What a race!! I chose Rachel Alexandra and Mine that Bird in the exacta. You know how you just know in your gut That this is the ways to go?  well Yeah

All this critism about the filly being run back in two weeks, wouldn't she have run back in two weeks for The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on Friday as well?  I am well aware that those are not Black-eyed Susans. They are daisies and the "Black Eye" is painted on them. But it is still a stakes race run for fillies that is run two weeks after the Kentucky Oaks. The real "Black Eye" belongs too those who tried to "block" the filly from running in the Preakness Stakes.

What a day indeed!! I agree with everything you said Jason. I was so happy to see Mine That Bird flying down the stretch and YAY for Rachel!!! She looked fabulous after the race. And Steve A. and Jess J. were class acts in all of the interviews I saw. Good for them! And so much for the TC showcasing stallions...lol.

AMAZING!!!  I was shaking watching the race it was so exciting!  I thought she could win and I hoped she would.  I was always happy that Mr. Jackson bought her and decided to run her. I haven't even figured out why some people seem so down on him...?  I think it was great for racing and I hope more owners do whatever they can to promote this great sport before it dies completely.  I must say I was pleased to see the Derby advertised on tv prior to the race but I didn't see any ads for the Preakness.  I hope there is a big tv promotion for the Belmont.  We need publicity to get and keep people interested!

Jason you hit the nail on the head lets enjoy this amazing performance and remember we just saw history in the making.  Rachel is on pace to have one of the greatest 3 year old seasons of any horse ever.  She proved she is simply the best 3 year old male or female. By the way Gary...weren't these your really dumb words below?

"I'm not worried about Rachel Alexandra taking the middle leg of the Triple Crown.  I don't think she will, but if she does, she does.

My major concern is that she is coming back too soon in the toughest company she has ever faced...by far.

Even mentioning her in the same sentence as Winning Colors or genuine Risk is grossly misleading and simple minded.  Rachel DIDN'T win The KY Derby...she didn't even run in it.  She beat a slowish maiden special weight winning filly in The KY Oaks.  So what if it was by 20.25 lengths?  Her time, on a fast track, did not lay over the time for the colts the next day, where many say it played like peanut butter.

What is the point here?  Is running her in The Preakness good for her?  Would it be good for racing to see a filly get hurt on national TV...again?  Why even risk it, in this specific race under these specific conditions?

Run her against colts later, after she has proven herself against older fillies, or at least a 3 YO of higher caliber than she's faced to date.

I have never hoped I was wrong about something before in my life, but I feel a disaster coming."

Gary 15 May 2009 3:07 PM

You know... now that I read this again I realize you just really have no idea what you are talking about.  You feel a disaster coming? So do I ... every time a sentence comes out of your mouth.

Gary do us all a favor and try to limit your banter to a few meaningless words and cut us all a break.  Rachel dominated and the only thing you were right about was the spelling of her name.

Fillies run against the colts and beat them all the time outside the US. Props to Jackson for having faith in this filly and allowing her to show us how good she is. Also, it's nice to keep in mind that a filly beat his colt two years ago in the Belmont.

Girls can run just as well as the boys, and better. Congrats to Rachel and her connections!

Rachel Alexandra was fantastic.  Mine That Bird was fantastic. With a better trip I really believe he could have beaten her. A mile and a half and she definitely would have been beaten. But when all is said and done, she is an incredible horse, male or female. Mine That Bird is no fluke either and had a real shot at being the triple crown winner if she hadn't been in the race. He's the best of the boys right now. Let's see how they do at a mile and a half. I hope they both race. Talk about a race for the ages.

Tremendous race! It's all the more bittersweet as we might have had a triple crown possibility if she were entered in the Kentucky Derby.  However, that said, if Rachel Alexandra is the best horse in the country right now, I think it's probably safe to say that Mine that Bird is a close second.  What a mind blowing race (again) this horse gave! The way he mows down horses when he's told to go is beyond belief.  AND if he had a another furlong, it's probably safe to safe that he would have overtaken RA as he was coming hard and fast at that point!!! As amazing as this race was, I'm almost more excited about Mine that Bird (the owners have a fantastic horse on their hands)!

I knew that she will do well - Lady first :-) Great job bay beauty, take some rest and I hope we'll see you in three weeks :-)

I hope all horses came back to the barn sound. What a great TC season! Thanks Mr. Jackson - you made my day and many to come!!!

Shortsighted. How can another year with no hope for a Triple Crown be good for the sport? How can a hackneyed 1970s gender angle sustain any freshness for the fans? How can the shocking drop in attendance support the critical argument that the people of Maryland care about the Preakness? How can the Triple Crown survive if the Preakness leaves Maryland before the 12th Winner comes along? Wake up.    

Couldnt agree with you more Jason.

It was a truly excellent performance by Rachel Alexandra. She won as the best horse, at least on this day. She appeared fine after the race, and if she trains well, I see no reason not to run back in the Belmont, although I completely understand if Asmussen+Blasi& Jackson side with caution. There will be a lot less speed in the Belmont, and horses that run solid :12s like she does usually perform very well in the Belmont. For many years, the general rule was that pure closers, like a Mine That Bird, do not fare well in the Belmont; however, over the last 12 years, late runners have won the 96, 98, 99, 02, and 06 Belmonts.

Did Rachel struggle a little the final eighth of the Preakness? Abosulutely. For the first time in a while, she was really asked to run, and similar to Bernardini/Officer/Perfect Drift, she didnt seem to have that extra gear(since she has like 5 gears already, I suppose it would be her 6th gear). Yet, she held on well enough, and the final 3/16th of 19 and 1 was very respecatable for a Preakness. Mike Smith commented afterwards that he needed her to fold if Bird' was going to get up, but she didn't.

And Rachel had every reason to fold up. Big Drama is a quality horse, and pushed Rachel through a demanding first half of 46 and 3. That is just 3/5ths of a second off the half mile pace for the Rebel, a pace that set up the late run of Win Willy and cost Ramon Dominguez the mount on Old Fashioned for the Arkansas Derby. Rachel Alexandra SHOULD have been exhausted from such an early effort; it was just the type of pace many of her doubters had been warning about, given that she had not had to run faster than :47 for any of her last 5 races, all at much shorter distances.

How demanding was that 46 and 3 first half? Well, earlier in the card, older fillies and mares in the grade2 Dupont at 8.5 furlongs(Mile and sixteenth) went 25 and 1 for the first quarter, 49 and 3 for the first half, and 113 and 1 for six furlongs. Rachel ran her first half about 15 lengths faster, even though she was in a race an eighth of a mile longer!  Additionally, older males in the grade3 Shaefer ran 24 and 2 and 48 for the first quarter and first half mile, respectively, in another 8.5 furlong race. So, given the fractions the track had produced earlier in the day, Rachel and Big Drama were absolutely flying early on. Both had every right to fade some in the stretch, and Big Drama did. However, he ran quite well to hang on for 5th. For Rachel to run the final 3/16th in 19 and 1, to finish 5.5 lengths ahead of Big Drama, and hold off Mine That Bird, was truly exceptional. And she did it while breaking from the far outside, from a post that no horse had ever won the Preakness from.

Rachel doesnt need excuses for not being even more spectacular. She won the race, overcame the adversity of the fast pace and a quality early challenger, and made history. Yet, Borel did seem a little disappointed immediately after the race that she hadn't been more dominant. Obviously, this reveals how confident he was behorehand; he didnt expect just to win, he truly believed Rachel would romp.

Borel was adament that Rachel did not handle Pimlico well on the day. Usually, excuses like this are only made if a horse loses. If Borel is being honest, and there is no reason to suspect he isn't given that he WON the race and didnt need to offer an excuse, the implications are profound. Look at all the excuses made for Dunkirk, Friesan Fire, Musket Man, Papa Clem for the Derby, and I am sure many or going to point to the bumping Mine That Bird and Musket Man endured at the top of the stretch in the Preakness. As with 99.9% of other horses, this trouble was too much for them to overcome; it really doesnt take alot trouble to derail even very good horses. Rachel also experienced less than ideal scenarios in the Preakness, with that demanding 46 and 3 half, her outside post, and with her struggling with the track. Yet, like a truly great horse, she still won.

On top of it all, Rachel was running after two weeks rest, facing males for the first time, and doing so after having changed trainers. Prior to the race, I really didn't pay much mind to the filly vs. colt thing(and there is no statistical evidence female racehorses are more likely to be injured when running against males). As many others have pointed out, fillies run frequently vs. colts in Europe, Asia, Australia as well as in quarter horse and harness racing.

The bigger concern I had about Rachel was the jump in class. Regardless of whether the other Preakness horses were male or female, they were far superior to the fields she had faced in her career.

And while many horses in the Preakness field were coming back off of two weeks rest, Rachel hadn't been trained up to the Kentucky Oaks with the Preakness in mind. The trainers of the Derby horses had trained their horses up to the Derby with the idea that if they ran well, they would run right back in the Preakness. Well, Rachel's previous owner, Dolphus Morrison, had ruled out running vs. males, so Hal Wiggins had the Acorn, 5 weeks after the Oaks, in mind when he was taining her for the Oaks. To shift plans, and then run back in 2 rather than 5 weeks, was asking alot of a horse that was also jumping up in class and meeting much tougher early speed challengers. Throw in the fact that just 9 days ago she was given to a new trainer, placed in a new barn, and had her world completely turned upsidedown, I can understand why some bettors didnt want to touch her at 8-5. That she overcame it all is quite amazing.

I have to give some big props to Hal Wiggins. We all know that Wiggins is the one who had Rachel ready to run in the Preakness. Yes, Asmussen gave her 9 days of care, and did put her through a timed workout, put Hal was the one that put in the necessary foundation.

I didn't have time to read all the comments over the last 2 weeks, but for the ones I did, it was certainly a fascinating read. I was disappointed to hear that Rachel had been sold. I was more disappointed in her owner, Dolphus Morrison, for selling her. I can understand Jess Jackson for wanting to buy her; who wouldn't want to have her. But Morrison didnt have to sell her, no matter how much he was offered. It's not like Jackson had a gun to his head, although I do not condemn Morrison for doing it(can't say I wouldn't have sold her if I was in his position as well- look at what has happened to I Want Revenge, QR, Mousse, OF, etc). I was disappointed that Jackson took Rachel away from Wiggins. No disrespect to Asmussen, but this was Wiggins' once in a lifetime horse and he had been training her very well after Rcahel had struggled earlier in her career. Wiggins made Rachel's Oaks win even more special. I understand that Jackson has great confidence in Asmussen given his work with Curlin, but it was hard not to feel for Hal.

On a side not, I had also been disappointed to hear Zayat reveal the plans he and Bird's co-owner, Mark Allen, were scheming to keep Rachel out of the Preakness. What I don't understand is why Zayat made it public when he did, given that he was still thinking about going through with it. I would think you wouldn't want anyone to know until entries were taken. Anyways, it would have been poor sportmanship, and I am glad Zayat and Allen ultimately changed course. However, given the result of the Preakness, I'm sure Allen and the entire Mine That Bird clan are probably asking "what if", as in "what if Rachel Alexandra hadnt run in the Preakness".

Having given Rachel her deserving praise, I want to write some positive words about Mine That Bird. Although I did not comment this past week, I had been at Churchill for the Derby(and Oaks) and was one of those posters on this blog who was willing to take Mine That Bird's performance in the Derby at face value and, while blindsinded by it, was quite excited to have this new shooter on the Triple Crown trail(particularly given how poorly so many of the others had run in the Derby). While the Derby was an almost unbelievable performance-jump for Mine That Bird, once a horse has turned in a great performance, one KNOWS that the horse has the ability to do it again. I am not saying that I was certain Mine That Bird would run back to his Derby performance in the Preakness, or even in 3 races, but I was confident that someday he would repeat it (for those discussing Funny Cide, do not forget that he did win the grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and over $1million as a 4 year old and 4 times that year ran a Beyer figure equal to or faster than his Derby Beyer). Keep in mind,also, that Mine That Bird has only run badly in one of his last 9 races; even before the Derby he had proven himself to be a consistent competitor, although not consistently fast.

What is fairly obvious to me is that Mine That Bird is a quality horse, and just simply improved a tremendous amount since his races at Sunland. However, is it possible he has been this good all along? He was, afterall, the Canadian juvenile champ, winning a grade3 stakes race at Woodbine. Perhaps MTB just didn't care for the Sunland surface? Additionally, it is obvious Mine That Bird is much more effective as a late runner, a change in style Woolley made after the Sunland Park Derby.  

All the above certainly played a role in why Mine That Bird was so overlooked prior to the Derby despite his, by now, obvious talent. Clearly, people overlooked his Canadian accomplishments, and the change in running style has had a definite impact. However, had he simply run back to his 2 year old form in Canada, he would have been beaten 20 lengths in the Derby and Preakness. And given his Sunland form, that is precisely how most, including myself, thought he was going to perform at Churchill. MTB's Beyer figures at Sunland made it appear that he had not improved over the winter. Were the Beyers for Sunland off? Possibly, given how Bird, Advice,and Mythical Power(Lone Star Derby) have subsequently run.

The Beyers for Sunland very well could be slightly off, but not by 23 points. Additionally, I do recognize that the change in style has moved Bird' up a number of lengths, and am willing to conclude that he might not have been fond of the Sunland surface. However, I really believe this is largely the case of a horse getting good at the right time. Given the heart and courage he has demonstrated in the Derby and Preakness, do you think he would have run like he did at Sunland if he was sitting on all this talent? I doubt it. If you watch his 2 Sunland races, you will see a horse giving his all. Now, clearly he was not given the best of rides in these races, particularly given his now known proclivity as a late-runner. However, it is hard to believe the change in style alone caused such a dramatic improvement. No, more likely MTB is one of those rare horses that developed and matured very quickly over a short time, progressing from a Sunland also-ran to legitmate Triple Crown contender. For this, Chp Woolley certainly deserves at least some of the credit.

While Mine That Bird's late run in the Derby was a revelation, in the Preakness it was validation.  For those who doubted him after the Derby, it's time to concede, because this gelding is likely to be around for a while. Although Bird did not get a rail trip, faced some traffic problems including a little jostling around the second turn, and had to run with a new jockey on his back, he still came with that explosive late run. The stretch run couldn't have been more exciting, the brilliant filly on the lead being ridden by the Derby-winning jockey, with the Derby winner trying to chase them down.

In my opinion, Rachel Alexandra was the best horse on the day. Some are pointing to the trouble Bird had around the turn, but remember how fast the pace was. The pace really set up for Bird's late run, and given that Rachel was up on that pace the entire trip while being carried wide by John Velazquez on Big Drama, she showed tremdous talent and heart to maintain the advantage to the wire. Also, notice that even after the wire, Bird never did pass Rachel. I never pay much attention to gallop-outs or what happens past the wire, and it's entirely possible that by then Mike Smith had stopped riding. Yet, I did find it interesting, and believe  it to be evidence that if Bird had gotten up alongside Rachel before the wire, Rachel would have found a little more.

In any event, although Mine That Bird did not win the Preakness, he emerged from the race as a winner. He has really caught the attention of the non-racing media and public, and I think his running so well in the Preakness was good for the sport. In fact, the result of the Preakness could hardly have been better for the sport, although I do understand how some would have wanted the 1-2 finish to have been reversed. Imagine Rachel and Bird meeting again in the Belmont, but with Bird going for the Triple Crown? Even though the Crown will not be at stake, Bird is expected to run back in the Belmont and there is no reason to believe he will not turn in another strong showing. From the very beginning, the connections thought Bird was most suited for the Belmont. The Derby and Preakness do not appear to have been hard on the little gelding, so if he stays sound the next 3 weeks he should be a go.

He really is just such a neat little horse, short but compact, courageous yet calm. Nothing seems to cause him much concern, including running through tiny holes on the rail(or off it in the Preakness). He is certainly not flashy, but he has an explosive kick. Plus, he's a gelding, so their is a chance he could have many races ahead of him.

So, a gelding won the Derby, and a filly and gelding ran 1-2 in the Preakness. Who was 3rd in both? How about a $15,000 yearling purchase. So much for the idea of the Triple Crown being a showcase for the most desirable stallions! Musket Man certainly earned his placings in the Derby and Preakness. In both, he ran all-out, and just missed 2nd. The horse has solid tactical speed, but Coa did very well to keep him well of the rapid pace in the Preakness. Like Bird', MM was jostled and steadied a bit on the far turn of the Preakness, yet still closed well. This is one tough, game, and consistent horse. I have full respect for him.

Pioneer of the Nile, Friesan Fire, and General Quarters were the big disappointments of the Preakness. Papa Clem was somewhat disappointing as well, but at least he demonstrated some fight in the stretch, although fading to 6th.

Pioneer of the Nile, although I personally did not like him to win, was the biggest surprise given his runner-up effort in the Derby. I was surprised to see PON up close early on, like in the Derby. Unlike the Derby in which there was a legit fear of a slow pace, the Preakness field seemed to have plenty of speed, and the actual pace was, indeed, very past. There was no reason for PON to be as close as he was. Was it by design, ordered by Baffert? Was it just Gomez's spontaneous decision? Or was PON rank, like he had been in the San Felipe and SA Derby? Whatever the reason, PON was up near the early pace and backed up quickly around the turn. The fact that Rachel won, and Big Drama ran 5th conceal just how demanding the pace was. The other horses along with PON stalking the pace, Friesan Fire, Take the Points, and Papa Clem faded in the stretch as well. Some others have also pointed to the fact PON was involved in some bumping. However, none of these reasons are enough to explain why PON ran as poorly as he did. Bird and Musket Man were also bumped, but they didnt fold. And Rachel was actually on that fast pace, not stalking it, and she still won!

Perhaps PON is one the those turf/synthetic horses that run better on sloppy dirt tracks rather than a normal fast dirt track. Think about all the off-the-turf races you have watched. Sometimes, these turfers run huge races in the slop, and their trainers then point them for actual dirt races only for them to bomb if the track came up fast. Whatever the excuse, I expect Baffert to pull PON off the Triple Crown trail and point him for races like the Goodwood, the Strub series, and maybe the Breeders Cup in between.

I was far less surprised by the performance of Friesan Fire. No matter how I looked at his run in the Derby, I found little reason to be hopeful for a Preakness rebound. And given what For Big Red wrote prior to the Preakness, even some of FF's biggest supporters had trouble conjuring up confidence. If you believe what was  written about Friesan Fire in the immediate aftermath of the Derby, his poor performance was the result of severe bumping,  significant cuts and abrasions, as well as a torn hoof.  If these injuries were enough to make him run so badly, why would one believe they could heal quickly and completely in just 2 weeks? I know many expressed the opinion that "Larry Jones wouldnt be running him if he wasnt 100%", but even the best trainers can make mistakes, especially since FF couldnt come out and say "hey, dont run me, I still feel a little banged up".

The only way I thought FF's injuries wouldnt affect him in the Preakness is if they were completely superficial. Given how fast FF appeared to heal, and my belief that Jones wouldnt run him if he didnt think he was 100%, it was easy to believe that his injuries were very minor. However, this seemed to suggest another negative conclusion. If the injuries weren't that bad to begin with, why did he run so poorly in the Derby? In most Triple Crown races, there is going to be alot of jostling, bumping, and even some superficial cuts and nicks. The truly good ones are able to overcome it, however. For as many horses that are excused because of pace, trip, bumps, and track surface, there are others that are able to still win. Just look at Rachel in the Preakness, winning with a new trainer, a change in her racing schedule and then running in 2 weeks, the #13 post(0 winners), a fast pace, and a surface she didnt like.

Before the Preakness, when I allowed myself to believe that FF was 100%, it only lead me to question Friesan Fire's heart, toughness, and mental capacity. If superficial bumping and jostling caused him to lose focus and then physically quit, then why would I want to back him in a race with a large field? (My actual opinion was that the injuries were more than superficial, but dont explain why FF ran THAT poorly in the Derby. I felt, prior to the race, that he probably should not have been entered in the Preakness. In addition, I do have questions about his physical and mental toughness. I know, I know, Im being too rough on him.)Given what transpired in the Preakness, either FF is still sore or off from the injuries he suffered during the Derby, he cannot handle adversity such as being bumped(FF bumped with Big Drama repeatedly first time before the grandstand as Velazquez tried to carry Rachel wide), or FF has gone badly off form.  Perhaps it is a combination of all 3? Regardless, I think it's time for Jones to back way off FF. At this point, I wonder if Larry's heart is fully in it anymore(I'm not suggesting that he ran an injured horse in the Preakness because his heart might not be in it as much. I'm sure Jones believed it was safe for FF to run, but it's just that even great trainers, full of enthusiasm and vigor, can make mistakes and incorrectly judge a horse's condition).

In contrast to my opinion of Friesan Fire, I thought General Quarters was going to bounce back in the Preakness. He had been bumped around in the Derby as well, came back with nostrils full of mud, and he supposedly disliked the Churchill goo. GQ had proven in the past that he could bounce back from poor performances, and I thought the pace in the Preakness was going to to be ideal for his mid-pack running style. Lastly, a number of horses had run inexplicably poor races in the Derby only to come back with strong runs in the Preakness. Most often, these horses were among the leading contenders for the Derby and like GQ, had run subpar but not terrible races in the Derby(in contrast to horses like Friesan Fire who ran TERRIBLY in the Derby). Unfortunately for GQ's connections, as happens every year some horses just arent up for the Triple Crown, whether due to a lack of talent, injuries, or mental reasons. General Quarters appears to be one of these horses, and McCarthy is likely going to need to start over with him. Medalgia d'Oro, the sire of Rachel Alexandra, also struggled during the Triple Crown(although did finish up with a 2nd in the Belmont) but was on top of the division by August when he won the Travers.

Flying Private ran a very good race in the Preakness to get 4th. He made his move right as Mine That Bird was going by him, had to wait a little around the turn for room, and then kept to his business well enough throughout the stretch. I had seen this horse in person when he ran 2nd in the Lane's End, and had touted him for the Arkansas Derby and even in Kentucky. He is wonderfully bred, and was a $700,000 yearling purchase. Lukas loves to take shots in big races, particularly the Triple Crown races and Derby preps. Sometimes, he is made to look the fool, but othertimes his decision bears fruit.

Her run was amazing

I was initially disapointed because I love MTB as well as Rachel. I was rooting for MTB but now I see that it was good for racing and I love the fily too. I hope MTB can win a few more Grade 1's because I truly love him. I also was impressed by Musket Man, hes a game horse. Congrats Rachel! I'm a fairly recent fan of US racing so i feel blessed to have seen this.

The Preakness was an absolute CLASSIC. However, I do think this crop of males misses the likes of Quality Road and I Want Revenge (and to a lesser extent The Pamplemousse, Old Fashioned, Square Eddie, Win Willy). Before the Derby, I was fairly confident either Quality Road or I Want Revenge was going to win the Derby. And while I have been very impressed with Mine That Bird, I really thought Quality Road and IWR were potential superstars. Given how the Derby shaped up, with a first half slower than :47, Quality Road could have worked out a perfect trip, and played the role Rachel Alexandra did in the Preakness. Then in the Preakness, I think IWR and his midpack/stalking style could have had a huge impact in the stretch. Hopefully, Quality Road can get over his quarter crack issues and make races such as the Haskell and Travers. As for IWR, the prognosis doesnt look as bright, and I can only wish he can have a healthy 4 year old campaign.

Given all the injuries, particularly to the "Big 2", this has been a remarkable Triple Crown, thanks to the longshot gelding and the brilliant filly.

Hey Zayat !  Put that in your pipe and SMOKE IT !!!!!!!!

I am so happy with the results of the Preakness Stakes.  What an amazing filly, what a race.  It was neat to see MTB finish second.  On to the Belmont.  Glad they all came back ok.

Cheers,

Heather

If there ever was a time where Racing needs a star, it is now.

Rachel Alexandra has been sent to us by the Racing Gods to save our beloved sport. She is one for the ages.

Stay sound, Rachel. Let us enjoy your wonderful peformances to come.

Pimlico realled gaffed by not allowing people to bring their own alcohol to the infield. It cost them $30,000 fans, although I noticed wagering was up from last year. It shows that those that go to the Preakness to drink are not going to be your big bettors. However, they are the pool for the sport's future fans. The type of people who did not show up for the Preakness this year due to the ban, those that typically do not bet that much, are young people. Thoroughbred racing desperately needs to attract more fans from this demographic.

I believe Churchill also has a ban against people bringing their own alcohol for Derby and Oaks day, and the price of beer on both days is $6 or $7. The young folks in Kentucky would love Pimlico's $3.50 beers. So, I do understand the logic of the Pimlico administration. However, the Derby is an institution in Kentucky, and the race runs through the veins of the people in the state and in the Louisville area. Additionally, the young people in Kentucky have had some time to adjust, while this is the first year for the Baltimore/DC young people. So, some of the attendance decline is a protest vote; they protested the ban by not showing up. Hopefully, if the ban is not repealed, some of those young people that did not go to the Preakness this year may return in a year or two.

However, if the majority of those that did not attend this year continue to stay away in future years, the ban could have  disastrous long-term consequences. I know most people are not going to miss the drunken college kids, but isnt one of the main goals of the industry to attract new (and hopefully young) fans? Here you have a race day that attracts tens of thousands of young people, and the track comes up with a rule that negatively affects them? When I was at Churchill for the Oaks and Derby this year, I watched the races from the infield. I was surrounded by a sea of young people, the very people who did not show up for the Preakness. For many of them, the racing was an afterthought, and the amount of money they were wagering was quite small. Even after they had just watched the Derby and Oaks, many would quickly wander away to drink more, slide through mud, or particpate in some other "event". However, not all wandered off. About 10 or so would stay near the fence by the track, watching the horses jog back to be unsaddled and then the winners circle presentation. After the Derby and Oaks, I could tell some of these young people were genuinely interested and excited about what was going on, and ended up asking me questions about the different horses, the history of the race, etc. Some even took out their cameras(most likely brought into the infield to take pictures of friends + other people) and took pictures of the horses, jockeys, and the track itself.

In other words, I was surrounded by potential new fans. These were young people that might not bet alot now, but they could in the future. Perhaps some of them had a good enough time that they will return next year, or maybe even earlier, for Stephen Foster day. Over time, they might attend more races yearly, and as their salaries increase, so will their betting.

Horse racing needs to be creative and inventive to draw new fans to the sport. Before this year, the Triple Crown races were the only days that consistently drew large crowds of young people(although Santa Anita under Stronach has been attracting huge crowds, including younger people, for Big Cap and SA Derby day). Pimlico needs to go back with what worked in attracting young people, even if it hurts their own alcohol sales and things get a little "messy" in the infield.

In todays tough times the admission price was steep but I am glad to see some of the infield circus action stopped. It's supposed to be a horse race, not a keg party.

As for the race it was great. Two great horses giving all they had. Mine That Bird didn't get a great break like the derby but he was coming on strong, maybe the next John Henry.

I agree that the filly has proved she can run with the boys. Her first real challenge and she came out on top. I'm looking forward to watching her run again where ever they decide to put her.

I knew the great filly would win the Preakness. Rachel is a magnificant filly full of talent and speed. I compare her to the great Ruffian giving 110% of herself. Good Luck Rachel.

What a great day! I had the first 3 horses (see TCT blog before this one), though I did pick MTB to win, I really thought it would be a race between him and her & if there were 10 more strides or he didn't go 5 wide, it would have been a photo finish, 'cause he had her at the end...both GREAT horses and GREAT for racing!

Wasn't MTB excellent when Big Drama created one in the gate??? Wasn't he great getting all that dirt in his face while he blew by, (again) 11 horses in the field like they were standing still...splitting throug horses, going 5 wide, I love that gelding, he is so good for racing.

Wasn't RA excellent, though tired at the end, she gamely held on, I won't even do what virtually every sport writer did to Rags, say she won because she had the edge because of a lousy 5 lbs., except to mention the glaring lack of mentioning those 5 lbs this time around with RA! ;-)

Isn't $10,000 Musket Man a good colt? Now they need to find him some races where he can excel like the very nice racehorse he is!!

JS what was the track like? The way the horses were moving (except MTB) it did not look like a fast track...did you see the stride length at the finish of MTB? Especially for a little horse?

What a great race!

Great race! Rachel was magnificent and MTB proved his worth. This sets up a very interesting senario for the Belmont.

I expect RA to be absent and MTB to be overbet. Therefore, I'm expecting Zito or Dutrow to pull a DaTaralike upset.  

I know I will be on everyones hit list, but the best horse yesterday came in second. I will also be the first one to say Rachel Alexandra should not try to face him in the Belmont. I am not a horse racing genius, but she gave everything she had yesterday, and just barely beat Mine That Bird, and he was just crusing. Those of you who said such horrible things about him after the Derby should now eat your words and admit he is the best horse running in the country.

Jockeys are not usually known for being good handicappers, but this year has been an exception. In the most important decision, Calvin Borel correctly chose Rachel Alexandra over Mine That Bird in the Preakness (I disagree with those who feel that had the jocks been switched Mine That Bird would have beaten Rachel). Additionally, Eibar Coa correctly chose Musket Man over General Quarters (and Big Drama for the Preakness), and Garret Gomez correctly picked Pioneer of the Nile over Dunkirk for the Derby(although given PON's poor Preakness effort he could regret this later in the year).

After seeing RA's drop-dead gorgeous looks, I became convinced Borel was correct in taking a come and catch me approach. Dropping in would have been wasted.  However, some of those race cloggers forced MTB to check and swing wide costing the needed length.

Bonnie Ledbetter looks players made out in the tri, when RA was the standout with MTB and MM close behind.  My wife was one of them.

However, could have gone the entire day without seeing Asmussen in the Winner's Circle.  What did he do to deserve anything?  Jess, if, you really care about revitalizing breeding, get rid of this pharmacist.  No, Curlin never tested positive nor will RA, but, the Asmussen types of trainers, and there are far too many, should be banned from this great sport.  To such as Wiggins, Woolley and Pitts of the racing world, may there be more of you.

very happy for Mine That Bird...!!  happy for Rachel too as she did an awesome job.  don't think it was necessary for Calvin to comment that she was struggling a little with the track, and how it would take a "real" racehorse to challenge her - I thought that took away from her thrilling run as if he was trying to make excuses for her not finishing 20 lengths in front again - they all ran the same track and had the same chance and even with MTB making a serious threat at the end, she held on and was the best of the day.  In the end, that is all that matters.  

Hope all the runners are doing well this morning and looking forward to the Belmont, no matter who runs!  

Rachel is phenomenal, however since we are analyzing... It is better for racing if there is a potential triple crown than a filly winning the Preakness. Most people do not even know the Preakness was this Saturday. If Mine that Bird had won, everyone would have known there was a triple crown on the line, with a blue collar horse that came out of nowhere! Isn't that a major story? The only people who get the significance of a filly winning the race are racing fans-not the casual public. The public has lost interest in racing because there is no durability to it's champions. Mine That Bird would have won the Preakness and the press and build up to the Triple Crown would have exposed the good side to racing to the general public and maybe lured some of the old fans back and some new ones. That is what racing needs!

Jackson bought a finished product managed impeccably well because he could and raced her for his own pleasure. There is nothing wrong with that, however I do not believe it benefited racing or anyone else.

