1-9  LOL!!!!!!!  Oh boy I am really gonna hit the big wager this weekend Jason!

Good article.  I forgot all about Curlin and BB.  Geeeeesh!  I think they should run them both on a TURF track!  A little compromise for the fans aye?  That is not too much to ask for is it?  Someone is chicken that their horse is gonna get beat and I belive it is not Zenyatta.  I love them both and would love to see BOTH of them on the same day, track, gate to wire, in the same RACE!  That would really help the industry.   :)

OH by the way.  It is Jackson that I blame.  Once OK.  Twice... NADA!  Yeah no wonder racing is going downhill.  :(

I can't decide whats killing racing faster. Politicians or Synthetics?

Don't blame Jackson or Moss. Blame the MORONS who think it's safer to run on synthetic. This country is getting destroyed by bureaucratic decisions, not just horse racing.

NO more of that nonesense-RACHEL will run in BREEDERS CUP-SHE CAN HANDLE THE PLASTIC-Zenyatta will LOSE LOSE LOSE to BRIECAT any way

Jackson is being a hypocrite. He claims to have bought Rachel to race her against champions, but now he is going directly against that.  He is still sour about Curlin losing on synthetics and is incapable of giving credit to a quality horse who beat him square. Someone needs to buy Rachel so we can see her race against champions.

Zenyatta's connections have no ambitions whatsoever...Way too conservative.

So John Shirreffs is comfortable in the role of the late, great "Chicken Charlie" Whittingham, who refused to leave So Cal countless times to face East Coast opponents before he saddled Perrault in Chicago and Ferdinand in Kentucky. That Jess Jackson leads the league in sporting blood was proven last year with Curlin.If anyone is to blame here, it's the California Racing Board, which mandated that the "Golden State's" premier tracks consist of old tires, baloons, etc. The move assured the slow death of top-flite racing in the state, which became even more isolated than ever before from the rest of the country.Horsemen "put up" with Keeneland's faux surface because of that track's cache and short meet, and the only "sure bet" in horseracing is that it'll be a cold day in July before any of the Triple Crown tracks cover their dirt strips with rubberized wax.  

Synthetic surfaces are terrible for horse racing. Maybe to train on, but not for racing.

I have spoke to numerous trainers and they agree.

Can not blame Jackson for not wanting to run a dirt horse on plastic.

A horse is bred to run either on grass or dirt. Not plastic. The Breeders Cup never should be run over a fake surface. This is a perfect example. We will never get to see a show down between great horses.

No one is afraid to get beat on racings biggest day. You dodge them leading up to the race, then hook them in THE RACE. What happens happens.

I have to agree with Jason on this one.  I raised an eyebrow at the BC being held two years in a row at the same track.  I would hope there are enough tracks on both East and West coasts that we shouldn't have to double up on one track.

Though, it does seem to encourage the Europeans to come over, which can be seen as a good thing.

I'm disappointed that we won't see RA in a BC race but Jackson has made his opinion about the surface known, he did relent and raced Curlin last year and got beat on it.  Can't entirely blame him for being gunshy.

If the horse won't run well on the surface and you know it won't run well and you don't agree with the surface why put the horse in the race?  The horse is unhappy, the owner is unhappy and all the fans really get is a chance to say 'neener, neener told you so' when the horse puts in a subpar performance.

Seriously, we talk about owners being greedy in their choice to run horses into the ground, I can't say this 'we're entitled to see X run against Y because we're fans and who cares about the horse' is a particularly good reflection on the fanbase.

Jason I was ay the '03 Cup at Santa Anita over DIRT, and several Eastern barns no-showed then as well...seems they didn't want to "risk" running on the harder Western dirt tracks....now Jess doesn't want to "risk" running his spectacular filly on pro ride....that's funny, the same Jess Jackson who RISKED running Curlin on that horrible mud that killed George Washington in the Monmouth BCup??? ...sounds to me like he really doesn't want to "risk" running her against Big Z.....but why, I ask?? It certainly worked out ok for him last year, finishind a tired 4th and winning HOY.....

Is it me or is Jackson acting like a child here?  If you don't want to race on synthetics, then don't.  Crying about it and calling those surfaces trash is a discredit to the people that are looking after the safety of horses.  He is just miserable because Curlin got humiliated last year at SA

Unfairly, the burden is on Shireffs to ship and run Zenyatta east against Rachel Alexandra if he wants any shot at HOTY, because even if they both win out, RA's Preakness puts her a mile head of Zenyatta.

I do not see all the buzz, this weekend the up set will happen.rachel is do to bounce,just like mind that bird did,how can she get any better?

Well, Don't Forget That Jackson Did Send Curlin Out To California To Face Big Brown, But Big Brown Withdrew From The Classic Because Of His Feet, So How Can You Blame Jackson For That? He Still Ran Curlin, Didn't He? And Look How That Turned Out! If He Doesn't Want To Run Rachel Alexandra On The Synthetics, Then He Doesn't Have To. And, If Zenyatta's Connections Decide To Keep Her In The West, Okay. They Are Both Going For Their Own Goals, And I'm Pretty Sure That They Will Keep Pointing Towards Those Goals.

Honestly, I Think That It Is The Synthetic Surfaces That Are Causing All Of The Mayhem When The Public Wants To See These Horses Run Against Each Other. One Runs On Synthetics, One Doesn't. Back When We Had Most Of The Great Horses Running Against Each Other, There Were No Synthetics, And The Horses Ran On Both Dirt And Turf. There Were Also Match Races Where There Where Horses Pitted Against Each Other, Not Whole Fields. The Horses Also Tended To Run More, Look At Exterminator. He Ran Nearly 100 Races, And Won Half Of Them. Zenyatta Has Run Ten.

If We Still Had Days Like That, Then We Might See Rachel Alexandra Run Against Zenyatta, But Don't Blame Jackson For Not Wanting To Ship His Filly West. You Could Just As Easily Blame The Connections Of Zenyatta For Not Shipping Their Filly East.

While It Would Be Nice To See Zenyatta And Rachel Alexandra Race Against Each Other, If It Doesn't Happen, It Doesn't Happen. It WIll Be An Interesting Race For Horse Of The Year This Year Though... What With Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra And Einstein.

Best Wishes, Whisperoak

bullcrap, ZENYATTA  has won on dirt so why not go to big money races on the east coast.

pure bull.

and it bull that JACKSON says no to the west coast, RA won easily at keeneland back before she became a MONSTER.

yea I BLAME them both.

Why is it that so many great Thoroughbreds are associated with loathesome, ignorant, classless people?  The Breeders Cup, the TB industry, and the State of California, thank you Jess Jackson (NOT!).  Once again your theatrics outshine your wonderful horse and our sport.  Jackson all but ruined the Triple Crown media coverage with his nonsense - he needs to focus on his wine and keep his comments on synthetic surfaces to himself.  He is undermining a struggling industry that is trying new ideas to survive.  Strange how Rachel was able to race (and win) on synthetics prior to Jackson -from cbsnews.com "Rachel Alexandra has raced on synthetic surfaces before, cruising to a convincing win in an allowance race over Keeneland's Polytrack last October. That race came well before her rousing victory in the Kentucky Oaks, and before she was purchased by Jackson and his Stonestreet Farms."

Charlie Whittingham was a great and awesome trainer who knew how to treat a horse. He was not a chicken to leave California and go to New York, he just didn't feel like doing it very often, especially after how unfairly his "California horse" was treated by the New Yorkers in the 1971 Woodward.

In the 1971 Woodward Stakes Charlie Whittingham and Bill Shoemaker, along with the great and fantastic and superb COUGAR II won the Woodward Stakes, completely demolishing the field by 5 lengths. COUGAR II slightly brushed WEST COAST SCOUT at the top of the stretch, as he was making his usual run from the outside to the rail in the stretch, and Eddie Belmonte, being the Drama Queen (King) that he was stood up and made a big deal out of it, and then told the stewards "COUGAR cost me the win!" ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh please.

Anyway, COUGAR II was much the best that day, no one was going to beat him, but he was disqualified anyway and placed 3rd. Charlie Whittingham didn't enjoy the whole experience. And he probably didn't enjoy it because it was wrong and completely unfair. But he still brought COUGAR II (and KENNEDY ROAD) back in the Fall of 1973 to face SECRETARIAT. So he wasn't all that "chicken" after all.

ZENYATTA is the best horse in training, she is queen of the hill, and there is no disputing that. It's pathetic that RACHEL ALEXANDRA's owner is already announcing that she will not come to Santa Anita for the Breeders Cup. I guess he's holding on to his absurd notion that "the track beat CURLIN last year," which is wrong, because CURLIN just lost, that's all. What's the big deal about bringing RACHEL ALEXANDRA out here? It will be racing's championship day and she should be there.

steve: why don't we make a 100% sand track? Then the horses who don't win on it can be labeled as "flukes", eh?

Curlin losing on synthetic had nothing to do with his quality. It meant that horses aren't meant to bounce around on crumbled basketball courts.

You guys all need to stop bashing Curlin that was the best horse on the planet and if you watched the race he exploded before tiring, so dont rip on the horse its not his fault. Z is a beast and Biercat winning on saturday LOL save your money buddy!

Jason,

You hit the nail on the head.  Scheduling the BC races 2 years in a row at Santa Anita was a nail in the coffin!

I absolutely do not blame either connection for their stance.  Jackson clearly gave the synthetic track a try, sending Curlin, and he is set in his belief, rightfully so, that it favors a turf horse.

Rachel's campaign is agressive, if she makes the Haskell or Travers.  I can't say Zenyatta's campaign THIS YEAR is agressive, less she runs in the Classic and faces a new contingent of horses.  But I do want to point out, she faced some very good horses last year and beat them all.  It's not her fault there isn't anything left in the West to consume.  Nor her fault the BC races are at SA again.  I still love her.

Am I sad that there will not be a matchup?  Sure.  But that's just the way things go now that we have synthetic, turf favoring tracks.

Do I wish we would go back to DIRT tracks.  YES, I do. Unless it is proven that there are significantly fewer breakdowns on synthetic tracks (and this hasn't been proven) than I want my dirt, thank you.

Curlin didn't humiliate himself last year.  I do believe he's won over 10 Million dollars and raced all over the world and raced through his four year old year.  Much more than I can say for the thousands of other 3 year olds who never race as a four year old.  Raven's Pass won and now he's in the breeding shed.  What does that show for racing?  You can win a couple big races at 3 and never run again.  That to me is the problem with racing.  At least Jess Jackson runs his horses as four year olds so they can prove themselves.  I don't blame him for not running her in the BC.  She's proved herself with the best and if she runs as a four year old she can prove herself more than most of the horses in the country.

If there is anything positive that can be brought out of Rachel not running in the Breeders Cup, it is that her absence may increase the chances of her running against males in major races (on dirt, of course) for the remainder of the year. You can bet that Jess Jackson will be trying his darndest to procure her a Horse of the Year title, and if she wins a couple more Grade 1's against males, she definitely has a sporting chance. Mr. Jackson is probably salivating at keeping her in training so she can polish off her career with a victory in the 2010 BC Classic at Churchill on good ole dirt. If he wants to try and ensure she becomes one of the all time greats, keep running her against the boys (of all ages), and race her as a 4-year old. Can you imagine the anticipation that would build up for her first foal? A product of two, dual HOTY winners. He'll never admit it, but you know that thought has crossed his mind.

I take offense at any kind of bashing of Charlie Whittingham.  I knew him personally and he was a great horseman and sure as hell wasn't chicken!  He took Sunday Silence all over the country.  Charlie was a wonderful person and does not deserve to be bashed by someone who knows nothing about him.

Obviously,I'm from SoCal.But,I'm not a fan of synthetics for my own selfish reasons :}

Nevertheless,I do feel these synth.surfaces are safer/kinder for the horses on the basis of there's been a lot less visual breakdowns of horses during a race. Now,..there's reports of less bone fractures,but the soft-tissue injuries are still coming up,so I'd say the jury is still out on this issue,somewhat.Let's give it more time and hopefully they can improve on the product and have a uniformed synthetics surface for all tracks involved with the stuff(sorry).

Honestly though,I'm cool with the BC being held @ Santa Anita for the 2nd consecutive year in perfect weather & track conditions(as always),as opposed to showcasing this crowning "Days of Champions" on an overcast,wet/sloppy/muddy/-yielding/heavy/soggy type of surfaces they ALWAYS seem to have back East.Plus, Europe's finest will most likely try their hand on a neutral synthetics track than a foreign/wet main-track.That's what we all want to see right?..the Best against the Best.

Jason,

The only issue that I have with your article is that you take issue with Jess Jackson using the word "plastic."  I believe that he needed to use such a provocative word in order to highlight the fact that synthetic surfaces are not the panacea that they were marketed to be.  From Andrew Beyer's re-calculation and analysis of synthetic surfaces to Nick Zito and other prominent horsemen disdain for them,  Jess Jackson does not stand alone in his characterization of synthetic surfaces.  Jason, "plastic" is the exact word that an ambassador would use in order to bring attention to something that needs to be discarded for the betterment of the sport and business.  From the sales integrity task force to marketing to business acumen, Jess Jackson is the best ambassador this sport and business currently has.

This is off-topic, but I had to say something before my head exploded. This is from the 'Rachel's Sandbox' website from NTRA, which hosts a blog.

"Yes, yes, we know she was held out of the Belmont Stakes, but that's cool: She's ready to run again and New York racing fans have a chance to see a star who could end up being the greatest filly ever - ever!"

Tell me this is a joke. Not after hearing people talk about horses like Shuvee and Go for Wand...

Well, The foreign horses dont seem to mind the synthetic tarcks, now do they?

I'm sorry to hear Rachel wont make the trip to Santa Anita. I have a feeling that will prejudice the voting for HOY, although winning the Oaks against a also-ran field, and barely winning the Preakness is harely grounds to give her that anyway. Jackson would be smart to get her in the Haskell or Travers, and then we will see if her win in the Preakness was for real or not.

I think Jackson should bring Rachel Alexandra to Santa Anita and race her one time before the Breeder's Cup and see how she handles the track.  What would it hurt?  If they had prepped Curlin over that track last year I think his performance would have been much better.  Curlin was always better the second race at a track according to Steve Asmussen.  I love Curlin and was so proud to see him in the Breeder's Cup last year.      

Thank you Chiro, curlin was a beast and would of crushed those horses on dirt! Its funny how you take away steriods and horses stop getting injured mmmmmmmm! I am with jackson that synthetics is crap and they need to go back to the good old dirt! I hope QR comes back because he will be the best horse in the country when he does!

Monica: I met and interviewed Whittingham in Chicago; he was very kind in making time for the young midwestern reporter from the Chicago DRF that I was. I didn't coin the term "Chicken" Charlie; that was earned over a 20-year period where he never shipped east of the Rockies beginning with his champions Ack Ack and Porterhouse.He actually did finally ship Ack Ack east for the 1971 Woodward but the horse came down with the colic and Whittingham won the race anyway with Cougar, who was then disqualified to third for cutting off West Coast Scout. Don't get me wrong--Whittingham was one of the all-time greats but he represented the provincial claims that Western horses didn't have to race in the East to win championships and vice versa. I believe that's still the attitude.

I still say Shirreffs is treating Zenyatta like she's made of glass. Does nobody else find it ironic he almost sent Life Is Sweet against the boys, citing the males "weren't as tough this year", but he considers it out of the question for Zenyatta to race against the boys? Her legacy is going to waste. The Mosses have the opportunity to make Zenyatta live up to her potential as the greatest horse of our generation, yet they're playing it safe and will never see how great she could really be.

I applaud Jackson and his opinions about synthetics. Plastic, indeed. But that's a whole 'nother argument.

I'm sorry but this time, I think it's Zenyatta's connection that need to step up.  It has never been a secret that Jess hates synthetics, a feeling that would've been cemented by Curlin's .... dislike ... hatred ... of the surface!  If Zenyatta's connections were confident that their mare could run on anything other than synthetic, they would ship her out to face the best horses, instead of keeping her safe in California.  By them not taking Z out of Cali, they are going to lose out (again) on HOTY because she will never have faced the best this year.  Rachel is on track to win HOTY, especially since she's beat the boys and Zenyatta has not yet faced them.  Rachel has two other things that will help her cinch it: (a) if she meets older fillies & mares and wins and (b) if she beats the boys again.  As of right now, I don't think there is another horse that can knock her off the HOTY title.  Zenyatta can't win it unless she (A) goes undefeated all season, (B) faces Rachel and wins and (C) faces the boys and wins.  It was proved last season, she lost HOTY because she did not face the boys and win.  It'll happen again this season the same way and to me, that is very sad, because Zenyatta is a horse that I think could beat Rachel and could beat the boys, but she'll never have the chance.

Jason, Re: synthetics

The point is, the BC is pointless if the entire championship is run on nothing but synthetics and turf. I find it hilarious the DIRT mile wasn't run on dirt at all.

The series caters to turf horses, and our American dirt horses are having their records ruined by competing over the stuff they weren't bred to run on. The surfaces are different, and that needs to be addressed. Plastic, snthetics, whatever you choose to call it, is not dirt.

It's in my opinion Keeneland has been ruined with the Polytrack, and I think we're going to see the trend that the Blue Grass Stakes will be the most worthless prep to the Kentucky Derby because none of its winners will go on to place. If this isn't telling, I don't know what is.

