.  :)

Beth

VERY good point!  :)

Householder I AM taking POTN right back!--if Papa C is 12-1, oh baby! I like them both to beat the filly.....

Thank You - Mat – “How can ANYONE say that Smarty Jones was retired prematurely when he is not able to be ridden like all the rest of the stallions at Three Chimneys?”

I was at 3 Chimneys 2 weeks ago and asked – He is not ridden – could you even imagine if Smarty had broken down.

I'm on the middle ground here.

Didn't want her to run in the Preakness because of the timing -thought Belmont would be better because that (time wise) was what she was being pointed to.

Also like to see trainers on the cautious side (Baffert recently w/ Indian Blessing).  But they do need to run

This made me post again - to those who on the previous discussion  wanted Rachel to just be a broodmare - this in BH -“Mackie… was euthanized March 18 because of foaling complications while delivering an offspring by Any Given Saturday".   I loved her.   A half sister to Derby winner Sea Hero she was out of Glowing Tribute from a wonderful Rokeby broodmare family.  Hate to hear it. Makes me think of Bsndhee Breexe.

Well - may all come home safe on Saturday - wish for everyday of course.

Ranagulzion: Sitting bulls visions were spot on before the derby. If he calls this one, I'm a believer. Just for fun I may tell my friend to put some money on PapaClem and Musket Man.

The beyer speed figures leading up to the derby were out of line because of the AW tracks in california and the BEYER speed figures for the derby seem to be taking a subjective bent instead of being objective the winner is rated so much better than the second and third horses Oh pioneer of the nile came in second Beyer in his almost disdain for AW tracks stated that if pioneer of the nile came in the money he would lose all his bets on DRF I hope pioneer of the nile wins the preakness not only because he IS the most accomplished COLT in the field but he will finally PROVE that this is nonsense assigning such slow speeed figures to california AW tracks by the way colonel john was the horse coming out of california last year didnt he win the travers anyone who is sharp has already caught on to this nonsense

As if I needed another reason to root for RA: her post position draw is my favorite number.

Here's hoping the track comes up the best it can with the best weather, and conditions etc.  Hope the break is clean for every starter.  Looking forward to seeing this.  Good luck all!

Cheers,

Heather

draynay,

So now all of a sudden it's just fine and dandy to run "slow" fractions of 1:12 in 6 furlongs an be a winner? All spring you have railed against horses who ran those type of fractions. RA's best 6f fraction at 1 1/16th or longer has been "only" 1:11.8 and her average is "only" 1:12.33. For the record I think those are solid fractions at 1 1/16 or longer but that's not the point I'm making. You are never going to be credible when your argument changes every race that comes up.

  Jason, I am interested in your opinion on Smarty Jones retirement. I was a hugh fan and like many people was very disappointed he never ran after the TC races. Thanks.  

Matthew W.  Smart man.  RA being entered was a blessing.  POTN will creep up to 6-1 or so...with Papa 12-1 or higher.  

I was very disgusted when i heard this.  A talented filly should not be in the Triple Crown because it is supposed to showcase stallions?  The Triple Crown has always been prestigious races featuring the BEST 3 y/o s in the country.  So, apparently they are trying to create a lame excuse that its a bad thing for horse racing to have non-stallions competing...even if the stallions that are competing are a weak field, because you know thats soo good for the sport.  Come on, entering a horse that has never won a thing, earned practically nothing on the track, just to keep a superstar filly from kicking the crud out of the fluke Derby winner...unsportsmanlike, disappointing and low.  well too bad, she's in baby, and Calvin Borel knew which one to pick!! Can;t wait to see it happen =)

Although, regarding my last post, there are some rather nice colts in the field..I would love to see what Pioneerof the Nile and Friesan Fire can do also in this next start..they caught some bad luck in the Derby..this will be a great race!

You guys over there are obsurd, this is the single most piece of unsporting behaviour I have ever had the misfortune to hear of in Racing.

If a filly is good enough she should run, simple as!!

Do you remember our filly at last years BC - Goldikova? She beat everything put before her, male or female. As did the Arc winner Zarkava.

Are you going to tell me that they shouldnt have been running?

If you do then I will tell you that your a disgrace.

Stardusty Rose - No, I don't have a problem with his being a gelding but someone else apparently did. I read it in one of the Bloodhorse articles! Yes I agree more horses should be gelded - especially when I look at some of the horses listed in the Stallion Register. Some of 'em never won a single race! My point is - may the best horse win: colt, filly or gelding! Excluding her like that would have been very unsporting and suggests the kind of determination to win that sometimes leads to all kinds of bad stuff. It's a race and may the best horse win!

UK Racing Fan - that's the long and short of it, isn't it! If she's good enough, she has the right to run. That's why it's not a restricted race. And what a tragedy it would have been if Zarkava, Goldikova and Oiuja Board too had been denied their chances to show how very good they were.