Rachel has nothing left to prove. I would love to see her run against Zenyatta in the Breeder's Cup, etc.

Mine That Bird is sensational and if he wins the Belmont, we will all be asking, "What if Rachel had stayed home in the Preakness??"

If you didn't see a very small, plain horse almost have Rachel's measure at a mile and 3/16 (plus what he had to do to get there). Then we weren't watching the same race. Mine That Bird will beat her at Belmont if she goes. No excuse for giving her time off if she is O.K. Mine That Bird had a huge effort in the Derby and Preakness and I don't see a horse that can beat him at a mile and a half.

I don't care if they don't run her in the Belmont or if they do--I enjoyed this race and remember it for a long time.  I will be able to tell my daughter, who turned 4 months exactly (born Jan 16th this year, 2:28am) on the day that Rachel won the Preakness, that history was made for her.  And, after Curlin, I have become a huge fan of Jess Jackson and Steve Asmussan, despite all the bad grub that has followed them and kept some ppl from really liking them.  They do well with their horses, treating them individually and holding back from a big race even if it means taking some heat from the public.  Jess Jackson, and you can chew at me for saying this, is a player of the sport, not the business, of the Thoroughbred--he may pay big prices but he's not afraid to keep his horses in training when everyone else is sending them off to the breeding shed.  Curlin did good things for racing and they both have another good one in Rachel Alexandra.

So if she takes on the boys again in the Belmont, GO GIRLIE GO! If not, then ya know what?  Who really cares?

I will say that Mine That Bird is better than I thought, but I still don't believe if the race was on Pioneerof The Nile's favored surface (synthetic) that MTB could beat him.  POTN is a synthetic specialist who would probably go to turf better than to dirt (we saw evidence that dirt horses don't normally switch to synthetic very well in Curlin's last race at the Breeders Cup).  Rachel Alexandra, if she didn't like the surface, is far better than any of the colts running right now.  I also believe she could beat Zenyatta.  She is younger, stronger, and I believe faster.  She has done what Zenyatta has not (and probably never will) and faced the boys and beat them soundly.  

I don't believe, however, that Rachel can handle the mile and a half in the Belmont.  Rags to Riches barely could and after her huge effort to beat Curlin by a nose, she was never the same horse.  I'd like to see Rachel have 5 or 6 weeks off, then put her into a race.  She's proven she's better than the boys.  I trust that Steve & Jess will make the right choice for her.  Jess has always done what is best for the sport and not necessarily for his bank account.  It cost a fortune to insure Curlin last season and you can be sure that they didn't make much, if any, profit off of his races.  Yet Jess brought him back for his 4yo campaign.  Jess didn't like the surface at Santa Anita, but still ran Curlin in the Breeders Cup because that is what people wanted to see.  Regardless of what people think of him as a man, he has been one of the best sportsman that this sport has seen in many years.  Darley is a great example of not being a good sportsman, buying up the best 3yo colts and retiring them, rather than letting the fans have a fantastic season the next year, seeing horses mature and perform better.  

Give Jess his due, he is one of the greatest sportsman in racing in many long years.

Mike Smith said MTB is "probably the bravest little horse he ever sat on"...now that's something from someone who's ridden some pretty great horses!

"(I)was forced to go wide entering the far turn and carried out in the 3 or 4 path. (I) was able to cut inside of Take the Points, but fanned wide by Flying Private and (MTB) had to split General Quarters and Pioneer of the Nile while in the 5 path. Once clear, (I) got into (him), but he just couldn't catch Rachel Alexandra."

"He's so well-balanced, he just did these little moves … I can see how Calvin got through the fence [in the Derby]. He'll get through anywhere. "

""I wish we were going a little further or I would have cut one more corner;''

If RA goes to the Belmont, who will ride this great little horse? MS is committed to Chocolate Candy...

Give all credit to the RA. She was fantastic. BUT... Lets all knock it off with the hype that she is the next coming of Secretariat. RA is being hyped as the best horse in the nation. Well, she only won by a length against the "second string" of the colts. Later in the year if she can beat Quality Road or I Want Revenge (if he comes back), then she can claim that title. I'm afraid that wont happen. Her connections will surely avoid the two I just mentioned so she can claim horse of the year. One last note, If Quality Road runs in the Belmont off a two month layoff, he obviously will be beatable. All bets are off in that case.

What a wonderful race and a wonderful, beautiful filly.  She does Ruffian proud.  I kind of don't want her to run in the Belmont; she needs to just bask in the glory, she proved she could beat the best, and I don't think she needs to prove it again.  Thanks Rachel!

Jason,

   Absolutely incredible. You really hit the nail on the head with this one. Me and you were one in the same, think RA would win, which we were right, but wrong in thinking MTB was just a fluke. I'm glad you gave credit to JJ, by the way i loved his coment before the Preakness in regaurds to why his opinion differed from her previous owner, "Champions should run with champions", I loved that. I can't wait to see what is next for her. I think they said MTB was going to the Belmont, so if she does go that will be a heck of a race to watch. When watching the Preakness, you weren't the only one who thought she'd be cooked, i especially did when i saw they went six furlongs in 1.11! Then like you said that and the fact she didn't handle the surface. Any other horse, exuse me any normal horse would've lost that race, but no, not RA. She kept going and showed her bravery, and greatness.

While I agree that running Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness against Mine That Bird was good for the sport, I am not so sure that it was in her best interest.  Up until her purchase after the Oaks, her training regimen was not pointing her to the Preakness and the toll of that change was seen in how exhausted she was at the end of the race.  In all her other races she finished looking as fresh as she did in the post parade.  I would rather see her in the CCA Oaks than the Belmont.

Both RA and MTB defied their Ragozin and Thorograph predictions, too, and did not bounce! Musket Man held his own, too, while PC and POTN did bounce...one more reason to celebrate two really, really good horses and one really nice colt who outran his pedigree!!!

It was truly exciting to watch the Preakness this year, even though I (and many other boomers) had to set aside the trauma of Ruffian--which, for many viewers, colors almost every "Battle of the Sexes" in racing. Rachel showed the world her class, as well as the talent of Hal Wiggins, who obviously had given Asmussen a filly in top condition to send forward to the Preakness.

But let's say something really positive about the game effort of Mine That Bird, who could become racing's next Kelso, Forego, John Henry, or Funny Cide . How many fans did these amazing geldings bring to racing? Ask any New Yorker who followed racing in the 70s and they will tell you Forego brought fans to  the track in droves! Now maybe the little guy, Mine the Bird, might become racing's giant, a testament to heart.

The "Bird IS the word."

She sure was tired, was it the fractions (not uncommon for her), the extra 1/8th of a mile? The track, which,from what I heard, ad been favoring front speed (is that true, anyone who was there, it's hard to go by tv announcers) most of the day...OR, can she really go much more than 1 1/8?

It sure will be fun to find out! Good racing.

Mine That Bird earned respect yesterday by showing that his Derby win was not a fluke and Rachel Alexandra earned respect for not giving up. She wasn't handed the win, she had to run the race of her life to beat Mine That Bird. I was upset at first because I was really rooting for MTB and I couldn't stand the thought of hearing Jess Jackson crowing so I shut my TV off as soon as she won. But after having time to think about it & watching the replays, I have to agree with you, Jason, it was a really good race. It did generate a lot of interest. I look forward to years of seeing Mine That Bird. May he last as long, be as strong and healthy, and continue giving his all as long and as well as Einstein and Well Armed.

***Also game in defeat was Musket Man. This colt is all guts and has finally proven himself as one of the top 3-year-olds this season. There should no longer be any questions about his supposed limited pedigree.***

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  This is the single most underrated horse that has been running on the TC trail, and I hope that after this race, he will FINALLY get the respect and credit he deserves.  He's going to be a factor in the second half of this year.

As I posted in the other blog, I'm glad Jackson bought her and gave her the opportunity to race with the company she belongs racing with.

She is a superior filly and has been given her chance to earn HOY honors.

"Champions race against champions."

That is what this sport is about.  The horse's sex only matters in the breeding shed.

Good morning Jason, What an absolutely fantastic race! You know that I was in Mine That Bird's corner but I was so scared of Rachel that I included her in all my bets. (Thank goodness!)

I was screaming like a banshee at the end and shaking afterwards. That was horseracing at it's BEST.

Congratulations to you and all others who picked Rachel to win. MTB did not dissapoint me. He can run and his Derby was legit.

Bravo Musket Man for an other valiant effort!

And what about Flying Private coming in 4th? Big surprise.

Bob Baffert must still be scratching his head about POTN. He's a nice horse and will fight another day, but probably not on dirt.

I was there and saw her tremendous win though I feel if the race had been just a bit longer that Mind That Bird would have passed her as he was flying again and she was slowing down.  However she did win and MTB proved that he is NO fluke and good going for the little colt.  May he have a great trip in the Belmont. It will remain to be seen if Rachael does not race in the Belmont if Calvin will get the ride on MTB or will Mike Smith retain it. Whatever she won, I won though the odds were so low but it was just the idea of being there and seeing her take the Preakness that counted and I saved one win ticket to remember the race by as I have for many years of going. It's nice to look up in the frames and see all the winners from each years races.  I thought that my tickets on Secretariat and Affirmed-Alydar were my most precious but now I have another fantastic on for the frame and memory lane.

I agree with you about the kids not coming to the infield yesterday, and there is absolutely no way the real attendance was 77,850.  I've been going to Pimlico for over 25 years and I'd estimate 45-50 thousand tops.

All the best to Hal.  You did a great job!!  

Much the best? MTB was negotiating traffick with Mike "I always go five wide" Smith and nearly caught RA. Very impressive race By RA but not much the best over MTB.

How sweet for the sport if RA had run against the first Triple Crown winner in decades.  Ever give that any thought, Mr. Jackson?

Hey:  What a great Preakness.  I'm not trying to take anything away from the filly.  Simply put, she's great.  But I would like to see Mine That Bird get the respect he deserves.  If it wasn't for traffic trouble at the top of the stretch he was the winner no matter what Calvin said about Rachel having something left.  And kuddos for Jackson.  At least he's doing something positive for racing in North America.  But all said and done, the three year old colt divison, and the Handicap division are both in a sorry state right now.  Selling off all our good horses over the years to overseas interests has really caught up to us.  

Rachel Alexandra should have been run in the Derby. She could have quite possibly been on her way to the Triple Crown instead of possibly running in the Belmont Stakes. She is a super filly!

Are you kidding me?

We needed THIS?  How about, "it would have been better to go into The Belmont with the chance for a real Triple Crown winner?"

Rachel got the perfect trip, with a 5 pound weight allowance - which equals 5 lengths at 9.5 furlongs - and she barely hung on with that.  A "hot pace"???  I didn't see that.  As I said on these blogs before the Preakness, she is NOT much better than these colts.  With equal weights - running 9.5 furlongs - she would have lost.  She'd better come back in The Belmont if Mr. Jackson wants to sound credible at all when he, or Calvin for that matter, proclaim that she is the best 3 year old in the country.  She has an amazing cruising speed, but like I warned on one of these B-H blogs before The Preakness, many times these horses have but one gear...very, very fast yes, but that's all they've got.  Calvin had to go to the whip, and there was no response. She was toiling at the end.  She bobbled and actually came out on Mine That Bird just past the wire.  

I can't wait to hear the excuses for not running her in The Belmont.  She's tired...it's coming back too quickly...or, how about "she's already shown she's better than these colts"...Really?

Right now, Mine That Bird is the best 3 year old in my opinion.  He's danced every dance.  He's won graded stakes, or performed admirably in them, on all weather tracks, Churchill's "peanut butter", and Pimlico's dry, fast track, against all the best of his generation that were sound enough to get there!  And without the best trips.

Rachel needs to come back and prove that that one win against the colts wasn't just a fluke.  She needs to come back and run in the test of champions.  C'mon, do it for "racing".  

In all seriousness, if she runs and wins The Belmont Stakes at equal weights, or, what the heck, give her 5 pounds again, she will be the best 3 year old in the country...of the Spring.  

If she doesn't run in The Belmont, then the best 3 year olds (of the Spring) are Mine That Bird and Musket Man...and then Rachel Alexandra.

I will agree 110% with your take on the decision to exclude coolers from the Pimlico infield.  What "genius" came up with that idea?

Point Taken do us all a favor and shut up ! I know many like me that love racing have a smile on their face ear to ear from what we saw yesterday.  We saw history and something you will never see again in your lifetime.  Rachel A. won the Oaks beating the best fillies by 20 and then took on the best colts and dominated the race wire to wire and won the Preakness.  All the horses came back in good condition and now we are talking about the most exciting Belmont in recent times.  You want to talk about the glass half empty and I want to talk about it half full. The decline in attendance was due to a stupid change of not allowing beer in the infield.  BIG MISTAKE !

But the racing... the racing was fantastic and Rachel lived up to all the hype.  Bring on the Belmont and Point Taken shut up!

It was nice to see that Mine that bird's Derby win was no fluke. Mike Smith was right when he said that he just ran out of ground. That's total bunk from Calvin Borel that Rachel Alexandra didn't handle the track. She was cruising over it. Look at the fractions. Of course she's going to tire in the final sixteenth after running a mile in 1:35 and change. That being said This is the first time I heard a jockey making excuses for his horse winning a Triple Crown race. Hopefully they don't get carried away and run Rachel in the Belmont because she showed today that a mile and a half is beyond her scope. If anything run her in the Acorn on the Belmont card. It's a grade 1 at a mile so it would appear to be an easy grade 1 to add tothe resume. Charitable Man wins the Belmont if he goes and like I said before the Bluegrass They should have run him in a second level allowance or a minor stakes race sprinting on dirt to start off his 3 year old campaign. He would be undefeated right now and that would add some luster to the Belmont. I know I'm obsessing about Charitable Man but I knew he wouldn't handle that fake dirt at Keeneland which brings me to another point. Stop running the Breeders Cup on synthetics. I would like to see run at Belmont each and every year because they have the seating capacity plus a much bigger main track and two turf courses. One more thing even if Rachel doesn't run in the Belmont and Mike Smith takes the mount on chocolate Candy Borel doesn't deserve to ever ride Mine That Bird again. IMO it's disrespectful to do what he did. He pretty much said the Derby was a fluke by not keeping the mount. I never thought much of him as a jockey now I don't think much of him as a person.If CB runs in the Belmont here's my ice cold exacta. CB over MTB. Sorry for the rant and I'm not upset the MTB lost because I didn't think he would hit the board. I played thirty $1 trifectas and only had him on 2 of the tickets. I just think if you win the Derby even if it's with a long shot wouldn't you want to try to win the Triple Crown?

For all you Fluke fans let me tell you your horse is still a one hit wonder !  He got the race of his dreams... Rachel A. out front being pressed all the way by a Graded Stakes sprint record holder and still shook them all off and won never being challenged.  At the 6f pole she never saw another horse again.  All they saw was her butt in the distance.  She ran them all off her feet and yes the fluke caught MM for 2nd but who cares.  For the Fluke its just another loss.  Rachel A. set a new standard and we all witnessed an amazing performance out of the 13 post.  Look at the 100+ year history and count how many have won from the 13 post?  Rachel dominated every horse in the field and left them packing for home. FF, POTN, MM, GQ pack it up and go home the filly is simply too good.

GunBow

Boy I  couldn't agree more.  I am just fine with the results of this race.  I have to wonder did Calivin throw the Triple Crown?  I think he did.  I feel had he been on MTB, we would maybe be on our way to a TC winner.  Not taking anything away from RA.  She is a good, beautiful and smart horse.  Congrats to her for being so strong.  

I hope that with all of this yesterday the naysayers that put MTB down for two weeks have the guts to come back and eat their words.  Mine That Bird is a race horse and had Mike had one more furlong, he would have passed her.  

I don't think RA will beat MTB in the Belmont.  He has that kick and that ability to go in and out of horses like a car.  Remember Mikes girlfriend telling him to ride MTB like a car?  Well I have never seen a horse do the weaving in and out of horses on the stretch like that.  From dead last to a stunning second 3/4 of a length behind RA.  WOW.  What a wonderful little brown horse that has stolen my heart and I am sure quite a few others as well.  :)

If Calivin did throw the TC, we will never know.  

First of all ... Let's quit comaping RA to RUFFIAN...there is as of yet not comparison.  Second Jess Jackson is a piss poor business man and a whinny little crybaby(remember when he allowed Narvick to rob him of all that money-- I hope he runs his wine business better than his horse business) and what the hell.. take the filly away from her trainer ten days before a race, at least Steve Assmussen had the class to acknowledge Hal wiggins for the training the filly had up to the last 10 days, Kudos to you Steve!

The filly had the best racing luck end of story, if Mike Smith didn'y have to go around and split horses, MTB would have blown by the filly!  But she is a good filly, I don't want to take that away from her, Let's just quit thinking she's the greatest there ever was, cuz she's not proven that yet, and we don't know if she will, only time will tell... Personal Ensign was a great filly, Hell Pepper's Pride Was a great filly, And RUFFIAN is still the QUEEN of them all.  I loved Foolish Pleasure, but I have to admit on that day, he was going to have his ass handed to him, until that fatefull step....

I just was going through the comments a lot of people are going to be shocked to find out that the best three year olds didn't run in the Derby or Preakness. When Mr. Fantasy wins the Met Mile and Charitable Man wins the Belmont then you can start talking about the three year old championship. Zenyatta is still the leading contender for horse of the year.

What a great day of racing! I was so happy when MTB came charging up for second. It's like he just comes out of nowhere. I know everyone is excited about the filly...but kudos to the little guy MTB. He ran a tough race to get to RA. Very wide and splitting! Not to mention...when a race is that fast and everyone's there I was unsure if anyone could close well. But MTB is awesome. He definitely makes his sire look good. In a way, for me it makes Smarty's Belmont loss not look so bad. PLus BS babies are kicking butt everywhere.

The best hoss won. The pace was realistic for this class of racing and it exposed a few who didn't belong.

I'm sure Jackson ans Asmussen will make the best decision for Rachel in terms of her next race. My Belmont money is already on Charitable Man so I hope she shows up.

The finish of the Preakness could hardly have been better, except for the fact that I was hoping MTB would catch Rachel.  We saw two really really nice, possibly great horses.  I've hardly been more pleased with a horse finishing second.  MTB validated his Derby effort and showed that he was no fluke winner.  I hope all the people who denigrated this gutsy little gelding after the Derby are choking on their words.  As for focusing on the horses who didn't run in the Derby & Preakness:  Yes, maybe things would've been different if I Want Revenge, Quality Road, & Old Fashioned had run, but theres a saying, "90% of life is showing up".  We have two very nice horses to follow right now and there's no point in getting caught up in "what ifs".  

BRING ON THE BELMONT!

Tim

There is no way that RA will take the Belmont if MTB is there and in good shape.  She almost got beat yesterday. If they don't enter her,they know she won't win.  It is that simple.  Of course unless she is injured.  They need to put both of them in their so that we can see who really is the best.  I am pretty sure that MTB will take a mile and a half.  :)

Ain't no way that RA will beat Zenyatta.  That is way too funny.  Not a chance.  :)

Congrats to Rachel Alexandra! Terrific race.

As for the Preakness infield, I am glad for the change. I lived within 90 minutes of Baltimore my whole life up until 2 years ago and I never even considered going to the Preakness, because I wanted to see a horse race, not drunk college kids. Hopefully it will become a place for families and fun.

I think the most interesting comment I heard from any of the jockeys in that race were Mike Smith saying that he said 'Go' to Mine That Bird & he took off. How cool is that!

I was going to write comments about which jockeys ride who when, but think I'll take Jason's advice instead and just enjoy yesterday's race for a while. After all, tomorrow is another day. :-)

Draynay youneed to shut until you learn a little something about thoroughbred racing. The Oaks was one of the weakest fields in the history of the race and as I said the best three year olds didn't run in the Derby or Preakness. CB is heads and shoulders obove the junk that's been runing in this years Triple Crown. MTB,Musket man and Rachel are just the best of who ran. not the best of the 3 year old division. Without the $5,000,000 bonus this trend will continue. Without an added incentive there really is no reason to run your 3 year olds into the groun with 3 races in 5 weeks like Lukas used to do. Just look at Street Sense he won the Derby, Jim Dandy, and the Travers but he still wasn't even the three year old champ. Champions bring high stud fees. MTB is a great story but geldings bring nothing to the sport. All the people who are against horse slaughter should be pressing for gelding to be illegal thus the breeders will stop breeding inferior horses. To me that is the biggest probem. What do you do with a gelding once his racing career is over. Shut down the bottom level tracks so that there is no place for the geldings to run and the sport will be as popular as it is in Europe. There is no great story here. The Stallion prospects won't show up until the summer and fall.

Jason...

I have a question about the 5 pounds.  Why is that a rule?  If the fillys should run against the colts, shouldn't they play with the same rules?

Draynay... Do you READ Jason's articles or do you just come over here to babble.  Here you go.

"The race was also fulfilling because Mine That Bird proved his Derby win was no fluke. He made his same bold, closing run on a fast track this time and had to do it while going wide. Granted, he did have the benefit of laying off a hot pace, but his tremendous turn of foot in the stretch was truly impressive. It's on to the Belmont for the gelding.

Also game in defeat was Musket Man. This colt is all guts and has finally proven himself as one of the top 3-year-olds this season. There should no longer be any questions about his supposed limited pedigree". (Jason)

If you READ what he says, then you may not be such a naysayer.  :)

No matter how bad the criticism I get for writing this I don't care.  Now is the time to look back at the race and see that the best horse was in fact that 15.1 hand colt who broke from post 2, Mine That Bird was the best horse in the race.  Not only did this horse have to go 6 wide on the far turn, he had to deal with Big Drama going nuts in the gate and carry the 5 extra pounds that Rachel Alexandra did not and that was a HUGE difference today as 'Bird' is a full hand shorter than Rachel and he is also 100 pouns less.  Rachel got the perfect trip with an easy 1:11 and change opening 6 furlongs which is nothing to her considering she works in 1:10 and change.  The best horse lost but he will win if he races back in 3 weeks in the Belmont Stakes. People can say all they want about Rachel not handling the track but she got the perfect trip and I will admit her victory was admirable.  She came back in two weeks off a grueling 20 1/4 length win.  Most people don't think that when a horse wins by a lot but doesn't try that it effects the horse but the truth is any sort of blowout victory does effect the horse and I am sure her not 'handling the track' was more of being tired from her tour de force just two weeks ago.  Obviously we will see if it was the track if she races in the Belmont but I highly doubt she will.  Mine That Bird is all about the Belmont and I believe will win it if he is entered.  Still, great job to both horses for putting on quite a show.  Rachel Alexandra was a deserving winner but I also believe Mine That Bird was the best horse in the race but none.  Lets not forget Musket Man's 3rd place finish once again it was very admirable for being only 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner in 3rd.  Congrats to Mine That Bird and his connections you proved to me in the Derby you were the real deal but yesterday you proved to the world that your horse is something special best of luck go win the Belmont.  Go go go, Mine That Bird!

Jason those are very valid points most seem to ignore.  What if the race was longer? What if the race was shorter ? She beats the fluke by 10.  And for all you Ruffian fans give it up !  Rachel just moved her over and they can now be spoken in the same sentence. Ruffian never took on the boys and won Rachel took on 12 of the best and whipped them.  Ruffian was a great 3 year old.  So far Rachel has been a better 3 year old.

PS When I asked can she run past 1 1/8, because she was tired, I know the Preakness is 1 3/16...just wondering if you 'all think she can go longer...

Jason, you just won't give MTB a break, will yah, LOL, he wins the KD 'cause he runs the rail and has less race to run, but that's no excuse in the Preakness that he went 5 wide, 'cause that's his running style...

She was the best this day, and I love her, but she was not "much" the best...

The fractions that were run are consistent with most Preakness stakes, including a number of winners that led through the race...look at the speed duel Seattle Slew was in for most of his Preakness...set a (then) record for the mile and still finished strong...at some point they all have to give their best and run the entire race...

AND Rachel even looks like Ruffian....

--Vic: RA got the perfect trip? lol. She ran a :46 and change, 1:11 and 1:35, and took all the heat from Big Drama. Your excuses make you sound like a poor loser. Sorry you didn't cash, but I did if that makes you feel any better. lol.

Da3Hoss: read my lips: Much the best. Yes, she can go longer.

jshandler 17 May 2009 11:19 AM --

Yes she got the perfect trip.  46 and change in the Preakness if awfully slow compared to many that have been run in the past.  1:11 and change is absolutely walking.  Let her go at least 1:10 or 1:09 like half of the other preakness are opened up and she loses gets terrbily beaten and is mid-pack or worse.  She got the trip, she got the jockey, she got lucky, and she got the win. By the way this has nothing to do with making money I could care less about that its just an EASY OBSERVATION that anyone who knows anything about horseracing could see that Mine That Bird was the best horse in the race. Point, set, match.

 Jess Jackson, rich or not is a good sportsman. He gave us an extra year of Curlan and now has given us Rachel in the Preakness.

StardustyRose

Are you dyslexic? You must be I said Charitable Man can not lose the Belmont. I also said Zenyatta is still the leading contender for horse of the year. I also said MTB and Rachel suck. So learn how to read and play the races everyday. Don't just jump on the Triple Crown bandwagon. Gamblers don't care about the supposed Triple Crown. That's a thing of the past as evidenced by ESPN scrapping their Preakness day and Black Eyed Susan day coverage. Attendance will continue to decline because kids like basketball not losing their money at a track full of old people.

Hey Draynay.....no, there's no

               use talking to you.

jshandler,

I don't have to eat crow...but you have to eat chalk.  I took everything into consideration when I was handicapping the race, and I informed my partnership that I would not be betting...setting up for a "chalk fest".

I tip my hat to the winner.  She ran better than I thought she would.  But, all the talk of her being "the best 3 year old" in the country is just silly.  The times in her races before The Preakness were not THAT much better than some of these colts.  In fact, they weren't better than some of these colts.  

I am personally glad that the race was only 9.5 furlongs, and that Calvin was ahead by a few (diminishing) lengths.  She was toiling at the end, and that's when horses with heart are most likely to get hurt...straining to win...like champions do.

Rachel is a good horse.  I never said she wasn't.  I think her post was one of the best she could have drawn personally, given her running style.  And she had her own trip all the way around the track.  Calvin could have gone slower or faster...if she's tractable anyway.

But there is no denying that 5 pounds equals 5 lengths over 9.5 furlongs.  Run at equal weights, she either has to fight a lot harder than she did yesterday, or she loses.  Plain and simple.

Had she won easily by 5, or had she been pulling away, I would call her THE BEST 3 YO right now.  But she didn't win that way.  She was about to be passed.  The chart says so, and my eyes do not deceive me.  CALVIN SAID SO for goodness sake!  She was toiling (getting tired), and she bobbled just past the wire.

Yep, she won, but don't delude yourselves jshandler and draywhateveryourname is.  She didn't win on the square, and she's not the best three year old right now...Mine That Bird is.

Tim,

I couldn't agree with you more.  Especially on the Calvin Borel issue.  Calvin disrespected MTB...I think you see comments in the media trying to head off what real horsemen (not just bloggers) already know.  On level weights, MTB and MM had her measure!  I think HE should shut his mouth.

And I'll add this.  If Mike Smith had known from experience the kind of turn of foot that MTB has, he would not have tried to go inside during his move.  He would have stayed on the outside.  When you're on "much the best", keep him in the clear Mike.  The manipulations that led to Calvin jumping off MTB had at least some negative effect on the outcome of the race.  Just watch the race and ask yourself, "What if his momentum isn't stopped behind these horse?"

Just a note: I like to wait a day or two before declaring that a horse is sound after a race.  I hope they all are!  

People who don't appreciate Rachel's great performance look just as disturbed as the people who refuse to admit that Mine That Bird is NO FLUKE.

Quit with the ugliness. We saw a great race. Why isn't it enough?

Well, my, oh my, That Rachel Alexander was terrific.  Had I decided to go to Sallasaw, Okla. Blue Ribbon Downs,that track is used mainly for quarter horses...although, some throughbred's do race.......

I could have bet on her to win because I knew she would win and Mine That Bird would be 2nd...

What a great site for people that have no knowledge about horse racing.....Stunning race.....I have learned alot from all here....

I like Jess Jackson because he is a good owner and takes care of his horses......Love That Curlin!!!!

lorraine

That is why it is always good to box the exotics.  You never know until it is over. Even if I don't like a horse or jockey, I still put them in there cause I ain't no dummy.  :)  I wanted MTB to win and I am very happy that he proved himself.  He will become a very loved and talented race horse in the years to come.  Like John Henry, Forego...... Yeah.  I think he will go down in the history books as time keeps ticking.

da3hoss...   Does anyone read the articles  that Jason puts up LOL?  He addressed Mine That Bird in his article.  This is funny. Twice now I have seen this.  READ Jason's article.  LOL!  HERE IS PART OF IT.    LOLOLOL!

"The race was also fulfilling because Mine That Bird proved his Derby win was no fluke. He made his same bold, closing run on a fast track this time and had to do it while going wide. Granted, he did have the benefit of laying off a hot pace, but his tremendous turn of foot in the stretch was truly impressive. It's on to the Belmont for the gelding".

Well It would seem that MTB still gets some dissing on this blog .. Yes RA Won yesterday ... but she had to dig a little deep to do it   As for  her carving all those wicked first half fractions  did I MISS the chopper that apparently dropped MTB off at the head of the stretch? so "all he had to do was one small run?" He had to carve the fastest LAST half of the race . GIVE the little horse some credit ! as for the Belmont Bring on RA it will MTB time for a little revenge

draynay...

Please close your mouth and go home.  LOL  You are too negative for me and a lot of us.  Move over Ruffian hahahahahahahahahahaha!  Do people have IQ's that are as low as say 30?  :)

Laugh all you want Lady Ruffian but Rachel is undefeated as a 3 year old and winning the Oaks and then the Preakness will forever make her a legend.  Should she win her next 3 or 4 races she may be considered one of the all time greats.  As great as Ruffian was she never beat the boys. Rachel is poised to do things no filly has ever done.

draynay 14 May 2009 9:28 PM

Seems like I knew what was coming! As a matter of fact I can go back to March and show who I thought was the best 3 year old in the country.  The Fluke wins one race ALL YEAR and some of you are STILL talking about him... RACHEL A. is undefeated and just whipped them all going wire to wire out of the 13 post.  Lol... get a grip and jump on the wagon...I will move over for you.

Vic

MTB was the best horse in the race.  RA won it but she didn't have the talent that MTB has.  He is a very well trained race horse.  :)  I totally agree.  I love them both and I am glad they are on 4 legs, or 8.  