I don't know about anyone else, but I hope to see her run against the boys in the Haskell.

Jess Jackson has been consistent in his stated dislike of synthetic surfaces. He was describing them as "plastic" at least a year ago, and probably before that. That Curlin lost the BC Classic only confirmed Jackson's initial belief in synthetics not playing like dirt; the loss did not create the belief in the first place. There are many trainers who do not like the synthetic surfaces and will not run horses on them if given a choice--Nick Zito is one of them. I think maybe the early announcement that Rachel will not run at SA was, at least in part, to end speculation well before the hype/publicity of a meeting with Zenyatta in California became rampant. I hope Mr. Jackson stands firm in his decision; he had the right to make it.

I also blame the people that decided that synthetics was the way to go to help save the horses.  And those who decided to run the BC twice SA...um...I still don't understand the logic as I thought it was supposed to be held at a different track every year.  Since when did SA become the glory child of racetracks???

As for Jackson's wording, yeah, coulda been better.  He's a very high profile person in racing now and should have thought of how that would be construed by other listening to him. Maybe it was frustration that synthetic may have cost big races in the past (Curlin?) but he should have known to keep his opinion in check...

It is too bad that Zenyatta and Rachel won't meet, cuz even I'm interested to see who would come out on top.  Personally, I like Zenyatta but we'll never know now, will we?

anti draynay,

"Its funny how you take away steroids and horses stop getting injured..." What on earth are you talking about? So many 3yr olds DID get injured this year, how can you say that?

steve s

Well I hope you're right.  I don't think she will beat Zenyatta but yeah she may run.

Whisperoak...

Good Point!  Why don't they just run these horses on NATURAL surfaces.  Horses in the wild are used to everything natural.  Why can't they just leave well enough alone.  I don't know if snythetics have made much of a difference.  I do know that is it not natural for a horse to run on it though.  May as well put them on skates and a sheet of ice.  :)  Just Kidding.  

LACS70

I believe that Malibu Prayer is going to beat RA this weekend.  :)

For the first time in my life, I support Jess Jackson.  The guy doesn't like synthetic tracks, so why should he support a Breeders' Cup on them?  

Who's to blame here - THE BREEDERS' CUP.  They made a foolish decision to hold the Cup on the same (synthetic) surface two years in a row.  But why?  The Cup has never been held at the same track for two straight years, so why start now?  Rachel Alexandra isn't the only big name who wont show up, either.  Look for Commentator to skip (again), perhaps Indian Blessing, and some  others.  

Instead of blaming Shirreffs for not leaving California, or Jackson for not embracing the synthetic surfaces, let's blame the people who made a ridiculous decision to hold the event at Santa Anita two years in a row.  They're getting what they deserve.  

It is a shame an all around shame.  I see both sides and understand both.  I also see that Rachel won on "plastic" and that Zenyatta won on dirt.  So, it seems there is more to the story.  Neither wants to be beat by the other. It seems so typical of this day and age.  The sad fact is that some horses prefer dirt and some turf, (think of Nicanor recently) and now the twain can meet on "plastic".  It is also true that the really great ones can win on whatever they run on, because to lose is more displeasing to them than the surface.  Wasn't it Personal Ensign that hated the mud but would rather die than lose to Winning Colors in the BC Distaff?  Now that was greatness.  The kind that our trainers and owners just will not let today's horses earn.  I say Rachel should go west, and Zenyatta should go east.  And the best will prevail.  And if they don't go and meet then give HOTY to someone else.  End the politicizing of this sport before it dies an undeserving death.  

Synthetics suck... that's all I have to say.

Also, Curlin ran a hell of a race in the Classic last year.  He ran a better race at Santa Anita than he had run at Saratoga or Belmont in his previous starts.  The horse, at that point of his career, just didn't have 'it'. He accelerated better on the Santa Anita surface than he had on the conventional dirt in New York in 2008.  

With that said, it was obvious that Jackson still HATED being there, and was only there to show he wasn't ducking Big Brown and to appease HOY voters.  

Ok, I lied... one more comment... let's not all bash Jess Jackson so much... without him, RA wouldn't have even run in the Preakness.

LAC, this isn't European racing. This is American racing. We train differently here...

Jesse Jackson is terrified to race gainst Zenyetta.  He knows that a good 4 year old filly will usually always beat an equally good 3year old filly. It's just the way it is,  same with the colts, and I said Usually.  Well I guess this is jackson's way of improving the sport and we all know that is what his intentions are,  right.? That was the reason for stealing the Preakness and backing down when it came to the true test of champions,  the Belmont Stakes.  It's all his way of improving the sport for the fans,  he's afraid he'll get beat,  AND he will.

I do agree with him on ONE thing,  the synthetic surfaces.  How many here want to make a bet that there will be more european horses entered in this years synthetic classis than there will be american horses. Isn't the Breeder's Cup getting better and better each year.?

if you retire them both now history and greatness will always be on the side of a horse with a crown race victory.even more being female.this will fix it if they run zen next year let her go for peppers pride record and meet rachel at churchill for her first loss.side note commentator morning line favorite for next years classic!after hollywood and santa anita are turned into strip malls the racing will get better on the fair circuits with dirt.

JJ ran Curlin on turf to test the waters...he still sent Curlin to BC and I'm sure they knew it was not Curlin's best surface, but with BB's bad feet and no show, there would have been ZERO interest in the BC with neither of the "Big Two" as a draw. JJ went above and beyond last year...

I blame no one who doesn't want to send a dirt horse to run on "synthetic" in the breeders cup. Synthetic is NOT dirt. Many will rant on and on that "truly" great horses "should" be able to win the big races on any and all surfaces...that's why there's only ONE that has been able to accomplish that feat, Lava Man, and even he gets dissed by the naysayers because California dirt, grass and synthetic isn't enough for them...

I can't say I'm in love with synthetic surfaces either - they haven't proven to be particularly better than the surfaces God provided His horses to run on - dirt and grass.  Jackson certainly was making a point calling it plastic.  I think he is still upset about Curlin.  But as far as this year goes, it's just sad that it looks like we won't enjoy the excitement of a race between Zenyatta and Rachel.  Maybe on the turf somewhere mid-country - maybe Kentucky.  These owners always make decisions based on their own personal parameters - not what the fans want.  Personally, I can't wait to go see Rachel at Belmont this week.  I'm driving a long way to see her and that's just the thing, you know, there are lots of people (not just die-hard fans) who would go way out of their way to see these two fillies.

Jason, you are so right, if Curlin had won last year JJ would be singing a different tune about synthetics.  Maybe if I had spent as many millions as he has in this game (if I had them to spend!), I would feel like I could say whatever I wanted, but I would hope it wouldn't sound so much like sour grapes.

It's also true that in '03 when the SA track was dirt, some stables still stayed away (remember Mineshaft?) and I guess when the BC is held on the left coast some always will stay away.  I was just hoping the most exciting horse (Rachel) would be there on the sport's biggest day.

Hey Lacs70,

What Preakness were you watching? She ran with Big Drama the first mile and held off Musket Man and Mine that Bird in the final quarter what else do you want her to do? Fix Health Care, Geez!

This is all a moot point if Quality Road returns. Although, He may not take to the synthetics either.

Jess Jackson is not responsible for this industry going downhill.  It has been on the decline for almost 30 years.  

Just because Curlin didn't run his best race over a synthetic track doesn't mean RA won't. RA is Mr. Jackson's horse and he can run her where he wants but he shouldn't blame the West Coast tracks for his decision when she has already won over a "plastic" track.

So horses were avoiding running against each other and they invented the Breeders' Cup to try to get all the contenders together at one place.  RACE horses, right?

Now they're avoiding the Breeders' Cup.

Next: just stop racing horses altogether.

Maybe they can just start breeding them smaller and keep them in apartments.  

Pity Zenyatta's stable mate is being kept out of the race on Saturday.  Zenyatta wouldn't have beaten her (which is I'm sure why she's not running).  Not with that weight assignment on a second race back.  I love Zenyatta and think she's a wonderful racehorse, but I don't think she's as godly as many people think she is.  I still give a shot to lose Saturday, even with the weak field.

I like Mr. Jackson's plans for Rachel (minus the fact I'll be crying Breeders Cup day that she isn't there).  I look forward to an exciting racing career with her.  Zenyatta's connections however are being far too conservative with her racing career.  I'll say she's a great horse when she does something great instead of beating up on questionable competition (the BC form from last fall is not holding up this year). Cocoa Beach has won her only start back, Music Note -5th in only start this year, Ginger Punch - had already fallen off form before the race, Santa Teresita is not consistent this year, Bear Now is doing awful (she always was really), and the rest are retired. I'd only give peak form at the time to the first three finishers of the race last year anyways, the rest were subpar or beyond their best racing days.

They should want to prove her against better than this.  

Did anyone actually watch the BC classic last year?! Curlin lost the BC last year because Albarado made a too early move on him, it didn't have anything to do with the track. He placed second on the turf and bottom line is Asmussen knew what kind of track they have at Santa Anita and should have made up for it in his training, if they really wanted him to win! Has anyone compared the "plastic" times vs. the dirt times in the races? I bet they're not that different. Horses can adapt to whatever surface their on! Saying that the trainers don't want to ship their horses to different tracks is just plain dodging what's really the issue, the fact that they just might get beat! Oh well, that what happens in racing, & thats why the people watch the sport! Please!

Zookeeper what I am saying is that it wasnt because of dirt that caused theses injuries. The mousse only ran on synthetics and he went down, IWR went down on dirt to say synthetics is alot safer than dirt is crap and is preventing great horses meeting up. I hope they go back to dirt becuase I think the "PLASTIC" is a joke! The owners of Zenyatta need to grow a pair like Jackson last year and race on dirt and quit being a bunch of wussies!

I think Zenyatta's personality might be a factor in the decision to not run her against males.  She is a very sweet, non-aggressive mare who would never try to bite anyone.  Rags To Riches had the opposite reputation, the get-outta-my-way, stare down the boys deal.  I'm not sure about Rachel's disposition except that she wants to get loose and run, i.e. feels like she could run through a brick wall.  Borel understands the need for restraint, loves her, and would never let her hurt herself like that.  I'm not disappointed that Rachel and Zenyatta won't meet, since I figured it wouldn't happen in the first place.  I actually agree with Jackson's decision to run her in the BC next year as a 4-yr-old when she'll be bigger and smarter, and, guess what, Zenyatta will be retired then.  And I completely understand the Mosses reluctance to push Zenyatta into an unknown situation.  This might sound odd, but when I was there to see her race, the love for her was palpable.  It was more than a mere sporting event.  They treasure her and want to protect her.

Does anyone know who else besides Life Is Sweet is going in the Gold Cup?  I figure Railtrip and Magnum, possible Colonel John?

I'm always a little puzzled by people bringing God in the argument for "dirt and turf" racing only. God may have created horses but, as far as I know, he did not put them on a racetrack of any kind. Man did that.

Shame on all of you that would put your own selfish desire to see Rachel and Zenyatta face off before the welfare and well being of the horses.  If I thought my horse wouldn't be able to well run on synthetics, I wouldn't run her.  I would much rather have a good horse retire sound than have a great horse like, say, Ruffian, who burned up the track and then burned up with it.  I love racing, but one horse, or one race, isn't going to save it.  One more big profile horse breaking down on the track, more ammunition for the likes of PeTA.  Should something happen to Zenyatta or Rachel due to being pushed into a confrontation, you can bet the protests against racing will increase.  I'd like both these fantastic girls to have great careers, and I don't care one bit if they never face off.

A great racehorse adapts to the track and overcomes it... Zen is undefeated and Rach only has had 1 spectacular race as the preakness would have been her 3rd loss if Mike would have moved Bird a little sooner... jackson is making excuses before even racing and losing... Basically Zen would cream Rach ! Let's both plan for Saratoga and the Personal Ensign.

As far as I am concerned, Jackson is one of the best "sportsmen" in racing today. He got a bad taste in his mouth with the Curlin Breeders Cup race last year. I don't blame him. He will give his horses a challenge and did such with Curlin and now with Rachel running vs the boys in the Preakness. The problem is the synthetic surfaces. They are causing more problems with competition than they are solving with reduced injuries I believe. Can anyone offer up some really good hard numbers that they do reduce injuries?

I follow all the major sports and in doing so us true fans want to see the best vs the best. Anything less than that is shortchanging the fans who support each sport. That said, I truly can't blame each faction in this case for not wanting to venture out of their "safety zones".

How about this for a challenge though, each agrees to race on the others surface, at a distance each choses on the others site.

Zenyatta has no reason to leave CA.  The BC is there and that is the stated goal.  If her connections aspire to HOY, she will need to beat males somewhere to match RAs Preakness.  One the other hand, I see no reason that Jackson shouldn't go after Zenyatta with Rachel, if RA gets beat, he can always blame the track.  One thing I know for sure, If I had fit and ready RA in my barn, I wouldn't fear any horse or any track.  She won the Preakness on a track she detested IMO.

stay on the dirt  

anti draynay,

Well, I guess there's no point in talking to you. Enjoy yourself! :)

Bringing God into it is only a way to say that dirt and grass are natural surfaces that horses in the wild are likely to run on and that horses thoughout all the 1000s of years of their history have run on.  I don't know of any pastures, meadows, trails etc... that are made of synthetic material.  And even today's modern horses are raised in a grass pasture or walked/trotted on dirt pathways.  They would never have stepped on synthetic until walking out onto a track with synthetic footing.  It is not a natural footing for a horse  to walk, trot, canter or gallop on.

This Zen v. Rachel argument is almost carbon copy of Curlin v. Big Brown last year. I know that Jess Jackson had his disdain for synthetics amplified after Curlin faltered over the surface last year (and i don't think it was just the surface that beat him, his jockey moved wayyy too early) ... but corect me if i'm wrong; Rachel has already won over a synthetic track, so in my mind its no excuse not to send her to the BC. Like I posed in the blog before this... the way this is shaping up is hypocritical of Jackson - he wants 'champions to run with champions' but he wont run the best 3y.o filly agains tthe most dominant mare in the country even though the fans would love to see it. I think fans are going to remember that Rachel ducked the biggest competitor she'd ever face if they don't met up. Granted Zeyatta's conncetions are being (IMO) almost too cautious (perhaps theres a reason?) by keeping her in Cali.

Either way, however this situation plays out i think it's safe to say that they both are amazing animals and we should enjoy them & their brilliant carrers

Not only are the synthetics not safer than a good dirt track, they reward crappy, even-running gallopers. You can throw class and speed out the window on the synth.

Rechelle, you mentioned why you thought Zenyatta lost out to Curlin in last years HOY voting.  Well, it became painfully clear to me why she lost out when I watched and listened to Mr. Dolphus Morrison in the Kentucky Oaks winner's circle:  "The fillllies should run with fillllies, and the colts should run with colts. The triple crown races are a showwwcase for the future stallions."  That's the mentality that lost HOY for Zenyatta last year... period.

I love horse racing, but I love race horses more.  I'd rather see both of them run in races that suit them than meet up in a race that suited one or neither.  

That being said, I'd be ecstatic if they could meet up.  I didn't I wouldn't want them to meet, I just wouldn't want them to meet if one's ability to run was compromised.  I think bashing either horse's connections is unfair, because said connections will take all the blame if something happens to their horse.

I remember after the Preakness, people were giving Jackson crap for not running her in the Belmont.  Someone even said something along the lines of "I don't care if she's tired, if she's sound, you run her."  And as many people were against that attitude, there were plenty agreeing.  I would think racing fans would have as much concern for the horses welfare as those campaigning them.

As I said, I love racing, but I fear the pressure from animal rights activist on politicians.  Another Eight Belles or Barbaro or Ruffian would do the Sport of Kings no favors.

I was a little angry in my first post, and not entirely due to the subject presented here, so I do apologize for the harshness of my words.

I'm wondering if Zenyatta has some soundness problems.  The reason I'm saying that is she just raced last month for the first time since the BC, wasn't it?  She's five and has raced 11 times.  Maybe she has some problems that no one knows about.  Easy Goer had ankle problems that nobody knew about and still was a monster.  I'm just wondering if that's why she was scratched from the race at Churchill.  Could be something that flares up now and then.  Look at all the problems Forego had and still was great.

Lost all my respect for Jess Jackson.  He's not looking out for the best interest of his horse.  He is using his prejudice to justify avoiding the horse he fears most.

Zenyatta proved she could run on dirt and win big last year at Oaklawn.  

The fans want the big race, the surface is no more dangerous than dirt, and possibly safer.  

Owners like Jackson with their unsubstantiated prejudices are contributing to the decline in the sport.

Unless Zenyatta goes on a losing streak, the only way I'd vote Rachel above her for HOY is if Rachel finishes a race in front of her.  No reason for Zenyatta's connections to go east.  More than enough big races out west, so its not going to happen.

Maybe a call to the Sheiks from Dubai to see if they'll step in.

Jason,

I guess there’s enough blame to go around.

Why bother?

I’ll just take another opportunity to give props to one of the best horses in the country, perhaps my favorite horse, the brilliant PA-Bred, Fabulous Strike.

Todd Beattie has done a great job working with Fabulous Strike.