Vic, is that all he is? 15.1'? Amazing...except I don't agree with the 5 lbs...not with 1/2 Ton or better animals, anyway...now 140 lbs vs 115 might make a difference!

great win by the filly the owners information gathering because this was planned maybe before her commanding win in the oaks i understand thorograph recomended her purchase after her stakes win at churchill in 2008 that she would be the most probable winner of the oaks so inthis instance the plan actually worked Mine that bird change in running style is what I now believe made in so good at these distances he rations his energy superbly and he might only run hard a half of a mile he and pioneer of the nile ran the same figure in the derby but niles ran the whole mile and a quarter even though he trained great an actual race is a lot more stressful I would doubt niles runs in the belmont or even rachel its behond her distance but that is my opinion I wouldnt mind seeing it I hope there are 10-12 entrants in the belmont to make it betable in the exotics because I dont see home mtbird will be out of the money

In previous years, I always enjoyed watching ESPN's coverage before the Triple Crown races. I think that they used to start at around 9 in the morning & go right up til the other network coverage would start. And I think that they even had a recap show after the race. I really missed their coverage. Does anyone know why they didn't do it? Also, I had to wonder how Chantal Sutherland would have done if she had ridden MTB in the Preakness.

You know what I find funny? When people say she looked "tired" after the race. Well what the hell do you expect when you're running full speed for a little over a mile! lol. When I go for a run, I get tired too! But I expect that! lol. Anyway, I loved putting on Sportscenter this morning and have Horse Racing as their top story. Ahhh, what a relief. If we can just have a few more days like this.... I'll savor this weekend for awhile.

Well should have listened to my gut feeling and eliminated FF. Was so skeptical of him even running in the Preakness as as I keyed the filly and the bird together in about 3 tri's I did not have MM in the right place. Not that I would have made a ton of money but that I had them in the wrong place and put in FF and even PON in one tir. the horses I liked were Big Drama, Rachel, MM and MTB but I ended up mixing those other 2 in. Oh well it was a great exciting race, loved the race and the 1st five horses.

geesh Jason, you didn't have to be mean about it...I always say my piece good naturedly...

I SO hope you're right RA can run a decent mile and a half...I hope at some point she equals or sets a stakes or track record...I hope we are watching the best filly ever...she is, after all, my namesake, Rachel A.! BUT winning a race by barely a length after normal fractions for a Grade 1 race is not quite "much the best", to me anyway, no matter how much I love the horse I try to keep it in context to the greats I've seen in my own life..."much the best" in a race is a Ruffian, who was never headed at any call at any point in the 8 stakes races she ran, where she equaled or set a new track or stakes record in every race, whose average winning margin was 8+ lengths, including her Maiden of 15 lengths and a new track record, and was ahead when she broke down after whacking into the starting gate and running lop-sided, in pain on her right lead...now THAT'S "much the best"...

I am always YOUR devoted reader...Rachel A. ;-)

cc - I'm with you on ESPN's dropping all coverage of the Preakness. Their loss... and also mine, since my cable company doesn't carry HRTV. It does carry TVG but their coverage was a joke. I finally turned it off, I couldn't take it anymore. Thank goodness for these blogs even if some participants are a bit of a bore.

My next step is to fire my cable company but if ESPN did not see fit to cover the Preakness, I question the mental ability of the people who made that decision.

--Vic

MTB was the best horse in the race.  RA won it but she didn't have the talent that MTB has.  He is a very well trained race horse.  :)  I totally agree.  I love them both and I am glad they are on 4 legs, or 8.  

StardustyRose 17 May 2009 11:54 AM --

Thanks StardustyRose

The humble little horse in the plain brown paper...enough of the jokes & the snide remarks about the seemingly no-account from New Mexico. It's time to hear it for the efforts of the little fella. He proved his mettle & that can't be denied. While everyone goes crazy over the victorious Rachel (& rightly so)let's give it up for the underdog that a lot of people wrote off as a one shot wonder (or blunder). For those that kept the faith, we have been vindicated.

Stardustyroad save it and go home ! I am tired of people like you that want to talk about history and act like no horse in the present is ever good enough.  No filly in the history of racing has the 3 year old resume that RACHEL ALEXANDRA has. No filly in the history of racing has had a better 3 year old campaign.  Ruffian was great but couldn't beat one male while Rachel beat 12 of them gunning for her.  The Fluke even had a sprinter in Big Drama helping him out all the way and the Fluke still never got close.  100 yards pass the wire and he still could not pass her.  The Fluke was running for second and never had a real chance to win the race.  You can't spot real speed that much distance and expect to make it up in stretch.  The Fluke is still a one hit wonder and Rachel is now one of the great fillies of all time.

Hey, the Preakness is the top story on the Drudge report..unfortunately the headline is about the "sobering" drop in attendance due to infield restrictions...but they do mention how great RA was...!

What a wonderful race - Rachel was amazing - winning from the 13th hole. And Calvin gave her a great ride. MTB and MM also ran exceptional races. MTB is not a fluke and MM will always 'outrun' his pedigree. Are the Beyer's out yet?

I want to say two things.   RA is a great filly!  And it was no suprise to me seeing MTB go 7W, since that is exactly how Mike Smith rides.  Just look at all the Zenyatta and Stardom Bound races.

GC 17 May 2009 8:56 AM wrote: Up until her purchase after the Oaks, her training regimen was not pointing her to the Preakness and the toll of that change was seen in how exhausted she was at the end of the race.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Really, GC?  She was exhausted?? She wasn't breathing hard, she wasn't overly sweaty, her ears were pricked and she relaxed easily after the race.  She was not an "exhausted" horse.  To see examples of exhausted horses, look at Friesan Fire and Pioneerof The Nile but not at Rachel Alexandra.  She was a little tired, sure, but she was far from exhausted.  She should have been moved to Pimlico sooner than she was so she could have adjusted to the track.  But she was not exhausted, or even very winded.  We still have not seen the best that she can run.  To those who think that Jess Jackson will dodge Quality Road or I Want Revenge when and if he returns obviously have never paid attention to Jackson.  Last season, it was not he who kept dodging Curlin against Big Brown it was BB's cowardly owners and trainers.  Jackson has always done what is best FOR THE SPORT.  Most people would have retired Curlin after his 3yo campaign, but Jackson did what was best for the sport and continued Curlin as a 4yo, even though the cost to insure Curlin was more than what Curlin made all season.  Back off of Jackson, he is one of the best sportsman in the game today.  For proof of the worst, look no further than Zayat, Mark Allen and IEAH.  They ruined the great filly Stardom Bound and they raced a colt last year who should never have been raced with the bad hooves he had (BB).  

Damn that Flying Private.

Jason, how many exotics did you cash in. If I remember right your choices were RA, POTN and FF and MTB was a toss...

Hope your winnings on Rachel made up for your exotics, if any. Or did you have a change of mind and included MTB ?

Some of you on here are being great sports about this but Dray, gary, and a few other need to chill. Some of you claim that RA had a perfect trip, which is untrue, and some say MTB had a perfect trip, again untrue. I watched the same race as all of you and both horses had trouble. jmewill, that filly did not have racing luck in the least. She was floated what looked to me four to five wide on the first turn, ran a very fast 46 half when other races had gone in 48, 49. She then also stays up on a 1.11 six furlongs, and 1.35 mile. Now to whoever said that pace was not fast, your an idiot. That is a solid pace on a regular day, but when the track is producing 48 and 49 halves all day, that is very fast, 10 to 15 lengths faster. She then also has to deal with struggling with the surface. On top of all this she is swapped to a new trainer, faces boys for the first time, overcomes the thirteen post, and she still wins. That hardly sounds lucky or a perfect trip to me.

Dray,

    MTB didn't have a perfect trip either, did he get to stay like 15 lengths off the lead again yes, but he had to weave through traffic like he was in a nascar race. I will say others in the race that should've been able to beat him bounced, or just didn't run their race for whatever reason. So my conclusion is both horses had trouble, IMO RA actually had to deal with the most, but still nobody had a perfect trip. IMO the best horse won.

As much as I disagree with Jess Jackson taking Rachel away from Wiggins, you have give him credit for what he's done in racing.  He raced Curlin for an "extra" year, and took "risks" with him like trying him on the turf because he didn't have anything left to prove.  He did the same with Rachel.  He could've left her with the gals, but decided to see how good she really is and try her against the boys.  Bravo Jess, I hope others take a page from your book.  

So sorry Jason, I got you confused with another MTB tosser named Dave on The Morning Line blog.

I don't remember your other choices beside Rachel. Were they good enough to cash in?

I'm not a horse person in that I only look at them as beautiful animals and I love to see them run. I don't bet but I do watch a lot of races usually with my heart in my hand waiting for something bad to happen. I'm one of those boomers who saw Ruffian break down and I'll carry it with me till the day I die. This Preakness is the most fun I've had in a long time. Rachel is my Queen, I can't see straight for her. But gosh I love Mine That Bird. The little horse is precious. When I saw him coming after Rachel yesterday looking like a bat out of hell, I just screamed. For a second there, I thought he would make it. But, I also think that if the race would have been longer, Rachel would  still have won because she would have found another gear - that is what makes Rachel the Super Filly she is. The bottom line for me is that we have two great horses to watch in the future - wait a minute - make that 3 great horses to watch because Musket Man is really something too. What a great horse! I don't think he's ever finished off the Board.  Let's pray that these wonderful animals stay safe and healthy. One more thing, I wish that Mr. Wiggins, Rachel's previous trainer, had been in the winner's circle too because he's the one who turned her into the Champion she is. I felt weird seeing Asmussen up there when he probably only saw Rachel the day of the race for the first time.

I unfortunately was unable to watch the race because I don't have NBC. I did of course get the re-run and and thought it was one of the "Great Races" of our time.  I was so pleased to see that the top three proved themselves as true race horses.  

In the past few years we have seen so many three year olds being retired to stud before their time.  Perhaps with the economy as it is we might see more good horses running on as 4 year olds.  Also I am thinking that because of a gelding and a filly owners and trainers of the other good colts may need to run them an additional year.  That would be good for racing.  After all there are so many wonderful stake races for older horses.  

As far as the Belmont goes, one of my favorites, I am sure that the RA connections will have her best interest in mind as will the other trainers/owners of their charges.  I do feel that the Belmont distance is probably MTB's perfect distance.  If RA is entered I would hope that she gets a better post and not be forced to go to the front so early.  From watching the Preakness re-run several times I can't help but think that the cut back in distance from the Derby did not help MTB.  But who knows, had it been an eigth more would MTB have caught RA or would she have found more to hold him off?  Well, there are many more good three year old races coming up through the rest of the year and I for one am looking forward to seeing many of this year's crop doing well.  I look forward to the Saratoga meet.

Jason, It doesn't matter if she was much the best or barely the best, the fact of the matter is she was best. It was a great race and I hope she and MTB came out of the race in good shape. I think we should know in a week or so if she is definite for the Belmont. MTB's connections already said they are going. It would be an awesome rematch. I don't think she wants a mile and a half but I do know MTB does. I hope POTN gets a rest, he looked like a tired horse. As far as FF goes, I guess he was more hype than horse. Once again MM impressed the hell out me. One tough little racehorse. I tried to cancel half my tickets when BD dumped Johnny V in the gate but I couldn't get to the computer in time! I cashed a few saver bets but still lost money for the day, I guess that's why they call it gambling!

Racing fans can't help but look forward to the Belmont; Calvin Borel could become the first jockey to win all 3 races of the Triple Crown, but not actually win the Triple Crown!

I don't know if anyone will agree with me but Calvin Borel needs a PR representative to tell him you don't go dissing the horse that just helped you win your second derby on National TV after you just barely beat him. When a reporter asked you do you think RA would beat MTB in the Belmont, just say no comment.

Even if you felt that your should have never said she would.  I have a feeling MTB will be running again, and if I was his trainer or owner you would never get near him again.  And Draynay or whatever you call yourself. Calvin Borel took a speed filly and put her on the lead on a speed track, and he did ride a great race, I will not take that away from him.  But I say now, and I will say it again, she will not be able to run that style in the Belmont, and if he tried he would kill her. I just don't feel she can match MTB's amazing turn of foot, and if you do just ask the 18 horses he passed in the Derby and the 11 he passed in the Preakness.  RA is a very good horse, and she ran her heart out yesterday, and I salute her.  No one can take her Preakness away from her, but another Ruffian, I don't think so.

Virgil Fox, hahahahaha! LMAO! That was a funny post, I needed that!

After viewing all these comments, I only read one that mentioned what I saw...during the gallop out, not one horse passed RA. I've been a race fan for 40+ years, and when a horse is flying at the end (ie, MTB) their momentum will carry them past the others after the race is over. If they were going to win, their surge usually continues well after the wire. But RA never was passed. She beat the boys, next up is her only remaining rival....the mighty Zenyatta!

"If Mine that Bird had won, everyone would have known there was a triple crown on the line, with a blue collar horse that came out of nowhere! Isn't that a major story? The only people who get the significance of a filly winning the race are racing fans-not the casual public."

I have to say that is not true at all.  I know many people who truly have no interest in the sport at all and didn't care to watch when Big Brown was on the verge of a Triple, but tuned in to see the filly beat the boys.

And if RA ruined the chances of a MTB Triple Crown I say good. Because if she was the horse that could beat him on Preakness day he's not deserving of that title. It really seems as if today's fans feel Affirmed's Triple Crown would have been enhanced if Alydar was removed from the picture, because hey, we wouldn't want something like competition getting in the way of a Triple win.

The top three finishers did themselves proud.

OK Jason, I went back to the previous blog and got your picks:

Rachel to win

Exacta box RA, BD

Trifecta: RA and BD over FF, POTN, GQ, MM, TTP and MTB(if it rains).

I had the trifecta with MTB and RA over Musket Man and too many other horses to make it really profitable.

The bulk of my money went where my mouth was: on Mind That Bird. All in all I came ahead by $21.50, Big Deal!!!

But what fun it was to try to figure it out.

Rechelle: whatever happened Stardom? I've been out of the loop for a couple of weeks and, with you mentioning her name, I thought of her.  Another filly I liked a lot.

Or if anyone else knows....

Dray...a one hit Kentucky Derby, 5 of 10, 2 show, $1,991,581.00 Canadian 2 year-old Champion, multiple graded (2) and non-graded stakes (2) WINNER wonder...;-0

Hey Draynay:

Give it a break.  It's obvious that you are sticktly a person of the moment.  You really don't have a clue about what you just saw.  All your dumb biased comments do is turn people off RA to the point that it isn't fair to the horse.  Don't be so sure that she can beat Zenyatta when and if the two ever meet.  And don't even try and compare her to Rags To Riches just yet.

Gunbow, I found your synopsis interesting and complete as always, but I do find a contradiction.  On the one hand you say that if MTB ran back to his 2yr old form he would surely lose the derby by 20 lengths, while on the other hand you say he is, after all, the Canadian 2yr old champ.  See, that is my dillema also.  I believe the answer lies in Richard Mandella's statement that he hardly recognized his former trainee at the derby, in fact MTB looked like a different horse to him.  To me it was a strange, wonderful awakening.  After all, he only turned 3yrs old on May 10.  Also, comparing front runners like Rachel to late runners like MTB is really interesting.  I believe it is a lot more impressive to win on the front end having to actually run the entire length of the race, like Rachel did, rather than gallop at the back of the pack and then only run the last quarter mile.  And, hats off to Musket Man; I knew he would do well.  I, like others (credit Draynay here), believed Pioneer was a tired horse.  In hindsight it would have been better to skip the Preakness (which was a disaster that I saw coming for him) and bring a rested horse back in the Belmont.  It's too bad both triple crown races have been run on questionable surfaces, the derby track was like sticky peanut butter (other than the rail), and the preakness track was taxing and sand-like since rain was expected and therefore it hadn't been watered (according to Scott Blasi).  

Jason, nice article.  About your point that you thought Rachel might be cooked when you saw the early fractions, D.Wayne Lukas said of Rachel that she is true speed, quality speed that keeps on going.  That's why I wasn't too worried.

What an amazing race! I had 13-3 exacta going and was soo excited until..... MTB came in and swooped it away! Damn Bird!

Mine that Bird is not a Fluke! To Draynay!

Hey guys and gals.  

Jason is right.  Really it was a good day.  RA deserved the win because she got to the wire first LOL!  

Mine That Bird is a horse that can run a longer distance.  We have seen it in the Derby.  OK NOW.  Please let's all get along and have a healthy debate OK?  Naysayers can either say something nice or nothing at all.  How about that idea?  :)

Personally I agree with some on this blog that Mine That Bird is a BETTER race horse all in all but that is ONLY my opinion.

Mike Smith's ride was VERY predictable. He has the patent on taking a horse five wide. ANYONE who thinks RA was much the best should go back and watch the replay.

Hey Draynay, why don't you take a vacation from this blog and come back when you learn something about the game.

Zookeeper

Hey sounds like my day LOL!  I hit the exacta cause I boxed MTB with RA.  I wagered all day though.  The undercards were a trip.  Lots of longshots hitting the board and winning yesterday.  I think I have about 20 bucks left in my wagering account.  Gonna find a small field and box a tri and try to hit LOL.  Bring up that balance.  LOL!  

MTB ran out of real estate - he was catching up and Mike Smith said he would have overtaken her.  That is the reason I think Jackson WON'T run RA in the Belmont.

Even with being a female, I'd rather have had a Triple Crown winner.

Jason, was it really a fast track?

To all those who think that RA was hands down better than MTB, in particular Draynay......read the caption below the DRF charts.  It states: RA increased her advantage under stout left hand urging in mid stretch then was fully extended to prevail.

It also states: MTB steadied behind a wall of rivals nearing the quarter pole, swung out seven wide into the lane and closed gamely to be gaining on the winner.

It doesn't sound nor did it look like the filly was from another planet to me.

Like I've stated before, she is a good filly but she hasn't yet proven that she is a great one.  Why doesn't everyone just take the race for what it was, one of the better triple crown races in recent memory and let it go at that?  If RA takes on all comers and beats them then she will be considerd one of the great ones, but not until then.

Randy - take another look at the gallop out. Mike Smith took him wide after the wire while easing him up.

Tim... While I FULLY believe Zenyatta was robbed for HOY last year and I expect her to come back next weekend and start right back up where she left off...how can you say a horse who hasn't had a race this year is the leading candidate for HOY?

As for RA being the next Ruffian...huh? Has she set or broken any records? RA is a potentially great filly and for sure she is great for racing, but we won't know where she fits in the history books until she IS history. Looking back through some history I'm not sure RA compares to Susan's Girl or Gallorette let alone Ruffian...we have to wait and see. Don't get me wrong...I hope she does compare, I would love to see greatness.

Randy O., that's for sure, Rachel's next order of business should be to challenge Zenyatta.  Like I said on the earlier Rachel blog, if I were Mr. Jackson, I would just let the boys fight it out in the Belmont.  Not that I don't think she could win. It's just that most great fillies/mares have beaten the boys, but they didn't have to make a career out of it.  I'm satisfied for now.

Should Rachel beat Zenyatta -- and it would probably have to be in CA on synthetic -- then obviously, contest the BC Classic if all continues to go well.  That's what is so exciting about Rachel right now, it seems like the sky is the limit.  But a little judicious "placement" or "scheduling" never hurt any horse.

da3hoss -

Yes, so close, but yet, so far.

(half length)

I guess I should really be saying -

Damn that Big Drama.

Oh well, it was only a few dollars.

The two winners over the runners-up gang (with FF and BD).

Obviously, we’re orders of magnitude from the KYD results.

Surely, it would have paid much less if BD held, and much, much less if FF didn't just vanish after being in the absolute perfect, perfect, perfect spot down the back side, and much, much, much less if POTN wasn't at least 3 wide the entire race. Etc….

Anyway…

So much hostility in this blog.

Can’t we all just get along?

Well, I guess there would be no point to the blog if we did. (or we would have to change the name to ‘the Barbaro blog’).

Hey, JS is right; it was an exciting and ‘intriguing’ race.

Hopefully all came back well: no broken bones, ankle chips, quarter cracks, grabbed quarters, holes in their legs, pops for herbal cough remedies, early retirements, whatever…

Who knows, maybe we’ll eventually see a return from some of our friends who encountered set-backs on the derby trail.

I still sriticize running her but that's a top filly---ironic that if not for Mr Jess we're looking at the most unprobable of triple crown winners--but the best horse won--she made all the flags and opened up on them like a champ--Do think the Derby quagmire knocked out several guys this year--my first thought was--no Belmont but she'll have an easy time in the Belmont, she'll win by ten....

barb C'mon, RA just won the Preakness after a wide 46 3/5...she compares to all of them right now! Please...that she and Zen stay on track for their showdown!

Draynay,

One of the greatest things about this Preakness is that "the fluke" took away all those winnings from you by nailing Musket Man at the end, and giving it to me.  It's obvious you will be forever sore about it.

A mile and a half is MUCH easier for a filly to run than 1 3/16 v males--stamina is inherant in both sexes, thus if she gets the distance she'll probably win by ten--that's a lot of horse--so is Zenyatta and this is special! That there are two fillies who answer the question every time---I still think the Preakness was a bad idea...but the Belmont will be a cakewalk..then does that mean Zenyatta will have to go East/go in the Whitney?....methinks so, and who's gonna beat her?? Einstein and Col John???...In other words, there are two amazons who just may both strut their stuff v males before facing off--as for now I will bask in the RA vibes--really good fillies can hang like that with males--RA is right now an all-timer.....

I love your blogs Jason. The people that post here know racing and are passionate about their favorite horses. They like a good argument and can take it as good as they give it. No one goes nuclear with personal attacks, they only use verbal "small arms." I learn so much from this site and this is coming from someone who started off knowing less than 0. So to the poster who said this site is for people who don't know racing, you are dead wrong. Maybe you were kidding.

I agree that no one can take away Rachel's win. She was dynamic. She didn't have a walk in the park either. She clearly won that race hands down. She is one of the best three year olds out there and potentially, one of the greatest horses to ever race. She is drop dead gorgeous too.

But I think MTB, whether Rachel maintained the lead at the gallop out or not, might have beaten her at a mile and a half. Does that mean when looked in the eye she might not have held on? Possibly, but MTB seemed to have the momentum and she was tiring due to her faster fractions. I really think Calvin was surprised that she didn't have that rocket-like gear she had in the Oaks and that's why the comments at the end about how she wasn't handling the track. MTB, on the other hand, still had gas left in the tank. Yes, its' true he wasn't running those fast fractions at the beginning but he sure was at the end. However, she DID still win and that says everything. She hung on. Based on that, and don't eat my lunch everyone, I wouldn't race her at the Belmont unless she comes back like Wonderwoman and Supergirl combined. I would see how she shakes out before committing her and I am sure they will do that. She has more races to run hopefully and the one against Zenyatta is the one I want to see.

Whether Quality Road or IWR raced or not, these two horses would have been something to be reckoned with. I think Quality Road is the only one to have had a chance.

MTB is a wonderful horse in a plain little brown wrapper. I think he has more guts and heart than I have seen in a long while. Just love him. He has my heart and Rachel has my mind. They are both fantastic horses.

I have a lot of respect for MTB for having a different jockey in his starts this year...he does give his best for whoever's on him...

I'm still wondering if RA does go to the Belmont, who will ride the little guy...?

Per Randy O: "during the gallop out, not one horse passed RA. I've been a race fan for 40+ years, and when a horse is flying at the end (ie, MTB) their momentum will carry them past the others after the race is over. If they were going to win, their surge usually continues well after the wire. But RA never was passed."

I noticed that too - kind of interesting. All in all I agree with the article Jason and I thought it was a super race - was rooting hard for Rachel and MTB won me over as well, how can you not like a gutsy, happy little guy like him! All in all I'm really happy with the race and the result and it's sad to see some people get so negative about it.

Wow..what a great race.  Rachel proved she was where she belonged, a top race horse running against other top horses.  Mine that Bird, well little man, lets just say you have a fan for life.  You may have come in second but your run left me speechless.  Hats off to all.  

MTB was super yesterday. I think if he wasnt ridden so wide and all over the place he would have gotten up in time. He proved he isnt a fluke and to all the people that blasted him and gave him no love.....Hah!

barb

Do the math. Zenyatta is undefeated and she's coming back to the races at the time of year that most of the top horses come back. There is no sense in running during the winter and early spring in grade3's because it proves nothing. She should go something like 4 for 4 all in Grade 1 company capped by the Breeders Cup. So yes she is the favorite for horse of the year unless Charitable Man or Mr. Fantasy go on to win the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Breeders Cup Classic which I wouldn't even run them in if you offered me $10,000,000. Fake dirt is fir fake horses period. Never mind it being a safe racing surface. You can make that stuff as fast or as slow as you want. Just look at One Hot wish. Where is she now after that 48:4 at Keeneland? The racing industry keeps shooting itself in the foot. ESPN was forced to cancel it's Preakness coverage because Magna cut the hell out of the purses of every single stakes race except the Preakness and some genius decides to run the Breeders Cup on fake dirt because it rained at Monmouth. Very intelligent.

Love how when Mine That Bird wins the Derby, many say he's a fluke who beat a second-rate crop of 3 year-olds, and then when Rachel wins the Preakness against many of the same horses, they suddenly become the "best" 3 year-olds? Please.  Mine That Bird deserves some credit for both his Triple Crown efforts--and Rachel deserves credit for her Oaks and Preakness--hands down some of the best racing I've seen in quite a while!  Let's stop calling the fields "second-rate" and "not very talented" to try to justify why the Derby winner was 50-1 and just say they are all very talented in their own right and let them run their race.  I'm looking forward to the Belmont--and if Rachel and Chocolate Candy run in the Belmont, put Talamo on the Bird--he'll do right by the little gelding and won't be staring at the rail hoping for a hole to open up.

JASON: Excellent article.  I share your perspectives on the race 100%.  It was a wonderful race.  I can see you are really having fun on the blog ...and enjoying your CHALK selection for a change.  Its a great feeling to back a champion/winner, isn't it? Welcome to the club.

Looking ahead to the Belmont, I would say that if "Rachel" is fresh enough and ready she could go all the way at a more relaxed pace with her fluent striding rythym.  However Charitable Man is looking like a monster-in-waiting for that race.  My concern is that the Preakness could have taken some of the edge off both RA and MTB going into the Belmont.

To the defenders of Ruffian I say, relax there is room at the top for Rachel Alexandra too.  I myself followed Ruffian's brief but awesome career as teenager and have to admit that RA at this stage is every bit her equal.  Many champions become larger than life with passing years and Ruffian is no exception.

The "Rachel" vs Zenyatta showdown is going to be the next "thrilla in manila" and I'd have to say that "Queen" Zenyatta is going to need a lot of help on the front end to improve her chance of stopping the Rachel Alexandra juggernaut.  What a great year of racing so far.  

I feel like reiteratig that we have a VINTAGE crop of 3YOs this year and that some folks who trash talk these horses are still "green" in the game.  if these colts & geldings are very ordinary/average then "Rachel" is nothing special.  How absurd is that?

Yes, MTB was catching RA, but only time will tell if it was really the ground, or if indeed she was fully extended.  During the broadcast, Gary Stevens remarked that she didn't look that tired.  Who knows though.  Calvin is certainly confident (but I remember he was similarly so with Street Sense).

Regarding Calvin's choice of horses.  His agent said that since mid-March they were telling anyone with a 3yo that they were committed to the filly.  I feel had the situation been reversed (filly in a small barn with five wins in a row, long shot winner first time on for, say, Pletcher), people would be upset if he ditched the filly!  He made the choice he said all along he would make, and you'll notice that MTB's connections bear no ill will against him.  Calvin and his agent were upfront the whole time they would choose the filly.

Regarding the gallop out, yes, Mike went wide afterward with MTB, but usually when a struggling front runner wins by a length to a charging closer, the closer makes up the ground in the first few jumps after the wire, i.e. before Mike took him wide.  He was gaining, but Calvin also stopped riding a few strides out once he knew she had a won.  I don't think the actual margin accurately reflects what would have happened had he rode her full on to the wire.

What a wonderful finish!!  Can't help but think RA looked a bit tired there at the end.  What a beautiful filly.   MTB ran a great race, just coming up a bit short-too bad.  As for Pimlico and the Preakness, It's a shame!!!  Being a resident of MD, makes me sick to think that we may and probably will lose the Preakness.  The current administration in gov. here has no clue!!!  They say they care about racing but in reality our current gov. has a different agenda.  The majority of purse monies is down, and the backside of Pimlico was closed for a time last year.  Slots may have helped several years ago when it was first brought up, unfortunately politics got in the way!!  I'm so glad that Jim McCay is no longer here.  How disappointed he would have been.  Congrats to the connections of RA -and- MTB, it was a great race, one for all time.

Yes Jason, what a race!

What heart, what gumption, shown by Rachel, Mine That Bird, and Musket Man. It is interesting these three horses weren't suppose to be here.  Hmmm, a filly, a nowhere wonder, and no pedigree.

It seems like its been a long time in waiting for the cream to rise to the top of a (ie,the Kentucky Derby and The Preakness), glass that is so much more than half full.

And oh mercy, where did Flying Private come from?

Jason,

Honest to God - I don't get some of the bloggers on this post.  

I've never seen more people try to tear down a great race run by wonderful 3-yr-olds in my life!

WHY the need to say that RA was fading and barely eked out the win or that MTB was still a fluke and couldn't close on her if they ran around the track again?

Why can't some of these posters  just for ONCE be really thrilled to see a great race between two classic winners?  

RA is a grand filly and has done nothing wrong since late in her 2 yr old career.  She is the real deal.

MTB is one of the best and biggest surprises racing could hope for from out of nowhere - plain as dirt, small as a Quarter horse and reveals himself to be tough as nails, handy and athletic as a wrestler and with that same wonderful daisy cutter stride that gave John Henry such efficiency of movement!  AND HE'S A GELDING!  No rushing off to the breeding shed - we could actually have a top quality horse with longevity of career!  ISN'T THAT WHAT WE ARE ALWAYS SCREAMING THAT WE WANT??  

And yet -there is Draynay - who has never attempted to hide his "crazy" for the several years I've been reading the B-H blogs - showing so little respect for a game performance that he doesn't even deign to call Mine That Bird by his name???  What's up with that?    

Tell me,do you want horses to do well and build fan bases for the sport or - as I suspect - do you delude yourself somehow that only you are the "expert" on racing and only horses you deem worthy should merit respect?

Brave talk who has never written one sentence that shows any experience with actual horses - though you seem to be a natural savant on the hind end of one.

Draynay, you are everything that is wrong with racing's fan image wrapped up in one bitter, poorly written package.  I don't know why they let you continue to have a forum for your bile.

How about instead of trying to tear apart the two top winners (and I'm surprised that no one's attacked Musket Man's ability - but Draynay and his ilk will no doubt check in on that) we just CELEBRATE a great race that went off without a hitch - no injury, no inquiry, no bad publicity.  Just a great showcase for our best three-year-olds.

And - in my opinion only - RA is not Ruffian any more than Curlin was Secretariat.  But that doesn't mean that they don't have their own greatness and worth.  

Each according to their gifts - isn't that the way it goes?

Ok, all of these comments are not appropriate to this conversation. The point of the article was that Rachel  ran a good race. So did Mine that Bird, and Musket Man. But all of you are being immature. This is not about betting *cough Gary AND Jshandler cough* Because as much as you may have picked the winner saturday NEITHER of you picked the winner of the derby. Which is the sports greatest two minutes. So NEITHER of you are above one another. This sport is about a hell of a lot of luck. An Rachel was lucky that the race was short, and MTB was lucky that he got a PERFECT trip in the KDERBY. You need to be a total freak of nature to be something like ruffian or secretariat (ruffian ran till she broke down, and big red had a big heart) So, I suggest we all GROW UP and take these horses with a grain of salt.  