He has been patient and aggressive – patient through injuries and aggressive in race selection.

He has done right by the horse, but has not ducked anyone, on any surface, at any track, at any weight.

As an admittedly biased fan, I think and feel he deserves a championship.

Unfortunately, we both know he hates the synthetics.

Sure would be a bummer to see a BC Sprint without, arguably, the best sprinter in the land.

Its hard to say it, but I hope Todd skips the BC.

Perhaps a 7-year-old Fabulous Strike will still have enough in the tank for 2010 at CD.

Until then, I’ll be more than satisfied to watch him light up the Vosburgh field at BEL this year.

- P

I dont think we should really BLAME either of them, but arent there a lot of more prestigious races east that Zenyatta could be going after if they want HOY? What about Saratoga? that still gives time to ship back to Cali. i get that they want to stay there since the breeders cup is there, but i think it would be just as rewarding to go east. idk.

The Breeders Cup is racing's championship day, and all the best horses should be there, and that includes RACHEL ALEXANDRA. I remember when MINESHAFT's connections chickened out, and there was no synthetic track to use as an excuse. As for all this talk about CURLIN and how "he should have won" I say nonsense. CURLIN lost, fair and square, and so what? He made a bold rally from the far turn to the stretch, along with COLONEL JOHN, and they both flattened out. Big deal. It happens everyday. Horses lose all the time. CURLIN lost several races in his career...and the Breeders Cup was just another one.

JOHN SHIRREFFS TOOK ZENYATTA TO LOUISVILLE TO RUN ON DERBY WEEKEND. UNFORTUNATELY IT RAINED AND THE TRACK WAS SEALED, SO HE MADE THE DECISION TO KEEP HER IN THE BARN. SEALED TRACKS OFTEN CAUSE INJURIES AND WE DIDN'T NEED ANOTHER EIGHT BELLES TRAGEDY. SHE WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO RUN IN THE MILADY AGAINST HER STABLEMATE, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE FOR HER TO RUN IN.  ANYONE WHO HAS ACTUALLY WATCHED ALL OF HER RACES KNOWS THAT SHE HAS NEVER BEEN ASKED TO DIG DOWN DEEP AND REALLY RUN. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SHE WERE CHALLENGED. IT'S ONLY JUNE AND THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF RACES BEFORE THE BREEDER'S CUP.  (ALSO COCOA BEACH LOST IN A SHOCKER THIS PAST SUNDAY.)

Stardusty Rose:

Regarding your comment about Malibu Prayer beating RA on Saturday. Remember Gabbys Golden Gal having some huge races before she met up with RA in the Oaks and lost by 50?. Well the same thing is going to happen on Saturday to Malibu Prayer.

Leave the surfaces grass or dirt. There is no place for plastics.

If horse racing wants to reduce injuries, talk to trainers and owners.

How many time have you seen a horse who was making a start after a year or so off. Only this time they are coming back for a tag and running against cheap comp? Why do you think that is? They were hurt and cant perform at that level anymore.

The trainers know this and the owners know this. Trainers dont want to just send the horse home, since they will lose the day rate. Owners have to pay for the horse racing or not. So the only option is to keep dropping the poor animal until they break down or someone claims her or him.

Synthetics are not going to stop this problem. Putting more responsibility with the trainers and owners will.

I'm not an advocate of synthetic tracks. I don't know enough about its supposed safety to pass a final judment on the matter.

The people who imposed it on California's racing had the best intentions. It all happened after a particularly hideous meet at Del Mar. An unusual amount of horses where fatally injured that summer and people were up in arms about it. So, in uncharacteristic fashion, the powers that be acted swiftly and maybe too hastely. But act they did and now Californians are stuck with the result: more reasons for the eastern scorn. Frankly, I'm tired of it. Our tracks are what they are. Our horses have adapted to them and those who could not have move on to venues more to their liking.

It is a fact that there are less fatal, on the track, injuries. I don't miss the screens going up to hide the often brutal consequences of racing. It is also a fact that other injuries (soft tissue) have gone up. So, let's just say that we don't know enough yet before declaring that the synthetic tracks are "crap".

Just one question:

Which is worse for racing, Eight Belles' injuries or The Pamplemousse's? I rest my case.

It has gotten old that anyone who does not want to run on synthetics is automatically belittled. Actually Rachel has run on them before, but new owner. And if the owners of Zenyatta do not want to send her to run on the dirt that is fine also. None of you own or pay the bills on either horse. Also Zenyatta has already been declared "great" was last year she has not run against the males on either surface at least Rachel has done that.

I think all this talk about running RA in the Breeders Cup this year is ridiculous. She's proven to us that she's a dirt horse. And suggesting that she should be able to run on synthetics just because she's so good on dirt is ridiculous. That's comparable to saying that a great dirt horse will be just as effective on turf, because as we all know synthetics seem to have playing mmore like turf than anything else.

Ended up skipping half the comments since they were all the same drivel about shipping East and "plastic" surfaces.

If Jackson thinks Rachel can pick up the HOTY Award without running in the BC, more power to him. Tiznow was Champion 3YO (and HOTY) without running in the classics, right?

As for Zenyatta, I wish her campaign is more ambitious this year (since it seems like this will be her last year of racing) but if that's how they're going to play then I'm going to be watching those weights. Isn't that another measure of a champion?

As for synthetics, I just love that more Europeans are willing to come over for our races. It's called the Breeders' Cup World Championship, isn't it? Why should we just hand all our turf races to them and keep the dirt to ourselves? Maybe we should take out all the turf races altogether and run everything on synthetics to make it an equal playing field for two very different types of horses.

Anyway the jury is still out and I wish California didn't move so quick to replace all their tracks, but I'm going to stand by synthetics as long as it helps prevent catastrophic breakdowns.

Safety first!

To Heather:

I believe a race at a mile and an eighth on either dirt or synthetic would not be "unsuitable" for either Rachel or Zenyatta.  How would it be?  

I love the horses too, as I love all animals, but if we are going to worry about PETA everytime we want to see a top racing matchup, than I am with MZ, just breed them small and keep them as house pets.  That's what I want, another cat, only with hooves.

Jess would never run Rachel in anything but the Breeders' Classic, if he was to race her this year.  And we all know that Zenyatta and her owners have been avoiding the Classic like the plague.  So why all the bashing of both sides, Rachel would have ran in the Classic, and like Curlin, she just might because of her fan base.  Either way, Zenyatta won't be in the Classic so let's all calm down.  Zenyatta will stay in Cali, won't travel to show her stuff against the crop of boys and girls that are out there.  Rachel runs against the boys again, and wraps up Horse Of The Year before the Breeeders' Cup Classic.  But, keep your eyes and ears out, Jess is a tricky guy, don't be surprised if you see Rachel training at Keeneland some time this year, just to see.

kittensjoy,

She HAS raced and WON on a synthetic track. People are not suggesting that she SHOULD be able to run on that kind of surface they are saying that she HAS.

It seems that a lot of you are saying that Jackson doesn't like synthetics due to Curlin's loss last year in the BC.  However, if I remember correctly, he was not fond of them even before Curlin ran on them, and while he probably likes them even less now, his decision isn't based on the fact that he is afraid of losing, or that he doesn't want to face Zenyatta.  He simply doesn't like them.  For the record, I agree with his decision.  Horses run on dirt and turf.  You're not going to find wild horses anywhere in the world who are running over old tires.  They are made to run on dirt and turf, nothing more.

I think it is inappropriate and classless for Jess Jackson to criticize the synthetic tracks, calling them "plastic."  He also was classless at the Eclipse awards, blaming Curlin's loss in the Classic on a "false track." These tracks have installed synthetics with the belief that they are safer, which should always be the number one goal in this wonderful sport.

Props to Benny and Indian Blessing, of course.

The ones to blame are the people who decided synthetics are the way to go and the people who decided to have the Breeder's Cup at Santa Anita's synthetic track TWICE in a row. Synthetics, I believe, are not any safer than traditional dirt tracks and they obviously favor turf horses. European turf horses have never dominated in the Cup like they did last year- and it's because of synthetics. The reason so many horses are breaking down is not because of the surfaces- it's because of the breeding. I wholeheartedly support Jackson in his decision (and his use of the term plastics) and I think he showed more than enough sportsmanship last year sending Curlin to the Breeder's Cup when Curlin obviously didn't shine as well on turf (which is pretty much the same as synthetics) as he did on dirt. Get rid of synthetics. End of story.

Some of you people are such hypocrites. You'll go and call JJ a chicken for not wanting to run on a surface, saying it's an excuse to stay away from Z. Well Heres some news, one even if he had gone to the BC he would've race in the Classic, and two at least he still has a HOTY campaign planned out. If your going to call him a chicken then you have to call the connections of Zenyatta that too. They've never attempted to run outside CA, except once, or run against boys. And now that she gets weighted down in a race the hadicapper knows she'll win because its an allowence field they're mad? Yes they didn't say it, but if they weren't they would've said so. JJ stepped up last year even after BB bowed out, and he hate synthetics, just to please fans. He's going to run RA in what is probably going to be one of the best Travers in recent memory. You will potentially have both Derby and Belmont winners, the pre derby favorite QR, the derby runner up POTN, and the guttsy MM. Then imagine RA in the mix. Tell me you think that race won't draw a crowd and your seriously in need of mental help. He also mentioned the filly TC. If RA goes unbeaten this year with a season like that her accomplishments will put her up with the greats. Then JJ even says there is a good chance of her racing as a four year old. What more do you want from the man. The only thing he's not giving is the BC, because he hates the surface and only had his belief cemented when Curlin lost to a field he would've crushed on dirt. RA has raced over synthetics, but it was an allowence at Keeneland, and that track and the ones in CA are about as different as an apple is from a steak. Zenyatta's ppl are the ones that need to step up and do something different. If she gets beat Sat. what will you say? It was the weight. Well for one great horses win when carrying weight, two, the field she's facing is a sorry excuse for a grade one, and three, Curlin carried 132lbs against probably the same quality horses and won while under a hold. Both connections are trying to do what is right for the horse, and i do agree with Jason, but some of you are so hypocritical. My point is if you call one side chicken, you have to call the other side that too.

I think there should be studies on what kind of real dirt surfaces are safest for horses, i.e., how hard the surface, composition, underlayer, moisture, etc.. And then they should do away with the synthetic stuff and let the horses run, whether east or west coast.  Synthetic has become the x-factor in American racing and seems to be watering down the sport. If racetracks have an oval with brown to grey stuff on it, it should be good old fashioned dirt, IMO. It's too bad that RA and Zenyatta probably won't ever meet, though... but I don't blame either's connections for doing what they feel is in the best interest of their horse. Good luck to both of them!

... only in California...

So Jess Jackson doesn't want to run on synthetics, but doesn't have a problem with running Rachel against the best 3 year olds in the country currently racing.  I'm not sure that makes him a "dodger".  There's nothing in speed figures to indicate that Zenyatta is particularly better (if at all) than Mine That Bird, Big Drama, etc.  Granted, speed figures are not surgical instruments, but they certainly depict relative trends pretty well.  Nor do I understand why Jess Jackson should be any more at fault for not wanting to run RA in Cal than the Moss's for not wanting to run Zenyatta outside of Cal.  In addition, the Moss's have the opportunity to run Zenyatta against males in the west, if they dodge that confrontation, I would say that they are being much more careful/protective than JJ about orchestrating their horse's win streak.  So perhaps retiring her undefeated IS their goal, rather than HOY, while JJ is after HOY.

Fire Slam,

A. Are you someone with an agenda pretending that you actually worked for trainers?

B. Are you the disgruntled groom Larry Fired?

Will go back and review, see who you said you worked for and go ask them if they recall you. A negative type who has always has a gripe and loves rumor and innuendo.

A first initial would be a hint.

As for the grass, dirt argument?

I agree, I don't like synthetics. But your reasoning is skewed. You can get dirt right, it just takes someone who knows how.

Jess shouldn't have issued his proclamations if he wasn't going to back them up and only used Hal's superior training to 'steal' a race, IMHO.

Zenyatta has run and won on dirt. A race which helped earn Azeri some huge honors in her day. Z ran it against the best of the group at that time.

There have been a LOT of stakes horses with NO previous injuries or issues who have had fatal breakdowns in the past several years. Some are well known, some not as. SH** happens. Same has happened on synthetics and yes, even turf. TB's are fragile. Big animals running on fine legs.

Is the breed more delicate? Maybe. Or maybe the electronic age has just made breakdowns more widely known.

I KNOW from stories from the oldtimers that horses broke down even 40 years or more ago.

First the stiffing of the groom, now the 'trainers' running unfit horses. You get less believable with every word out of your mouth.

Zookeeper when is the last time a synthetic horse has won the derby wait for it wait for it! Oh yeah never a bunch of cornel johns running out there! Fake dirt =no real champions! The best run on dirt and turf thats it!

TO:ANTI DRAYNAY

Sometimes I think you're the real dray by some of the remarks that come out of your mouth! Here's a clue for you,Zenyatta is the Breeders champ,get it! Why don't connections from the east come to Calif. and race her? All I hear is people who obviously don't know their head from their *** whine and complain about Zenyatta. You think she's 10-0 for nothing? She was out of her backyard last mo. the track was off. Do you remember that? She won on the road last yr. when she blew by Ginger Punch and company. Guess you forgot that also! Same thing about PP who was 19-0,I didn't see ONE TRAINER anywhere come to New Mex,did you? If you don't think Zenyatta is a "super horse" then you know little about racing! I think many greedy fans are nothing more than a bunch of crybabies,take that in any form you want!

CYD

Great points!

ZOOKEEPER

Hey!

HELLO JASON

You nailed every single point today. Nice going! This is why I read your blog.

If I beleived I was risking injury to an animal by racing her on surface I didn't trust, than I would follow my gut.  Can't blame the guy for that.  

Jackson has already offered to run against Zenyatta on a fair (dirt) track, even if Zenyatta doesn't choose to come east. That pretty much leaves the ball in Zenyetta's court. Lava Man was picked on because he could only win in C.A. (at least he gave it a try) but it is alright to have Zenyetta run with hometown advantage every time? Are you suprised she did not get HOY? Curlin ran on 3 different surfaces & out of the country but you would rather give HOY to a horse that ran once out of C.A. and who has never even ran in the mud? Curlin has also ran without bute or lasix and has run over 1 1/8 miles and run in the mud can the same be said for Zenyatta? If C.A. is so concerned about the welfare of their horses why don't they stop using bute on race day? A horse should run on grass or dirt, Tiago is a good example. Best he could do was a grade 2 on dirt at Oaklawn. Tiago's G1 wins are on plastic surfaces. Yeah he beat a tired Curlin after a long campaign for place on plastic, something he could never do on dirt. He did not fair to well against the big boys on dirt in the east (the big 3). I'll bet the number of European invaders drops once the the B.C.is back where it belongs (on dirt & turf). I would wager that a dirt track that would allow no race meds (not even lasix) would be safer than a plastic track that allows bute, adj, & lasix. Get rid of the drugs not the surface. There was no reason why Zenyatta could not run at Churchill. JS's excuse was lame. The real reason he didn't run her was because it was sloppy & speed favoring. He was afraid she might lose. Had she run I beleive she would have won. He could have also left her in K.Y. & found another graded stakes (on real dirt on the east coast)and entered her there then brought her back to the west coast & kept her there. It would have given her more than enough time to recover for the B.C. Jackson was knocked for not wanting to run on plastic but it was ok for Zenyatta not to run because it was muddy & it was her first start back off a layoff. If RA continues to do well would it really surprise you if she takes champion female away from Zenyetta (even if they don't meet). I think Zenyetta could win almost anywhere but if they keep her in C.A. and don't prove it RA will take it from her without ever having to race her. If they don't meet it's not Jacksons fault. The other side needs to step up and run outside C.A. Shipping & not running doesn't count. A horses performance through the year should count. The B.C. should not be the end all factor. In any case the fans will lose out once again.

I hate that plastic stuff.  I find it almost blasphemous to have the classic and these other dirt races run on that junk. These plastic tracks are ruinning the sport. And I can't really blame the moss' for not running her against RA.  It's not their fault their scared of her.  

Plus i said it before, if sea the stars runs he will win it, because the stuff is more like turf than dirt.

I so wish Draynay was able to post, because i am sure probably would have had an opinion on this subject.

    I will say it again, I respect Zenyatta's and Rachel's connections for doing right by their horse!, They know these fillies alot better then any of us "Fans", And to question them is utter nonsense.  I am disappointed they won't meet, But, All the crying and finger pointing is nonsensical, Does any one here claim they know more then Mr. Jackson and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss?  I honestly don't think so. So be it, Zenyatta and Rachel won't meet up, While disappointing that we won't see these two Great Champions face each other, It is now a fact.

     Regarding Mr. Jackson using the word "Plastic" over and over and, from what Jason said, Him using derogatory comments regarding Keeneland, Well, That is just 100 percent wrong!,  I won't put him down anymore then that, But it was a huge disservice to the industry for him to belittle all the synthetic racetrack surface's around the country, When the main goal is for them to cut back on the fatal breakdowns and injuries of these great athletes, especially with the breeding practices cutting back on the durability of all of today's thoroughbred's!