TO:DRAYNAY,RECHELLE,OTHERS'

Draynay, you NEVER take ownership when you're wrong. All you've done is slam MTB for two weeks and look at the result yesterday. No way you would pick him second. HE's a horse w/alot of heart. It's not in your nature to admit you're EVER WRONG ABOUT ANYTHING! You can't take ownership of ever admitting error,which you've been wrong more times than I can count. How many horses did you jump on for the Derby? Seems like a million! I've said since the Derby MTB is for real. People like yourself,RECHELLE doesn't have a clue what sportsmanship is about. You hold a grudge with MTB cause you lost your house or whatever,lol. It's your fault you were on the wrong horse in the Derby,just like myself and everyone on this blog was! You should once do the right thing and give credit when credit's due before you rail away on Gary and others'. I also wanted RA to win yesterday,but unlike what you said would happen,she had to work for it,with MTB closing fast! He beat everyone else didn't he?

To Rachel and Calvin:   Congrats for an Incredible Race.   It was cool.

But, now for my rants...

To Pimlico:  Way to go Boneheads.  

35,000 "Less" fans at $60.00 a head and $3.50 a beer x an average of 3 beers per head = about $2,500,000 in lost Profits and that's "Not" including Food, Souvenirs, Forms and Programs.

No wonder racing in Maryland is hurting so bad.   And they want to blame the lack of Casino funding.

Also...as Great of a day as it seemed to be for the "Sport" of racing, I have to question how much J.J.'s obsessive need to be in the spotlight "Might Have" Hurt the Sport too.

Because...and this is all IF, IF and IF here...But, IF MTB actually goes on to win the Belmont, then Rachels winning the Preakness would in fact have cost the Sport it's 12th Triple crown Winner.

Because since MTB is a gelding and "IF" he would've went on to win the Triple Crown, he would "NOT" have been retired and sent off to the breeding shed like any of the others.   Which means that every time he would run in any race in his future, the "Title" and "Attention" would've followed him as well, bringing more Attention to the Sport each time.

So...Which is better ???   Winning the Battle or Winning the War ???

Of course only time will tell and we'll all know in 3 more weeks, but you do have to wonder ???

Again though...Congrats to Rachel and Calvin !!!

TO:RECHELLE

Is that a feeble attempt to admit you were wrong about MTB? He's all heart,period!

Hey Draynay:

Give it a break.  It's obvious that you are sticktly a person of the moment.  You really don't have a clue about what you just saw.  All your dumb biased comments do is turn people off RA to the point that it isn't fair to the horse.  Don't be so sure that she can beat Zenyatta when and if the two ever meet.  And don't even try and compare her to Rags To Riches just yet.

LAZMANNICK 17 May 2009 1:41 PM

Do you really believe any of that Lazmandick ?  Can't compare RA to Rags to riches ? LOL... RA already has as many wins this year as Rags had her whole career.  Hey after that Belmont win how many races did she win ? Zenyatta? Don't make me laugh, let her beat a colt then she can talk. Ruffian ? Great horse but never was able to beat the Derby winner like RA did. Lazmandick if you are going to post please know what you are talking about.

Right now I also believe that Rachel is the leading candidate for Horse Of The Year.

So if J.J. is smart ???   Then he'll skip the Belmont because now that she beat the boys she doesn't have to prove it again unless he wants to try her in the B.C. Classic ???

A fresh and rested Rachel at 1 1/4 miles is a safer bet than a tired Rachel at 1 1/2 miles...ya know ???

dahoss,MikeM, and StardustyRose I love horse racing and handicapping. I love the excitement of watching the beautiful horses run and I love to cheer my winners and scorn my losers.  What I dislike most are people that will not look at the present and appreciate what is happening now in the present.  Too often we look in the past and hold that up as the end all be all but the current facts are this... no filly in the history of US racing has had a better 3 year old campaign.  None.  Enjoy and cheer on the mighty champion that is Rachel Alexandra...you may never see it again in your lifetime.

HI JASON:

I agree w/ much of your blog,but let me add that before we fall over one another patting Jackson on the back for doing something for the sport,let's consider the possibility of "cooking RA" before the Breeders rolls around. I hope RA gets some time off and if she goes undefeated the rest of her career doesn't mean I will ever change my feelings regarding her being taken away from Mr. Wiggins. How much do you think her new trainer did for her in nine days? I realize that people like Draynay and others' here wouldn't have a problem if she raced every week,but I take a different opinion than some so called fans. Also,will you please tell me if you've heard anything recently regarding Commentator? I was lucky to meet his owners last Sept. @ Darby. Haven't heard anything since his loss last month. Thanks!

TO:ALEXASO

Well said! He still refuses to give this horse any credit and I've posted a dozen times since Derby that I knew MTB wasn't no way a fluke.

Someone wrote on a racing board that s/he was stunned by the sudden interest people that s/he knew for the Preakness - all because Rachel Alexandra was running in it. They were people who never cared about horse racing, who only watched when s/he came over to take advantage of their TV system, yet they watched the Preakness all of their own accord because they heard that a girl was taking on the boys.

So why is the Triple Crown so necessary to the sport's future? Does that mean the Derby winner can be the only one in the starting gate for the Preakness and the Belmont to ensure we have one? I think it's unhealthy to put all our eggs in the Triple Crown basket. I bet that if Rachel does go into the Belmont the ratings will be off the chart. The people at Pimlico were idiots for banning the one reason college students go to the track; they should expect no sympathy when they complain about the lack of attendance.

Horse racing is one of the very few sports where males and females can compete equally, yet it happens so rarely in America that it's something of an event when it happens on the big stage. As long as Rachel stays happy and sound I expect to see her tackle the boys again and again in the future,

Kudos to Jackson and kudos to Wiggins. No sympathy for the unsportsmanship of those who wanted to keep her out. We don't need more bad press, thank you very much.

ALEXANDRA THE GREAT!!  I was VERY wary of her going in this race with all the changes she was asked to adjust to so quickly...new owner, barn, trainer, groom, and a truncated work schedule....but she proved to be even more than the magificient horse we thought her to be, and while some may speculate as to whether Mine That Bird (who ran another jaw dropping thrilling race!!) might have overtaken her given enough track and less traffic, they both faced significant challenges in this race and she simply outran every horse in that field. What a thrill it was to witness history in the making!  A lot of credit goes to Hal Wiggin's for the training, and to Jackson and Asmussen for "knowing" when and how to take the next step, and for seeing that talent is talent regardless of gender.

I am going to be taking a short, 10 mile drive Tuesday, to visit the grave of another unheralded gelding.  In 1918, altho' he hadn't even run as a 3 year old, this homely brown gelding won the Kentucky Derby at odds of 30-1, on a deep, muddy track. This unpreposessing gelding went on to win 50 races, 33 of them stakes races, and finish in the money 86 times. 1918's version of the gelding in the plain brown wrapper was Exterminator. Anyone remember who won that year's Preakness?  Didn't think so. (It was run in 2 divisions - the winners were Jack Hare Jr and War Cloud.)

I'm fine with folks comparing rachel Alexandra to Ruffian.  I'll just compare plain brown Mine That Bird to plain brown Exterminator - the only horse that Man o'War's connections ever ducked.

TO:DRAYNAY

Regarding the comment you posted about "Ruffian not beating the one male". Did it ever occur that she broke down while attempting to? Give me a break!

TO:RECHELLE

I wouldn't go as far as to state Stardom Bound is "ruined". The last chapter remains to be written!

Tim

Zenyatta is no longer the favorite for HOY.  In order to be a favorite for HOY, you actually have to run in races that year.  Rachel Alexandra is the word on everyone's lips now for that title.  And while 4 yos generally beat 3 yos, I think there is a reason why Zenyatta hasn't started yet this year.  Rachel is the best horse in the country right now.  If MTB continues to show the guts and determination that he has, there is little doubt that he is your 3 yo champion colt.  MTB is a horse to get excited about, and he is the best 3 yo colt in the country with Musket Man being a game 2nd place finisher to him for that title.  The only reason that Mine That Bird was a 50-1 shot in the Derby was because they tried to put him on the lead in his two previous starts and he ran poorly as a consequence.  He is a closer, not a front runner.  And he is what this sport needs right now.  He is a gutsy little horse and is definitely something to get excited about!  

I did like Quality Road, but I may have misjudged his talent because none of the horses that ran on that souped up track at Florida have done much since then.    

Since your posts have shown that you haven't ever been around these animals, I can assure you that I Want Revenge will not race again this year with that kind of injury.  I never thought I Want Revenge was better than Pioneerof The Nile though as he was beating up on much softer in New York.    

Also, Quality Road's quarter crack is not very good either.  I don't know when he will come back.  

And yes, you're talking to someone who watches races everyday and who has been in the business for awhile so don't insult me with that.  

While you may like Charitable Man to win the Belmont, I like Mine That Bird because he's the better horse IMO and I never bet against the best horse in the race hoping that something will go wrong.  If I don't want to bet the favorite and I think he will win, then I will sit the race out unless the price is right.  I don't think RA will go.

AND CHEERS TO THE BEST PREAKNESS THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN!  CONGRATS TO BOTH MINE THAT BIRD'S AND RACHEL ALEXANDRA'S CONNECTIONS!  BOTH OF THOSE HORSES RAN THEIR HEARTS OUT!  A RACE FOR THE AGES FOR SURE!  

Plenty of fillies have had campaigns at three that were more accomplished than Rachel Alexandra's. Twilight Tear,after losing her first start of the year to older males,won 14 of 16 remaining starts. These included six starts over males,with the best being a victory over champion older male Devil Diver in the Pimlico Special. She was so highly regarded she won Horse of the Year in 1944. Busher was 10 for 13 in 1945,including four wins over males,like future Calumet superstar Armed.She also won Horse of the Year. These are only two examples.

Someone mentioned that we might've had a 2009 Triple Crown winner had Rachel been entered in the Kentucky Derby.  It's also possible we would've had a Triple Crown winner had Rachel not been entered in the Preakness. Wonder what that would've done for the game?

Jason - couldn't agree more - lets all sit tight and see how this plays out. Next up is the $600,000 Grade 1 Met Mile on Memorial Day at Belmont -

Here are the projected entries from what I can piece together :

Bribon

Driven By Success

Mr. Fantasy (only 3 yr. old entered)

Mr. Sidney

Ready's Echo

My Pal Charlie

Runforthedoe

Smooth Air

The Roundhouse

What do you think - looks like a great betting race.

RACHEL ALEXANDRA I LOVE YOU, BUT DO NOT RUN AT BELMONT! THAT IS A LONGER TRACK.  SHE GOT HOT AFTER THE RACE AND HAD TO BE COOLED OFF.

MTB had a new rider (again), was loaded early, had BD flip out next to him, hit a wall of horses and had to slow his run and find a new hole and still almost caught RA. That is what was the most amazing thing I watched yesterday. Can't wait until the Belmont.

OK, so I'm coming to this late but Tim "Geldings bring nothing to the sport"?  Kelso?  Forego?  John Henry?

Hopefully, MTB is in the same mold, gutsy and fun for the sport (and, it appears, for everyone, even those still calling him a fluke...otherwise, why keep talking about him with such heat in these blogs?)

I guess you can tell that I'm in the pro-MTB camp for the Belmont - even though I like RA and hope that the path of future fillies in the (American) Classics has opened wider.  

p.s.  I agree with whoever said earlier: how can Zenyatta be up for HOY when she hasn't even run this year?  

Final Question at Large:  For everyone talking about the sideline colts, what about Stardom Bound?  Remember when SHE was the second coming?  Aren't we (and RA) going to hear a lot more from her this year?  

Here's to fillys and geldings getting some respect in the racing world!  Not to mention horses like Musket Man (now 8 for 8 in the money) bringing their "A" game each and every time.  

helbelles:

After the Derby, some posters commented that MTB shouldn't have been such a longshot given he had been the Canadian juvenile champ. I agree, to an extent, that his 2 year old form was proof that the little gelding had some back class. However, if all a 3year old can do is run back to its 2 year old form, then it is very unlikely that this horse will be much of a factor. MTB's Sunland form made it appear that he really hadn't improved much from ages 2 to 3. And while MTB was the Canadian champ, merely running back to his 2 year old form would have left him about 20 lengths inferior to the top 3 year olds.

In my opinion, MTB's drastic improvement is most likely the case of a young horse improving dramatically over a brief time period. I did, however, pose the possibility that MTB has been this good since March, and that his apparently mediocre efforts at Sunland were the result of 1)Not liking the track, 2) Receiving bad rides and running near the pace when he clearly prefers coming from well off the pace, 3) the Beyers for Sunland were underestimated. My conclusion is that while I do think all of these factors played a roll, the main reason for MT's improvement has been rapid development.

My attitude toward RA this year is the same as many of you had toward Big Brown last year--I can't see what all the fuss is about.  I'm old enough to remember watching some <B>really</B> great fillies--Ruffian, Genuine Risk, and Winning Colors.  If RA had run and won--or placed--in the Derby, maybe I'd be as excited as the next fan.  But yesterday RA got a 5 lb. advantage, a shorter distance than the Derby, and wasn't checked in the turn like MTB (breaking his momentum) and the little guy still almost caught her.  She's a star among a lackluster crop of fillies and barely made it against the boys.  

I think we're getting so desperate to find a media star to bring back the sport we're jumping on almost any bandwagon.  Hopefully her connections are smart enough not to run her in the Belmont.

I am THRILLED that there were 35,000 less DRUNKS screaming in the infield.  The result was that all the horse were relaxed going to post... that's all I care about.  And furthermore, although Mine That Bird has won me over and made a fan out of me, I am THRILLED he will not win the triple crown.  That distinction should be reserved for an incredibly dominant/special horse to achieve, not just something that occurs because the 3yr old divison fell apart.  If it weren't for Rachel, I wouldn't even have watched the Preakness yesterday, seriously.  Again, thank you Mr. Jackson for giving Rachel the opportunity to make history.  Rachel Alexandra and Big Z are the queens of racing.

That was one of the greatest races I've ever seen. The Oaks and the Derby winner 1-2!

Rachel is indeed the superfilly, and Mine That Bird is the most game little horse. And let's not forget Musket Man either. He finished third again and has been a model of consistency.

I don't get the talk about the fact the RA spoiled the Triple Crown.  The whole point is that despite the number of fresh horses who appear, a TC winner can best them all.  I'm a huge fan of MTB, but he didn't accomplish that feat.  End of story.

I like Mine That Bird-I think he's gutsy and will do more great things in the future.  But for those of you who say if he wins the Belmont then Rachel will have "denied him the triple crown".....to be a triple crown winner you have to WIN it against whoever shows up.  He did not win the Preakness but he was not "denied" - he just did not win.  If he deserved to be a triple crown winner he would have won, period!  Alydar didn't skip one of the races so as not to deny Affirmed the triple crown - rather Affirmed won it against ALL comers.  That is how is works. We cannot get so desperate for a triple crown winner that we try to manufacture the races - that would only lead to an undeserving winner anyways.

Just under 78,000 in attendance for a Triple Crown Race!  Pimlico may soon need a government bail out.  SAD SAD SAD day for the management at the Preakness to behave in such an irresponsible manner.  

The point I am trying to make is NOT that Rachel isn't special, just that we can't say HOW special YET. I loved her win yesterday (and MTB's second), I was dancing around scaring the cat! I ALWAYS root for the filly vs the boys.

Can anyone tell me if she(RA) has broken or set any track records?

Tim, noone will be happier than me if Zenyatta wins HOY, but she isn't even on the list UNTIL she races.

Merlinmerry...tell him we still remember him for me...

Jason -The Met Mile weight assignments come out on Wednesday, so that could make a difference. Also listed as possible are:

Commentator

Barrier Reef

Riley Tucker

This One's for Phuil

WOW,

     Rachel Alexandra is an AMAZING Horse, Pure ability, Pure Class, Pure Athlete, Enough said.  Jason, Your article hit all the great points of yesterday's race, Bravo!, Gunbow, Great Points in your writing, Also.

     What happened yesterday is incredible for this sport, anyone who argues against that point doesn't get it.  First, You have the amazing story of the little gelding that could in the Kentucky Derby. Whoever still calls Mine That Bird a Fluke, Is either extremely Ignorant, Or just plain Stupid!  If you call yorself a true Horse Racing Fan, Go back and look at both of Mine That Bird Triple Crown Races, WATCH HIM, Now you still think he is a FLUKE?, If so, Then there is no hope for you and you truely don't appriecate the Greatness that he is, End of Story.

    Then you have an amazing Filly in Rachel Alexandra, In that trip yesterday, with those times, with Calvin Borel saying she didn't handle the track well, coming from the 13th post, SHE WON, Hands down.  Don't get me wrong, I love that little guy, Mine That Bird, BUT there was NO WAY he was going to ever catch Rachel Alexandra at the end, she would never allow it.  I was one of the people that thought all of her changes in the ten days leading up to the Preakness would hurt her chances(I NEVER thought she shouldn't run against the boys).  I am eating my Humble Pie as we speak!!!(I did have Her and MTB in a fifty dollar exacta, though!).  Anyone who says she isn't the best three year old out there are just poor sports or don't see what I am seeing.  She is a once in a lifetime or generation Horse(Yes, you can say she hasn't beaten anyone, Inexperience, Mine that Bird would have caught her at the end if there was more track, Etc...)  If Calvin Borel says she is the Best he has ever mounted, Then that is good enough for me.

     My Congrats to Mr. Jess Jackson, Trainer Steve Asmussen (Who, Say what you want about him, Negative or Positive) Was ALL CLASS yesterday before and after the Race.  The First thing he did in each interview was to make sure He Thanked Mr. Hal Wiggins for all he has done with the Great Filly, Rachel Alexandra!, Pure Class...

     These past two weeks in the Main Stream Media have helped incredibly get Horse Racing back on the Front Pages, Where it deserves to be!  Except for a little blip on the Radar(Trying to Block Rachel Alexandra from going to the Preakness), It has been a Ratings Bonanza!!!

    The Kentucky Derby had the Highest Rating's in Seventeen Years(I believe). The Preakness had the highest overnight rating since 2004 and the second-highest rating in nearly two decades. The race portion earned an overnight rating of 7.9 and an 18 share, a gain of 27 percent over last year's race (6.2/14) when Big Brown won to take the first two legs of the Triple Crown.  The overnight rating for yesterday's race portion was the highest since 2004 (9.2/20).  

    Horse Racing needs these Ratings more then ever!  Having Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness is a MAJOR reason, Plus the great story of Mine That Bird(Plus all the other horses), But mainly those two.  Everyone on this blog enjoys this Sport, But we are in the Minority.  It needs to be back in the Mainstream more then ever, and these two races started it in that direction.

    Also, (I don't think this is off topic), because this promotes The Sport.  But, Everyone should read the Article Regarding Barbaro's Brother, Nicanor, On the Sports Page Cover for the Friday Edition of USA Today(Which, By the Way, Is there ONLY edition for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).  Friday's Edition has the highest circulation of any Newspaper in the United States.  It is an Incredible Article and can generate Positive news that this sport needs((Amanda Duckworth's Blog, "Tracking Barbaro's Brother's on Bloodhorse.com and Alexbrownracing.com are mentioned in the Story!!)).  But everyone should read it, It is a Great Article that promotes this great sport...

USA TODAY COVER STORY:

www.usatoday.com/.../2009-05-14-barbaro-brothers-cover_N.htm

    As far as my Second Favorite Horse, Friesan Fire(Nicanor #1), What can I say?  He was in a perfect spot the whole race, then just didn't have it at the end. Was it due to his Training?, His injuries in the Derby?, Your guess is as good as mine, BUT, He will be back to race another day, and will get his chance to prove he is a great horse.

     A few other comments...

TIM, Your quote:

   "geldings bring nothing to the sport. All the people who are against horse slaughter should be pressing for gelding to be illegal thus the breeders will stop breeding inferior horses"

   What utter nonsense, What an ignorant thing to say that makes zero sense, I will leave it at that, WOW, lol...

DRAYNAY,

      First, Congrats on "YOUR" Rachel Alexandra Winning in amazing fashion, Now, With that being said...YOU are a BUFFOON(I am sure you don't know the Definition, So let me educate you: BUFFOON= "A clown-like, publicly amusing person, a ludicrous figure,  a gross and usually ill-educated or stupid person".   Do you have any Humility in your bones at all?  You still have the nerve to call Mine That Bird a Fluke?(And to everyone else who still feels that way), Shamefull, That is all I can say, It is amazing to me that you are that pigheaded to still not give credit where credit is due(It shouldn't surprise me in the least, though).  Let's say for an instant that RA wasn't in the Preakness, Umm, Wouldn't that mean that the "Fluke" whould have two legs of the Triple Crown, and be going for the Third in the Belmont?, Not bad for your so called Fluke, Draynay, Maybe an once of Humility is in order, You Think???

    And lastly, "Musket Man", I will never doubt you again, Had you on none of my tickets(Ouch), And for That, It Will never happen again, You are a True Athlete that I gave no respect to and was wrong, What a game horse...

    Congrats to Rachel Alexandra and Mine that Bird, TWO Winners yesterday, In every sense of the word....

TO:FILLY

Zenyatta was due to run 2 weeks ago and was scratched,she's running May 23.

Congratulations are in order for Rachel.  She was really good, but the Bird is a GELDING; that means he can run on and on; no hurry to retire to breed!  Bird is the best 3-year old male this season and Rachel is the best female runner.  Bird will win the Belmont; he needed just a little more distance to do the Preakness; We need to be excited about both horses; one is not better than the other; both are really awesome runners!

Also,

    I left out Bos Costas on NBC's telecast right after the Trophy Presentation for the Preakness, I loved that he called out Governor Martin J. O'Malley of Maryland, On keeping the Preakness in Maryland.  Governor O'Malley said it was staying in Maryland, So KUDOS to Costas for having the gonads to bring that up on the highest rating's point of the telecast, The Governor will do everything in his power to keep that true now that he said that in front of millions of people, We don't want our politicians not to fulfill a promise, Now do we...

RA ran a grea race. It was no cake walk for her like the Oaks. She did great considering she did not like the track and was facing males for the first time. Plus she has had to adjust to a new barn, new trainer and a new groom. Hey, kudos to her all the way.

I did not think MTB would win The Preakness with it's shorter distance and speed is not his kind of race. I figured he would be a closing 2nd and he was.

He was going like a freight train at the finish. This brave gelding is a litle 15.1 hand Goliath. MTB and his trainer have gotten no respect the past 2 weeks. The press have talked about him and treated him like he is a $800 claimer

I love this horse. MTB is handsome calm, in short,he is a real professional. He was out in the outside saddling area at Pimlico just as cool as a cucumber, taking everything in and patiently waiting to go to work. In the gate, the horse next to him bucked his rider and MTB didn't turn a hair.

Watch for him in The Belmont. He will win and he will grind RA down in the stretch.

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

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

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

I can't wait for the match up between ZENYATTA, COCOA BEACH and RACHEL ALEXANDRA. I'm picking ZENYATTA, of course.

Hey Draynay:

I know what I'm talking about, but I really don't think that you do.  First of all, it seems to me that Rag To Riches was injured not long after the Belmont and that was it for her career.  She did, however, race eyeball-to-eyeball with Curlin , was passed after giving up the lead in the stretch and then cme on again to get the win.  Rachel hasn't raced against a horse even remotely as good as Curlin.

secondly: Total the number of graded stakes wins RA opponents had this year in her five race win streak.  The field in the Oaks was a total joke for a Grade One race and the one horse that would have given her a race was scratched.  In fact, if anything in that race had made her actually work for it you wouldn't have even seen her in the Preakness.

Thirdly:  I think Rachel ran a great race in the Preakness but she was totally spent at the end and if you think any differently its obvious that you are so totally biased towards her.

Fourth:  Zenyetta is better than her period.

Five:  If Rachel is the force you think she is, lets see her go against the colts in the Belmont and if that's too soon for her then lets see her in the Travis.

Draynay wrote: "...the current facts are this... no filly in the history of US racing has had a better 3 year old campaign.  None."

Oh Draynay. As Citation pointed out, you are wrong.

Twilight Tear was 1944 HOTY at age 3 because she won 14 races (11 straight). She won the Rennert Handicap over Armed. She won the Skokie Handicap over Derby/Preakness winner Pensive, setting a new track record. She won the Arlington Classic over colts, and she won the Pimlico Special over the older Native Diver, tying the track record.

Busher was HOTY her 3YO season because she won 10 races, including the San Vicente over colts, the Arlington Handicap over older males, the Washington Park Handicap over older males, and the Hollywood Derby over colts.

Beldame was HOTY her 3 YO season because she won seven races against colts and five against females. In one handicap, she beat the previous year's Belmont winner and 3YO champ Africander, as well as Broomstick.

Rachel Alexandra is an exceptional filly, but her story is not completed. Give her a chance.

And really, claim some credibility by giving Mine That Bird his due.

Jason, you said it all! Your analysis was spot on. Doesn't anybody but you and I remember how many horses have not won the Tripple Crown because of the speed in the Preakness? I too thought she was a goner at the half mile pole with Big Drama pushing her. What happened to the Big Drama fans that predicted he was the speed of the speed and would beat everybody, especially her? I love Johnnie V. but I wasn't happy with him pushing her out wide and we all know it was deliberate buy that's racing and it didn't matter did it? I didn't believe she could win when the posting were done and she got #13. I didn't believe she could overcome such an obstacle and win. Not that I doubted her ability but I thought it was just one more difficult thing for her to overcome. New barn, new people different schedule a two week turn around, what could be more difficult than that to overcome? When you look at the entire story over the last couple of weeks and take into account the events of the race, are you crazy? This filly rocks! Her win was awesome. Mike Smith said (for all you but he should have,could have and was gonna win fans) I needed the filly to falter and she didn't. We just got beat by a better horse today. The man has class and he spoke the truth. I can name more than a few jockeys that would have said something entirely different just to ingratiate themselves with the fans and the press.

I for one, celebrate the fillys win for what it truly was, A  GREAT RACE by an awesome gal. Lets hear one for the girl!  

Dray, your sticking your foot in your mouth. RA is a very good filly but I think you are going to far with this Ruffian thing. Tim and Gary do you both hate everything. It was a great race and the best horse won on that day. To demean one over the other is wrong both are good horses and who is to say that is conditions were different would it have changed the result. Also Gary are you for horse slaughter???? There are many reasons why people geld horses, sometimes its a trainability issue. MTB might not be the same horse if he was not gelded did you think of that. It looks like we have 3 good horse to look forward to watching this year and people laughed at me when I chose MM to hit the board. I liked the look of FP in the post but didn't bet him and I should have my loss. As jason said lets enjoy this for what it was a great race.

Hey Draynay:

I just read your blog.  I wasn't sure whether you were talking to me or to someone else.  For the record, my name is LAZMANNICK, not LAZMANDICK.  I'm sure that was a spelling error on your part not that you are the type that makes errors.

One other thing that maybe you should read and that is the comments from the chartline in the race, the one that said that RA was fully extened at the end.  It also said that MTB was gaining gamely on the winner.

Like I've said all along I think that RA is a very good horse but it's people like you that turn other people against certain horses.

GREG J

Hello! You are really on target. I couldn't have said it better, although I tried. lol Did you read my posts today? Makes me sick when people are too stupid/stubborn to admit MTB is a very good horse that really "brings it". Good work!

I didnt get to read everyone's comments... I just want to know if anyone else is thinking about a match up between Rachel and the amazing in her own right, Zenyatta?  Would Rachel be BC Distaff bound or Classic bound?  Will this pressure them to race Zenyatta against the boys?  I wont rest easy until I see the two super females go hoof to hoof in a race...

I don't agree with the argument that a triple crown winner can beat whoever shows up. If Secretariat ran against Affirmed in the triple crown races, guess who would have won? It's the same principle. Part of winning the triple crown depends on how lucky you get about who you are running against. Every once in a while you get an incredbile match-up during the triple crown races like Secretariat and Sham and Affirmed and Alydar. Sham and Alydar might have won the triple crown in any other year. Some of it (obviously not all of it) really depends upon the field you are running against. MTB got unlucky and Rachel showed up. I totally agree that he had a good chance of winning the triple crown without her in the field. Having said that, they had every right to enter her if the field wasn't LEGITIMATELY filled up. I don't agree that fillys shouldn't run against the colts.

As someone else said above, we should be happy that we saw two really wonderful horses give it their all in an exciting race. Musket Man was pretty darn good too. Pretty impressive horse as well. He has always been right in there.

Instead of even thinking of the Belmont Stakes connections should be aiming for the Alabama at Saratoga.Let this filly mature a little more against her own kind and we could have a Breeders Cup Classic in the fall for the ages.

Okay, okay.  RA IS better than Ruffian.  Should'a known that.

You would think that MTB won the race by the comments of some people today. Yes, he ran a good race - did he win??? NO. Rachel Alexandra won - again Rachel Alexandra won - She is the one who should get the spotlight today.

Belmont comes quickly enough.

I agree with LDP and WWSTP.

It seems like there is a vocal group that believes Rachel Alexandra was much the best in the Preakness and have trouble giving Mine That Bird respect(Jason,Draynay), while there is another group that downgrades Rachel's performance and believes Mine That Bird to have been the best on the day(Gary,Tim,Stardusty,Vic). And, I am equally stunned by both groups.

The way I see it, the conclusions to be drawn from the Preakness are obvious:

1) Rachel was the best on the day. I was more impressed with Rachel WINNING after breaking from the 13 post and running the first half in 46 and 3 while being carried 4-5 wide around the clubhouse turn by Big Drama than I was with Mine That Bird RUNNING 2ND while having to go 6-7 wide on the final turn while having to wait momentarilly for a hole to open.

I recognize that Mine That Bird did not have a perfect trip and had to overcome some adversity. However, it is completely overstating reality to claim that he had a BAD trip. Yes, he had to swing out wide coming into the stretch, but one can't expect him to get a rail trip every race. Being forced wide is a common consequence of being a closer. Additionally, MTB was not forced to stop, or check, and never lost momentum. Apart from having to race wide on the far turn, the only "trouble" MTB had was that Mike Smith had to wait, ever so briefly, for Pioneer of the Nile to drift out at the top of the stretch and for a hole to open between that horse and General Quarters. However, Smith did not have to wait long at all because the hole opened up quickly, and MTB was able to keep his momentum, bursting into the clear. MTB had absolutely clear sailing the last eighth, but just couldnt quite get to Rachel although he did run valliantly.

I really believe Rachel faced even greater adversity in the Preakness. Jason is absolutely correct that by having to break from from the far outside, Borel's hand was forced and he had to use Rachel more than he would have preferred to get her up on the lead entering the backstretch. In Big Drama, Rachel was facing a very gifted speed horse, one superior to the Derby pacesetters Join in the Dance and Regal Ransom. Additionally, John Valezquez on Big Drama was determined to make Rachel really work from the outside, and deliberately carried her at least 4 wide on the turn. Complicating things even more for Rachel was the fact that Friesan Fire was right to Rachel's inside, on her left hip. Into the first turn, Valezquez's aggressive tactics caused bumping with FF and Rachel. It wasnt terrible trouble, but it forced Rachel to work.