    Regarding synthetic racetrack's(Polytrack, Cushion

Track, Pro-Ride, and Tapeta Footings), First, before I get to the safety aspect of synthetic tracks, Other benifits include, drainage qualities are superior to natural surfaces, which allows tracks to be rated as "fast" under circumstances that would normally result in slow, sloppy or muddy conditions. In freezing weather, Synthetic surfaces often allow racing to be conducted when it might otherwise be canceled due to a frozen track.

     As far as it being safer then dirt,  I could go on an on quoting statistics, But I will just mention a few.  I will say, it would be better if the industry worked as one, but thet seems like it will never happen, which is a travesty(IMO).  While more data still needs to be compiled and people need to work together on this issue.  It is a fact that these surfaces have greatly reduced the number of  fatalities in horses. Last year, The Jockey Club did a study of 34 tracks, and found 27 percent fewer fatalities on synthetic surfaces than on dirt. If these figures hold true, and all tracks were converted to synthetic, based on 460,492 starts last year, the change would reduce the number of fatalities from about 930 a year to 677. In California, Fatal breakdowns during races have declined by more than 50 percent, from 3.19 to 1.37 per 1,000 starts. At Del Mar Race Course, 14 injured horses had to be euthanized there during the 2006 meet, CEO Joe Harper said at the time, "I would have spent $80 million, the results have been so good!", Fatal injuries declined to six in 2007. At Turfway Park, It saw fatalities fall from 24 in 2004 to three after it installed the first synthetic surface in 2005.  Now, I don't know about anyone else, But having 253 more horses living due to a surface change, Is alot better then having selfish people say keep the "Dirt" tracks and get rid of the "Plastic" tracks, It makes for better racing, Pretty damn ignorant to me, I wish people would do their homework before making un-educated and very selfish remarks for there own personal gratification.  While these tracks are still a work in progress, They are here to stay, and Thank God for that!  I too am not naive, Synthetic surfaces aren't perfected yet, and that it's too soon to pronounce them the answer to catastrophic injuries, But it is a huge step in the right direction!

    Lastly, To the people that say, "God didn't intend for horses to run on synthetic racetrack's, but on dirt and grass", Actually, If one really wants to be factual about thoroughbred's, The truth is the thoroughbred was raised to cross deserts, They do well on slow, sandy surfaces, Which is alot closer to Synthetic's(80 percent of Polytrack, for example, is fine silica sand). But,  Seriously, That is the best you can come up with?  Well, Since God didn't intend for us to have planes, cars, electricity, indoor plumbing, Etc.  Those same people must walk to work, or better yet, ride a horse, take a long boat ride over seas, use a outhouse, have alot of candles burning in their house, Etc.  It is called evolution, We evolve, It is our natural progression in life, Hence, Synthetic racetrack's are a progression from the old unsafe practices of day's past, We no longer have the Durable, race every other week type of thoroughbred we had in day's past.  We have to evolve to protect these great athletes, And Synthetic racetrack's are that evolution, Thank "God"...

can anyone tell me where either of Zenyatta or Rachel's connections have said that their respective campaigns are geared towards HOTY?

you run where you can be competitive, and hopefully win.

if at the end of the year, it's enough, then it's enough.

6 long months still.

IT IS OK...I have a Wonderful idea!!! How about a Match Race say...Oaklawn Park next spring or better yet... A match Race @ Churchill...Prime Time under the lights.with all the HYPE and MYSTIQUE...HELLO RACING INDUSTRY...WAKE UP...I amm too young to remember the War Admiral vs. Seabiscuit but...IF this INDUSTRY wants to go MAINSTREAM AGAIN...THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT ALL YOU PEOPLE NEED TO BECOME RELEVANT AGAIN!!!!! Make IT happen...The LORD giveth and HE taketh away...WAKE UP AND SMELL the Coffee!!!

On the west coast synthetics have been literaly a life saver to horses. I am so tired of seeing so many horses breakdown on the dirt tracks and have to be put to sleep. The reduction in deaths in sythetics has been dramatic. And yet there are people whining about snythetics hurting their handicaping. So the life of the horse is not worth a little inconvenience of the better. I can't believe what I am reading.

And then there is the bias against all west coast tracks and horses - I don't even want to go there. I am just sad that I won't get to see Rachel Alexandra run at the Breeders Cup on a safe track at Santa Anita.

Borel stated that RA is going well over the Belmont surface, that she could run on anything, even "broken glass".  Should we believe Calvin?  

WOWHORSE

Your comment regarding Zenyatta's trainer "treating her like glass",I don't hear you complaining about other horses that's mistreated by their connections. Where's your voice on that? Zenyatta's connections place her welfare first,period! Do you have a problem with that?

Zenyatta shouldn't and probably won't get voted HOTY if she continues to duck the males and only race at a couple of tracks in one state on "plastic" dirt.

If Rachel continues to win at different tracks at different states, including the four greatest and most historic tracks in the country....Churchill, Pimlico, Belmont and Saratoga, and beats the colts, say one more time, she will get HOTY without having to go to the BC Races.

Unless, of course, Zenyatta's   connections change their plans, and show a little nerve, and take her to the tracks where all the champion horses in history have run. Otherwise, Zenyatta will be HOTY in California...Rachel everywhere else.

Jason..

That is the smartest thing I have heard yet on this blog RE: surfaces.  Grass grass grass.  That is what it should be with all the horses.  I don't think for a minute that synthetic has made the injuries go away.  I too believe it is the owers and trainers that cause that.  GRASS!  :)

Cecil:

I agree with your assessment of Zenyatta.

She has never really had to dig down deep for a reason...her total superiority.  She is clearly the best and I think that shows that she belongs with the upper echelon.

Is she up there with the very best?...possibly she is, but we will never truely know because she will never be asked to race the type of campaigne the great fillies in the past have (weight, distances, competition...both maland female, some of the classic races especially in the east).

All she can do is what her connections ask her to do.

Fire Slam:

You hit the nail on the head. Thank you!

Under "sportsmanship," let me see...Kelso didn't evidently care for the grass at all, but he won the Washington International nonetheless -- was it once or twice?  I'd love to see the Z-girl wipe the floor with the wonderful Rachel Alexandra (maybe I'm wrong, but it would be a marvelous contest nonetheless) -- on dirt or poly.  Evidently swords have been drawn, along with lines in the sand, so to speak.

Okay.  So why don't the two of them call it a draw and run on grass?  That's what all horses do, thoroughbred or otherwise, in the paddock and on the loose...

Anybody interested?  Why not take a chance and see what happens -- a few laughs, nothing serious...and most importantly, on turf, nobody seems to get hurt.  C'mon, there aren't any fences or anything (although THAT would make it truly interesting). Hmmm.

Whatever..

I so agree with you on both accounts.  I believe that JJ is terrified that RA will get beat and the best way to make sure that does not happen is to not enter her.  Also about the Euro horses.  That too I agree with.

I still think that RA will get beat this weekend.  Just a hunch.  

kittensjoy..

I don't think it is the track that is the reason why JJ won't run her.  It is Zenyatta.  He is one big CHICKEN.  His karma will come and I hope to God it is not in a form of an injury but just the horse getting beat.  The entire racing industry (almost) wants to see these two fillies race.  Sure would help the downhill slide that will soon be non exsistant if this nonsense keeps up.  :)

How about we have a match race on the turf?  Let the best horse win ;)

Cyd..

Another thing that RA has done that Zenyatta hasn't done is lose races.  :)

Any chance of Zenyatta leaving California went away when Del Mar changed the Clement Hirsch HANDICAP to the Clement Hirsch STAKES, starting this year.  Jason- enquiring minds want to know when DM decided on this change.  sure takes the pressure off the racing secretary, I guess the marketing department now runs the show

Hey WHATEVER, Zenyatta is five years old now, not four!

I don't like synthetics either, and more importantly, I don't think the horses like it either. As for the "plastics" comment, you are right Jason, he should have used the word synthetics instead. It never hurts to use the least offensive version.

Personally, I would love to see RA and Zneyatta face each other, but I rather doubted it would happen. I think Jackson is afraid of a repeat of what happened to Curlin and I believe he does hate the synthetics. I think he will put her in some very aggressive races against the boys and try for HOTY via that route.

So here is the deal with Zenyatta, if they don't run her against the boys she has no chance at HOTY since a match agaisnt Rachel isn't going to happen. Here's hoping they do that.

It is very disappoonting that they don't seem to want to meet each other. What a shame.

kittensjoy...RA has WON on synthetics. To me that proved that she can handle them. I think that's where peoples comments are coming from...not idle speculation. JJ is the one who hates synthetics NOT Rachel A.

I have no animosity towards RA (she is a wonderful horse) but I think I'll be rooting against her from now on, thanks to my dislike of her owner(and distrust of her trainer). I don't want to see him win anything. He's a big  hypocritical baby. I'm so sick of hearing what a hero he was with Curlin. If I'm not mistaken Curlin lost several races on dirt...he must not have liked it either. They knew Curlin would benefit from a race prior to the BC over the surface and didn't give him one. And Curlin ran well anyway but apparently that doesn't matter ONLY winning matters. Well go ahead and pout Mr Jackson. You are hurting the sport, I suppose you think that's what is best.

Jess Jackson seems a bit hypocritical. During the Congressional hearings re horse racing safety, Jess Jackson and others talked about improved horse safety with improved racing surfaces.  Preliminary data comparing synthetic vs. dirt racetracks,seem to show the improvement in safety with synthetic surfaces.  In light of that potential evidence, Jackson, because his horse Curlin, did poorly in last year's Breeders' Cup on the Santa Anita ProRide surface, not only refuses to run on synthetic surfaces, he now degrades them publicly as 'plastic' and inferior.

A pending study, supported by the Jockey Club-Grayson Foundation re racing surfaces will hopefully shed some light on the safety variance between the surfaces.  

Jackson has always touted foreign horses, for their stamina and durability, and yet most of those races are either run on grass or synthetic surfaces.

Seems that the synthetic surface hasn't been a 'safety' issue for Zenyatta, she's 10 for 10 on those surfaces and in fine health.  

The true reason Jackson doesn't want to go west to face Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita - he doesn't want to lose, though it's a shame for racing fans that the Zenyatta - Rachel matchup will never occur.  

In all due respects, Mr. Jackson, as owner, has the right to run his filly anywhere he choses or not choses, but to say he's doing it for the safety of the horse is a bit of a stretch.

Greg J.

You have this nack of always putting things in the proper perspective.  :)  I didn't know that sythetics were like deserts.  Well if that is the case, that changes my opinion a lot.  Horses are in deserts all the time on fine sand and they also LOVE to run on ocean beaches.  :)  Good Post!

Too bad, would have been a world class race.  But that's racing today.

gundaghia...I heard S Asmussen say they were pointing towards HOY after the Preakness (I couldn't say for sure which telecast). I have never heard any of Zenyatta's connections mention that as a goal.

Greg J...Good post. Thanks for doing my homework. :)

Mike Relva,

Hey back! Glad you're joining in!

Greg J.,

Don't confuse the fanatics with facts... :)

Glad I'm not the only one on this side of the fence. I was feeling kind of lonesome out there. You brought FACTS to the arena. LOGIC also. Two factors that are seriously missing in some of the comments.

Speaking of Jackson's.

I am sure you all know that Michael Jackson died today at 2ish pst.  SHOCK to me.  :(

I think synthetic tracks are problematic for alot of horses. If they aren't trained on them, they can have a hard time transitioning to them, if they do at all. If tracks were uniform across the country and that's what they ALL trained on, it wouldn't be that much of an issue. Has anyone looked at the stats in a serious manner to determine if there are less breakdowns on synthetics?

Well, a few of you remembered that prior to being bought by The Savior of Racing (you know the guy that usually winds up bad mouthing it?) Rachel Alexandra actually did run and win on synthetic at Keeneland.  And Zenyatta beat the champion older mare Ginger Punch on dirt at Oaklawn in the Apple Blossom last year.  So both females have demonstrated they are not one-trick ponies that have to have a specific footing to win.

Now, anyone who remembers when real race horses ran (like back in the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s), instead of these hot house flowers that have to be coddled and wrapped in cotton wool.....all things being equal, the 4 or 5 year old has the advantage of maturity over the 3 year old.  If that weren't the case, you'd see more 3 year olds running in open races in the spring and summer.  Traditionally, 3 year olds have stayed in their own division prepping for and then running in the TC races and then AFTER the Travers, they would run against the older horses in the fall championship races....like the Woodward & the Jockey Club Gold Cup.  So you have the 4 year old Seattle Slew beating the 3 year old Affirmed when they met up.  Zenyatta is 5, which is actually when a race horse is in their prime.  Rachel Alexandra beating a champion in her prime....dream on!

And before you start the coronation process, you might want to wait until the year is over with.  There have been a lot of horses that did not run in the Classics that wound up as champion 3YOs, so we might not have seen the best horses running yet.  I was quite impressed with Rachel Alexandra when she won the Fantasy.  But her Oaks tour de force, visually impressive as it looked, wasn't the world beating race everyone seems to remember.  And she was all out to beat the colts in the 1 3/16 Preakness.  Is it only me that thinks that Rachel Alexandra is probably a miler, and really doesn't want to go much past that?  Hard to tell because as a 3 year old, she hasn't had much opportunity to show she wants to run much past 8 furlongs.  Only time will tell.

Now, as far as Mr. Jackson and his comments go, I find him completely and utterly irritating.  One of the few people that folks outside of the racing world will even bother to listen to, and the self-proclaimed "Savior of Racing" never seems to pass up an opportunity to bad mouth it.  How does that help?  His behavior last year and this smacks of a spoiled brat--"I'm going to take my ball and go home, so there!"  The great sportsman who gifted us all with another year of Curlin racing?  Am I the only one that remembers the whole continuing soap opera of the ownership of Curlin?  Jackson only owes 80% of Curlin, so the other 20% is still unresolved.  I think that had a lot more to do with Curlin racing at 4 than anything resembling sportsmanship.  Not to mention all of the competition (who all had clear ownership and were able to be syndicated without problem) were all whisked off to stud before the dust settled.  Curlin had a clear field to clean up as champion older horse and HOY without really extending himself much.  And I guess the rest of you must have been watching a different Breeders' Cup Classic than I did, because Curlin made his patented move, but he just got outkicked by horses that had been trained to run 10 furlongs.  He ran like a horse that needed a little more training and a little less of the rock star red carpet strolling around that he did instead.  Face it, he was short that race, period, get over it.  Had they bothered to follow the pattern that everyone who paid any attention to that horse had noticed, they would have run him in the Goodwood at Santa Anita to acclimate him to the track and THEN run him in the Classic.  Curlin always ran better the SECOND time he raced on a track, and had they bothered to do that, I'm sure the outcome would have made a lot of folks happier.  But Jackson was way more interested in teasing everyone with the "will he, won't he" routine and even had people vote on Curlin's website about whether the fans wanted him to run in the Classic.  He was more interested in trash talking with Big Brown's connections than actually focusing on the objective of winning the Classic.  But I bet you he'll be "prevailed upon by the will of the fans" to send Rachel Alexandra to Santa Anita....that is if she's able to keep winning, which is by no means a guaranteed thing.  But, hey, according to most of you, Rachel Alexandra deserves to get 3YO Filly AND HOY right here and now after 2 races.  Talk about a short race season!  Guess they don't even need to bother running her in any more races, then, do they?

Oh, and the whole "plastic" thing?  And how God invented dirt for horses to run on?  The Euros, who have been racing a few hundred years longer than we have, consider dirt the abberation.  Actually, the Thoroughbred was bred to run on grass when you get right down to it.  But then they were also bred to run 1 1/2 miles as the true classic distance.  It is Americans who insist on scalping the turf to dirt so the horses can run faster and faster. Not to mention shortening every race in the calendar so that about 90% appear to be sprints. Now we have Thoroughbreds who can barely stagger past a mile, which I think is a total corruption of what a true Thoroughbred is all about.  Time to breed some stamina back into the animal, otherwise all you have is a long distance Quarter Horse.

Here I am defending Big Z and if they DO meet and I think they will, I'm bettin Rachel anyway and taking the 7-2, maybe more if Cocoa Beach is at her peak...There are STILL mares back East that can challenge Rachel--BIG TIME! Better to plan on "Two Out There v Zen", WHY NOT? Rachel deserves a shot at Zenyatta.....

Mr. Jackson appears to be a very nice man and his contribution to the Thoroughbred Industry deserves acknowledgement. However, like many that follow thoroughbred racing, he has allowed his emotions to influence his assessment at the expense of the cold facts. It appears he blames Curlin’s loss in the 2008 BBC on the synthetic track. Now if the cold facts were to be revealed, they would show that Curlin was beaten by better horses on the day. Curlin made a breath taking move to assume the lead on a surface on which he was suppose to be struggling. He got caught close to home and in my opinion finished credible fourth. Subsequent to his Dubai WC victory he defeated in unconvincing fashion a steady group of Gll horse. How could anyone after his Stephen Foster & JCGC performance expect him to defeat the top class Europeans?  In addition to the improved competition, it must be noted that no horse that has won the Dubai World Cup has followed up with a victory in the BCC.  Three horses previously attempted the feat and failed i.e., Cigar (1996, DWC winner, 3rd in BCC); Silver Charm (1998, DWC winner, 2nd in BCC); Pleasantly Perfect (2004, DWC winner, 3rd in BCC) Curlin’s defeat has nothing to do with the synthetic surface. He simply defeated by better horses.  

Curlin was very impressive during his career but it must not be forgotten that his success was aided and abetted by the early retirement of top class 3YO Street Sense, Hard Spun and Any Given Saturday. Hard Spun was late foal (May) and in my opinion would have been a better horse at four. The record between the two stood at Curlin 3 Hard Spun 2 at the time of HS’s retirement.

I am extemely disappointed in both camps of these two incredible athletes, Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra.  It seems to me,  That connections of high profile horses these days play the game of not to lose.  They seem worried to to paint the general public this fake legacy for their horses.  Now the horses do not have any fault in this, its their connections.  Jess Jackson acts like a primadonna, this man hurts his horses image more than he does help them.  He is is not a sportsman, because sportsmen do not whine and cry and give excuses.  A real sport would congratulate a winner, and not blame one´s loss on the track.  Curlin was an incredible horse, If I his owner, he would probably be still running, and I probably would have done a Sonny Hine or an Allen Paulson with him.  I really miss those two gentlemen, they were great for this sport. They were not afraid of their horse losing, they knew eventually you couldnt win them all.  Sonny Hine knew Skip Away hated Churchill Downs.  He loved almost every track in the country, except Churchill, back then there were no synthetics, it was not a subject.  But the man still took his champ to the dance and lost, but he still got Horse of the Year.  Skippy was a heel of a horse probably the last true Iron Horse.  Cigar was the same, danced evry dance, dirt, turf, mud, long trips all over the world.  No excuses.  These people want us to compare these great horses in the making with the best of all time, but how can we.  Only time will tell how their legacy will shape up.  Ruffian, I cant believe it, but we still talk about her after 35 years.  Why is her legend so big, maybe its her tragedy who knows, but we still talk about her, and generations to come will continue to talk about her.  Theres been many great ones since, but they dont seemed to be remembered as much as her.  Just recently we had Azeri, who to me danced every dance.  Thats one thing about Wayne Lukas I do respect is he dont back down from any challenge, he goes anywhere to run, which was something De Seroux would not do.  But now Azeri seems to have been forgotten, which is disappointed to me, it seems the media hypes every new hot shot that comes along so much that it seems almost every year we  have a new "one of the all time greats come along".  Its ridiculous.  Some of the horses of today shouldn´t even mention in the same sentence as Regret, or Ruffian, or Ta Wee, or Chris Evert, or Go For Wand, Personal Ensign(NOTE:loved the mud, I never saw a Private Account who couldn´t handle it, did´nt you see the Whitney?), Genuine Risk, Bayakoa, Ladys Secret, I mean, these were incredible mares, who ran almost every month of the year, sometimes twice a month, carried incredible weights, these babies were and will always be legends.  The horses of today, could be just as great, but their spoiled, treated with kids gloves, with connections who are concerned with the horses winning record, than making them a real legend, a horse that we will still talk about 30 to 50 years from now.  As for the track, Rachel Alexandra has a better pedigree for synthetics than Zenyatta, Zenyattas best race to date was actually the Apple Blossom last year where she flew past Ginger Punch and won by almost a handful.  Look at that race and compare them to the rest of her races, and you will know what I mean.  As for Rachel Alexandra, I believe she would run better on turf also.  She is just like her daddy, and El Prados love synthetics and turf more than they do dirt.  But its unfortunate that their connections are the way they are.  I like to express that the connections of Einstein, let me note personal problems aside, have been good with this horse in their decisions, and its unfortunate that this horse has not been publicised as much as the fillys and the 3 year olds this year.  Einstein has gone to the west, went back to east, run on synthetics, run on dirt and turf all this year, he is a joy to watch, win or lose, I will cheer for him.  Just like I did Curlin last year.  Congratulations Helen Pitts, you have done a tremendous job with Einstein and I am sure you would have continued to do an incredible job with Curlin had you stayed on as her trainer. So Mr. Jackson and Mr. Moss, if you want your horses to be legends, let them run, stop keeping them in the barn, believe me horses dont like to stay in the barn, they rather run which is what they were born to do.

Well if synthetics are like the beach or the desert, the horses that ran on it at Del Mar sure didn't like it. They had their fair share of break downs, they had a huge increase in suspensory injuries and the track was playing totally different in the afternoon than in the morning.

There are so many different synthetic surfaces, you cannot say WHAT they are like. They aren't all created equal and they've had as much or more trial and error as any dirt track.

Santa Anita's first synthetic EPIC FAIL #2 had a bunch of fatalities after the BC.

All of the 'experts' on here make me laugh. They 'read' something and that makes their opinion correct. I'm going to bet that less than 5% of the people who comment here have ANY practical experience with race horses AT THE TRACK. The other 95% are relying on heresay, what they read and what OTHERS TELL them.

NOT ALL horses love to run on the beach, synthetics, the desert (that's so bred out of these TB's that it doesn't exist), the turf or the dirt. A smart owner and trainer run them where they are comfortable and successful.

The people with pie in the sky suggestions obviously don't have the reality to back themselves and what they say up. Doubt they EVER put their money where their MOUTH is.

I would like to mention that Rachel not running in the Breeders Cup really is a non issue if we are talking about her vs Zenyatta.  Zenyatta's connections have clearly stated she will run in the LADIES Classic again and I read that Rachel's goal would be the Classic itself if she came out to California.  So - even if they were going to run Rachel, THE TWO WOULD NOT MEET! So what is the debate?  Both connections can and should do whatever they feel is best for THEIR horse.  Jackson went out on a limb (with the surfaces)twice with Curlin last year and did not have the desired results so I cannot fault him for not doing it again.  He has shown a willingness to challenge his horses but I see no sense in running on a surface you are not happy with.  I would not run my horses on synthetics (if I had any LOL)!  As far as Zenyatta, I am disappointed that her connections are so far not planning to challenge her.  Running at the same tracks against the same beaten competition is not the way I would like to see her showcased. I love them both and I would not like to see either of them lose but I truly believe in challenging horses the way they used to back in the day!

THE GAME IS N A SORRY STATE PERIOD...GET A REEL PROMOTOR...THATS THE NOE BRAINER...

Just a note to add to the discussion about synthetic tracks.  While the jury is actually still out as to whether or not they are actually "safer", there is evidently a possibility that they may not be safer for a horse that is not accustomed to them.  The Blood Horse had a really good article last year that was talking about the fact that when horses run on synthetics, their muscles are used in a different way (in lay terms) and therefore horses transitioning from dirt are actually initially more prone to injury.  Based on that article, it appears to me that switching a dirt horse back and forth between surfaces is definitely not a good plan and I would certainly never do it!

Breed for stamina and durability not simply for speed. Don't pump steroids into horses or those other drugs like lasix and bute that are now commonplace. That's Jess Jackson's sound counsel and it seems designed to return racing - at least, to some degree - to the days of Citation when horses ran every two weeks and no one drugged up the horses or bred them fragile simply for speed. That's what's needed to reduce injuries - not plastic surfaces composed of rubber tires. Jackson's been very consistent about his disregard for synthetics, and I totally disagree with others who claim he would be singing another tune if Curlin had won the BCC on the Santa Anita surface. With reluctance he took Curlin to Santa Anita because of the sportsmen in his blood. Of contemporary owners he's one trying to head a wayward thoroughbred racing industry back in the right direction though he missed the mark in not running Curlin in the Clark Handicap and then letting this durable colt stay on the track for another two years to see if Curlin could have truly become one of the greatest handicap horses of all times. Jess still has a ways to go yet, but his course heading is correct. As for his use of the descriptive plastic, plastic = artificial and is an apt description of a synthetic surface. Besides, Jackson has tradition and the bulk of racing fans on his side concerning synthetics. Just peruse this blog in its entirety, and you will quickly see the overwhelming distaste for synthetics and an almost universal desire to return to exclusively dirt/turf running surfaces. Injuries will always occur in demanding athletic competition, and I'll put my money on sound drug-free horses bred for stamina and durability, as well as speed, to significantly reduce racing injuries over a championing of plastic surfaces made of old tires as the correct panacea for what ails.

Greg J. and Obeahshope great posts!

Jackson isn't a bit of a hypocrite, the man is a walking testamonial to the meaning of the word.

As for synthetics, IMO, I hope  more tracks will be installing them as time goes on. Criticize Cali all you want, but when you have a rash of fatalities like what happened at Del Mar, (and that can happen at any track at any time), it is only humane to try and improve the situation, not only for the horses, but for people too. A breakdown is a horrific sight to witness. For example, how many people were affected by the tragedy of Eight Belles and others? How many of those people will never again go to a track? Like Greg J. posted, times have changed. The sport is facing hurdles to survive, and the sport needs all the fan base it can get. Granted, a synthetic track will not prevent all accidents, but it can sure cut down the chances. Horses can't tell us how they are feeling, and even though we read them the best we can, one doesn't know if today their body aches somewhere. How many times hasen't someone woken up with a pain and wonder "where'd that come from?" and step lightly for the rest of the day. So whether it's breeding, medicines, shady trainers or owners, full moon or whatever, more fatalities are prevalent today. All we do is turn a blind eye. Sometime back on one of the blogs, someone posted the fatalities that happened in one day at tracks. It was a eye opener. As for PETA, yes they are a pain in the a##, and at times royal ones, but we need them to keep us grounded. Call us Cali people what you will, it won't matter, because at the end of the day at least we can take pride in the fact that we stepped up to the plate in trying to improve our horse racing industry, and being California,(wacky as we are in some people's opinion), we never settle for status quo.

Another major problem with the synthetic track is they are murder on hot days.

Last year at Santa Anita on BC Day is a case in point: The temperature on the rubberized track was, if my memory serves me correctly, 117 degrees due to warmer than usual temps (90+)in L.A that day.  

Dirt does not radiate heat. The synthetic crap does. 117 degrees will affect races as some horses do not like it. Not to mention the danger that kind of heat exposes the horses to.

And since it does NOT prevent injuries, just what is synthetic track good for? It is one very big, expensive, and controversial mistake. I would not be surprised if they are sorry they ever did it. The handicappers sure are! :)  

I have hated this synthetic surface since first hearing about it.  Races should be on grass or dirt pure and simple.  I would love to see a Zenyatta vs Rachel race just like everybody else but if it doesn't happen, I will survive and continue to be a racing fan.  

I don't think it is situations like this that is hurting racing, it is sending a perfectly sound 3 year old to the breeding barn before he/she hits their 4 year old season.  I would love to see horses retiring a little later in their lives.  I have a local fave named West Seattle Boy who at 10 years old and 80 races into his career has added two wins to his record and still racing.  He looks even better than he did at three years old.  Sabertooth is a world record holder and he was seven when doing so.  I think that if owners focused more on racing and less on getting their horse to the breeding barn the industry could build some track heroes and more fans.  

zookeeper,

i llike the way you think.  i used to watch tvg years ago, then in a span of a couple of days, some horses broke down. i know it happens but it does not make it any easier to see a horse still trying to get to the inside rail on his knees because he has broken down.  the horse was near the lead so the camera could not shift off of him due to the horses in front.  i had to quit watching for a while. if synthetics help even one horse, which no one knows for sure, i am all for it.  as for trainers not liking it, i have heard that before, the horse did not like the track, or did not like the sealed track, hates mud, wether dirt,turf,synthetics, or tapeta, the surface is always an excuse for  a loss.

i think malibu prayer is set for the race of her life, ra will have a close one.  go zen

on not leaving so cal, most people want homefield advantage.

Greg J

Well said.  The reason for synthetics was basically for safety reasons.

Another was because there will never be an off track which bodes well for winter racing (Turway) and tracks where meets extend into cold and wet weather seasons like Wodbine.

Synthetics also allow turf horses to race against dirt horses more competitively when off the turf (less scratches when races are switched from turf to dirt).

Also, I feel that there aren't as many track bias trends on synthetics.  That's what always turns me off with Gulfstream and was what Pletcher was complaining about (Quality Road - Dunkirk).  Too often a bias will win a race, not the horse.

Races on synthetics tend to be more exciting to watch.

I think that one problem with synthetics is that there are several different kinds.  They all seem to have different characteristics and these characteristics change with cold as opposed to hot weather.

That being said, dirt has many characteristics that can change even during a particular race day (muddy, good, etc.)

Curlin did not fare well in the Classic because he was not a grass horse.  He did not fare well in the Man of War (3rd after making a menacing move at the top of the stretch when it looked like he would win then levelled out, the same style as in the Classic).  Like in a lot of grass races there seem to be big moves on the turns rather than on the straights possibly because of better traction for some horses.

With all the complaining about synthetics, if they continue to be the trend and racing bodies continue to change from dirt to them, then the breeding industry must adapt and breed horses that are more condusive to them which means that in five or six years we won't be faced with these current problems.

helsbelles, I disagree with why you think Zenyatta lost HOY last year.  She was second in the voting and would've come out on top if she'd raced against the boys and won.  There was no reason to not put her in the Breeders Cup Classic instead of the Ladies Classic, other than the connections were afraid she couldn't beat the boys.  The only horse she needed to beat was Curlin and it was obvious he didn't like the track and she could've beat him easily.  Historically, fillies & mares, in order to win HOY (Azeri being the exception), they have to race against the boys and win.  The year Azeri won, it was a weak competition of colts (not to take a thing away from Azeri, she was amazing).  For the others fillies & mares that won HOTY, they raced the boys and won.  Rachel, at this moment, has a better shot of HOTY because she raced the boys in a classic race and won.  Doesn't matter that she won by a length, she still won and that was what she had to do.  

StardustyRose, not all horses love to run on the sand or on beaches.  And no, synthetic isn't like sand.  Have you never seen what it looks like when they've shown it on TV?  It's a lot of rubber in it (Jackson was not far off by calling it a PLASTIC surface).  There is sand in it, but there is a lot of other stuff as well.  Read this site:

en.wikipedia.org/.../Polytrack

If synthetic was like sand, Jackson wouldn't have a problem with it.  But dirt tracks are closer to sand then synthetics are.  The track at Santa Anita:  Cushion Track, a mixture of silica sand, synthetic fibers, elastic fiber, granulated rubber and a wax coating.  Really, is it any wonder that Jackson doesn't like it?

GregJ, awesome points. I totally agree.

Woodbine has seen a drastic change in the amount of fatalities and breakdowns since they installed the PolyTrack. Not only that, but you don't see any of our (Canadian) owners/trainers whining about it. Horses, like every other animal on this earth, are evolving (to bring science into this, as apposed to god). They have adapted to this change in surface and will continue to do so. Our breeding practices need to change to bring back the well-rounded horse; one that isn't only good on dirt, but turf and synthetics as well.

I wait for that day with anticipation. Horse racing is an unfortunately dying sport - the industry needs to work together to adapt to changes and pull through them.

This is realy very silly. If Zenyatte was a truf horse this debate would not even be raised and the true is synthetic is a different surface. We are beggining for a match up of apples and oranges.

I am still miffed that the BC is held at SA at all let alone two years in a row. Why have a race that has tradionally been run on dirt run on a different surface. Might as well run the Classic on Turf.

Mike REvla I never said Zenyatta was not a beast if you have read my post I love Z I just think synthetics is crap if you watch the races they play out like turf races. Have you ever seen anyone romp on synthetics by 10 or more lengths it rarely happens, go back to dirt where real champs are made of!

Barb I dont recall Curlin losing any dirt races as a 4 year old can you enlighten me I which dirt races he lost when Jessie Jackson returned him as a 4 year old? Some of you people are clueless and probably go to the race track and say oh like that name lets bet that one!

The more I read the comments on this blog, the more I like my idea of breeding thoroughbreds for apartments.  

No complaints about synthetics vs. dirt vs. turf.  No arguing over who is already HOY even tho only half of the year has passed.  No dissing owners or trainers for lacking the courage of their horse's convictions (abilities?)and ducking races.  No east coast bias.  No Breeders' Cup only in Santa Anita without considering other tracks.

On the other hand (hmm...would we have to start measuring in fingers instead?) someone would probably start the equivalent of the American Kennel Club and before you know it, we would be arguing in thses blogs about best in breed and best in sport.

And let's not even get started with Best in Show!  Thoroughbreds vs. Arabians vs. Percherons vs. Knapplestruppers (or whatever those spotted horses are called).

(Those dog show people are deadly but they ain't seen nothin' until us horse people start up!)