What was most important is that Rachel and Big Drama ran that first half in 46 and 3. That half mile was faster than the half miles of almost every Derby prep race, even though the preps were either a sixteenth, an eighth, or 3/16th of a mile shorter. What is more impressive is comparing Rachel's half mile to the halves produced during stakes races earlier on the Pimlico card. Grade 2 Older Females went in 49 and 3 while grade3 older males went in :48. Pimlico was not glib Saturday,so 46 and 3 was equivalent to running 45 and 3 on a truly fast track like Gulfstream on Florida Derby day. Yet, after this sizzling half mile, Rachel still had to run another 5.5 furlongs. It's not a mystery why she was getting tired late in the race. Had a horse like Firesan Fire or Pioneer of the Nile been up on that pace, and  then finished a close 2nd or 3rd, most of us would be celebrating how gamely and courageously the horse ran. Only very, very good horses can do what Rachel did yesterday. I say this without even mentioning that she won the race having run a huge race just 2 weeks ago when she was not being pointed to the Preakness, and after having changed barns.

I really believe Rachel faced greater adversity than MTB in the Preakness. Again, MTB did have to go wide and wait ever so briefly for a hole to open up coming into the stretch, but that quick early pace really set up his late run. I even remember many of you explaining away his Derby win as being the result of the "fast" pace set by Join in the Dance and RR. Yet, the first half of the Derby was 3 lengths slower than Rachel's Preakness pace. None of this is meant to diminish Bird's performance; he ran a fantastic race. Maybe MTB's adversity was equal to Rachel's; neither had a brutal trip, but both did face very real difficulty. If the adversity cancels out, then it really comes down to who won, and as we all know Rachel did.

2) While I believe Rachel was best on the day, I do not believe she was MUCH the best. To say that would be to underestimate how well Mine That Bied ran. He proved that he does not need an off-track, Churchill Downs, a rail trip, or Calvin Borel to run well. He's the real deal Holyfield.

I was so happy to see not only Rachel Alexandra trump the field, but Mine That Bird prove he was NOT a fluke. That horse has some serious talent; people shouldn't have discounted him! Both horses have an awesome ground-eating stride and they float so fluidly over the dirt.

Congrats to the horses and their connections!

One of the most impressive performances I have ever seen.  There are no words to adequately describe the magnitude of this great win.  The fact that no horse has ever won from pp 13 is impressive enough, but for her to press and set the pace at least 4 wide all the way around the track - I would love to know how much ground she actually covered - and to hold off the super game MTB is off the charts.  One of the great ones.

I am one of those old folks who lose money at the track. We have a whole generation of fans who have not experienced a Triple Crown. Np wpnder some of them are blogging their bewilderment about the emphasis on this great accomplishment. They haven't seen a Triple Crown win, so it means nothing to them. Years ago I had a mug of coffee at the Statler Hilton in New York, while attending the College Editors Conference sponsored by the Overseas Press Club. There was a quote on the coffee mug that has serve me well in life: As you amble on through life, Brother, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole. Rachel Alexandra's nouveau connections could have taken a lesson there. Calvin Borel could have redeemed his character there. Mine That Bird could have gotten what he deserved there.    

The general consensus is that 5 pounds = 1 length at less than a mile and 3 pounds = 1 length >= a mile.  However, Andy Beyer states "For most horses the effect of an increase in weight from 112 to 119 pounds would be imperceptible".  You also have to take into account the difference between "dead weight" and "live weight" and the fact that weight-carrying ability varies by horse.  Fact is, no one really knows the effect of 5 pounds going 1 1/16 miles.

By the way, we're all just giving opinions here - let's not turn this into a Miss USA contest.

Gunbow,

 I don't think Jason disrespected MTB in any way. As far as Draynay is concerned, he doesn't respect anybody, including himself.

Lazmannick,  No babbling from deranged bloggers should turn us against a horse as good as Rachel. Horses don't care what we think or say. They just try their very best and are far nobler creatures than certain humans.

Congratulations to RA and MTB and their connections - incredible race!  Now that she has proven she can "hang with the boys", I would love to see her go for the "Triple Tiara" and then take on Zenyatta the Great.  Meanwhile, MTB can carve a wide path through the 3yo males and older horses, so the epic battle can take place in the BC Classic.  Now THAT would be one for the ages...

GunBow,  AMEN!!!

Tiznowbaby, you are quite the racing historian and I'm not!! Apparently back in the day some female horses DID make a career out of running against males.  I should have said "in recent decades."

Food for thought from Justine:  Does racing need another TC winner to be "saved"?  Well, I kind of regret that we won't see one again this year.  Ever since Silver Charm it seems like it has been one disappointment after another.  

But I agree we shouldn't put all our eggs in the TC basket.  While we are waiting for that special, talented and LUCKY (both on the track and off) 3-year-old, why not enjoy the glamour, excitement, controversy and maybe budding rivalry that we have now.

Greg J.,

I read the story about Nicanor.  Very nice and uplifting, as you said.  Are you the Greg mentioned in it??

Smashing,that is what Rachels performance was. I guess I must concede that my pick for this year Freisan Fire is a has been. So be it, I concede to Rachel Alexandra as the top three year old and there is none better. All the others are mere pretenders. I sincerely hope she runs in the Belmont and puts on an electrifing performance and wins. We will then have our horse of the year.

Looks like one of my 2002 favorites, Madaglia D'Oro is having one heck of a year with his female offspring. Congrats to him.

I am really having a hard time with all the "ifs and buts" comments.

"if" the race was a little longer MTB would have won...."

But the race wasn't longer! It was a mile and three-sixteenths! All the jockeys and trainers knew this fact beforehand. Mine That Bird tried, but his run came up short. End of story.  I can GUARANTEE that HAD the race been longer Calvin never would have asked Rachel to go the first half in 46 and 3.

"Mine That Bird would have won IF he didnt have to go wide on the final turn."

Well, Rachel would have won by 5 IF she had been able to run the first half in :48. Imagine how she would have dominated IF Big Drama wasn't in the race, particularly since he carried her at least 4 wide on the first turn.

"Mine That Bird would be going for the Triple Crown IF Rachel Alexandra hadn't run in the Preakness."

IF Mine That Bird had not run in the Derby or Preakness, Pioneer of the Nile not run in the Derby, and Rachel not run in the Preakness, then Musket Man would be going for the Triple Crown! Shame on  Allen and Zayat for running Mine That Bird and Pioneer of the Nile in the Derby and ruining Musket Man's chance of a Triple Crown.

If "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts, we could all party like it's 1999.

Also, I don't see how Rachel getting tired at the end of the Preakness diminishes her performance. She was supposed to get tired. That first half was brutal, particularly given the track surface on the day. How did the other horses close to the pace finish? Big Drama did well, but he only ran 5th and was beaten over 5 lengths by Rachel, while Friesan Fire, Take the Points, and Pioneer of the Nile did a 3 horse moonwalk in the stretch.

I also don't understand how some are extrapolating the Belmont result from the finish of the Preakness.  Yes Mine That Bird was gaining on Rachel, but the Belmont is not simply a matter of the horses running another 5/16th of a mile. It's poor methodlogy to state that had MTB and Rachel run another 5/16ths Saturday MTB would have clearly won, and, as a result, he should beat her in the Belmont. Calvin Borel rode Rachel on Saturday to win a mile and 3/16th race, not a mile and a half race. You can be certain that the first half of the Belmont will not be run in 46 and 3; expect something like 48 and 3 or 49 and 3. The pace setup for the Belmont is going to be completely different from the Preakness. I am not saying that Rachel is sure to win, and in fact am not sure if she will even run. However, I just don't know how much can be drawn from the Preakness as it concerns the Belmont.  The Belmont will be a different race with a different pace.

As impressed as I was with Rachel Alexandra, I am happy that Mine that Bird proved that his Derby was no fluke. It shapes up for a top notch Belmont if they both are entered even though their is no Triple Crown at stake. With as Jason said, Musket Man also showing his guttiness plus whatever new entries there may be for the Belmont, I can't wait to watch it, even if I don't put a dollar down. Last year I watched the Belmont hoping that Big Brown lost because I could not stand any of his connections. I'm sure I was not the only one happy to see that shot of Dutrow back at the barn, wondering what happened, his shirt drenched in sweat.

In closing, I said out loud when Rachel Alexandra walked on to the track that I never saw a more beautiful horse in my life. She proved herself in spades.

Not to take anything away from the winner, but you have to wonder what would have happened had Big Drama wasn't compromised by 1} having been cast in his stall the night before, 2} freaking out at the gate and 3} stumbling coming out of the gate.  Johnny V. said that he may not have beaten Rachel, but he would have hung around longer had the horse not experienced all of that trouble.  Could have really set up MTB for the win.  I do not mean these comments as something to diminish Rachel's win.  I think what she did was incredible.  It's just that nagging thought that it may have turned out differently....

Hey Zookeeper:

I'm with you.  I like RA as much as I like any other horse and I go back quite a long time.  I've seen or know about a lot of great mares in the past including All Along, Dance Smartly, Ruffian, Lady's Secret, Etc. Etc.  In actual fact it doesn't really matter where RA fits when comparing her with the rest.  The fact is that on a certain day she did everything she was supposed to do, which is great, but it shouldn't be thought of as to the detriment to others.  They did the best they could do on that particular day and perhaps on any other day they might be the ones who win and a horse like RA might be beaten.  It's happened millions of times.  That's what makes horse racing.

One race doesn't definitively necessarily "prove" anything. To say "she's better than the boys," seems a little far-fetched. To say, "She is better than RUFFIAN" is absurd because RUFFIAN was undefeated and set track and stakes records in almost every race. And then there is the good old, "She has nothing left to prove," statement.

If she has "nothing left to prove," just like "BIG BROWN has (had) nothing left to prove" then I have no clue why we even have horse racing. If winning a race or two, or even three, means a horse has "nothing left to prove" then all horses should just retire after winning a few races. How dull and forgettable would that make horse racing, a sport that is already on the down side of its popularity. Racing needs stars, horses and jockeys that get people excited.

SEABISCUIT was enormously popular. SWAPS, NATIVE DIVER and COUGAR II were super popular with the public, here in California. JOHN HENRY and CIGAR were popular. We started going to the races in 1972, when I was a child, and it was exciting, it got great coverage in the newspapers and on TV, and the public responded to the "star quality" of the horses, like COUGAR II and SUSAN'S GIRL, for example. In New York I'm sure SECRETARIAT got incredible amounts of interest and attention from the fans and the public.

I don't think racing needs these horses "with nothing left to prove" after they win a race or two. That's no solution for a troubled industry.

LAZMANCHICK you have to be kidding me with this stuff.  Zenyatta already scratched from one whipping and now they are just looking to pick their spots to protect her record.  Zenyatta is not close to the horse RA is.  Zenyatta dodges colts and Rachel takes them on. Bring something to the party next time. CITATION you bring Twilight Tear to me ? How many Triple Crown races did she win ?  Was she undefeated at 3....no ? NEXT !!! Finally GREG J. Buffoon ? Very nice your diction is only surpassed by your ignorance of horse racing in general. You want me to give the FLUKE his due ? Ok... tell me when he is going to win more than 1 race all year.  Because June is just around the corner and the year is about half over and so far the FLUKE has 1 win. Even Tone It Down has more wins then that. If Rachel was not in the race Big Drama would have been lone speed and run a much slower race and would have fought MM to the wire.  But what happend was a speed duel up front and unlike the FLUKE MM was trying to win the race.  The FLUKE sitting so far back never had a chance to win.  He had a chance for second but first was never really an option when you are that far back going into the final turn and trying to chase down a champion like Rachel Alexandra.  Its nice that he closed and picked up second but that was really all he had a chance for because he wasn't really a threat for the win being that far back.  Let me know where he finishes in the Belmont.  The fractions there will not be near as fast.  Let me know how he closes into modest fractions.  He will not be a factor in the Belmont...hence a FLUKE until he wins another race this year... you better hope he does something soon because he won't catch Quality Road either.  He had his day in the slop now its time for him to head back to allowance races in New Mexico.

Mike S: I had the same reaction to Calvin's immediate post-race comments, however, other trainers (including Big Drama's) have echoed that they expected rain so they intentionally didn't water the course, creating a fluffy racing surface.  Maybe not the reaction we thought was most appropriate, but I think Calvin's comment was correct.

Soldier Course:  I have never seen a TC winner, but I have seen a few that were deserving winners (Afleet Alex, Point Given), however, I do think this should not be something that is engineered.  The other owners and trainers should not bowl over to make things easy for the derby winner!  What a sham the feat would be in that case.

On another note, I am tired of the Calvin bashing.  He may be a horrible person (doubtful, but I don't know him personally), but he's been saying for two months he was not jumping off the filly for any other horse, and he stuck by that word.  I find that conviction to be the epitome of class.  He did not disrespect MTB (in fact, he gave him the confident ride that won him the derby), he just knew he was with the filly all along.

Got to give MTB some love i thought he had no chance and tossed him right away very impressive race. Musket man is the man and got to love the way that horse runs. The belmont will be interesting especially if dunkirk runs I guess we will have to stay tuned.

To everyone who thinks the Fluke is not a fluke and somehow redeemed himself in the Preakness.  Let me remind you that MM was trying to WIN the Preakness and the Fluke was hoping that ALL the speed horses would fall apart.  RACHEL A. has not fallen apart all year so falling so far back really was a play to hit the board and was never really a shot at winning.  You may disagree that is fine but you don't give Rachel 10 plus lengths coming home and expect to make them all up before the wire.  50 yards pass the wire Rachel was still in the lead and was NEVER passed by the Fluke... he too had run out of gas.  Not only will the Fluke lose to Rachel if she runs in the Belmont but the Fluke will lose to Dunkirk too unless the Fluke catches a lucky sloppy track.  On dry ground the Fluke will NEVER catch Dunkirk. After Belmont Quality Road will be back and the only way for the Fluke to get another win will be in allowance races back in the dust bowl.

FYI: Since it is being mentioned, in regard to the horse of the year polls - in the Blood-Horse of 5-9-09 Zenyatta is listed 4th in the voting, Rachel Alexandra was 3rd and MTB 5th. How one can make the list without racing is beyond me but it is there in black and white...?  Also, Rachel was 1st on the 3 year old poll with MTB in 3rd.

One more thing... yes Ruffian was a great filly. But Rachel A. has earned a spot next to her as one of the all time greats for sure.  She may even end up HOY.  Rachel has crushed the girls and dominated the boys in a Triple Crown race.  I can't wait to see what happens next.

Gunbow, you are right, she won and that's the bottom line. No one can take anything away from her. She ran with the boys and won after winnig by 20 in the Kentucky Oaks 2 weeks earlier. But I think what people are trying to say here is that MTB showed glints of brilliance too and they are speculating that he can beat her in the Belmont. They are just backing up their thinking with what they saw in the Preakness i.e. he was gaining on her and she was tiring and the Belmont is longer. You get the point. But you are right, the pace will be different and that makes it a whole different ball game. I also think alot of people are disappointed there is no triple crown in the balance here. I am not one of them. I was amazed by her and in awe.

No one knows what is going to happen in the Belmont. They may even decide not to run her and part of me wishes they wouldn't if she doesn't come out of this really well. MTB has the breeding to do well distance wise. But, another big but, there will be horses coming into that race that will be fresher and that increases their chances. We could have three different winners when all is said and done. Not my favorite scenario, but possible.

Me, I want to see Rachel and Zenyatta. That's the race I want to see.

Draynay,

Everytime I see the word FLUKE it makes me smile.  He really hurt you didn't he?

I'm happy to see all the support for Mine That Bird here. I admire Rachel Alexandra, but it's the little guy whose determination and sheer heart have won me over.

draynay, why do you expend so much energy to defame and revile a poor little horse? I mean, MTB ran his  heart out  and didn't do so badly. Is it necessary to be such a hard a** about an animal that did his best in a sport we humans make them run in????  The last I knew these horses didn't have a vote. For those of us that like him, it seems a little bit over the top. So much for being warm and fuzzy.

It appears to me that draynay is a troll. If you don't respond to him (I won't again) then he won't get his jolly's.

Mike S:  I know that, but she was scratched.  I don't know if she would have won that day either.  The horse that won that day in that particular race ran incredible.  You also don't know where they stand if they've had a significant amount of time off until you race them.

You always have to wonder when a horse starts this late in the year.  I've seen many older horses try to come back at this time of the year (Flower Alley, Ghostzapper), but many seem to be going in the wrong direction or run one incredible race and then are done.  I'm still wondering why they didn't send her to Dubai.  It certainly would have helped her HOY bid in a year like this year.  

As for Stardom Bound, I didn't know that she was so hyped that some said she was the second coming until I read through this blog and someone made a comment on it.  She is a talented filly, but she is no Rachel Alexandra.  Stardom Bound is a good racehorse.  I don't think she quite has the depth to be great.  In addition, Stardom Bound is an unsound filly.      

Draynay,

I agree with you that MTB would not have caught Rachel.  Watching the race back, when MTB got close to Rachel she opened up quickly to make sure she wasn't caught.  With an easier pace in the Belmont, RA will be able to click off 12 second furlongs through the first 9 and finish strong with no real contender to worry about.

This just goes to show that the Triple Crown races are to show off the best three-year-old horses in America - period. Gelding, filly or colt!

--

I wouldn't compare RA to the other filly greats until towards the end of the year.. Let's just wait and see... I disagree with those who quickly say RA's performance was better than Rag's performance in the Belmont. Rags went up against much better three-year-old boys than Rachel did, plus she showed heart and guts going extremely wide and beating a two-time HOTY in a stretch dual.    

--

Really want to see RA and Zenyatta meet up! That would be some race..  

I wanted Rachel Alexandra to win because I always root for the fillies, but I was rooting for Mine That Bird even more. I mean come on! That was the greatest win I have seen in a long time..besides Barbaro. He was a 50-1 shot! If it wasn't for Rachel, Mine That Bird would have won it, and then I believe we would have ourselves a triple crown winner. But oh well. She was amazing!

I hope all doubt about RA's ability have been answered and I hope people realise the best thing that has happened to her was being sold.  Whether you like Asmusen/Jackson or not, they did what the sport needed which was to not duck the competition.  This "fillies shouldn't run against colts" and "triple crown races are for stallion prospects" nonsense was probably the stupidest thing I've heard in a long time.  I respect the man's opinion, but that doesn't mean I have to think it's a valid or smart one.

That said, I see no reason to run her in the Belmont. The next most logical move is a break until Saratoga and a run at older mares in the Go For Wand or another run at the boys in either the Haskell, Jim Dandy or Travers.

At some point I would like to see her tested on the turf and with any luck, Jackson will allow her to race on next year and experiment with her as he did Curlin.

Oh and I wish they would do it the way they used to. If your horse wasn't entered in the Derby then you can't enter the other 2 because it was easier that way. Horses enter the Preakness or Belmont that have been off for the passed few months preparing for it and they win because they are fresh and I don't think that's right. Lol. The maybe we would have ourselves a T.C. winner! :)

Greg J.  and Mike Relva

Hey you guys.  How are ya?  Wasn't Mine That Bird incredible?  I told you Greg I told you.  LOL.  I just love that little brown horse that has captured the hearts of many non-racing fans.  My uncle hates horse racing, absolutely hates it and Mine That Bird was a nice story for him.  He actually like that story.  Mine That Bird has a lot of fans.  :)  That horse has really been the talk of people that know nothing about racing AT ALL and don't care to.  That is rare.  

seatariat

Hahahahahahahahah Ya Think?  Good idea!

TJLuvsTizs - I don't understand your comment about Rachel opening up on Bird...On MY TV he was closing the gap. Did I miss something?

Both RA and MTB ran a great race. I can't wait to see them run again.

  Ok, I’ve been reluctant to add any comments to this blog but here I go.  First off having grown up as a track brat, my mom was a trainer in AZ and last in NM at Sunland Park for the last 30+ years, I’ve got to say that this sport is about which horse can be the best at the finish line.  Yes there are many wonderful horses that didn’t run in both of the first legs of the Crown but in many cases it was because they were not healthy enough to race.  This is part of the business, I’m sure there are many arm chair athletes that are out there that “could have been a contender” but just couldn’t get the job done!  I give credit to any team that can get to this level of racing with a horse that just doesn’t have the breeding but has the heart and stamina to make it!

 I have been a fan of  RA from the beginning, as a matter of fact I had a special t-shirt made that I wore race day.  I even had to bring her to my mother’s attention earlier this year, she was a Stardom B fan, and have since converted her.  Many comments on this blog made me scream!  After this win now some of you are saying she shouldn’t run in the Belmont but I think many said she should wait for that one, which is it???  Also, it could be an off track that could be a problem, except she had already won in bad conditions.  Yes I with JJ had left her in her old barn, but I understand why he didn’t.

 Yes she was tired at the end of the race, ever been with a horse in the winners circle?  They all are dripping sweat, which she was, and usually breathing like a freight train, which she wasn‘t.   I was on the phone with my mom during the race and during the warm up I told her that RA didn’t seem to be happy, I thought it was maybe the way her tongue tie was done but I’ll take CB at his word and go with she just wasn’t happy with the way the track felt, remember that Zenyatta was pulled out of her race at Churchill because they didn’t like the way the track had been done in case of the rain.  Sometimes the track is done in a way to prepare for upcoming weather and it can make a difference if that condition doesn’t happen.

 All those things that were brought up about her leaving her old barn are true, horses have certain likes and dislikes and it effects their performance.  This was my only fear for her.  I didn’t know if she had a barn buddy, one of my mom’s horses would pitch a fit and not settle if her goat wasn’t around, or certain bedding or any other likes or dislikes that could play a part.  I was very happy that they kept CB!

 As for MTB seeing as he is from my home track I’ll say that he was a surprise even to the home crowd but he showed that he is game.  Just remember that even had there been more distance he only has so much gas in the tank for his sprint, he would have run out and RA has the endurance over him at maintaining a lead.  As for denying him a shot at the Triple Crown, well he had it yesterday and couldn’t take it.  Has RA not been in, and he won the Belmont, there would have been questioned him being the best so there you go.

 During his post race talk CB said “there was only one horse that could beat her“, I wasn’t sure if he meant that only she could do that to herself or Zenyatta.  I have also adore this mare!  I want to see them go at it, I’m not completely sure who will win.  Z does have to get a run in to see how she is doing after the lay off, but after seeing her Ytube video work in April I don’t see a problem.  In my opinion these two girls are the best racing has today, although MTB is a little horse with a huge heart!

Sorry this was so long, just had to get it out of my system!

The best horse won the Preakness. No doubt. It is very telling that the only jockey to have ridden Rachel Alexandra and Mine that Bird opted off the Derby winner and chose to ride Rachel in the Preakness, stating all along that she was the best horse he had ever ridden. Borel reitterated after winning the Preakness that he thinks the distance of the belmont does not matter (if they choose to go)- he said Rachel is simply a more talented horse and would win over Mine that Bird. Jockeys do not take off Derby winners. Borel knew he had no chance to beat Alexandra the Great. For those saying Mine That Bird "would have won" if he did not have to go wide entering the stretch...that is horse racing. It is unrealistic to think he will get a perfect rail trip every time. Rachel Alexandra set a very quick pace and was pressured throughout the race so it is not like she had an easy lead and "stole" the race. Borel also stated she did not handle the track well. Add up the pro's and con's and Rachel Alexandra was much the best- even not at her best. Post 13, at least 3 wide the entire race, fast early pace, pressed the entire way until the turn, and did not fold in the stretch, maintaining her lead past the wire. Mine that Bird- ran well to finish second- definitely helped by the fast pace; so what he had to go 5 wide. Of all the high profile horses within 5 lengths of Rachel Alexandra's pace, only Big Drama finished anywhere near her- and he was 5th beaten about 6 lengths.

Looking forward to the Belmont- knowing as long as Rachel is ready, she will be my choice to win it. Expecting Mine that Bird to run well too- but I do not think it will be even close.

OldFashionedRunner - They used to restrict the Preakness and Belmont to horses that had run in the Derby?  I've never heard this before... what year did they open the latter races up to all comers?

OldFashionedRunner:  When exactly was there such a rule that you must run in the Derby to enter the other triple crown races....? I follow and study racing history and I haven't found any such rule at any point in time.....?  Also a note to those who were angry that Mr. Jackson transferred Rachel to Steve--ever think it was not only due to their current business but also maybe because the prior connections made it clear they did not want to run against the colts?  I only heard the owner say that but it is entirely possible that the trainer felt the same. If I am her owner, I want a trainer that is on the same page as me, regardless of the job that had been done previously.  I thought it was great that Steve gave credit to the previous trainer and not once but twice that I saw.

Hope Mr. jackson is happy. America has been robbed of a Triple Crown winner, so he could lift his EGO, and enter his 10 million dollar horse. Yes Rachel is swell, but to countless of fans who have been waiting for years for a Triple Crown Winner, our fate was sealed as everyone KNEW Rachel would win. Had she not entered, MINE THAT BIRD  would have won.   Lets hope Mr. Jess Jackson does whats BEST for the filly, and not what his HUGE EGO dictates!

This was a race between two very good horses and MTB was no fluke as he proved in the Preakness. I have to admit I was not completely convinced of his quality before the race. I still had him on my tickets though and thank god I used MM also.  Lets stop over analyzing and twisting the race around and take it for what it was. A great race between top competitors.

Maybe before comparing Rachel Alexandra to all-time greats we can compare her with the best fillies and mares of this decade. Excluding Silverbulletday and Beautiful Pleasure, who really had their best years in the 90s, I see the best females(on dirt/synthetic) of the deacde like this:  (pre-Rachel)

1.Azeri

2.Rags to Riches

2.Zenyatta

4.Sightseek

5.Ashado

5.Riboletta

Azeri: 2002 Horse of the Year.  

-02', 03', and 04' Eclipse champion  older filly or mare.

-24 starts, 17 wins.  

-11 Grade 1 wins.

-14 Graded Stakes wins.

-Carried 127lbs to victory in a Gr1, carried 127lbs to victory twice in Gr2 stakes.

-Top Beyer = 112

-Average of top 3 Beyers = 111.0

-Average of top 5 Beyers = 110.4

-Won 14 of her first 15 races

-Won 11 races in a row (all 11 in graded stakes races, 8 in grade 1s)

-Never defeated males

Rags to Riches:

-Eclipse champion 3 year old of 2007

- 7 starts, 5 wins

- 4 Graded Stakes wins

- 4 Grade 1 wins

- Defeated males in Gr.1 Belmont Stakes

- Top Beyer = 107

- Never defeated older fillies and mares

- Never carried more than 126lbs to victory

Zenyatta

- 2008 Eclipse Champion Older Filly and Mare

- 9 starts, 9 wins

- 7 Graded Stakes Wins

- 4 Grade 1 Stakes Wins

- Top Beyer = 108

- Never carried more than 126lbs to victory

- Never defeated males

Sightseek

- No Eclipse Awards, but twice runnerup to Azeri for champion older filly and mare

- 20 starts, 12 wins  

- 10 Graded Stakes Wins

- 7 Grade 1 Stakes Wins

- Top Beyer = 115

- Average of top 3 Beyers = 112.3

- Average of top 5 Beyers = 110.4

- Never carried more than 126lbs to victory

- Never defeated males.

Ashado

- 2004 Eclipse Champion 3 year old filly

- 2005 Eclipse Champion Older Filly and Mare

- 2003 Runnerup for Eclipse Champion 2 year old(Halfbridled)

- 21 starts, 12 wins

- 11 Graded Stakes Wins

- 7 Grade 1 Stakes Wins

- Won Grade 1 at ages 2,3, and 4

- Top Beyer = 106

- Never carried more than 126lbs to victory

- Never defeated males

Riboletta

- 2000 Eclipse Champion Older Filly and Mare

- 28 starts, 13 wins

- 7 Graded Stakes Wins(all in 2000)

- 5 Grade 1 Stakes Wins (all 2000)

- Also: 3 Graded Stakes Wins in Brazil during 1998 (1 gr.1, 1 gr.2, 1 gr.3)

- Top Beyer = 115(twice)

- Average of top 3 Beyers = 113.7

- Average of top 5 Beyers = 111.6

- Never carried more than 126lbs. to victory

- Never defeated males in the US. However, defeated males in her 3 Brazilian graded stakes wins

Honorable Mention: Ginger Punch(6 gr.1 wins), Stardom Bound(5 gr.1 wins), Indian Blessing(2 Eclipse Awards, 5 gr.1 wins), Spain, Surfside(defeated older males as a 3 year old in 2000 gr.2 Clark), Storm Flag Flying, and Proud Spell.

If one limits it to the best year by a 3 year old filly, Rags to Riches(2007) and Ashado(2004) really stand out. I would say Rachel Alexandra's season to date already tops Ashado's 2004 championship campaign. That leaves Rags to Riches as the only 3 year old filly of this decade that really compares to Rachel. Interestingly, both fillies won the Kentucky Oaks and then in their next start won a Triple Crown race(Rags to Riches the Belmont and Rachel Alexandra the Preakness). Earlier in her 3 year old campaign, Rags to Riches had won the gr.1 Las Virgines and gr.1 Santa Anita Oaks, while Rachel won the gr.2 Fantasy, gr.2 Fair Grounds Oaks, and ungraded Martha Washington. In my opinion, Rachel is a little more brilliant than RtR was, and has been slightly more impressive up to this point of the year than Rags was at a comparable point. Remember that Rags never won another race after her Belmont score, so if Rachel is able to do anything the rest of the year, she will surpass Rags as the best 3 year old filly of the decade, at least in my opinion. Let's hope she stays healthy, and has an opportunity to do it.  

Now, the 90s and 80s were far stronger than this decade as it relates to the quality of fillies and mares. Rachel still has some more work to do in order to be compared with fillies and mares like Go For Wand, Lady's Secret, Personal Ensign, Bayakoa, Paseana, Serena's Song, Inside Information, Genuine Risk, Princess Rooney, and some others. However, she is getting very close.

One more comment, this comes from my friend who's only interest in horse racing is that she loves the beauty of the horse and has no interest in betting what so ever.  When I told her some of the things that were written on the blog about if the filly hadn't been entered MTB would win the triple crown and that we have to have a TC winner to save racing. That the filly would breakdown ect.... She said "It would be like handing the New York Yankees the World series every year because aren't they supposed to be the best????"

hmb0725, I agree about the caliber of colts Rags beat, I mean Curlin had just equaled the Preakness stakes record, Street Sense had set a track record for 1 1/16th in his stretch duel with AGS in TB Derby, all but 2 of the entries had triple beyers...plus, Rags won what's considered the ultimate test of 3-year olds, the mile and a half Belmont...she's also the only filly to ever win the Belmont at the distance of a mile and a half..the 2 other fillies ran shorter distances...

The best filly in the TC series is Genuine Risk, 1,2,2...that is a record any colt's connections would be happy to show on their resume'.

TJLuvsTizs, not to be rude, but RA's stride has shortened and she's running on guts, look at MTB's stride...then look at hers, watch when MTB gets beside MM and Smith gets after him, he finds another whole gear and accelerates...he's got guts, too, and MM did not want to be headed by MTB, he tries to go with him, but can't...3 good horses at the end doing their best...

As much as I like Calvin, someday he is going to wake up and realize he walked away from a triple crown.  If any other jock had been on Rachel, she would not have won.  Mine that Bird is for real.

OldFashionedRunner...What are you talking about? There has never been a rule like that. Running in the Ky Derby has never been a prerequisite for running in the Preakness(or Belmont).

There was an old rule that several on here would probably like...from 1919-1956 geldings were not allowed in the Belmont and they were kept out of the Preakness from 1920-1934(they have always been allowed in the Derby). But fillies have never been excluded from any of the TC races.

Rachel Alex is best race filly since Lakeway, and she did not handle the racing surface. Reminds me of Dr Fager who hated racing on grass yet was named champion grass horse.   must wait to see runs on D-Day

EATING CROW.

 MY CONSOLATION IS MTB RUINED YOUR EXACTA, JASON.

ALSO, MUSKET MAN FINISHING THIRD, BECAUSE HIS SIRE YONAGUSKA IS WHO I THINK RA SHOULD BE BRED TOO.

PLUS MTB'S DAM HAS A YEARLING BY YONAGUSKA AS WELL.

We'll se ya in NY CITY>>>>> If not for The Heshe>> The Bird would be going for the Crown!!That Little Dude proved he's the best 3 Yr old Male>>PERIOD!!! Exata was GREAT Payoff for the Derby Winner and oaks winner>> The BIRDMAN will see Ya in NYCity>>>>>

TO:ALEXASO

Great point! Yes,MTB really hurt Draynay. He probably had to pawn his KIA! lol

TO:DRAYNAY

You say on this blog and many others' that several individuals has little/no knowledge regarding racing. I say if you think for a second that MTB doesn't possess real talent,I'm telling you that you are way off! Just cause you call him a fluke doesn't make it true. He beat everyone else. Would you have predicted that?

Thanks, Emily. I agree with your point that the Triple Crown should not be engineered. At the same time, I do not think that it should be disregarded by those connections participating in any of the TC races. They have an obligation to the sport as well as to the horse. Mine That Bird's Kentucky Derby win was regarded as a fluke, even though his grandsire and great grandsire had accomplished the same feat. We found out too late that he was the real deal.  

RA weighs in at over 100 pounds than MTB - Five pounds making a difference???  Bobby Frankel said that lighter weight might help a horse outbreak others.  If Whittingham spoke off the record, he would say weight makes little difference.  However, prior to any big race, he would wring his hands and whine about "All That Weight", the racing secretary was about to place upon any of his steeds.  "We might not race, etc".  

The only time weight made a great deal of difference was when Phar Lap was being burdened with an extra stone or two in Australia.

However, as a handicapping tool, I have looked for several years at trainers putting the five pound off bug boys on maidens in New York.  An intent alert goes up in my brain because I know they are going to try to gate swiftly and take the lead.  It reminds me a time at the old Longacres, when an untalented, weak hands, bug boy was sent by a local trainer.  It was the old "Kick 'em out, get to the lead, and try not to fall off" technique.  In the Winner's Circle, he would have that look of "I keek a touchdown".  Only winners he ever had.

People wake up. Rachel Alexander won the Preakness but it was one of the weakest fields in the history of the race. I guarantee that the three year old chamo hasn't even raced in the Triple Crown. When you people start playing the races seven days a week then maybe you will understand a little about the sport. Say what you want about Zenyatta but it's not her fault they decided to run the Breeders Cup on fake dirt. Regardless her best race came on dirt at Oaklawn so racing surfaces don't matter to her. I don't pay attention to Eclipse award voting because they don't take the entire year into consideration. Lets face it Indian Blessing should have won two awards last year. On another note gallop outs don't mean anything. Only an idiot would try to pass another horse during the gallop out. After you cross that finish line you go into a gallop to cool down the horses muscles so that he dosn't cramp up. I should know I'm a bodybuilder and you don't come to a dead stop when finishing up your cardio. Get a life. The race is over now lets get ready for the first a Calder today.

filly t.c. winner ???? oaks ,preakness  and belmont  a new twist to  racing!!

lets see if  she can do it  if  she  can  it could be  the new triple for fillys  and a great boost to  the industry!

after all  the tc was pened by a reporter  and the  history of the tc was only in place after gallant fox pulled it off!!

bye

nyfalcon

Zookeeper-  At the end of the race obviously MTB closed the gap to one length, on the gallop out, Rachel kept going and opened up around the turn.

Filly winning the Preakness...YAWN. Mine That Bird winning the Triple Crown...EXCITING.  Borel sold out...the Preakness was bought for a price.  Racing is on it's way down filly or no filly.

Greg J

No mention about FF, did you forget about something, enough said!

"What a great day for horse racing. Boy, did we need a day like this."

Man, when I saw Mine That Bird make his move, I was like... HOLY CRAP, MINE THAT BIRD IS GOING TO GET SECOND!!! What an amazing day for racing, this is great...this good for the sport, man we needed this.

Well said on each point. I'm grateful for Jess Jackson's sportsmanship, and anyone who has criticism for his actions has no place to talk now. He gave us Rachel in the race we wanted to see her in, and the cream rose to the top, alright.

Whether or not the filly will go to the Belmont, this will be a great last leg of the Triple Crown!

Fluke... A stroke of luck

Maybe you have a different dictionary then the Webster Dictionary but that is what a FLUKE is.  Defame ? Revile ? What ?

The Fluke has won one race all year and did it in the Derby...WHAT A STOKE OF LUCK.

SEATARIAT...I find that when someone can't defend THEIR position they throw out the troll word.  Look you don't have to agree with me just state your case and let your words speak for you. If you have nothing to say or can't defend your position just move along.

ALEXASO... if the word Fluke makes you smile I will call you... JOKER!

We already knew Rachel was good, but Mind That Bird proved himself! What a great day for racing!

To all the bloggers who've had to endure Draynay - best to just quit responding to him in any way, shape or form.  

I agree with Alexaso - he obviously got burned big time at the window and so - casting aside maturity or logic - is taking it out on the horse.  As if Mine That Bird cares what a nonentity like Draynay calls him!

Why do I get the feeling Draynay was one of those kids in grade school who liked to pull wings off of flies?

So just ignore his noise and buffoonery (and that's vocabulary - not diction, Draynay - you just can't get basic language usage right, can you?) and eventually he'll get tired of sitting in front of the computer in his mom's basement, finish his bag of Cheetos and bottle of YooHoo and come upstairs to get dressed for his clerk job at the Stop-n-Go.

We waste our time on someone who has neither knowledge or respect for the game and the horses who run run so well.

Hey Jason,

I sent a few blogs on the day that we were talking bout how sad it was that Rachel was taken away from Wiggins, and we were wondering if Borel would lose the mount. You know other than the fact that Wiggins is no longer the trainer, I feel that everything else has gone with respect. I give the new connections a lot of credit for thanking and realizing that Mr.Wiggins deserves much praise for her performance in the Preakness. There is not much that a trainer can do in 10 days other than keep the horse happy. I am also estatic with the fact that they kept Borel on Rachel. I am sure that Bridgmohan's and Albarado's agents were on the phone to Asmussen as soon as they heard about the purchase. She is amazing and I hope and wish the connections the most luck. I do hope that they do skip the Belmont, as she has nothing else to prove there. I think that she might be vulnerable in the Belmont due to the spacing of her last few races and the fact that Borel stated that she was more hot than usual after the Preakness. I'm not sure what the weather was like at Pimlico, or if the track had to do with her getting overly hot, but I am a trainer and have had a horse overheat, and it takes them a little bit to rehydrate and bounce back.  Also want to say "WOW" to Mine That Bird. I thought he was a fluke, but that little horse definately has a turn of foot, a lot of heart and now proven ability.

CORRECTION,

 MTB'S DAM HAS A TWO YEAR OLD BY YONAGUSKA.

 ON TO THE BELMONT.

MAYBE MTB WILL PULL A THUNDER GULCH. DERBY AND BELMONT.

HOPE HE RACES NEXT YEAR, SINCE RA IS GOING TO THE BREEDING SHED.

To DeucesWild and jshandler,

Betting is only part of what I wrote about, and btw, my partners and I DID hit the trifecta Derby Day.  Not only that, our analysis of Birdstone was so convincingly positive that we booked 4 of our mares to him back in February.  And watch out for Summer Bird in The Belmont.

And I wrote on one of these blogs exactly who my picks were for our Preakness weenie trifecta box:  Mine That Bird, Musket Man, POTN (what happened?), Papa Clem, Rachel A., and Big Drama.  But I didn't bet it because the race was coming up looking like a CHALK FEST.  And relative to The Derby tri that we hit, it was chalk.  Hey jshandler, could your bank hold ALL that money you won?  I didn't rip up a ticket...I didn't bet.  I'm not a compulsive gambler, I pick my spots.

The other main point.  I congratulated the winner.  Hate what?  She got it done...with a 5 pound weight allowance and about as good a post as she could have hoped for with her running style.  Five pounds at 9.5 furlongs equals 5 lengths.  It's just a fact.  She was full out at the end.  At equal weights, at least two colts beat her.  If you don't want to take that into consideration, that's fine.  But since she's about 200 pounds heavier and 5 inches taller than Mine That Bird, the fact that he was catching her carrying five more pounds makes him more impressive and the better runner on the square.

If she comes back and wins The Belmont, she's the best 3 year old right now.  If she doesn't come back, or she comes back and loses to MTB with a 5 pound weight allowance, she would obviously NOT be the best 3 year old.  

After this Preakness though, she's a very, very nice filly, but not the best 3 year old. Get over it.

Last thing.  I will NEVER be embarrassed about being more concerned about a horse's well being than being wrong.  And if you don't understand that I had more concern for RA's well being because of Wiggin's experience with her, than you are mistaken.  Only time will tell if the decision to run her in The Preakness was right or wrong...not you, nor me nor anyone else.  

The general public is more into Mine That Bird than Rachel.  Get over that too.

TJLuvsTizs, I never heard of anyone ever getting a paycheck for galloping out better than another horse after a race!;-)

Both were being pulled up, 'cause the outrider was right there to pick her up for the cameras...

So I read that Mike Smith's getting the ride offer for the Belmont...I was under the understanding he was committed to CC for the belmont..to those in the know, what's protocol in this kind of situation...?

Great race

we learned allot of thing in that race.

Calvin said she did not handle the surface( I believe him) and she still won. Supper filly? YES!!

I hope she stays healthy and continues to train well . Hopefully some time in the summer we get to see her race Zenyatta, the two Godolphin mares,stardom bound.

Another thing we learned was that mine that Bird is for real.

I was kinda thinking the derby was a fluke, BOY WAS I WRONG. That little horse can run.

I guess the boys were the once that shouldn't have come back in two weeks.

What other horse stumbled at the gate like Rags2Riches did and went on to win the Belmont.  Rags2Riches head was around 2 feet or so off the ground and she had the stamina to regroup and win, if not for the stumble she would have won by many lengths...What a great filly.... love her.....

Lot of sore losers here, we dont need a Triple Crown until a horse can win it among all fillys or colts...remember Calvin Boral and his hand signal, he is still waving it at all negative comments about that great filly Rachel Alexander.  The race ended the way it was suposed tooooo.....

Cgriff,

 Dray is actually the manager at the Stop-N-Go. Been there twenty seven years. Just got the promotion last month. Gonna move out of moms basement as soon as he hits the tri in the Belmont. He is playing a Rachel over Rachel over Rachel ticket. She is so great she is going to get 1st, 2nd, and 3rd!!

Good for Jess Jackson. Did he really make the right move? He really purchased RA for her residual value as a broodmare. If you really want to look back at history, just look at Genuine Risk, Lady's Secret and Winning Colors. All beat the boys, and none were successful as broodmares. We'll have to wait on Rags to Riches(who was never the same as a racehorse after her Belmont win over a Champion). There seems to be heavy price to pay for fillies taking on the boys at classic distances in Graded competition. So will Mr. Jackson's high priced purchase payoff in the long run. We'll have to wait and see. I know I'd rather be watching Mine That Bird running for the Triple Crown in three weeks.

I get the feeling that Draynay was one of those kids who received a daily beat down in grade school.

Cgriff-I thought your last post was pretty accurate.  I think all the additves and artificial color in Dray's Cheetos have taken a toll on his misdirected thinking.

Jr-I too hope JJ gives Rachel a rest.  She obviously needs and deserves it.  What a race MTB and Rachel both ran.  I read on another site that Mike Smith has commited to ride MTB in the Belmont.  If they give Rachel a rest, where does that put  Calvin? Choc Candy perhaps or MHS?

Rachel was incredible.  She absolutely thrilled me.  I was watching from home and was yelling for her, my dog barking at me to shut up and I couldn't have been happier.  I think it was better for racing than a Triple Crown. A TC isn't going to do anything for racing other than to make the long time fans happy.  Most people these days don't have any idea what a triple crown is.  It'b been 36 years.  One hasn't happened in many fans lifetimes!  Yes, it would be wonderful but not having one this year isn't hurting racing.  Look what happened last year.  The foregone conclusion didn't happen but other hurtful things came to the forefront and hurt racing.   It had nothing to do with not having a triple crown winner.  Seeing that beautiful filly win the Preakness from the 13 hole, which no other horse had done and a filly winning was magic.  TV ratings were the highest since 2004 when Smary came along right after "Seabiscuit". People get interested then.  MTB and his 50-1 longshot win of the KD is another and his amazing performance in the Preakness proving he is the real deal.  There is a rivalry now.  I wouldn't go so far as to say MTB is a better horse than Rachel and that had he had a better trip he'd have beat her.  She was running blazing fractions up front while he was loping a long, he wasn't used up at all and she was and she still won even not liking the track.  Sorry,she won, he didn't but he was game as can be.

There was a poster on this blog who said it was time to say goodbye to Rachel because her demise would be seen on national TV.  PLEASE!!!!  A breakdown was eminent????  Rachel is exactly the same size as Secretariat. She's big and strong and by golly that girl is all business on the racetrack.  Her new barn and her new trainer didn't affect her performance.  SA gave credit to Wiggins as he should have but many people were distressed that she would come back in two weeks, and after the upset to her routine wouldn't be able to win and would probably breakdown.  This should show everyone that she is something special and when she's on the track, nothing matters to her but winning.  She is better for racing than a triple crown right now because she and MTB showed the world what racing is about.  They showed the world what heart, determination and guts these marvelous animals possess.  Wow!  Isn't that GREAT????  

Jason,

You hit the nail on the head. Excellent is what that filly is. Now for the real showdown, RA and Zenyatta, now that would be a horse race. I was never againist Jess Jackson, but I was not happy switching trainers, that was my beef, but if Steve can do a good job like with Curlin, go for it. I wish all of them the very best, because we are not through with Rachel!!

JR.

Agree with you right across the board.  I had no problem with them buying or running her in the Preakness - but did feel badly for Wiggins.  But what about the continued class shown by him and the Asmussen barn?  I don't think there was a sound bite that Asmussen didn't use to thank and give credit to Wiggins for the incredible training job, and Blasi has already said that when they pull her shoes - he is sending them back to Wiggins as a gift.  

And Wiggins watched the race and cheered her on and has thanked not only Morrison for the chance to train her but lauded Jackson and Asmussen as top drawer connections who would treat her well.

Class from all parties - it was really great to see.  And knowing that Wiggins received a pretty hefty bonus from Rachel's sale helped take the sting out of her move from his care from where I sit.

Whether or not they run her in the Belmont or save her for the Alabama or the Travers - who knows?  But if it were me - I'd be looking at the last big obstacle in her HOY quest - Zenyatta.  She's out there, she's waiting, and she's cut from the same cloth as RA in physique and ability.  If they don't take her on until BC - they run the risk of RA not running well on synthetics.  

Better to take the big mare on over a dirt surface - so that would be what I'd be planning for.  Watch where they run Zenyatta and catch her on a surface both like.  

If Zenyatta runs against the boys and beats them, and then keeps her perfect record in the meantime - RA will have to run against her and beat her to be HOY, IMO.

Rachel Alexandra is a tremendous racehorse. I respect her, admire her, applaud her...but my heart belongs to the little gelding Mine That Bird.

GunBow, your comments are the best and I hope you continue blogging. You "confuse me with facts" and your logic is irrefutable.

Thank you Jason for a fantastic blog. You sure know how to get people talking. So, what's next... I can't wait.

She handled the surface just fine.

Like the shoe was a non - issue for BB in the Belmont.

I made an error in my previous post.  I said it had been 36 years since a TC winner but I meant 31.

da3hoss

I absolutely agree that Mike Smith should get that mount.  I used to like Calvin until he jumped ship on a possible TC winner.  That did it for me.  RA is a good horse and probably would have won anyway BUT what Calvin did was bull***!  

how manny horses this year  have one there races by  a total@ 39+ lenths,  who has one 6 races in a row,  who had  to overcome a new stall and the loss of there trainer with only 2 weeks off...

 this is a great horse and more should be amazed at what  she has done for the fans!! kootos to the great one .

Okay seriously the people going on about how if Borel had stayed on MTB we would have a TC prospect need to turn that thought around a little.

RA changed trainers, grooms, her entire daily routine in two weeks and still came back to win her race on a surface she didn't like and after cooking the colts who went with her on the front end.

If MTB was really to be a TC canidate he should have also been albe to overcome a jockey change and done the job.

Closing or not he was not able to get by all the other 12 horses in the Preakness field and saying that this horse or that horse shouldn't run so we can have a TC is BS.  

RA going in the Preakness is no different than the practice of there being 'fresh' colts in the race like Big Drama.

Either say that the TC races should be closed to only the entrants of the Derby or accept the fact that the KD winner has to be able to turn back all challengers in the Preakness and the Belmont regardless of circumstance.

The Preakness was an exciting, cleanly run race, with all 13 horses making it back safe and rather than waiting for the owner of a classic winning colt to send him off to the breeding shed, racing has the chance to have an exciting year, hopefully leading up to a strong crop of 3 and 4 year olds hooking up in the Breeder's Cup races.  Let's be happy for that and stop boo hooing about the fact that on the 16th of May the best horse for the race won the race.

PAM S.,

     Yes, That is me in the Article, Drove down from Bristol, CT., to see him, Nicanor, What an incredible race, and a Great Article....

CGRIFF,

     lol, You hit the nail on the head about Draynay, Too Funny, You are right , He should be invisible, He is to me now, Waste of time....Thanks....

MIKE RELVA,

    How are you?, What a great Preakness!, Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird were incredible!, I hope to see them both in the Belmont, But that is still too far ahead, Still enjoying the Preakness...

TRAVIS L.,

     Why Don't you read my comments again I did mention Friesan Fire, He still is one of my Favorites, Will Be regardless of what he does in the future!, I am able to admit when I was wrong, He was running great(In Third) then Faded, He will be back for another day.  Unlike some people here, I at least admit when I was wrong, But yes, I forgot, There are some people here that are never wrong, and hit EVERY race they bet, lol...

TRAVIS L.,

    A Suggestion, You Should try reading all the comments BEFORE writing a comment to someone, Thanks...

Jason

Who in the hell would box horses, not pick the winner and expect any type of payout?  Maybe the word gamble should be looked up LOL!

Longwaytomay:

LOL!

Speedball,

I'm afraid that Borel might be watching the Belmont from the Churchill Downs jock's room. But I feel that would be the best scenario for Rachel's future, and I'm sure he won't be one bit dissapointed that he is watching from the jock's room. The Belmont is not make or break time for Rachel, she has a bright future ahead of her, and I can't wait to see a match up between her and my favorite mare Zenyatta.

Monica V

With all due respect.  RA is a beautiful horse but nowhere near Secretariat.  Big Red was very sound and had very strong legs.  Not even close to ANY of the horses in this day and age.  The days of good sound horses and TC winners I feel is over unless they figure out how to breed them right.  I saw both Big Red and Seattle Slew win the TC.  

Mine That Bird is a lot like Slew.  Last to first.  He did that twice.  THAT is a racehorse.  :)

Steve Asmussen gave credit to trainer Hal Wiggins after the Preakness because he knew he had to. His gesture was more about public relations than personal responsibility. And did we not hear one of RA's connections say that Calvin Borel had approached them about getting back on the filly, instead of the other way around? Borel was looking out for himself, not the filly, and certainly not the sport. He's seemed sheepish in the post-race interviews. No wonder.      

Can you imagine if Rachel had run in the Derby?!? Can you imagine the first filly ever to win a Triple Crown?!? RA has truly proved herself amongst her breed and gave a shot in the arm of racing! Go girl!

MikeM ... I am 6-4 225 lbs and have been since High School.  I haven't had too many beat downs in my life. Second... many of you seem concerned with my diet.  If you must know I don't eat Wheat Gluten so if that helps...there you go ! Third... many of you are quick to defend the Fluke but let him win more then one race all year before you go crazy.  The Belmont is a long race run at an average pace and does not set up well for the Fluke at all.  Last, I would love to see her take some time off and go to the Travers, JockeyGold, and then whip them all in the Breeders Cup and cement herself as one of the best ever.

AN ABSOLUTE THRILLER!!!

I've been against RA running in the Preakness, not because i was worried she will not win, but to allow MTB to win the second leg of the crown then challenge him in the Belmont.

Can you imagine what excitement it will generate had my scenario

materialized.

Now that there is no triple crown

pretender, the Belmont does not

excite as much as it would have been had MTB won the Preakness.

RA and MTB vindicated themselves.

And the Preakness was a revelation.

I now realized that RA might have problem tackling the Belmont distance. I hope they dont run her.

She is a great filly but every horse has limitations. For MTB, much as i admit that he is also

a super one, i am afraid that his two GREAT runs will take too much out of him, I am now a fan of

CHARITABLE MAN.

Just saw the top two Beyer figures for the Preakness:

RA - 108

MTB - 106

What a pair of performances - Rachel held her speed figure on a track she didn't like equal to her Oaks number.

Mine That Bird improved his number in a race in which he ran second.

Who can't get behind these kind of performances and applaud two great athletes? (oh, wait...there is one...)  

Well, speaking for the rest of us out here in for the rest of us in "Good Sportland" - Can't wait for the next edition!

Oh yea,

Dray, congrats on finally getting off the schnide! Even with RA not handling the track as well as she has at every other race track........I'll assume that was your doing, but she still came through. That's how great she is! lol!

Gary,

Why don't you get over yourself! lol

Congrats to all. I was the first to post in agreement in a response to another blog that the filly needed to prove her greatness. I will say right now, she has convinced me. I loved the race, and I hope  both the filly and the little gelding will make more history for us to enjoy. They both deserve a place in racing lore and in our hearts. Bravo to Musket Man too for another guttsy performance.

Folks out there,

I think that we all need to remember that most of them were coming back two weeks. Yes my personal belief is that Rachel should not go in the Belmont, but all the horses that ran on derby day could have had the same excuse for the Preakness, which proves that she is superior. She had a lot against her and still overcame all of it. Heavy track, two weeks, overheating, fast fractions, outside post, new trainer, facing the toughest competition, etc...

Ragsy, in a mile and a half race having a bad break doesn't make much difference. Other than that stumble RTR actually had a pretty decent trip. Yes i know she went wide, but she sat off the pace and was in the clear. She was also a fresh filly. Curlin had just come off running two taxing races in those five weeks, and was pinned down on the inside and had to bully his way through. Also a stretch duel that was that long does not exacly say that even with a good break she would've won by open lengths. Had she not stumbled the outcome probably would've been the same. You say her nose was two feet off the ground, well i seem to remember a horse in 05 that clipped heals with another at the head of the stretch, and whose nose was only four inches from the groud, and he, unlike RTR won by open lengths. I think his name was Afleet Alex. That is when a stumble should cost you a race, plus that was a shorter race. RTR beat a tired Curlin with hardly any trouble in that race. That is not greatness.

    RA ran testing fractions broke from the thirteen whole went like five wide into the first turn and still held off MM and MTB. That is great.

Haha...Some of you people make me laugh!

First of all two things, I am happy RA won the race, I am also happy MTB proved he was no fluke, and I agree that Musket Man is the most underated 3 YO this year.

That bring said....I keep reading alot of IF's...

IF the race had been longer...

IF MTB hadn't had to go Wide...

How will we feel IF MTB wins the Belmont and the exclusion of RA from the Preakness would have given us a TC winner.

Well...#1, the race WASN'T longer...It is the length it is...deal with it.  She will run differently in longer races-she won't be setting those fast fractions.

#2  MTB had to go wide-that is the risk you take when you are a late closer like he is.  He certainly wasn't going to take anyone by surprise yesterday...Fool me once, and all that...

#3  I won't feel any different after the Belmont as I do today if MTB wins.  I won't be saying "what if RA had skipped the Preakness"...The fact is, to win the Triple Crown you SHOULD have to beat the best!  I would have hated to see her out of this race to have a Triple Crown Champion who's owners forced the best competition out of the race.  Then I would have been saying what IF RA had run in the Preakness.  :-)  Perhaps RA will win the Belmont, and we will all be saying what IF she had run in the Kentucky Derby?

I totally agree Jason, I too was saying that RA was running entirely too fast and she was going to get caught.  The fact that she was able to hang on for that win is truly to her credit and was magnificent!  The first horse to win from the 13th Post Position, that is something!

da3hoss-I read that Mike Smith would be aboard MTB in the Belmont...Don't know what will happen with CC...

Let me preface this comment by saying that I think Rachel Alexandra has the talent, if she develops like most horses do at age three, to beat whoever she faces in whatever Breeders' Cup races she runs in.

With that in mind, everyone posting on this board should take the extremism of "Draynay the Bandwagoner" with a grain of salt.  Earlier this year, it was all Quality Road, who unfortunately didn't get a shot to prove himself at Churchill.  After that, it was Dunkirk to win the Derby in a gallop.  So all he did was tout the biggest hype horse of the year.  Did you even see the horse train, Draynay?  He looked horrible and on top of that was being asked to do something he had no shot of accomplishing.  A complete toss.

Now, since you couldn't rationalize Mine That Bird's win, it's on to Rachel Alexandra.  So what if you had her in the Oaks/Derby double; really reaching for the big payday there, weren't you?

So your latest hyperbole is to compare RA to Ruffian. Did you even do any research before you came up with this?  Again, I think RA has the potential to join the elites in history, but time for a reality check.  

Here's what you had to say about the subject: "And for all you Ruffian fans give it up !  Rachel just moved her over and they can now be spoken in the same sentence. Ruffian never took on the boys and won Rachel took on 12 of the best and whipped them.  Ruffian was a great 3 year old.  So far Rachel has been a better 3 year old."

First of all, we'll skip the fact that you keep calling most of these colts bums, but then say she beat the best.

Second: Like any horse, who they take on is completely out of their control. Seattle Slew was badmouthed in the press because his Triple Crown competition was soft. Moot point

Third: The only thing correct you said in your rant was that Ruffian was a great 3-year-old.  She was more than that, since she was alos a champion at 2, and if it wasn't for Forego, she would have been a 2-time Horse of the Year. If you have a chance look up her pp's.  Nothing but "1's" at every call except in the race she died in.  Moreover, she set or equaled a stakes or track record EVERY TIME SHE RAN. The enormity of that is indisputable and undeniable. Here's a refresher for you:

at 2:

Fashion Stakes - Won (Equalled Track Record)

Astoria Stakes - Won (Equalled Track Record)

Sorority Stakes - Won (New Stakes Record)

Spinaway Stakes - Won (New Stakes Record)

Champion 2yo Filly

at 3:

Comely Stakes - Won (New Stakes Record)

Acorn Stakes - Won (New Stakes Record)

Mother Goose Stakes - Won (New Stakes Record)

Coaching Club American Oaks - Won (Equalled Stakes Record)

Champion 3yo Filly

Fourth: Finally, here's a little quote from Lucien Laurin, trainer of the greatest horse of all time: "She may be even better than Secretariat."

I sincerely hope Rachel Alexandra goes on to be the greatest horse in the history of the sport.  I was fortunate enough to see her win the Oaks in person, and it was one of the top 5 highlights in 35 years of attending the races. She still has a way to go before she reaches the pantheon of the greats.

Troll (Internet)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Do not feed the trolls" In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum or chat room, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response[1] or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.[2]

Who does this sound like?

jshandler,

That box was for a trifecta or a superfecta, and I had the winner...Rachel was in there. What's your point?

You do understand that betting a superfecta means you have to pick the top 4 horses?

Sounds like you want me to pick Rachel for all four spots!

Monica,

Larger horses are not more sound than smaller horses.  With Thoroughbreds, bigger is not often better!

And yes, I was concerned about Rachel Alexabdra's well being because I was taking a cue from her trainer and her former connections.  They did not see her as the type of horse to run back in two weeks, especially against colts.  They had said they were pointing her to The Acorn...not even The Blackeyed Susan.  So I hope you don't blame me for deferring to their judgment...they certainly know better than I do about their filly.  

We won't know what the wear and tear on this filly will do for some time.  Same for any colt.  This is NOT a gender thing.  It is a horseman's thing.  I believe in this instance, ego prevailed over a good horseman's judgment.  Now is not the time to be smug, or to think everything's worked out fine.  Let's re-evaluate at the end of the year, and see what voting time brings.

I think Rachel is a very very good filly.  I hope she stays sound and runs her best race every time she goes out.

My issue is the irrational exuberance in the air.  She's got to do more, as do these other three year olds, before I start voting on a champion.  Many fillies in the past have done much more than Rachel has so far, beating colts repeatedly, carrying more weight.  She has to come back and do it again before I even consider the word "great" for her.  

But so do these colts.  My point, quite simply, is this...at equal weights, at least two colts had her measure Saturday.  She was all out and they were getting to her.  She prevailed...good for her.

If she comes back and does it again in The Belmont, even being given five pounds, that will take her up a quantum leap in my estimation.

If she doesn't come back, and they are doing what's best for her, great.  Let her run again when she's at her best.  But that says that she doesn't have the constitution to take the rigors of The Triple Crown, even being given 5 pounds.

The worst thing would be if she's not at her best and they run her anyway.  That's not good for her nor for racing.

So let's hope horsemanship prevails, and all the connections do what's in the best interest of their horses.  That will tell us a lot...in due time...not in May.      

I have not heard anyone mention Stardum Bound. I guess one defeat @ Keeneland and we have all forgot about her.

DRAYNAY:  You're a riot. Folks on this blog should learn to take most of your comments with a good laugh.  Many don't seem to realize that you dislike well bred horses that upset your calculations by charging hard from the back of the pack to win big races.  They have forgotten that Win Willy aka "killer" Willy was the ORIGINAL FLUKE when he won the Rebel Stakes upsetting Old Fashioned(blessed horse).  Many people fail to realise that you are actually paying Mine That Bird a compliment and that by the time the Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup are over you will be having lots of "Bird" for supper ...only, it will be lots of CROW.  They don't know you like I do. LOL.  

lureofthecup since you are new here let me clue you in on something. Rachel Alexandra has been my horse and choice since MARCH. The fact is Jason who runs this great blog ASKED me to stop talking about her because she had no chance on going to the Derby.  I then jumped on Quality Road because he was talented and GOING to the Derby.  When he was injured a week before the race I was stuck with no horse.  Had I known it was going to be muddy I would have chosen POTN but on a dry track I think Dunkirk is dangerous and I think the Belmont will prove that.