First of all i agree with you on your commit about curlin vs big brown i knew that was never going to happen with those horses i knew that even before the breeders cup last year but i chose to take him any way because i was liking curlin but i don't think he would do an analigy of senthetic serurfaces because no one can prove the surface was because we sill have injuries course i realize you will never make a track injury profe.  What is the point.  I know that Rachel is naturally good on dirt.  That is why it is going to be very interesting to see her at bellmont you might think it is dirt it is actully sand so tecniquly she is running on a diffrent surface.  I do think it might be hard for her to get horse of the year now because what she is going to have to do is unfortanitly it will be impoissible win all of her races.  Remain on this years schedule as for her racing in 2010 i will believe it when i see it one step at a time alot can happen between now and then there is no horse i would rather take in a race besides her.  Win or loose i don't care the smae thing aplize with Zenyetta.  Unforthenitly every one is going to a potential to a match race down the road i hate those always have it is something to generate fans but you are putting the horse at risk.  The only reason people want to see this because it might generate intest in the sport.  And for t.v. ratings which after the Bellmont stakes that is all they seem to care about.  To me it is not about winning eatch race and after you win that one then you focus on the next.  I do find it kindof difficult to believe Zenyattas connections that she doesn't like senthetic surfaces that is saying alot right there.  Because if a horse is not that good on a surface it doesn't technicly like that is one great horse.  But i think Rachel has done alittle bit more by that i mean she has won the Kentucky oaks she won the preakness and she has won a couple of stakes races before that i could really only name one race Zenyetta has only one the breeders cup ladys classic.  with real comption and the reason she is basted out of atum park is because the track is short and they don't have much confadence in her.  It is like they are so afraid she is going to loose they cheapen her up by doing that i guess what i am saying is she can do a whole lot better i still laught when they pulled her out of the race at churchhill.  YOu have Zenyatta and rachel racing on the same day but for some reason she could not race on that track.  I think we all know how rachel alexandra did that day she won by twenty lenghs and that is the race i will always remember besides the preakness i will fallow her her whole carreer wherever that goes iknow most horses have a really short window for greatness that is why they better take advantage of her while they have her and i hope they don't push it so far to the point that it is her last race.  She looks like crap i would hate to see that happen.  I love rachel with all my heart.  And i wish her the best of luck tomorrow in that short field at bellmont which is a track i personnally can not stand and as for that is where the championship dream is.  

Let's get it straight, Jess Jackson is a native Californian and would like nothing more than to race RA there. He is not ducking anyone. Being the true sportsman that he is he reluctantly let Curlin race there last November even though he felt that it was not the best surface for the champ. I don't blame him for not sending RA there. He will set an ambitious schedule for her  never the less. A lot more daring and diversified than the connections of Zenyatta. Who's ducking who?

And don't be surprised if Jess suggests a match race between the two at a neutral track...like in Chicago. Just like the last great "East Vs. West" match race when Nashua beat Swaps by 5 lengths at Washington Park in 1955. Jackson knows Rachel's running style is perfect for a match race, while Zenyatta's really is not. It is impossible to come from far back in a match race. The match race won't happen, of course...but could you just imagine the interest it would generate? Not just with the hard core fans, but the casual ones too.

Anyway, those who planned the BC races TWO years in a row at a controversial surfaced track are to blame. Rest assured it will be quite a few years before the BC races return to Santa Anita again.  

Man, that would be something if Zenyatta raced Rachel. Both are amazing fillies but in my idea I like Zenyatta more with her stunning wins and her race record!! I'm not going to blame anyone cause who wants to risk a 18 million dollar filly??? Lets not blame anyone because what if(this is a big "what if") Rachel did race but ended up getting hurt??? Rachel isn't use to the surface like Zenyatta is so Zenyatta would have a much better chance to win, despite her age.

Jess Jackson is not afraid of anything.  He wasn't afraid of all those colts in the Preakness and RA did prevail. Oh sure, she had the 5 pound weight allowance but she did win, that won't change.  If Zenyatta were to face the boys, she would also get that weight allowace even though she's probably bigger than any colt running.  The bottom line is, JJ paid millions for RA and he has every right to race her where he chooses.

He didn't want to run Curlin in the BC.  He made that clear but he did because Curlin was needed in the BC for obvious reasons.  Yet Mr. Jackson is always a target of ridicule and disdain among people who have no idea what he is like personally.  He is attacked constantly because it feels good to do so.  He's been blamed for the decline of this sport as though his last two years of being involved is the reason this sport is failing.  Believe me, Jess Jackson has had nothing to do with that.  We have a fan base in this sport that is not that huge.  Yes, I want to see Zenyatta and RA face off as well.  Most people here think that Zenyatta is unbeatable and after watching her races, I can see why but take a good look at RA's races as well.  She has done nothing this year but win.  Some hold it against her that she has lost races.  Some horses need a little seasoning before they learn to race. Cigar didn't run well until he was 5.  He lost a lot of races.  It would seem that some people are anxious to see her lose because they really don't like her because she is so well thought of and Zenyatta is their horse.  I understand that.  We all have our favorites but some of this is just sniping but wishes and hunches don't make things true.

Any horse can lose, even Zenyatta.

Yes, she is awesome and has been perfect and I have to say she looks unbeatable.  The fact of the matter is, you can talk all day about her beating Rachel but if they never face each other, we will never really know.  Had Rachel not been purchased by Mr. Jackson, most of this slamming wouldn't be happening.  But just think about this....If you had that kind of money, wouldn't you have bought her after the Oaks?  I would have but I don't have that kind of money and I can't fault anyone who has the money and follows a dream.  I just don't get the anger and the hatred that goes back and forth.  We've have had a wonderful spring.  It was thrilling and exciting and we have these stars emerging onto the scene.  We have two super fillies that are a joy to watch and I cheer for both of them.  I don't want either one to lose.  We have this little gelding who shocked the world and another by the same sire who did some shocking too.  There have been some great moments this year and there are still more to come.  What is there to gripe about?  Must everything be done the way each of you thinks it should be done?  It's not our call, it's the call of the people who own the horses and they should do what they feel is best.  There will always be other great ones coming along.  Let's just stop complaining and enjoy these magnificent animals who give their all and give us such exciting thrills we will remember for a lifetime.

Maybe fatalities are down, but remember not so long after the BC last year all the breakdowns and fatalities that occured. I believe Keeneland also had problems like  that, and they could not atribute anything to the sudden spike in catastrophic break downs, then they just stopped. These tracks are unreliable as seen there, what happens if those sudden spikes become more often? Also bone injuries maybe less but soft tissue and muscle injuries occure more on synthetics, and are often career ending. Also the injuries occure more on the hind legs than front, wonder why that is. These tracks and there statistics can't be taken seriously until they've been around much longer. They are new tracks, put in a only a few years ago and in some cases only months. Dirt tracks have been around for much longer and so have been exposed to much more wear and tear. I'd almost bet if you took most of the dirt tracks, took all the old sand and dirt out and replaced it all with new stuff it be just as safe as the synthetics. Also they have been let go in some places, not proporly maintained. If you maintain a track proporly it will end up being just as safe as any synthetic.

Monica V,

    Amen! You go girl, well said.

StardustyRose:

    How can you justify calling JJ "one big CHICKEN"?  Like him or not, after what he did with Curlin last year (racing him at 4, trying him on turf, running on synthetics when he obviously didn't want to), I don't think calling him a chicken is accurate at all.  Of course Jackson would think RA is up against it.  Who wouldn't?  He would have to take a 3 year old filly, ship her out west to the defending divisional champion's backyard and run her on a surface she's not had a whole lot of experience with.  There are many different kinds of synthetic surfaces.  She might not like the Pro-Ride at all.  If she did, the race would simply come down to pace as to who would win.  If RA would get loose on the lead, Zenyatta wouldn't catch her, huge late kick or not.  If RA was pressured, Zenyatta runs her down in the stretch.  It's as simple as that.  I don't think he's scared of Zenyatta.  I would say he respects her, but he's not scared of her.  He's simply doing what he thinks is right by the horse and in the process showing his distaste of the artifical surfaces.  What's wrong with that?

    Besides, I'm sure he has bigger plans ahead than just this year especially if he races RA at 4.  The BC is back at Churchill next year, a track which she obviously loves.  I would venture to say, JJ makes a run at the Classic next year.  If obviously has already shown he doesn't mind trying her against the boys.  If she were to somehow win that race, can you imagine the value of 1st foal she has by Curlin, especially if it's a colt.  Come on, a foal by a BC Classic winner out of a BC Classic winner.  The horse would probably race as a homebred, but if he were to sell the horse.  I know it's hard for most of us to do because we, mostly as handicappers, have narrow visions, but I'm sure the man is looking way more at the bigger picture.

StardustyRose: You might be on to something. I would love Payton d'Oro to run against her...that would be like the battle of the Birds!

MtBFan(Still): I'm just saying that those horses that came over for the Breeders Cup last year handled the synthetic quite nicely. It seems that there are plenty of American horses that do well on it as well, then run on dirt and flop.

WinnahPickah: I watched the same Preakness you did. First thing out of Borel's mouth is that "she struggled", and event he most ardent Rachel fan has to admit that she DID struggle. It was not the runaway finish that some expected.

I think Zookeeper mentioned The Pamplmousse...any word on how that colt is doing these days?

Laz,

   Curlin was second in the Man o War and was beaten two lengths by RR. Behind Curlin was BTN, who was beaten by a neck i think.

    I don't understand why there's not more comparable data on the number of breakdowns on synthetic surfaces vs. dirt surfaces.  How hard can it be?  I would venture to say that if you compare some of the better dirt tracks like Churchill, Belmont, etc., vs. many of the synthetic surfaces, the numbers won't be that different.  People talk about the increased number of breakdowns and how synthetics are helping to reduce that.  I'm not seeing it.  If people in the horse racing industry truly want to reduce the number of breakdowns, I would suggest QUIT BREEDING FOR SPEED and CUT OUT ALL THE DRUGS!!  It's not the racing surfaces that will make the big difference, it's the breeding practices and drug use.  I mean honestly, how stable can an animal be, if they're bred to run as fast as a Ferrari, weigh over 1000 lbs. and have ankles the size of my wrist?  Why are our horses so different today than 25-50 years ago?  Horses then raced more often, often times carried more weight during races and yet seemed to be just fine.  Did breakdowns happen, sure they did.  However, you didn't hear as much about it then as you do today.  They were bred more for stamina than speed and I'm pretty sure drug use was less.

Curlin,

That was a great post!  Well thought out and well said!

Thank you!

LDP,

Thank you!  I really enjoy your posts and am amazed at your knowledge of racing and being so young.  When did you get interested?

Culin:

I agree that JJ plans on the 2010 BC Classic at Churchill for RA.

Here's an interesting thought...the first distaff winner of the Dubai WC..Rachel Alexandra? You know JJ and Asmussen have some fondness for the track! :)

Saratoga AJ,

A match race at a neutral track like Chicago ??? If you are thinking of Arlington, they have a synthetic track there.

Well first of all it was a dumb move to have the Breeders' Cup in the same place two years in a row. I hope they NEVER do that again!

Second, Zenyatta was to race the same day at the same track as RA, but they didn't run because of rain! Sorry but great horses run in any kind of weather. I don't think Zenyatta is the same "monster" she was last year! I understand the thoughts of both Owners, but feel that Zenyatta is having a "easier" year then RA. Look at the Grades of the races.

And yes, living in NY I'd love if they both met in the Personal Ensign or Go For Wand!

In May, 2006, California mandated the installation of "artificial polymer tracks". (This can be verified through archives at BH.) In modern usage, artificial chain polymers and "plastics" are terms that are frequently used interchangeably. Possibly Jess Jackson refers to synthetic surfaces as "plastic" for that reason. The original artificial surfaces were composed of sand (as Greg J. stated) with a coating of wax. Waxy sand is not the same as desert sand or beach sand; when heated, the wax softens and alters the characteristics of the track. Pro-Ride, from Australia, is considered to be an improvement over Polytrack and other waxed composites because it is made with polymetric binders as opposed to wax. Can you imagine trying to run on wax on a hot afternoon?

Although fatalities may be decreasing on synthetic surfaces in general, it will be years before a complete, comprehensive picture of the effects are known. As others have stated on this blog; breeding practices, drug usage or lack thereof, track maintenance and other variables all contribute to the safety levels for the horses at any given track on any given day.

Holding the Breeders Cup at the same track two years in a row is not very smart or fair to the horses involved. Holding it on a synthetic surface two years in a row is just plain stupid.  Racing has three surfaces now; dirt, turf, and synthetic. Synthetic is not yet a dominant surface and hardly will attract or produce the best horses in the country performing at their best. Eliminating the main racing surface in the US two years in a row on the Championship Day makes no sense. Can you imagin holding an entire Breeders Cup on TURF. Who would show up then?

LDP,

Maybe I'm wrong, but the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita last year ended right after the BC. I don't recall the spike in fatalities you mention in your comment.

I'm getting older...so maybe my memory fails me... Can you or anybody else shed some light on this?

Saratoga AJ,

The Dubai WC will be run on a synthetic track next year. So, what do you suggest next?

I would like to see Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta meet in a race at a neutral site. How about a special invitational race--the best fillies and mares in the country, 3-y-o and up, meeting over 1-1/8 miles at Arlington Park in September or early October? It's a dirt surface and smack dab in the middle of the country.

LDP,

    You have very valid points, As I said,  Synthetic tracks are not perfected, Yet, Anything new goes through changes to make it as safe as possible.  Some are susceptible to heat, Yes, But that is being addressed and has gotten better, I do also agree, that soft tissue injuries higher up and farther back on the horse are a concern.  The biggest reason I am a huge advocate for these tracks is that the catastrophic injuries are down,  Which, IMO, Isn't that the goal for everyone who loves this sport?  Will Artificial surfaces ever be adopted universally?, At this point, With the Economy and The State of the industry, Yes, It is an uphill battle, In part because the cost, $8 million to $12 million, depending on the track size, This makes it alot harder for the smaller tracks.  If you add up all the tracks in the country, It would cost over a Billion Dollars to convert. I believe it is an investment that needs to be made to save this sport.  It all boils down to one very simple question,  Without the horse, we have no horse racing.  I know there are cynics on both sides, fine, That's what makes for a good argument,  But, Regardless what side of the argument you are on, Everyone has to agree, The status quo is not an option...

First of all, show of hands, who really thinks the $10M-plus filly is going to race next year??  She already has more starts than 5YO Zenyatta, and in any case, no less an expert than Bob Baffert says, "Horses are like strawberries.  They can go bad overnight."

Second, I have done a quick count and of the fans on this blog, roughly half are against  synthetic tracks and half are not opposed.  About half are supportive of Jess Jackson's decision on the BC for Rachel and half have expressed disappointment.  No major conclusions to be drawn from these opinions.

But one thing is fact, we are not ever going back to the 1940s.  Citation is gone and the sport is nowhere near as robust as it was then, for a variety of reasons.  One of the main ones is the proliferation of other gambling opportunities.  Racing used to be the only game in town.  Today, even if everyone in the industry pulled together on issues of track composition, medications, etc., the sport still might be in trouble.

I have never been a detractor of Mr. Jackson in the past, but I just don't see how keeping the marquee attraction, Rachel Alexandra, away from the Breeders' Cup is helpful to the sport in terms of fan interest, media attention, the legacy of the animal or any other measure.  And it sure won't bring back the Golden Age of the 1940s.  The news then tended to be about horses running, not about them not running.

Is it me or have they suddenly returned to a dirt track at Arlington?

Zookeeper---Regarding the question on fatalities--On 1/7/09 the BH printed a story stating that there were five breakdowns, including three fatalities, during the first five days of the Santa Anita meet. The first occurred on the opening day, 12/26/08. It was during that time frame when Indyanne sustained her subsequently fatal injury. Remember? I don't know if they ever really discovered the cause of the "spike".

Zookeeper,

    I'm pretty sure it was at Oak Tree, because i remember the injuries specificly being on a Pro ride track. Needless to say it happened. My point is you can't judge a track that new. I'd bet a new or resurfaced dirt track could be just as safe.

Monica,

    Wow, thank you, that compliment means a lot. I first got interested in horses when i was about four or five. I started lessons at almost nine, and got my first pony at ten, on whom i had my first show on. I seriously started following racing after i saw Smarty Jones in 04.

Greg J SOUNDS like he a PETA member with ALL this talk ofCONVERTING all tracks to plastic

Pam,

    If JJ says there is a good chance of RA racing as a four year old, baring injury, you'd better believe he means it. He said it about Curlin before his four year old season, then was truthful and told everyone that there was little chance he'd return at five. RA if all goes well will race at four.

Karen in Texas,

Thank you, I completely forgot about this. The rest of the meet was relatively safer and I guess that's what my shrinking memory retained.

The "spike" was never explained as far as I know and the rest of the meet was quite successful. Big sigh of relief...Ouf!

LDP,

Smarty was really something, wasn't he?  I loved that horse!  I was so sure he'd win the TC.  There was just something special about him.

Steve S your right.  I get the feeling from a lot of these people like Greg J. and Stardust, that they wished they didn't even race.  But seeing as that will never be the case, they sit there an act like the horses are sure to die the next time they run, and are suprised when they don't.

steve s,

PETA members are not horseracing fans. Greg J is. Therefore, Greg J is not a PETA member.

And thank goodness he is part of this blog. His posts are always informative, well thought out and logical. You may disagree with him, but you cannot find fault with the class he shows in his comments.

Steve S.,

    Trust Me, I am most definitely not a member of PETA. Until you change the Breeding Practices and Medication problems in this sport, The next logical step would be the tracks.  Now, out of those three options, Which is the most logical to change?  Unless people could care less about the horse, Changes need to be made for this sport to survive!  If you have a better idea, I would love to hear it, If you think the status quo is fine, Then you obviously could care less about the health of the horse and just care about padding your wallet.  

Saratoga AJ,

Once the temps get higher here out West, it is true that the synthetic surface temp does increase. That's why the water the surface prior to and after a couple of races, so that afterwards the temp drops dramatically...roughly 30 degrees. So, we got that down, thx.

Christ, is Arlington synthetic, too?

Curlin lost on turf by the way which was awesome watching that race! LDP so Curlin could not lose on dirt and would of waxed big brown! Either way I hope the mousse and QR hurry back because the rest of these 3 year old horses are a bunch of flunkies!

Zookeeper:  Yes, there was a rash of fatal breakdowns on the Santa Anita Pro-Ride following the 2008 Breeders Cup.  In the span of a three day period (12/27 - 12/29) four horses suffered fatal breakdowns.  The most high profile was the lovely 3-yr-old speed burner Indyanne.  But there was also 2-yr-old Warren's Kenzo, 3-yr-old Boozin Bear, and 4-yr-old Flashing Forward.

Karen In Texas & Zookeeper:

I thought they resurfaced Santa Anita with a different or reworked synthetic surface after it first opened.  I know they had a lot of problems with it to start off.

I should have added this about the spike in fatalities at SA:  it was determined to be due to maintenance issues; a learning process involving the upkeep of the new track.

LAZMANNICK:  There were serious drainage problems with the previous Cushion Track that was initially installed at Santa Anita after the dirt track was removed.  When this Cushion Track was installed, it was expected to be exactly like the Cusion Track at Hollywood Park, but that was not the case... and the whole debacle is in litigation now.  Then they called in the Australian Ian Pierce who added materials to this Cushion Track, thus creating a transition surface that was referred to as a kind of "hybrid track".  This was followed ultimately by the installation of the current Pro-Ride Track right before the Breeders Cup.  And it took some time to figure out how to properly maintain this new surface.

Dave the Draynay Fan,

    Very ignorant Dave, As you said, "that they wished they didn't even race."  Yeah, Couldn't be farther from the truth, Dave,  Would I have gone to Gulfstream Park in Florida, and Delaware Park twice to see Nicanor race in three out of his last four races?  I am also going to Colonial Downs in Virginia to see him on July 18th.  Being a "Fan of the Sport" means that you care about the horse, first and foremost, Dave.  Until the day comes when Horse Racing gets the Fatality rate down to one out of every 1000 starts, Then, Yes, I will be an advocate for the safety of the sport.  

     I would love to hear any solutions you and Steve S. have regarding the Safety of the Sport?  Or, Do you think it is fine the way it is now?  Just get rid of all the "Plastic" Tracks, Keep the Breeding Practices as they are now, and look the other way regarding the Medication problems?  Can't wait to see your answer, lol...

Just because someones posts reflect the SAME opinion as yours, doesn't make them a GOOD poster with insightful information.

It just makes them a poster with strong opinions.

Unless the person is an expert in track maintenance, horse care and racing from a first hand perspective,they are like almost every single person on here. Offering an OPINION based on their personal VIEWS, what they read or see on TV.

It's just an OPINION, not anything that I would consider earth shattering or definitive in any way shape or form.

Some people may not be PETA activists, but they are more interested in a point of view NOT held by a goodly number of people and LESS about actual horse racing, MORE about getting their personal take out there.

LAZMANNICK---Are you asking about the replacement of Cushion Track with the current Pro-Ride at Santa Anita? I don't know about the decision making process on that. I attempted to answer ZK's question on a "spike" in breakdowns in late December, 2008. Apparently the track brought in Ian Pearse from Australia to consult on the reasons/remedies for that unfortunate five day period. I don't know what he recommended, but the remainder of the meet was much safer. The Pro-Ride had been okay up to that point according to articles in the BH.

Lazmannick,

The 2008 season was a disaster because the first synthetic surface did not drain. Pro Ride came to the rescue with mixed results. Before the BC, the track was completely redone with Pro Ride and performed well through the Oak Tree meet and the BC.

As I was reminded, the start of this year's season did not bode well...maybe the successive fatalities were a fluke (oh no! I used the dreadful word!)because they did not continue for the rest of the meet.

I agree with a lot of people on this blog. Synthetics are not the whole solution. But they are a start. Getting rid of them, as some suggest, before giving the industry a chance to really study them, seems very foolish.

If Zenyatta came East, she would have to run at the SPA or Belmont to be in a G1 race later in the year. The race would be a 1 1/8 and Rachel would run Zenyatta into the ground b/c she would be 20 legnths back at the 1/4 pole. She is a one run horse, and her style would not beat Rachel on a dirt track. If Mine that Bird can not catch her at 1 3/16, and he had one of the fastest last quarters in Derby history, Zenyatta is not catching her at 1 1/8

I wonder how many of Jess Jackson's critics own and race horses and have spent millions buying horses like Rachael and Curlin? Most dirt horses can't win on grass and most grass horses can't win on dirt (most dirt horses don't like synthetics). If  Rachael is bred for the dirt, why would anyone want to handicap her ( a great dirt filly) by running her at Santa Anita. It doesn't make sense from any standpoint. I own both grass and dirt horses and I race them where they can win not where some fans would like to see them run. The object of the game is to win and take care of your horse and not to break the horses heart by putting them in a situation that they can't overcome. Jess Jackson is doing the right thing. As much as we would like to see the two females hook up it wouldn't be fair to Rachael who would run her heart out.

Are there no more deal makers anymore? When did compromising become such a horrible thing? Surely people can be brought together and workout a deal to answer all questions....Zenyatta must travel to Saratoga to face Rachel on dirt as long as Rachel goes to the breeders cup.  If they split the races, they meet at a third spot or even a match race.

Jason, I nominate you to get it done!

Shawn P,

I thought the whole point of a blog was the exchange of opinions.

I reserve the right to like or dislike HOW some people express these opinions.

So, what's your constructive contribution to this discussion?

I have copies of the Bloodhorse going back to the 60's. I've been going through them the last few weeks and there's hardly an issue without a high-profile horse  breaking down and having to be "destroyed". That's what they called it in the good old days. (Also, what makes people think they never used drugs? They might not have been steroids - think heroin or cocaine, but then again they didn't do the testing that is done today.) Lasy year was a bad year with Eight Belles, Wanderin Boy & Shakis in particular. But it didn't set any records. Breakdowns just didn't get the publicity they get now. People thought it was too bad, but it was "part of the game". I, for one, welcome the change to putting the welfare of the horse first. As far as the BC being at Santa Anita back-to-back, after the deluge at Monmouth, the Europeans said they weren't coming back unless the races were on synthetic. A lot of the California trainers, Bob Baffert and John Shirreffs were two of them,  didn't like the synthetics either but they learned to train on them. I don't believe good trainers like Nick Zito or Steve Asmussen can't figure it out.

ZENYATTA would never be 20 lengths back of RACHEL ALEXANRA on any track, synthetic or dirt, and I don't think she has ever been anywhere close to 20 lengths back at any point in any of her races. ZENYATTA is far superior to RACHEL ALEXANDRA. I don't think there's any argument to the contrary to be had.

Jason,

Just read your Blood Horse news article about All Smile's injury and good chance of recovery. Very fortunate filly to belong to such caring owners. Great, uplifting read. Not everything in racing is about money, drugs and breeding. Your article proved it. So, don't give up the fight! I second Alejo's nomination. :)

Zookeeper - Karen - Helsbelles:

Thx.....

I know Woodbine had troubles in the beginning getting their poly surfacr right.  At least now that they have gotton it straightened away the fatalities and injuries are down.  We'll see what it's like when the summer weather heats it up.  I know the consistency changes with real hot weather.

Shawn P...When I read these blogs I always read all of the posts and over the last few months I have made a mental picture of several of the regular posters, we all reveal things including our involvement in racing(fan,gambler,trainer,owner,etc). I think everybody on here has said something I agree with at some point(even Draynay), on the flip side I'm pretty sure that all those same people have said things I do not agree with. I'm under the impression that that is the whole point of this blog. We all love the same thing and get together to discuss it in a (for most people) adult fashion. Everyone has the right to their own opinions and we have been invited to share them here, of course we won't all agree on everything. Besides what fun would that be? I know I'm more likely to respond when I disagree with someone, when somebody says what I think I feel like I don't need to respond and say the same thing again. I will admit that I'm often dumbfounded at some people's attitudes but that is also part of the fun. When I told Greg J that his was a "good post" I was just wanting to let him know that I found it informative and was in agreement with at least some of his sentiments. I was not trying to proclaim either one of us as an "expert" on anything. I do this for fun. In my "real" life nobody wants to talk about racing, so I come on here where it's the ONLY thing we talk about(cats & dogs notwithstanding,lol). I like to debate. I don't want to fight with anybody or force my opinion on anyone.

Oh the irony of Hollywood Park getting Full Alliance Accreditation!

One more thing regarding the Synthetics vs. dirt angle:-- as a betting handicapper,I'd much rather bet on a full-field of horses than a diluted 3-5 horse field with sorry odds & scratches galore because of an "off" track,or Off the turf situation.

Jason: Nice to know the Live blogs will return soon....OK,so how about the Boiling Springs & Cornhusker for starters?

I like Platinum Girl at a nice price,going wire-to-wire.--w/Obsequious & Bluegrass Princess on the bottom.I think BP is a bet against,she might prefer Keenelands surface.

And,..My Pal Charlie is the class of the Cornhusker field,but I'll try and beat him with the tough veteran Jonesboro & Secret Getaway,hoping the 1 1/8m might be a lil too far for what should be the short-priced favorite....your take?

Shawn P.,

    Let me see if I have your logic right, According to you, I am "more interested in a point of view NOT held by a goodly number of people and LESS about actual horse racing, MORE about getting their personal take out there."      

    First off, I have no idea what "goodly" is?  Second, This is a Blog, Where people write their opinions down,  Do I have strong opinions on alot of subjects in this great sport, Yes,  I have no idea if they are in the majority or minority of others?  I write what I feel, and when I have questions, I ask them! Are my comments insightful? That is not for me to say or judge, I just write down my opinions after nearly 35 years of being involved with horses and learning and studying about this sport.  I have learned more then you know from alot of insightful, knowledgable people here and on the Bloodhorse Website.  The reason I come to Jason's blog and Barbaro's Brothers Blog, and others, Is for "Actual Horse Racing".  On Barbaro's Brothers Blog, I know their are younger people there, less knowledgeable Fans, I try to help them out, But I know their are more experienced people here then myself, and I try to pick up on that knowledge and expand things I didn't know.  

    Lastly, I come here for Jason's interesting, Thought-provoking topics, Which is the point of a Blog, To present a Topic that will generate alot of different opinions.  

Zookeeper,

     Thanks! Yes, You are right, Synthetic's are just the tip of the iceberg, Synthetic Tracks, As of now, Are not a perfect science, But, they are going in the right direction...

Anti Dray,

    What are you addressing me for? I'm a big time Curlin fan and believe he'd kick BB butt anytime.

Very disappointed that Rachel is not going to the Breeders Cup. The world championships are for the best horses and she's one of them. I think she can run on anything. I hope they change their mind but maybe we'll get to see her in Dubai. Would love to see Zenyatta in the Classic. If they did go up against each other I'd take the big mare.

OH nevermind LDP, I am sensitive to the champ! I agree with barb that everyone has there opinions draynays are the best because they are over the top and make me laugh! RA and Z will crush this weekend along with Black Mamba no exciting races for a couple more weeks!

     Webstat,LDP,Wowhorse,RachaelSatter-field, I agree with your comments regarding Zenyetta's connections. It does seem they are being very careful to keep the win streak going. I think a top filly should be challenged by the colts. I was thrilled to see RA in the Preakness,it was a challenge Jess Jackson wasn't afraid to take,and think that only increased her fanbase (me being one of many).   As many stated, the BC should not be allowed to be run at any track two years in a row-in other sport-lingo, it simply gives those at SA 'home-field advantage' two years running, add to that the track surface. Though if the BC is held at dirt tracks 2 years in a row, those used to a synthetic surface could be at an unfair disadvantage now as well. I love that CA has implemented this, but until all tracks do, it could cause trainers to stay in CA, or not race there.

   I'd like to add that I think it's a wonderful gesture, how RA's connections are giving part of her earnings now to cancer research.

Very generous indeed. I am anxiously awaiting her race tomorrow, have to work or would be going to NY to see her. Go Rachael Alexandra!! May this beautiful filly continue to stay healthy:)  

Those who are going, please comment on it:)

"It is called evolution, We evolve, It is our natural progression in life, Hence, Synthetic racetrack's are a progression from the old unsafe practices of day's past, WE NO LONGER HAVE THE DURABLE, RACE EVERY OTHER WEEK TYPE OF THOROUGHBRED WE HAD IN DAY'S PAST. We have to evolve to protect these great athletes, And Synthetic racetrack's are that evolution, Thank "God"..."

Greg J. 25 Jun 2009 7:24 PM

I read your entire post and you stated your position well.  I disagree with most of what you say in your post, but, I found your ending to be ironic and more than slightly amusing ( albeit, probably unintentionally ).

That's quite an impressive evolution.  We take a powerful animal that can run all day long everyday and in the course of 30 or 40 years turn that same animal into a fragile, injury prone, drug abuser.  Oh yes, but, we will attempt to make the surfaces these brittle souls run on, safer.  

I am not sure which is deteriorating faster between the thoroughbred's evolution in this country and the ethics and morality of the horse racing industry in the U.S.( both are shadows of their former selves ). We are the problem with horses in the U.S. being so fragile, not the surface they run on.  Human intervention is the culprit behind the change in the durability of the thoroughbred.  Dirt is dirt same now as it was 100 years ago.  What has changed is the way the breed is being handled by humans, plain and simple.  Synthetics are lipstick on a pig my friends.

Didn't figure you knew what 'goodly' meant. It's used frequently by Southerners (Kentuckians)

goodly definition:

goodly (go̵od′lē)

rather large; ample, a goodly sum.

Now, what some of you are saying is just what I'm saying. THESE are OPINIONS (the ones who actually do it for a living are the ones who are questioned and contradicted the most on here). Like I said, study all you want, but that still doesn't make you an expert.

Like a Dr, just because you read up on surgery or all the medications, doesn't make you able to do the job or know every nuance. YOU know only what you've read about with no practical experience.

My point is, calling out these other people because their OPINION doesn't match yours. Well a lot of people who DO the JOB every single day don't agree with you. A LOT of those who OWN the horses, DON'T agree with you. So as I said before your comments are just YOUR opinion.

Barb, don't think you were one who I even thought of in this discussion. There's one thing in giving an opinion and another as presenting it as though you have information others don't or that you have experienced all of this first hand.

My contribution? Round one way up there. I'm of the same thought as a lot of trainers, owners etc who have witnessed breakdowns on synthetics, increased career ending suspensory  injuries (what happens to THOSE horses?). There were 5 breakdowns at SA, 8 at Turfway, 11 at Del Mar.

Vladimir Cerin a kinesiologist and horse trainer, someone I think is well suited to comment said he didn't like the synthetic, after he had expressed his support. Several others said the same.

Well SA et al may have finally gotten it right (or not). But that's how many breakdowns? Not to mention how many career ending training injuries? If you're an advocate of the horse then you'd want to advocate what's best for them, like Nick Zito, put your money where your mouth is. Be involved in horse rescue and after track life AND train one of them. He says dirt can be right, it was at Saratoga, NO BREAKDOWNS.

The trainers said the surface at SA was hard on young horses and was unpredictable. Are they going to have trial and error every year?

Someone mentioned that Greg J had PETA leanings, I don't think he's full fledged PETA member but he's sure leaning in that direction.

The situation is, gamblers are having difficulty handicapping on synthetics too many variables. They can't handicap from synthetic to dirt and vice versa. Like it or not, without the gamblers/handicappers betting and adding to the purses and no VLT's there is NOTHING to support racing.

It's fine to love the horses (although I think SOME of it gets a little weird), but love doesn't buy these expensive animals or pay the bills and costs TO run them. Want to just look at them? Go to the horse shows.

Then to drag the reasons racing is in trouble because of drugs etc has NOTHING to do with WHY Rachel isn't running against Zenyatta and WHY Zenyatta's connections prefer to keep her on synthetics so WHY do some just keep bringing it up EVERY SINGLE BLOG?

You say you try to 'help the younger people out with your opinions'. Well LDP is young, she's kinda controversial at times, but she has some really good opinions, says she reads a lot so how does YOUR information differ from hers? Or why do YOU know more than the other guys you called out on here?

Or why do YOU know more than the people who have posted on here, been in the Q&A's or trainers/owners who have put their opinions out there? Those who have 40+ years of experience in the game?

I like Jason's take on things, but he comes across as just what he is, a fan, a handicapper and a turf writer. He NEVER claims to have all the answers. That's what I like about him.

As for the constant criticism, putting people who OWN and TRAIN the horses down for what they do?

Buy a horse and do it your way.

ceil,

Just re-read your post because it caught my eye at the time but I was on another train of thought.

You said something very interesting: we don't know the extent of drug use and the frequency of fatal breakdowns in the good old days. Racing wasn't as scrutinized then as it is today.

I didn't get interested in horseracing until 1999, so I know zilch about how it used to be. I read the mournful longings for the days of yore by the long, long time fans of the game and I often wish I had been there to witness the greatness of those past eras.