Now since you are one of those gatekeepers of the past let me state the facts.  Ruffian was a great filly and won all her filly races.  When taking on the Derby winner she was hurt and lost. She never beat the boys and she never won a Triple Crown race. The track records are nice but if you have been watching Rachel she has not been given the chance to set records in hand.  The fact is she is undefeated at 3, has beaten the boys, has beaten the Derby winner, and has a Triple Crown win.  Ruffian was not undefeated at 3, never beat the boys, did not beat the Derby winner, and NEVER WON a Triple Crown race.  Case closed... but thanks for trying.

Lureofthecup:

BRAVO!  And thank you for the look back at the FACTS of Ruffian's 2 and 3-yr-old campaigns.

As I said in an earlier post-  RA is not Ruffian - but she doesn't have to equal the greatest filly I've ever seen on a track to have her own shot at greatness.  Let's just enjoy her and everything else will sort itself out.

Penny Chenery often says - when confronted by someone who wants to compare the latest "wonder colt" with Secretariat - that is is very unfair and even unrealistic to compare horses across the generations.  Can't compare Man O War to Citation, or Citation to Secretariat, or Ruffian to Rachel.  Different generations and times produce different champions.

But I think we are fortunate to see as many great horses as we do in our lives - but are privileged to witness only a handful of true immortals.  

Horses like Secretariat and Ruffian were once-in-a-lifetime runners.  

Time will tell if Rachel or any future thoroughbred will have the ability to truly raise the bar to that surreal standard.  But that doesn't mean they aren't great in their own right and deserve our applause.  

It's the heart that counts - and we've seen great examples of heart and talent in the 2009 Derby and Preakness weekends.

the five pound break in the weights is what beat mine that bird , she was born in january, he was born may 10 shes 16 hands and hes 15 hands why is she getting five pounds in the weights? This is like letting a woman play in the masters and tee off from the ladies tee!We will see just how sporting jess jackson really is now that he got luckey and won , a thousand bucks says she will not run in the belmont,so much for sportsmanship!

If 5 pounds equals 5 lengths over a mile,then Forego would have won many of his races by 10 to 20 lengths without handicaps.This does not seem logical.

Here's the tale of the tape;  Rachel was born on 1/29/06, MTB was born on 5/10/06.  Rachel stands 16:1, MTB is 15:1. Rachel is 100-200lbs heavier. In the Preakness, Rachel was given a 5lb weight allowance (the same she will receive if she runs in the Belmont.) How could she not win?  

Speedball, you read MS committed to riding MTB? I read that he was his if he wanted the ride, but I didn't know he accepted it...

I thought in the picture on BH this morning of RA getting back to Churchill she looked tired...hope I'm wrong...really would like to see her run...

So let me see if I have this right.

Jackson is an evil man for buying RA and running her in the Preakness, thereby spoiling MTB's chances of winning the triple crown.

You're entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine and mine is that is quite simply the stupidest sentiment I have heard in a long time.  Seems to me if MTB were REALLY worthy of being a triple crown winner he should, I don't know, ACTUALLY EARN IT by beating any and every horse that enters.  Not running what is clearly a better horse or not running a horse in the Preakness because it didn't run in the Derby is the same nonsensical, neophyte nonsense little kids come up with when their toys are taken away and shows a distinct lack of familiarity with the history of the Triple Crown.  No other triple crown had those kind of concessions made, why should Mine That Bird (or any Derby winner)?  I believe in making a horse earn it's crown, not handing it to them by not running against them.  That's just stupid.

Personally, I'm glad Jackson bought and ran her, it was the right spot for her considering she has so clearly outclassed all other 3yo fillies this year.  The next most logical move for him with her would be to give her a break and run at Saratoga either in the Go For Wand against older mares or the Travers.  She should be making a major push for HOY off this win and you can't do that by ducking back into 3yo filly competition.  This filly could be one for the ages and should be run accordingly.

lureofthecup

VERY well said!  :)

She did it! Rachael Alexandra becomes the first filly to win the Preakness since 1924.

So, the question is: can a jockey win a triple crown? Calvin Borel, the jockey of Mine That Bird for the Kentucky Derby victory, made a great call when he decided to ride Rachael Alexandra over Mine That Bird in the Preakness.

Generally, the Belmont is not all that exciting when a Triple Crown is not possible, but this time I think the excitement is mounting. We have a 50-1 shot taking the Derby, and the first filly in 85 years taking the Preakness; both of which have stirred up incredible fan support. Imagine another sport which leaves the choice: the underdog, or the underdog?

Who is my Belmont pick? I say that the filly takes two out of three Triple Crown events, and wins the Belmont by at least one length. So much for a man’s game.

Mr Will

lureofthecup, you failed to mention Lakeway bettered Ruffian's Mother Goose by 1 2/5 seconds. RA is finally paying for herself-she earned ehough in Preakness to pay insurance premium for one year!

Ladies and gentlmen,

Mike Smith has just taken off Mine That Bird for the Belmont to ride Madeo @ Hollywood. So if Rachel does not go in the Belmont, Borel might be back on the "Bird". What a dramatic situation in horse racing where a derby winner can't keep a rider.

LOLOL Draynay has the audacity to try to call me out? lolol I have said many times Rachel is an incredibly tallented filly. (i understand that reading and comprehending are two different things so having to reitterate myself for the likes of Draynay's 4th grade reading comprehension skills is laughable to me) I simply stated that Draynay is as foolish as Gary Stevens proclaiming anyone horse of the day to be 'the greatest ever.' Rachel is now in the history books, where she deservs to be after Saturday's win. But going around stating uneducated, obnoxious posts such as 'she's better than Ruffian' truly shows how very little you know about horse racing. Forgetting the likes of Ruffian, Go For Wand, Personal Ensign, or Lady's Secret giving undue overexaggerated annointance to untested runners is just plain hillarious. That horse that Draynay calls 'fluke' not only out ran 'better' horses twice now, he'll ahnialate your $3.7 million dollar nobody Dunkirk in the Belmont. (Plus that 'Fluke' returned a nice payday for me & my husband .. is R.A. doesn't run in Belmont - I will be rooting for him) Rachel ALexandra made history Saturday. She's the best 3y/o in the country. Test her. Race her against an unbeaten freak like Cali Queen Zenyatta and that will be the horse race fo the decade.  

Glad to see dehayfaynay found another horse to like. I would have rather seen mine that bird win so we would have another triple crown contender but I cashed a tri ticket so I guess that makes up for me not betting MTB in the derby.

I've finally stopped howling over the one of the stupidist commments I've ever heard.  Someone said that RA beat a good field in the Oaks.  Sure, she has a place in 3yr old history now, but let's hold judgement on her place in horse racing history until after she gets throttled by Zenyatta...

lureofthecup,

You are so right on about nay nay.

Just last week he was calling the horses RA was to face "very very very very weak" and I might have left off a very or two. Earlier this spring it was Stardom Bound for him that was the greatest. Even earlier it was Vineyard Haven who was going to blow everybody away in May. Then it was Imperial Council who was having his "breaking out" party in the Wood. Before RA was added to the Preakness it was Big Drama who was going to blow them all away then all of a sudden he was horse crap. The list goes on and on and on. He jumps from horse to horse and it's always AFTER they put in a big race or two then claims he discovered them all. The dude is here to get his kicks out of bashing people for their picks and bashing horses for the heck of it. I might feel sorry for him and his lack of self-worth if he wasn't so obnoxious. For the record I agree that people are too quick to attach the label of greatness at times. Longevity weighs very heavy in my opinion. That will come into play here in the future for RA. How quickly some forget that RA was beaten multiple times in her 2 yr old campaign. That's not so great is it? So far she's 50-50 in her two years of racing, one not so great year and one great year.

I was blessed to watch the best of the best in New York from 1967 to 1980. I saw 3 Triple Crowns. I saw Ruffian Foolish Pleasure Match race. I saw Forego winning with 136 Lbs. When I saw Ratchel I got goosebumps. My thoughts were my gosh could she be as good as Ruffian. The answer is yes in time. All Mr Jackson and Steve has to do is give her time to recover and point her to the Distaff and beat Zenyatta. She beats Zenyatta and she hets H.O.Y. Let her mature and grow and and she could take on the boys again as a 4 year old. There is nothing out there that could beat her. I know Steve will do the right thing and convince Mr Jackson that Rachel is a special filly and they have plenty of time to show her off. Do not expect her in the Belmont. She will get a well deserved rest. Let us as racing fans be patient and let the connections decide what'e best for her.. May she stay healthy and give many more thrill in the years to come.

Any criticism of RA is pure nonsense. She was MUCH the best. Set all of the fractions from the 13 post and was taken wide. She is much better than MTB. he couldn't catch her after all of that pressure, bottom line. So everyone needs to stop making comments about how he could of/should of won. He had the ideal pace scenario and lost to her! And what about all of the other colts she took the hearts from in this race? There careers are over. Dominating win, plain and simple! Post 13!

Gary -

With all due respect, 5 pounds at 9.5 furlongs does not equal 5 lengths.  Prevailing wisdom for the 40 years that I've "been into" thoroughbred racing says that it's a bit under 2 lengths, and some dismiss it entirely unless the horse is carrying substantially more weight that he/she has proven that he/she can carry.  If you can point me to a quote from a respected handicapper that supports your position I'd be interested to check it out.

Hey JR, I asked about Stardom Bound about two billion posts ago.  

Remember, everyone, earlier this year, SHE was who we were all excited about possibly going to the Kentucky Derby.  Also, besides RA we were watching Evita Argentina (who was the first to beat the boys this year) and the 3YO filly division looked better to me than the 3YO colts.

I don't think its correct to give up on the rest of the fillies this year.  Sure, the Oaks seems to have come up light except for RA but what's to happen when (if? does anyone know out there when SB is coming back?) SB gets back on track?  And then let's think about Witty, who is just starting out.  And who knows how many other very lightly raced to date fillies....

This is just the first half of the year.  Who knows what's to come roaring out in the second half?

p.s.  MTB will win the Belmont anyways.  

Sorry, races farther than a mile are the ones about which the weight claim is being made,not at a mile.

THE RESULT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I HAD POINTED OUT, RACHEL WINNING AND MTB FLYING LATE. AMY WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR COMMENTS? RACHEL ALEXANDRA AND MINE THAT BIRD ARE FOR REAL AND ARE REALLY GOOD HORSES.

I am not trying to disrespect MTB, I will be the first to admit that he did much better than I thought he would.  I just wanted to point out that Rachel will be able to run a mile and a half and will be very strong in doing so.  I don't think the pace will be nearly as fast.  If Rachel runs back in the Belmont and has a decent post position, she will not be pressed in the first half in 46 and change.  If she is able to relax and have a pace around 48 I get the feeling she will be able to take the Belmont in hand.

Looks like Woolley is going to have to find another jockey for MTB in the Belmont. Mike Smith will be riding in California on Belmont Day

I didn't read all the comments so I'm sorry if I repeat something but WOW WHAT A FANTASTIC RACE!!!!  It was just the best.  I love them both and it really didn't matter to me which won but it feels like they both did.  The crowd was behind both horses also.  There was more excited conversation, speculating and betting going on than I have seen since 2007. To comment on the missing infield crowd - I didn't miss them. It was soooo nice to to walk out of Pimlico after the race and not face mounds of litter, filth and college students passed out and puking all over.  It was clean and wholesome feeling, like never before and the grandstand was bursting with excitement.  Sunrise at Old Hilltop had more people there than I've seen before and it was great fun.  The jockey signing and the handicapping seminar were fun too.  It was thrilling to watch that plucky little gelding trying to chase down Rachel, he has enough heart for 10 horses - I love to watch him run.  I wish he could've caught her; nose to nose in a deadheat.  They are both incredible.  I'll be at Belmont and I'm hoping to see them at it again.  One thing especially that brings a smile to my face is that, as long as he's sound, Mine That Bird will be racing for awhile and I, for one, will travel far distances to see him.  I loved the owners comment "we were buying a racehorse, not a stud horse."

lureofthecup,

      Great Info on the Great "Ruffian", Thanks, She was an Amazing Horse, But, Just to let you know , Think of Draynay as a human with Blinkers on, He only has his point of View and no one elses, You cannot try to reason with him, He will not listen to reason, It is pointless....

DANYLSON,

IF THE 'AMY' YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS ME,SINCE THERE ARE TWO ON THIS BOARD WHICH IS WHY I HAVE ATTATCHED MY LAST NAME. I ADMITTED I WAS WRONG, AND ATE CROW. MY OPINION IS NOT HATEFUL, NOR AM I UPSET ABOUT THE OUTCOME. I WAS NOT SURE ABOUT MTB DOING WELL AT THE PREAKNESS UNTIL THEY ANNOUNCED MIKE SMITH WOULD BE RIDING. I FELT HIS CHANCES DRASTICALLY IMPROVED.

 BESIDES, I STILL HAD ALL THREE TOP FINISHERS. JUST NOT IN THAT ORDER. I HAD

MTB TO WIN,

MUSKET MAN TO PLACE

AND RA TO SHOW.

NOT TOO SHABBY.

FYI for anyone who's asking why MTB was gelded, there was an article by Jennifer Morrison in the Toronto Daily Star on May 12, 2009 about his breaking/initial training.  It was called: "Horse goes from troublemaker to moneymaker" (yech title but still, at least there was SOMETHING about horse racing in the paper that day).

I'm not technologically ept enough to set out the address here but if you google, you should be able to get it.

Generally, it was a necessity to make him pay attention to racing.  

(Let's not even start a discussion of how useful this might be in the human world.......)

Interesting re. Mike Smith, but makes a lot of sense.  He always rides for the Moss's (who own Zenyatta).  Often a rider will commit for all of horse's races, especially when they have an ongoing connection with a trainer or owner.  MTB's problem is that he is getting great jockeys, but great jockeys often have other commitments that make it hard to commit beyond a single race assignment.  I wonder if anyone is going to be calling Mike Smith an evil person for taking off MTB for the Belmont?  Maybe everyone will realize that this is how it happens, and it's not a matter of being a horrible/unsportsmanlike person

About RA being tired: I'm not saying she will, or should, race in the Belmont, but she does have a history of being tired after big efforts.  I know Hal Wiggins walked her for two days after her pre-Oaks work because it took more out of her than expected.  She appears to be a horse who gives it all whenever she runs, and may need a few days to recover.  This is not to say she isn't too tired or needs a rest, just that it's not dispositive that she is doing poorly after the race.

Kayte, IEAH raced Stardom Bound so much that she is "resting" now for 60 days in preparation for a late summer campaign.  They ran her Feb 7, March 7 and April 4 and just over did it with her.  IMO, the worst thing that ever happened to Stardom was being bought by IEAH and having her training switched to Rick Dutrow.  They should have left her with Bobby Frankel or Christopher Paasch, her original trainer.  Last year, the same thing happened with Proud Spell and she never came back the same and ended up being retired.  Fools.

Sour Grapes, Gary!  Rachel was setting blazing fractions up front, not loping along like MTB waiting to bounce against front runners.  She won the race.  Doesnt matter if you think he would have caught her.

Why are so many people so sure that MTB would have won the triple crown?  He didn't beat Rachel.  Maybe he will do the Belmont but nobody knows that.  We will have to wait and see.  I thought Smarty would win it for sure but he didn't and who didn't think BB would win it?

Wow, what an awesome race.  RA is awesome.  Very impressive.  I was completely wrong on Big Drama winning.  Can't wait for the Belmont or later in the year when Quality Road comes back.  Also, love MTB and love Musket Man.  Great efforts by both, just ran into a fantastic filly.

Enjoyed Seatariat's troll post.

Also, someone attributed a quote about Rachel Alexandra to Lucien Lauren, Secretariat's trainer.  However, Lucien Lauren has been dead since 2000.  I suspect the quote was probably from his son, Roger Laurin, but I have not seen it.

If I were RA's trainers, I would forego running against fillies and set up the following schedule:  Belmont, Jim Dandy, Travers, Jockey Club Gold Cup, skip the Breeder's Cup until next year when they run on real dirt.  If she wins two of those four races, she is a shoo in for Horse of the Year.

Awesome blog too Jason.

Gladys

I like your idea about RA taking the TC but I don't think that she would have won the Derby nor do I feel that she will win the Belmont.  Just my opinion.  The Derby was won by Mine That Bird and he would have flew right by her just like he did all the rest of the horses.  

StardustyRose   "I absolutely agree that Mike Smith should get that mount.  I used to like Calvin until he jumped ship on a possible TC winner.  That did it for me.  RA is a good horse and probably would have won anyway BUT what Calvin did was bull***!"  

 What CB did was to let EVERYBODY know that asked him to ride their 3yr old, this year, that if their path crossed with RA he would be on her!  Everyone connected with this situation has said this on both sides so CB didn't jump ship off MTB he kept to his word, even after she had been sold, to stick with RA no matter when or where!

Gary,

I'm well aware that the size of the horse has nothing to do with breakdowns but it's usually the bigger stronger fillies that do well against the boys.  Weren't you concerned about any of the male horses breaking down?  Nobody has mentioned that, only the filly.

TJLuvsTizs

Personally I don't feel that they will enter her for fear of her getting beat.  Just an opinion.  :)

Mike Relva, you wrote on May 17, 2009 at 4:24 PM: "People like yourself,RECHELLE doesn't have a clue what sportsmanship is about. You hold a grudge with MTB cause you lost your house or whatever,lol. It's your fault you were on the wrong horse in the Derby,just like myself and everyone on this blog was! You should once do the right thing and give credit when credit's due "

If you read my first post on this blog, I am having to rethink my position about Mine That Bird.  I still don't think he's faced the best 3 yos this season, other than Rachel Alexandra, due to Friesan Fire being hurt in the Derby (not sure what happened to him in the Preakness), I Want Revenge being scratched from the Derby and Quality Road not being in the Derby or Preakness and POTN being a synthetic specialist.  I don't think MTB has beat the best yet.  That said, however, he has beat the boys in Louisville and in Pimlico so far this season.  How he does as the 3yos mature and develop remains to be seen but so far, yes, he has shown he is not a fluke.  I'll give him his credit.  At the same time, Mike, no he is not better than Rachel Alexandra and he won't be.  She's done what Ruffian couldn't ... she beat the boys.

BAD TRAINING JOB TAKING THE BLINKERS OFF BIG DRAMA.GO BACK TO CALDER AND STAY THERE.IFF THE PACE IN PREAKNESS HAD BEEN 6F 1:10.41 she would not have one.the fluke would have one

Stardusky Rose,

I was only commenting that RA is the same size as Secretariat.  I was in no way comparing them in any other way.  Secretariat was a large horse as is RA.  That was the only thing I wanted to bring up.  She is big and strong.  I was not in anyway saying she was in the same league as Secretariat.  As far as I am concerned, no horse has ever been or ever will be in the same class.

draynot back when FF and Rachel ran on the same track on the same day I said Rachel was a much better horse with more talent ...its not even close and many said, "You can't compare..blah blah blah.  Nope SORRY you can compare and it was OBVIOUS months ago that FF was no where near as good as Rachel.  The Preakness showed us all who the better horse was by far and it was obvious months ago in the mud.  All of you do me a favor and tell me when the FLUKE is going to win another race? When he loses Belmont then what ? When will the FLUKE win his next race and where ? draynot we all know Rachel lost a few sprints but she is undefeated over a mile and has never lost at 3. Thanks for trying to tear her down some... its real nice of you.  A filly wins the Preakness for the first time in 85 years and does it out of the 13 post which NO HORSE has ever done and you bring up a couple sprints and a mile prep....nice...very nice. Unreal.

Reality Check,

Very well said!

Cgriff--

Thank you for saying more eloquently than I could about the impossibility of comparing horses from different eras.  I was having difficulty thinking how to phrase it.

As racing fans/handicappers etc. we all have our favorite horses.  

For me, it was Man O'War from way back, Seattle Slew in the 70's, then Tiznow more recently.  I was lucky enough to watch Barbaro's Kentucky Derby on tv because I did not have a high school track meet for once.  I was also privileged to be able to get off of work early enough to watch RTR's Belmont on tv.  

While I have been unable to watch on tv the KY Derby and Preakness this year, I have been able to watch recordings.  This years Triple Crown has been a grand adventure.  I'm thoroughly enjoying it.  I hope the Belmont is as good, regardless of who runs.  

RA did a great job of winning the Preakness.  MTB put in another big move to almost get up.  Musket Man is a model of consistency.  Good luck to all.  

Cheers,

Heather

MTB is the real deal.  He proved it by a very game race Saturday.  I don't think he should be called a fluke at all.  I don't know that he can win the Belmont but he might.

It will be interesting to see.

Klc1975- Much the best. Lets not get crazy. All that pressure? A glorified sprinter who hadn't run for 7 weeks and freaked in the gate ran with her for 3/4 of a mile. More than anything else MTB's style and rider got him beat. A quality stalker/press the pace type would have run her down. The best thing that could happen for MTB is for MS to take off of him and be replaced by a rider with some guts.

Mike Smith is off MTB for the Belmont? That horse changes jockey's almost as much as draynay changes his picks. Don't let that one fool you, he never once said in March that RA would win the Preakness. Vineyard Haven, Desert Party if the track comes up wet, Stardom Bound, Imperial Coincil, Dunkirk, no horse west of the Mississippi had a chance, Derby this Derby that, blah, blah, blah, he can't stop spewing crap. After umpteen tries he gets one right along with millions of others and he thinks he's handicapping god of the world? Give it a rest boy.

StardustyRose-

  It absolutely blows my mind that you could be mad at Borel for sticking with Rachel Alexandra....whether or not her connections had changed....This is a horse that carried him to 5 (now 6) consecutive victories....He knows her inside and out....He had ridden MTB one time....and yes it was an amazing victory-but there is nothing wrong with showing loyalty to the horse that has done it for you all year.

IF TODD PLETCHER WANTS TO BEAT THAT FILLY WITH DUNKIRK HE BETTER BRING A VERY FAST RABBIT WITH him.dont worry about being a sportmans.DUTROW would bring one

REALITY CHECK:  I like your post 18 May, 2009 1:15pm.  Yes indeed, RA is so good that there is no need to duck anyone by hiding away in the fillies division.  The connections only need to ensure that she is fresh and fit enough to compete against the best anywhere whenever she runs.  They shouldn't even be strategizing too much for the HOY title at this stage because that will fall right into place at the current level at which this "wonder filly" is performing.

The way she "man-handled" Big Drama(a brilliant colt that should move forward off only his 2nd race for this year) down the backstretch, drew off at the top of the lane and still appeared to have enough in hand to "cool" to hot rush of Mine That Bird to the wire, was a sight to behold(gaze at and appreciate).

If she is fresh enough for the Belmont my guess is that the further they go the more dominant she will be, given her long fluent and rythymic (gazelle-like) strides.  Charitable Man does look like a monster threat that should only to be challenged by a freshened up RA.  

I have to say that I don't give trainers or jockeys any more credit for their comments than I do the average racing fan. We all have opinions. To me, it doesn't matter that Gary Stevens thinks that every good or terrific racehorse that comes along is "the greatest of all time." I give his comments little value. I also don't give Frank Whitely's comment about "RUFFIAN will beat FOREGO" little value. And Lucien Laurin's comment "RUFFIAN might be better than SECRETARIAT" is also just one person's opinion. It doesn't matter to me that a jockey or trainer said something, it's just their opinion. We all have opinions.

Calvin Borrel is now getting people to harp on how "RACHEL ALEXANDRA didn't like the track." She liked the track just fine. She won, and she was on the pace all the way. She is not going to win every race by 20 lengths. She'll win by 20 when she's racing horses who aren't very good, and she'll win by a lot less when she's racing with very tough horses. RACHEL ALEXANDRA won, she ran a great race, and she handled the track and the competition just fine.  She didn't "hate" anything at all, including the track. Calvin is just getting carried away with his estimation of her, and I'm thinking he thinks she needs to win by 20 lengths all the time or "there's a problem." It's just silly.

I first started realizing that jockeys and trainers opinions weren't worth much when I was a major fan of AFFIRMED SUCCESS and I noticed that his trainer would say things that either didn't pan out, or were just exaggerated claims. Then I started paying special attention to jockeys' and trainers' claims and realized that they're not worth much. I remember Robert Frankel (whom I respect, and think is a great trainer) saying that his fillies were all better than FLAWLESSLY, and yet FLAWLESSLY would almost always beat Frankel's "better" fillies. Charlie Whittingham had a good comeback for his assertion that his fillies were superior, "Well, that might be true, but we're always standing in the winners's circle after the race."

The powers that be at Pimlico should be ashamed of themselves.

They had a chance to draw a record crowd and boost handles but chose instead to ban beer. That has to rank right up there with the most stupid choice since draynay picked Imperial Council to whip everyone including I Want Revenge in the Wood and use ut as a stepping stone to Derby glory. Kudos to the fans who boycotted the race and sent the message that you may have the best show in town but without beer it just isn't the same. What's next, ban mint juleps from the Derby?

If this, If that...Everyone who thinks RA should not have run because she screwed up a chance for the TC, you are just lifting her out of the race and making MTB a winner. You all seem to forget that it would have been a different race without her in it. She was the one with a target on her back, and she dictated the race. Without her everything would have been DIFFERENT. MTB may very well have won, but he might have been last due to the different circumstances. WE WILL NEVER KNOW. And except for causing arguements what good does it do to keep saying IF, IF, IF? And no horse should ever skip a race in order to let another one win. You people complain about everything. You complain that the fields are "weak"(isn't that what you want so "your" favorite can win without opposition?). And then you complain when the field improves because it might impact what "you" want. Just ridiculous.

Jason or anyone...this is the third time I am asking...Has RA set or equaled any time records? I don't think she has and since noone is answering me I assume she hasn't(because someone would be bragging for her).

God as my witness, that little gelding will win the Belmont! If he had gotten a better run in the stretch he would have won the Preakness. If MTB stays sound and happy, you are watching the beginnings of the first great superstar of 21st century Horse Racing.  

Mr. Draynay: I guess Rachel was your horse after whichever colt you liked dropped out of the picture.  Whatever.

Pioneerof the Nile in the slop?  How can you pick a horse that has never run over the main track, let alone a sloppy one.  He staggered home in the Derby and may have cost two horses a better placing, but that is up to interpretation.

I hope Dunkirk runs well in the Belmont; it would be in my best interest financially.

Ruffian didn't run in a TC race because her owners, much like the previous owners of Rachel, didn't feel like that was the right thing to do. I personally don't see it as a problem, but I trust their judgment.  However, comparing RA/Ruffian on the basis of who won a TC event is ludicrous.  

Saying a horse lost a race because it broke down is again a matter of semantics.  None of us know if horses like Ruffian, Holy Bull, Go For Wand, etc. would have won or lost races in which they didn't finish. I'd venture to say that if Ruffian had finished, she would have crossed the line in first. So, again, your comparison of Rachel/Ruffian against the boys is pointless.

And, yes I have been watching Rachel closely for quite a while now, even during her less than stellar 2-year-old season. I've even been fortunate enough to pet her in her stall.  I agree, she's been geared down in most of her races (except the Preakness), but if you took the time to watch Ruffian, you'd see the same thing.  I like how you dismiss Ruffian's records as "nice".  One is nice, two are very impressive, but when you do it EVERY TIME you step on the track, that puts you in a different league.

Nicley said 'lureofthecup'

Lureofthecup:

Don't feed the "troll" - he wants argument to make himself feel important.  Pretend he's not here and he'll eventually crawl back under the bridge.

Great comments - and I agree totally - I've never considered Ruffian's breakdown in the match race a loss - how can you?  No finish was accomplished.  I know that's how the record books list it - but that's wrong.  A "DNF" - yes.  A loss - never.  Her record is perfect in my book.

Da3hoss- I was the process of answering your message a little after 1PM when someone began pounding on the front door.  It seems my husband's truck was on fire in the driveway.  Needless to say, I didn't get the message posted.  All is well now,the fire dept got the fire out before it spread to the house, and no one was hurt except a neighbor who fell on her way over to help with an extinguisher.  She's in the ER with probably a fractured foot.  Just thought I'd add some excitement to your day.  

Anyway, what I read about Mike Smith and the Belmont I believe was on ESPN site which lead me to believe that he had accepted if MTB ran.  Now someone else posted that he accepted a mount at Hollywood that same day on Mateo so who knows.  I can't imagine that he'd turn down a chance to win the Belmont but who knows.

Lureofthecup,

I would like to clarify some facts.  I have ALL of Ruffian's races on a DVD at my fingertips, even that rare maiden race where part of the race is missing.  In not one of her races was she actually 'geared down' (or slowed down before the wire) like Rachel has been in a lot of her races.  Ruffian was hand ridden out to the wire in every single one of her races.  Sometimes Jacinto did use the whip on her.  Most of these races are also up on youtube for all to see.      

You're also making the mistake of not recognizing the changing times.  The tracks have been deepened since Ruffian ran for horse safety, so it is a lot harder for them to break records now.  They don't call Belmont the Big Sandy now for nothing.  

Also, a horse that is not asked to run (not even hand ridden) and is geared down before the wire is not going to break records.  Still, Rachel Alexandra managed to break the stakes record in the Martha Washington doing just that.  And she came dang close in the Oaks as well.

Many horses that went on to be great racehorses had less than stellar two year old seasons.  Although, I wouldn't call Rachel's season bad.  She had a very good two year old season considering they ran her back on 15 days rest sometimes.  The only two times she lost after she broke her maiden was when she ran back on 15 days rest.  She was pointed out to me at the end of her two year old season, and I knew what I was watching then.  She just needed more ground and enough time between races.  That's why her Preakness was so impressive to me.  She didn't have the time she needed and still managed to win despite having to overcome all the other adversity as well.    

The fact of the matter is that Ruffian didn't cross the wire first in the match race, so it's a waste of time to speculate who would have won the race had she not broke down. Ruffian's career is in the history books.  Rachel's is just beginning.  Enjoy the show.    

TO:DRAYNAY

One thing we do agree on is giving RA time off.

TO:GRAY

Good points regarding RA's safety!

TO:TIM

Do you EVER had anything good to say,like for maybe one second in a day???????????

mz, I loved your last post;-)

I have read most of the blogs on here.  Yes, I am glad the filly won and that the Bird ran well and all seem ok,  but I am not as happy about how it was accomplished.  You have a multimillionaire buying his way into the race.  A turncoat jockey jumping off the derby winner and now the prospect of this  same brand of sportsmanship being used to not run the winner in the Belmont.  And if I were those good ol cowboys from New Mexico, Borel would never get on my horse again.  Borel gave no credit to Bird afterwards, I dont think, for the race he ran. CB, Maybe you can find a third horse to ride in the Belmont so you can win your triple crown.  Go Bird & Zenyatta.  And Genuine Risk, RIP, you were still the best filly to run in all three of the triple crown races.

I knew as soon as RA won, the 5 1b allowance would come in to play. I wish they wouldn't do that. RA would have won without it. Furthermore I don't understand the discussion about how tall she is compared to MTB. Horses come in all shapes and sizes. Smarty was small and tough and kicked butt on horses that were 16.2 hands. RA is a gifted, beautiful filly and deserves our utmost respect. MTB is a small colt in a plain brown rapper,tough as nails,beautiful in his own right and also deserves our utmost respect.

There is so much great information from a few of the folks on this blog. Thank you, it is great to read and note.

Watching MTB run was so thrilling. Maybe he is the racehorse Calvin referred to in one of his interviews.

I simply do not understand why some, like Gary, are downgrading Rachel Alexandra's performance in the Preakness because she had the 5lbs weight break ALL females get. Why should Rachel be the only filly held up to that criteria? Why is it necesary for Rachel to win without the weight break when no other filly or mare is held to that standard?

The 5lbs break for females goes well back in time. I do not hear people critiquing Winning Colors or Genuine Risk getting that same 5 pound break when they won their Derbys; and remember, Genuine Risk won her Derby by the same amount Rachel did the Preakness, 1 length, while Winning Colors held on to beat Forty Niner by only a neck in her Derby. How about Rags to Riches? Well, she too got that 5lbs advantage when she beat Curlin a head in the 07' Belmont. Even Ruffian, although a heavy favorite, was getting 5lbs from Foolish Pleasure in that tragic match race.

Looking at older fillies and mares like Personal Ensign, Lady's Secret, Shuvee, and Gallorette who beat the boys, all of them also received that 5lbs break. Personal Ensign carried 117lbs when she won the 88' Whitney by 1.5 lengths over Gulch carrying 123lbs. When Shuvee won her two Jockey Club Gold Cups in 70' and 71', the race was run on the traditional weight scale, in which older fillies and mares as well as 3 year olds carry 121lbs while older males carry 126. Lady's Secret in the 86' Whitney was rare in that she beat the males while giving weight to the runnerup and 3rd place horse; Lady's Secret carried 119lbs to End Well's 116 and Fuzzy's 110. However, Lady's Secret 119 impost came AFTER the 5lbs concession was applied. At equal weights without the concession, Lady's Secret would have been carrying 126lbs. Gallorette was the all-time best female when it came to beating the boys, winning 9 races vs. them, and like Lady's Secret she sometimes gave weight to the males in her races. However, whatever weight she gave always came after the 5lbs concession was given her.

I understand Gary's overall point. If we are comparing the pure abilities of Rachel vis-a-vis the colts(+ gelding), we have to acknowledge she received a 5lbs advantage. Fine, this is not disputed. However, posters like Gary make it seem that Rachel was given some special advantage, and that her victory should have an asterisk next to it. However, the 5lbs weight concession Rachel received is nothing new. Handicapping is part of the sport, and has been around for centuries. Why should we hold Rachel up to standard that no other horse is held up to. Even Secretariat when he was 3, received a 5lbs weight concession in his 5 races vs. older males in 73'. Weight advantages to 3 year old colts+geldings vs. older horses,females vs. males, and less accomplished horses vs. stars is an entrenched part of the sport.

It would sound like some of you want to do away with handicapping all together. It also sounds like some of you want to go back and entirely re-write the record books, and put asterisks next to any horse that received a weight concession whether it be the result of being a female, being a younger horse facing elders, or being a supposedly inferior horse in a handicap race. As I am sure all of you know, handicapping is a central aspect of the sport because of betting. I am also sure everyone knows the point of a handicap. Maybe if betting was eliminated from horse racing, a handicap scale would be unnecessary. However, without betting, I am not sure the sport would even be around. The handicap scale has been around just about as long as horses have been raced, and I wouldn't expect it to be eliminated anytime soon.

Soldier Course, what would you have Asmussen do then? Not credit Wiggins at all? Unless you know the guy personally, I think that's a grossly unfair statement. PR move or not, credit was given where credit is due.

Mike Watchmaker's commentary today  points out that while RA is extremely impressive, Ruffian ran 6F in 1:08.60 when she was two and 7F in 1:21.20 two races before strolling to a victory in the 1 1/2 mile Coaching Club American Oaks.  I think it is important that we remember her accomplishments before we so callously discard Ruffian in favor of RA.

In a previous comment I misread a comment from lureofthecup as Lucien Lauren saying something about RA when it was attributed to Ruffian.  Sorry about that, my bad.

LDP:

Thanks for that wonderful info re: Rags2Riches and Curlin in the 2007 Belmont, its is so very much appreciated... thanks... I learned something I did not know.....Lover of Rags and Curlin......

Like others, I question the source of the 5lbs = 5 lengths.

I have always heard that, at the very most 3lbs = 1 length.

In my time around the sport, I have found that anything under 5 lbs does not seem to matter too much. Maybe at around 4 or 5 lbs there starts to be some effect. For example, although Sunday Silence carried 5 more lbs. than Criminal Type in the 90' Hollywood Gold and beat him only a head, I have trouble stating definitively that Sunday Sielnce was the better horse on the day. And while I was a huge Best Pal fan, I couldn't say for certain that carrying 6 more lbs was the deciding factor in his nose defeat to Urgent Request in the 95' Big Cap.

There have been recent cases when  weight cost a horse a big victory. Azeri had to carry 128lbs, 10 more than winner Got Koko in the 03' Lady's Secret. Azeri also lost the gr.1 Humana Distaff by a head while giving away 11 lbs.  How about the underrated Southern Image, who, going for his 4th gr.1 in a row in 04', lost the gr.1 Stephen Foster by a neck conceding 10lbs. Paseana lost 3 gr.1 races due mostly to weight. I have estimated that Forego and Cougar lost at least 8 major stakes due to weight. And talk about a handicap,Bayakoa had to carry 122lbs to the male Quiet American's 116 in the 90' San Diego Cap when he beat her by 2. However, given Bayakoa was assessed the 5lbs break, she was carrying 127lbs on scale, conceding 11lbs. Quiet American went on to win the gr.1 NYRA(Cigar) Mile w/ a 120 Beyer.

Maybe it's just me...but I have a little trouble with these headlines saying that ratings and interest were up all just because of Rachel..that's just dead wrong..you talk to a layperson not really connected to horseracing and most of them didn't even know who the heck she was..they were watching because of Mind that Bird's  sensational underdog story. America always loves an underdog and its no difference in horseracing. MTB is the real fan favorite. I also don't buy that "this was great for horseracing angle". You can't tell me that if RA had waited to run in the Belmont..and MTB had won the Preakness, that the incredible story of the Triple Crown along with the Filly would not have been better. Its a no-brainer. Her story is amazing to people in the industry,but to the average Joe, not really that big a story. And definitely not the saviour of racing. She had every right to run and won fair and square..but its a shame she wasn't saved for the Belmont..the stars were aligned for a storybook finish that truly could have given Horseracing a real shot in the arm.. but egos and big money know no patience.

Jason,

Sometimes you really amaze me with your comebacks!  LOL!

Mine That Bird was born on May 10th. He was two years old when he won the Derby. The fact that he was such a late foal probably had something to do with his Sunland performances. He's 15.1 hands and still maturing. If he stays healthy he should only get better as he catches up in age and maturity to those he has already been defeating. He's not "plain looking", he's beatifully put-together and it's pretty easy to see for anyone who has been around horses that he has a head full of intelligence. When I look at the filly's expression all I see are the white's of her eyes, generally a negative on intelligence and personality. He's "The One" even though he broke me on Derby Day!I backed him in the Preakness and he didn't dissapoint, only Mike "Take No Chances" Smith. I had Chocolate Candy in the Derby with Smith up. Way to go Mike! You were great but maybe it's time to join Jerry's pinhooking business before you embarrass yourself any further. As between Candy and Bird, I'll go with the one you're NOT riding! Your girlfriend got The Bird up at Woodbine when he was 18 months old!

Gary,

I totally agree with you that RA has things to prove still. I'm not ready to compare her with the earlier greats of this sport.  Stardusky Rose thought I was comparing her to Secretariat.  I wasn't, I was just pointing out that he was 16.2 hands and so is RA and she is 1100 lbs and I believe he was 1150 for the Belmont.  She is not undefeated but neither was Cigar.  In fact, Cigar didn't become a star until age 5.  Some horses are late developers although at 3 it isn't late but she didn'thave a stellar 2 year old year.  I don't think we can crown her just yet, nor the Bird.  They both have things to prove.  After his Derby win, I just didn't think that could be a fluke because it was so convincing.

He has a heck of a kick in the stretch and a huge heart in the little body.  He's good for racing and so is she.  I was truly thrilled with her Preakness.  It will be interesting to see what her connections do.  I just hope that they all remain sound.

I still like the idea of Joe Talamo on MTB. Another interesting twist would be to put Chantal Sutherland back aboard. Any thoughts?

Old timer:

Hold your goose bumps for now.  There's been a million great fillies and mares that have done a lot of great things on the track and consistently.  RA still has a lot to prove.

Read Lurofthecups blog on Ruffian to get an idea.

Think about Personal Engisn's great undefeated record and what she had to do in the BC in catching a seemingly impossible Winning Colors.

I could go on for another day or two with examples.  Ra has taken a step but that's all.  The thing you have to realize is that the horses she's faced so far are not going to go down in the history books and many of them will be forgotton about in a few years.  To me, if she skips the Belmont that says a lot because MTB isn't planning on skipping it and I think RA's connections are being scared off.

Hey Draynay:

To put you into perspective:

Your mouth reminds of of RA.....HUGE

Your intelligence and brain remind me of MTB.....SMALL

Well the "Fluke" ran second beaten a length. I guess the 400,000 purchase price looks like chump change now.

I find it very interesting that so many seem less than impressed with Rachel Alexandra's Preakness win.  I really have been quite surprised by how many have critiqued Rachel's performance, and the fact she was "only" able to win the Preakness by a diminishing length . This in contrast to the fact that the other recent filly Triple Crown winners seems to be above criticism. This is puzzling because, if one recalls, both Genuine Risk and Winning Colors won their Derbys after opening clear leads in the stretch and then holding off furious late challenges. In fact, Rachel's 1-length margin equaled Genuine Risk's record margin of victory for a filly in a modern Triple Crown race.

The similarities between Rachel's Preakness win and Genuine Risk's 1980 Derby win are striking. In her Derby, Genuine Risk opened a clear lead in the stretch, a lead which stretched to 2.5 or 3 lengths at one point. Her first challenge in the stretch came from Jacklin Klugin, playing the role of Musket Man in Rachel's Preakness. However, rolling outside of Jacklin Klugman was Genuine Risk's biggest threat, Rumbo. Just like Mine That Bird was flying on the outside of Musket Man in the stretch of the Preakness, Rumbo came rumbling outside of Jacklin Klugman and moved into 2nd very late in the race. At the wire, Rumbo's late run fell a length short of Genuine Risk, with Jacklin Klugman another length back in 3rd. The result was ever-so similar to this year's Preakness, with Rachel holding off Bird' by a length, with Musket Man a half-length(rather than a full length) behind in 3rd. What is even more spooky is that just like Mine That Bird never did run by Rachel even after the wire in the gallop-out, Genuine Risk never let Rumbo go by her after the wire in the Derby, even though he had made up about 4 or 5 lengths in the stretch.

Rumbo had closed on Genuine Risk just a quickly as Mine That Bird closed on Rachel, yet few seem to mention that. By the way, Genuine Risk finished well ahead of Rumbo when they met again in the Belmont(not making any predictions for this year's Belmont, just stating facts).

Most also celebrate Winning Colors' Derby win without beating to death the fact that she just barely held off Forty Niner's late run(winning by a head). And Winning Colors had a lead of about 5 lengths with just an eighth of a mile to go, so Winning Colors was getting extremely tired. Few mention that, but they are correct not to. The fact was, Winning Colors WON the Derby. She could have lost 10 lengths in the stretch, in the end it doesn't really matter; the important fact is who won. Just like most have come to forget the exact details of how Genuine Risk and Winning Colors won, and the fact that both of their leads shrunk considerably as they tired in the stretch. What is remembered is that they won those races, and defeated the boys. Oh, and they both had a 5lbs weight concession. I haven't read one person on this blog trying to place an asterisk by their names, or question the validity of their Triple Crown exploits.

Finally, there is Rags to Riches. She won the Belmont by a head. Yes, Curlin proved to be one of the best colts, if not the best, of this decade. However, in that Belmont Curlin was running in his 5th race in 12 weeks, and in his next start would run very flat when a well beaten 3rd in the Haskell. It was really only after he was given a break that he took that next step in development. This is not to diminish Rags to Rich's victory. She won the Belmont and no one can ever take that away from her. It was a tremendous performance, and she did so battling a Horse of the Year the entire stretch. Just like with Rachel in the Preakness, there were factors that played a part in her win. Like I mentioned, Curlin was probably a tired horse, as was Hard Spun. The Beyer for Rags' Belmont win was a 107, so clearly Curlin was not at his best. Again, however, this shouldn't take away from the fact Rags' WON the Belmont. The same is true for Rachel winning the Preakness. Rachel made history, and it really should be celebrated for the amazing accomplishment that it is.

If one wants to point to the fact that she faded in the stretch because it could impact the Belmont, that is absolutely fine. If one want to point to certain things in the Preakness because it could affect betting angles in later races, go ahead. If one wants to discuss the margin of victory and the fact her lead shrunk because they are making a point about Rachel's place in history(discussing comparisons between Rachel and other great females) I can understand that as well. However, critiquing her performance ad nauseum is not going to change the result. In 10 years, hopefully this Preakness will be celebrated alongside the 1980 and 88' Derbys and the 2007 Belmont.

I don't think that RA will race in the Belmont. That's just my personal opinion.  

Now, if she's ready to run I suggest that she still skip the Belmont and wait a week until the Foster.

Why?  The Foster wouldn't involve a supplement.  No travel.  It's a handicap.  It's on a track we know she loves.  It's 9F is right in her wheelhouse.  Who would she have to fear? Einstein? Okay, but who else--Macho Again, Bullsabay?

Win the Foster and she's now beaten the best 3YO in training (MTB) and the top older horse (Einstein).  With those two notches on her gun, the only ones left are Zenyatta, Cocoa Beach and Music Note.  My guess is they'd have to come to her to win a HOY title.  That means she could bypass the BC if they wanted to avoid the synthetics and wait until CD next year to try the BC Classic.

It's tough for 3YO to face older at this time of the year (esp. fillies v. colts), but 3YO have won the Met Mile numerous times. So it can be done.

The idea of being the first filly to win two legs of the TC is tantalizing.  But the Foster might be a much better choice.

Track kitchen talk today in NY, Dominguez agent is shopping for the ride on "Mine That Bird" for Belmont Stakes.

Preakness was a great race.

I was wrong in judging Rachel not being up to the early speed pressure, but the Bird did stand up to be counted, and we did see  the best two horses finish one/two at the end.

As a handicapper I was more then satisfied with my prior to race estimate of how the race would play out, and I tip my hat to Rachel who stood up when I did not think she would.

On to the Belmont, and may that race also be a great-safe race for all.        

Also, for all those critiquing Rachel's performance in the Preakness, be reminded that she had only been pointed to the Preakness after she had been sold, and just 10 days before the race. Think about all the training, preparation, and all the prep races used to get these 3 year olds to the Kentucky Derby. It is extensive work for the trainers, and requires careful consideration from the trainers and owners. What prep races should the horse run in? How should the races be spaced? What should the workout regimen be? How fast should the horse work? Much goes into getting a horse to the Derby, and all the while the connections are also thinking about saving something for the Preakness and/or Belmont.

Now think about the circumstances around Rachel. Hal Wiggins mapped out a campaign that would get her to the Kentucky Oaks in peak form, with a race in the 1mile Acorn 5 weeks to follow. Then, some other owner decides to buy her,and point her to a race just 10 days away and only 2 weeks after a 20 length win in the Oaks. On top of it all, she is expected to run right back in race against colts, at a distance a sixteenth of a mile longer than any race she has ever run, facing the toughest pace chellenge of her career, while moving to a new barn and being trained by someone new. Seriously, ponder this. Then add on the fact she had to go the first half in 46 and 3 while being carried wide on the 1st turn. Bravo to her!

Mine That Bird deserves alot of credit as well. The Preakness had never been in Bennie Woolley's plans. Even after the Derby, his connections were hesitant to run in the Preakness, having planned to run him in the Belmont following the Derby. However, the connections respected the wishes of the fans and the history of the Triple Crown. Bird' did the rest, running a huge 2nd in the Preakness. Bravo to him as well!

Funny thing is.... Rachel Alexandra would be first or second on this list for many if she were Triple Crown nominated.  Only Quality Road would be favored over her.  If Quality Road can't run the connections for Rachel would be crazy not to run her in the Derby.

Draynay 06 Apr 2009 1:56 PM

Rachel has done what none has done before and I can't wait to see what she does the rest of the year.  The Belmont is not necessary I would like to see her rest and train for the Travers. But I guess it will be a week or so until we know for sure.  I am sure she will have a rider unlike the fluke... it seems no one wants to ride him...hmmmmm!

Hey Gunbow:

Good point.  RA should be applauded for her win. A certain idiot's perspective is what has turned a lot of people against her accomplishment.

Very well said GunBow. If wishes were fishes....

Sorry, in an earlier post about weight I wrote how Sunday Silence carried 5 lbs. more than Criminal Type and won by a head. Criminal Type won the race by a head. And that is why I cannot defnitively state that Sunday Silence was best on the day. Yes, SS was giving away 5lbs, but I don't want to take anything from Criminal Type.

T-Bird: THANK YOU.  I hate all this bashing of CB over the horse switch.  One can hate him for other reasons, but staying with the horse he always said he would stay with is not one of them.

         WANTED

One rider June 6th, 2009 at Belmont.

Rider must be willing to ride smallish Fluke winner of the Kentucky Derby. No previous experience necessary being that this horse will lay way back and hope everyone just gives up. No win necessary we just want to hit the board again. Expect this to be a one time gig as no one ever wants to ride the Fluke a second time. Call 555-1212 or just show up on race day.

Oh, and I forgot to add that Rachel also broke the stakes record in the Golden Rod at Churchill Downs.  

Dray....your transparent as they come. You clearly know you need to eat crow by claiming that MTB was a fluke but you just can't admit when you are wrong...dead wrong.... You should be in politics. You should be ashamed of yourself for saying the things you say about any of these horses. For you to call yourself a racing fan is a travesty. Its one thing to bash other bloggers but when you start bashing the horses its time for you to call it quits. Your a fraud.

TO:GW_ Bushwacker

I actually agree with you!

Someone has already posted the Preakness Beyer- 108.

This figure solidifies my belief that Rachel's Oaks Beyer and Mine That Bird's Derby Beyer were underestimated. When I made preliminary figures after both races I settled on numbers below what were actually given. As a reminder, Rachel was given a 108 for her Oaks and Bird' a 105 for his Derby.

Rachel's Oaks was the race I thought was most undervalued. Comparing the time of the Oaks with races like the Alysheba and Louisville Cap on the same day, I thought the Oaks would receive around a 110-114. for such a figure to be accurate meant that the runnerup Stone Legacy, a filly that had never run over a 75 in her career, ran between 77-81 in the Oaks. I found that entirely plausible given how rapidly 3 year olds develop at this time, and given that Oaks 3rd place finisher Flying Spur had run a figure of 100 before.

Stone Legacy came back this past weekend and ran out of the money in the Black-Eye-Susan, beaten 8 lengths. The winner of the race, Payton d' Oro received a 94 Beyer. Thus, Stone Legacy's Beyer for the race was an 80 or 81. Now, isn't it possible she had run at least that same figure in the Oaks? I believe that in coming up with the Oaks figure, the Beyer team placed too much emphasis on Stone Legacy's previous Beyers without taking into account that she could improve 3-5 lengths between races. With Stone Legacy now having run a 80/81 Beyer, I think it is rational to conclude that she could have run that same figure in the Oaks. And if Stone Legacy ran a 80 or 81 in the Oaks, then Rachel's figure moves up to 113 or 114, which would seem to be more in-line with the Ragozin and Thorograph numbers.

Actually, the Beyer figures for the entire Oaks day were wacky.  2 races before the Oaks, gr.3 older males in the Alysheba ran 1 and 1/16th of a mile in 1:44 and 1. Two races before that, gr.2 older fillies and mares ran the same distance in 1:42 and 3. What were the Beyers? The Alysheba received a 95, and the Louisville a 96. What? Well, clearly the Beyer team concluded that Churchill must have slowed during the day, or made some concessions for the fact that the early pace in the Alysheba was so slow(1:13 and 2 for 6 furlongs). Although rarely done for dirt races, the Beyer team often upgrades turf races which had very slow paces and quick come-home times(the final sixteenth of the Alysheba was 6 and 1). Without talking with Beyer or a member of the team, I do not know the reason for the Alysheba's figure.

However, taken at face value, a time of 1:44 and 1 for a 8.5 furlong race is approximately 12 lengths slower than the Oaks' 9 furlongs in 1:48 and 4.  12 lengths translates into about 18 Beyer points, and 95+18= 113. Again, the Oaks comes back to 113. Given that Rachel won the Oaks by 20, that she faced a much faster pace in the Preakness, had to run a sixteenth of a mile longer, and perhaps did not like the Pimlico surface, it makes sense that her Oaks figure would be higher than her Preakness figure. As it stands now, she has a 108 for both.

As for Mine That Bird's 105 Derby figure, it is hard to understand how he got a lower figure for winning America's greatest race by almost 7, with a final quarter in 23 and change, than he did losing the Preakness while only a half length infront of the 3rd horse. If the Derby figure is to be believed, Musket Man improved about 11 Beyer points(95 to 106) or 7 lengths from the Derby to the Preakness.  

TO:RECHELLE

I guess one of the major problems I have is people that only care about cashing a ticket and slamming horses by not granting them the respect that they truly deserve.

Karen2... does this mean I am off your Xmas list ?  Look, that horse winning the Kentucky Derby was a fluke whether you like it or not. I don't know what fluke means to you but may I suggest you LOOK IT UP.

Rachel Alexandra charges out of the gates running faster and further then she ever has before causing horses to tire trying to catch her and you want me to give credit to a closer that waited to pick them off ?  Sorry but I will pass on him and the connections.  Wasn't the trainer 1 for 34 coming into the Derby ?  Come on call it what it was or he could just win another race and prove it wasn't a fluke but tell me Karen2 when is that going to be ?  And if he doesn't win another race ALL YEAR is he a fluke or not ? I don't dislike the fluke but he is what he is.  He had a stroke of luck the first week of May but until he wins again... he is what he is a Derby winning fluke.

WHAT!  Now Mike is off Mine That Bird?  Lord that poor horse.

T-Bird  I believe that Calvin should have stayed on MTB.  I know it is was a hard thing on a lot of people.  It really isn't him that put himself in a nearly impossible situation.  Myself, I would have been loyal to the Derby winner.  Mike Smith hall of fame jockey could have won with RA.  He rides Zenyatta and not sure but isn't he the only one that does?  I personally feel that Calvin threw the TC races.  :)  Isn't that big of a deal.  I just saw a side of Calvin that I never saw before.  

Karen2

Amen!  Nicely said.  :)

I bet against Zenyatta three times--her move from the 1/4 pole to the 1/8 pole in the Clement Hirsch at Del Mar made me take notice of her true greatness--There is no horse that I can name who race in/race out always comes with that move...but I am betting against her again this Sat....they "cried wolf" with her in Kentucky--(as far as Z was concerned)... she expected to race.....now she draws tough on a track that's been frontrunner city.....that isn't to say she isn't one of the two best horses around....I mean pump up your gal if it's RA...but there's hardly anything you can say about Zenyatta that isn't good.....

T-Bird and dbjr8

OK OK OK I'll lighten up on Calvin LOL.  I really do like him, it just pissed me off to see him jump ship on MTB.   He very well could be on the way to a TC trophy.  Don't you think that would have been better in a way?  ;)

Ummm, no, if RA beats Zenyatta(and that's an enormous IF), she doesn't necessarily get HOY.  She gets HOY for sure, if she runs in the Classic and wins it.  Way too much time left in the year.  If someone like Einstein wins a couple more Grade I races and the JC Gold Cup, and the Classic, he gets HOY.  I for one hope RA ducks Zenyatta, and runs in the classic.  It would be one less horse to worry about...

I do not believe the Mine That Bird people should allow Calvin Borel to ride him in the Belmont if Rachel does not run. He has shown that his first loyalty is to Rachel and MTB needs to find a steady, dependable rider, especially if the two horses have the possibility of meeting up again. When Calvin dissed the Bird after the Preakness, that should have removed any chance of ever riding him again. It's understandable why Mike Smith would stay with the people who've given him so many good horses. MTB deserves to have a rider who will be as committed to him as that.

Thanks Zookeeper.

I really like Mine That Bird too. As I commented right after the Derby, I was as surprised as anyone with his Derby win and my first emotion had been slight disappointment. But it only took me seeing how the crowd exploded into applause when Calvin paraded him infront of the grandstand(I was watching from the infield) to realize that this little gelding had something special. If one were honest with themselves after the Derby, they would've admitted that 50-1 or not, Bird' ran a monster race in the Derby. Then, to see how the general public rallied behind this horse was amazing to behold. Unlike the "experts", they didn't see a fluke; they saw an underdog horse who had run the Derby field off its feet!

There is no question that, having followed the general media, Mine That Bird is more popular than Rachel Alexandra. What surprised me more was to see that even on this blog Bird' seems the more popular of the two. More than that, I have been surprised how many Bird' fans insist that he was better than Rachel on Saturday. I'm not sure how much of it is genuine feelings for the gelding, or people just blindly supporting the Derby winner because they want to see a Triple Crown.

I think there are definitely some that belong to the latter camp, given how many who have commented on the "bad" sportmanship of Jess Jackson to enter Rachel in the Preakness. C'mon folks! If Bird' was deserving of the Triple Crown he would have won the Preakness, Rachel or not! Given that a filly won the Preakness, I have been shocked by how many have writen negatively about her, Jess Jackson, Calvin Borel, and Steve Asmussen. I clearly underestimated how much some want to see a Triple Crown winner. I guess some truly believe the Jesus of thoroughbreds is going to swoop down, win the Triple Crown, and save the sport. A more likely scenario is that whenever a horse does win the next Triple Crown, it will either be immediately retired or given one or two more races. And I don't think any horse is going to save the sport over a 2 month span.

I know that some were hoping that because Bird is a gelding he would be the perfect candidate for the role of savior. However, if he truly was the savior, he wouldn't have needed to keep Rachel out of the Preakness.

Overall, however, I do feel that the majority of Bird' fans truly do like the colt, and not simply because he could have won the Triple Crown. Hopefully, they will stay loyal to him. I know I will. Yet, I do remember Funny Cide. He was a gelding that won both the Derby and Preakness, the latter by a record 9+ lengths. However, by the end of his career at age 6, when Funny Cide was running at Aqueduct, Woodbine, Finger Lakes and other tracks, there were not tens of thousands coming out to see him anymore. By 2004,  most horse racing fans were turning their attention to the new Triple Crown star, Smarty Jones, while the crowds going out to see Funny Cide grew smaller and smaller. By June of 2005, eyes were on Afleet Alex, and by May of 2006 they were on Barbaro. Most likely, come March and April of next year, most of the Bird fans will be focusing their attention on the upcoming 2010 Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown hopefuls, and Bird will be but an afterthought. This will almost certainly be the case for the general public and media at large. No one horse can save thoroughbred racing.

First,let me say I respect Rachel Alexandra and her accomplishments.However,Twilight Tear beat two of the best handicap horses of all time in Armed and Devil Diver,something Rachel Alexandra hasn't done and isn't likely to do. Twilight Tear,at the end of her three-year-old year,was 18 for 23,a winning percentage of 78%to Rachel Alexandra's 72%. She didn't win a Triple Crown race for one big reason-she didn't run. She was owned by Calumet Farm,who had tons of top horses,won that year's Kentucky Derby with Pensive,who she beat,so did not need to run her in the Triple Crown. If being undefeated at three and winning a Triple Crown race are all that matters,then look at Regret,who was two for two at three, including a wire to wire win in the Kentucky Derby. I love Rachel Alexandra,but she still has much to prove.

What jockey would best suit MTB in the Belmont? And which jockeys are known to ride best at Belmont?

Some have been speculated about how a Borel "Jockey Triple Crown" will be viewed. Wayne Lukas won the Triple Crown as a trainer in 1995, yet no one places him with Ben Jones or Lucien Lauren. In 1995, Lukas won the Derby and Belmont with Thunder Gulch and the Preakness with Timber Country. Very few, however, equate the accomplishment with "actual" Triple Crown winning trainers. The fact is Lukas is not considered to be a Triple Crown winning trainer, and neither will Calvin Borel, even if the horse he rides in the Belmont wins. The Triple Crown is when ONE horse wins all 3 races, ONE jockey rides that horse in all 3 races, and ONE trainer trains that horse in all 3 races. That's not necessarily how I would view it, but that's the way it is.

StarDustyRose: I believe it would have been a side you've never seen to any jockey if they take off a horse they won five stakes on to ride one they've only ridden once.  He made really the only decision he could make, and the one he said all along he would make.  There is no guaranteed Triple Crown if CB was on MTB.  I agree with an earlier post saying that you can't just remove or swap around an element of the race and know who would win.  Calvin on MTB would be the proverbial butterfly flapping its wings, and we have no idea what the outcome would be.

And, Mike Smith would not have gotten the call on Rachel, it would have been Robby Albarado.  Asmussen said as much when asked.

Gunbow, as a fan, not a bettor, here's my take on the MTB popularity:

As a yearling, he's sold for $9,500 - chump change compared to most of the other horses (Musket Man - 3rd in both races - $15,000, hmm...). Then, to add insult to injury, he's gelded. Ouch! He then becomes the 2 yr. old champion. Oh, but wait, it's in Canada. So the 'experts' toss that out. He then runs last in the Breeders Cup (forget the fact that he was good enough to even run in it, how many horses are not?) and goes 2nd & 4th in New Mexico.

So he comes to Kentucky and is stabled with the superstar horses that everyone goes gaga over - the ones that costs hundreds of thousands or even millions. Those horses have been pampered and petted and they strut around like they own the place while this plain brown wrapper horse munches on grass and goes about his business.

Which he does very well on race day. And he gave people a rare gift doing what he was born to do and doing it with heart. Rachel is talented, but this race was the first time we've seen her have to work at it. MTB has given it his all both races. That's the difference as I see it.

Filly...You didn't forget RA setting the stakes record in the Golden Rod, you made it up. She has the 4th fastest time behind Proud Spell 1:43.59, Belterra 1:43.82 and Silverbulletday 1:43.87...RA's time was 1:44.08. I could not find any listing of the past race results for the Martha Washington so I don't know about that but the article I read didn't mention her setting a record.

Mine That Bird was fantastic in both the Derby and the Preakness--kudos to the very brave and full of heart little gelding who could...and did.  Loved how he was reaching with all his might to try and catch Rachel--how competitive were they both on that day?

Rachel--what brilliant Oaks and Preakness efforts!  Whew--just took my breath away in the Oaks and still does every time I watch the replay.  Loved that fire in the Preakness...no letting the boys get by you that day--screw that damn sandy track...it was YOUR day.

Calvin--I love you now just like I did 22 years ago when you rode horses for my grandparents at Louisiana Downs--always, always, keep your word. &