But I'm alive and interested NOW. I can find plenty to get excited and hopeful about today's racing. I love the horses. Some say they are inferior... Breeders and owners may have messed with their bodies but they still have great hearts and try just as hard as they ever did.

Mike S,

Everyone has a right to their opinion as do you.

Shawn P,

Well, that was quite a goodly contribution!!! I don't know how constructive it was but, it certainly was large and ample. :)

I am in full agreement with Jackson's decision to not run Rachel on the pro ride surface. I was at the Breeders Cup last year and came away with this conclusion: "grass" horses are moved way up by the surface, whereas "dirt" horses either like the surface or struggle with it.  Curlin was the class of the field but he clearly struggled with it. He was beaten by Raven's Pass and HenrytheNavigator, both two outstanding horses....but let's face it, they were both 3-year olds who had never run beyond a mile. They absolutely loved the surface because they are grass horses. I commend Jackson for running Curlin, fully knowing what he was up against. He did it for the fans despite Curlin's known dislike for the Santa Anita surface. So why should he even consider running Rachel out there in the Breeders Cup, based on what he learned from Curlin's experience. I don't think for a minute that he is afraid of running against Zenyatta. After all, Rachel is not undefeated. But she has turned into one super horse. By the way, I will not return to the Breeders Cup this year, simply because of the racing surface. I don't think it is a fair test for the dirt horses and that is what I grew up loving...dirt racetracks.

Shiznik,

   Yes, I see your point on my ending to my comment, It was quite unintentional. You are 100 percent right that "We are the problem with horses in the U.S. being so fragile, not the surface they run on"  What is more likely to change though, The Breeding that is ruining these animals or trying to make the tracks safer for these fragile animals to run on?  I would love to see the Breeding practices change to the old durable thoroughbred and keep the well maintained dirt surfaces on all tracks.  I just don't ever see that happening, So, Since that isn't possible,  They are at least "trying" to make the tracks safer with synthetic surfaces,  I hope that cleared up my comments a little?(If you look at my comment at June 26, 1:50 p.m., More to my point)...

STEVE S and DAVE THE DRAYNAY FAN

You two obviously know little if you suggest Greg is from PETA. He knows more than both of you,period! Maybe he cares about horses like myself,Stardust,etc. Here's a newsflash,horses aren't machines Greg and Stardust always brings alot to the table. Instead of making stupid slams,perhaps you might like to say something that is in line with what racing is supposed to be about!

Monica,

    Smarty was special, and it was cool that in my first serious year of watching racing i got to see him. I too thought he was going to get it, and i still no matter what anyone says blame his jockey. He moved to the lead with five furlongs left, he not smarty crumbled to the pressure the others were giving. That is just my opinion, but that horse should've won the TC, he was that special.

zookeeper, no more voluminous or verbose than is regularly seen on here by some that you seem to 'admire'. Considering I've posted a sum total of 6 times? I'd say i'm due.

IF you'd have actually read the posts, you wouldn't have needed to ask "So, what's your constructive contribution to this discussion?

Zookeeper 26 Jun 2009 3:36 PM" and I wouldn't have needed to reiterate it and add to the length of the post. I'm aware you're one of the 'fans' of posters who read and translate to others what's going on in the world of racing.

Me? I'll listen to the Jerkens, the Shugs, Mott's, Wiggins', Phipps', Nafzgers, and so on.

Shawn P,

    It may have been long, but me and others have posted it's length or longer i'm sure. I agree with it and thank you for using me as an example.

Wow. It amazes me just how nasty people can be when explaining why "their" horse is the best. It reminds me of why I love horseracing in the first place; frankly, most human professional athelets aren't very likeable. At least when some 50-1 shot beats the horse you are pulling for, you don't have any reason to dislike the other horse. Plus, you actually get to root for the favorites. After all, what you want to see is greatness.

Personally, in a matchup between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, I would pull for RA, but only because I saw her at the Preakness. I have nothing against Zenyatta, indeed I am in awe of her. I would probably favor her in a race on any surface at this point, unless it were a match race. But I am not sure this would prove anything, as RA may not have peaked yet as a 3 yr. old. It seems unfair to me for RA fans to disparage this great mare simply because she has mostly run on synthetic. You can't argue with her record.

I also am sick of reading about how RA's win in the Preakness was somehow a fluke, simply because she was tiring and MTB was closing. Was he impeded? Of course. That's part of the risk you run when you are a closer. The benefit is that you don't have to tire your horse out in a speed duel up front. RA went way wide into the first turn, went through pretty strong fractions early with Big Drama, and still managed to hold on. Neither MTB or Zenyatta would be capable of running that type of race, they would burn out, and that's not a knock on them, it's just not their style. Bottom line is the horse that crosses first deserves to win, whether it be a tiring speed horse or a charging closer.

I look forward to watching these two for the rest of the season. If Zenyatta remains undefeated following the BC, and RA wins out through to the Travers, then we can argue about who is better. I think it's all a bit premature at this point.

Monica V - I believe the breakdowns LDP was referring to last year were not at Oak Tree which ended the day after the breeders cup.  But when the Santa Anita meet opened December 26th there were 5 breakdowns in the first few days.

Sousixer 6-26 6:55pm - completely agree with you about Curlin!

Ceil 6-26 3:58 - you are exactly right.  I have Blood Horse magazines and books going back to the 1950's and one that goes back all the way to the beginning of the 1900's and breakdowns are definitely NOT new.  They are just more public now.  I am glad that attempts to make the sport safer are happening - but I for one do not think synthetic surfaces are the answer.

Although I don't care for Jackson and less for his suspect trainer,I totally agree w/him regarding not running in the Breeders. He's probably looking at it from a safety issue. For those that don't agree let me say YOU DON'T HAVE A DIME INVESTED in Rachel,he does!

Shawn P,

Since you pointed me up to it, I went back and re-read your first comment of 25Jun 6:53P.M.

Didn't find much that was constructive. You start out with a virulent and personal attack on Fire Slam. You go on expressing dislike for synthetics...implying that some dirt track maintenance crews don't know how to do their job. This is followed by a statement regarding Mr. Jackson using Hal's superior training to steal a race (puzzling). Oh yes! there were a few kind words about Azeri and Zenyatta but, the one statement that caused me to dismiss your first post at first reading was this jewel: "SH** happens" in regards to fatal injuries. Other then that I guess your contribution was a masterpiece. :)

Shawn P,

    First off, Thanks for the "goodly" definition.  Second,  I never professed to be an expert on anything.  I give my opinion based on what I have learned throughout my life.  Agree or Disagree, That is what makes forums like this great.  But I love how you know what my past experiences are, You say I have no practical experience?  Well, If growing up on a farm in Vermont for twenty years, Having anywhere from 8-10 horses at any given time as well as a host of other animals, Having my Beloved thoroughbred "Comanche" from the time I was eight until twenty one years old.  I been there too many times when one of our horses had to be put down.  So please don't profess to me what experience I have or don't have.  Also, When you say, "love doesn't buy these expensive animals or pay the bills and costs TO run them"  Since I don't live on the farm anymore, I do the next best thing, I have lost count how much money I have donated to various charities regarding Horse Rescues and Barbaro's Laminitis Fund. Of course there are people here with Racing Experience, I never stated to be one of those people, and I have the utmost respect for these professional's.  I am done explaining my rationale for my opinions.  I am not going to question your practical experience or anyone elses, But unless you know who and what I stand for, I don't believe you have that right either.

     Now when you twisted my words in your comment up above regarding Barbaro's Brothers Blog, "help the younger people out with your opinions", Well, First off I never said that, My actual words, "I know their are younger people there, less knowledgeable Fans, I try to help them out".  I am sure "LDP" can back me up here, I help them regarding links to articles, pictures, jockey information, general basic racing info, Etc.  "LDP" is very knowledgeable, quite amazing for someone so young, We sometimes have different opinions, But it is just that, Different opinions on a Blog.  Shawn, Bottom Line, I agree to disagree, But, Thanks again for the "goodly" definition, I did learn something from you  :)

A JEOPARDY question submitted in response to an earlier "bashing" of a HALL OF FAME trainer (and ex-WWII Marine):

Answer: He's the only trainer to defeat TWO Triple Crown winners in a single race.

Question: Who is Charlie Whittingham?

Exceller 1978 Jockey Gold Cup. Seattle Slew and Affirmed spanked by the California "chicken".

Greg J  is a man that loves horses.  That is abundantly clear!  In all of his posts, he is very clear on the horse being first.  He loves racing and is not on the team to get racing kicked off the planet.  Come on you guys.  Stop trying to start trouble when you know that he isn't that way at all.  

I'm not blaming either trainer or the owners, but it sure is disappointing. Only 12 days left of the you-know-who ban? I was really enjoying it, too. Not nearly so many riled up commenters. Jason, I totally agree with you; this sport seems not to get very important things right. Even I'm beginning to slowly think that the sport may not last forever, what with declining popularity. I mean, I know popularity isn't everything, and that it's a multi billion dollar industry, but the general public isn't interested in that. They want super-horses, super-horses which seem to be coming in short supply these days. I don't mean to depress anyone, because someday a super-horse might just come, and maybe the sport's popularity will rise. I just hope that "someday" is soon :)

Curlin...

I believe just like I did with Curlin on turf and in the Belmont that RA would NOT  beat Zenyatta.  In fact, the only time I have made good money on Curlin is when he lost and those were pretty checks.  Curlin was not my key horse either.  :)  I just feel that the two should race on the same damn track on the same day in the same race.  It would really help the industry and I don't wanna hear RA would be in trouble due to injuries.  She is just fine on any track.  Put the two of them in the gate and this entire debate will be OVER.  :)  If JJ is not chicken then what in the world do you call it.  Let them race.  The fans want to see it.  Can't he do something for the racing industry and the fans just this one time?  :)  True legends are ones that do for the people.  Turn on your TV.  It is everywhere as you well know how that works.  This is off subject but ONE person crushed the world because of his generosity and love for THE PEOPLE!  Think about that.  Money isn't any good if you don't spread it around for others in some form or another.  

Greg J.  I know that you are very generous with your money and the horses.  You don't need to prove nothing to these naysayers.  We know. :)

LDP- the year Smarty (who I agree was quite something) ran in the TC was also my first year seriously watching. He was also my pick to win the KD, which was quite interesting considering I was only 7. Or was I 8? No matter. Curlin- your post was very well thought out and I agree with you completely.

sham 1594:...RIGHT ON! The Bald Eagle was the best! He developed so many real good older horses--horses IMPROVED under him---I saw Exceller win the Hol Gold Cup that year...he was the best looking horse in the post parade, his red coat stood out over the likes of Text, Vigors and J O Tobin... in your final jeopardy answer, Shoe ran up the dead rail at Belmont, he beat Seattle Slew by a neck but it looked more like an easy 1/2 length, though Slew ran lights out that day as well...Affirned

s saddle slipped or else who knows, I mean he was always in the picture...anyway, I believe Exceller went something like 8 for 10 that year, he won several 1 1/2 mi Gr I's on turf, which was his specialty distance...Slew beat him out for older horse, but I know not why, and Mac Diarmida, a New York based three year old who couldn't hold Exceller's bridle at 1 1/2 mi (the classic turf distance), won for grass horse, making Exceller's 1978 season probably the greatest season by a horse to not get squat at Eclipse time....

I have an answer! Emelio noted that Zenyatta's biggest margin of victory was her lone dirt race, her 4th race, over Ginger Punch....but synthetics play closer, like turf, especially pro ride, more close knit, but the best horse wins....I, too, really want this: Zenyatta, Rachel, and friends---at Belmont! The price? They would have to offer huge money for third and fourth, to attract a fullish field, millions, it would have to be the richest race of all-time, they would have to upstage the Breeders Cup, sort of a "Breeders Coup", I really want to see Zenyatta dirt again, Rachel beat an allowance field in the Oaks, and a tired field in the Preakness---she's lights out, I'll admit, but to those who think Zen wouldn't have a chance think again! Zenyatta is/will always be the asterisk filly.....except for that one race on dirt, and it was something, she'll be victim of her track surface, she'll have that asterisk....so will Barry Bonds but he's the best player since Mays....

Why don't they make a track split in the middle? One half synthetic for Zen the Great and one half dirt for Rachel Alexandra. :-)  Straight, of course, so there is no advantage on the rail! HA HA

Seriously, I love Zenyatta more (she's a half sister to STREET SENSE!!!), but I think Rachel could outrun her...barely

Sheesh,

    I don't even have to start the conversation and i'm in some of these more recent ones. Greg, you are a help by post your links. Thank you for the compliment, i didn't think many of you liked me, mainly cause i know i can be annoying. Anyhow you are helpful and thank you again.

Hasn't Rachel already run and won over a synthetic surface? And her previous owner's year end objective was getting to Breeder's Cup. Clearly, she's capable of running/winning on synthetic and using Curlin's loss in the Classic as a justification for keeping her out just doesn't make sense. I'm not particular fond of Jackson, the only reason he ran Curlin as a 4year old is because of the legal situation. Otherwise he would been retired with all the other top 3yo.

And for all you saying horses aren't meant to run over "plastic" well their legs aren't meant to carry the massive, muscular frames that's so popular today which is probably why injuries are so high on dirt tracks.

MonicaV....I was only stating my opinion, and I have never taken away anyone else' right to an opinion...and I won't start now.

ZENYATTA is superior to RACHEL ALEXANDRA, and that's that.

The latest world rankings from the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities are out.

Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird have dropped from 7th place to 15th. Zenyatta, who wasn't even on the list last time around, has moved to number 5 on the world's stage.

With the mare Zenyatta leapfrogging the filly Rachel Alexandra in the world's ranking, it will be interesting to see if the Jackson camp changes it's tune if they start to see their all but automatic Horse of the Year honors slipping away.

LDP...LOL. I like you. I think you get a little too excited at times but that's okay. There is nothing wrong with being passionate about racing, I am too(we all are right?). I know I have disagreed with you but I have never been mad at you. I hope you are enjoying your summer. :)

Chris,

I'm not a fan of Mr. Jackson either and I'm puzzled by his reasons for keeping Rachel Alexandra out of the Breeders Cup.(Although I concede that he has every right to do as he pleases with his filly.)However, I don't think that he raced Curlin as a 4yr old because of the legal entanglements of the colt's ownership. Several people have given that opinion and I simply don't understand the reasonning behind such an assertion. Can you or anybody out there explain this to me?

Do I hear "Bock Bock Bock"? The sound of a chicken. I think Zenyatta would wipe up the track with Rachael Alexanader on ANY surface and Jackson knows it. Also I think Mine That Bird can beat her with another shot at her in the Haskell (maybe)

I thought much of the criticism Jess Jackson received from certain folks on this and other blogs following Rachel's Preakness win was pure hogwash. Quite a few protested how Jess Jackson hurt the game by running Rachel in the Preakness and lamented how he had "ruinied" Mine That Bird's Triple Crown. When Jackson then decided not to run Rachel in the Belmont, these protestations turned even more sour, and absurd. Of course, that discussion was made moot the moment Summer Bird crossed the Belmont wire, but I bring it up to show that, in my opinion, Jess Jackson received far too much criticism over the past month, almost all unwarranted. However, with his seemingly premature choice to eliminate the Breeders Cup from Rachel's itenary, I feel that Jackson deserves all the criticism that is likely to come his way, at least for this one decision.

Prior to this week, I really didnt feel it was my place to critique Jackson over his handling of Curlin and Rachel. I certainly understood why some held animosity towards him:

1) He's ridiculously wealthy, and in buying Rachel it appeared he had bought a championship mid-season.

2) He replaced Hal Wiggins, who had done nothing wrong with Rachel from my vantage, with a trainer sporting a couple of drug

infractions.

3) He talks a big game about being an ambassador for racing and doing "what's best for the game". Of course, such self-promotion leaves him open to criticism when fans feel he acts contrary to their preferences. Well, by foreclosing the Breeders Cup as an option for Rachel, I now find myself very much in disagreement with Jackson, and think he is not upholding his self-defined role to do what is best for the sport.  The sport NEEDS Rachel, if she is healthy and in form, to run in the Breeders Cup.

Of course, what is best FOR RACHEL is most important, and I can understand how Jackson has an aversion to Santa Anita's synthetic surface given what happened to Curlin. However, Rachel is not Curlin. In fact, Rachel has already proven herself on a synthetic course, Keeneland's Polytrack.  Unless Jackson has heard something from Wiggins, Asmussen, Borel or someone else (but not released to the public) related to Rachel's inferiority on synthetics, I question the evidence Jackson has used in making his decision. Is it merely a knee-jerk protest over what happened last year with Curlin, or a protest against synthetic surfaces in general(or at least the Breeders Cup being held at a synthetic track)? Again, it must be emphasized that Rachel has already won on a synthetic surface.

For the record, I was also disappointed when Sheriffs revealed Zenyatta's racing schedule. I'm not someone who believes Zenyatta must come East and defeat males in the Whitney, Woodward, Jockey Club Gold Cup AND then win the BC Classic. All I am really asking is EITHER 1 race back East on dirt (most likely vs. females) OR 1 race running vs. males in a gr.1 (Goodwood, Pacific Classic?). I find it intriguing that Sheriffs rejected the idea of running Zenyatta in the Hollywood Gold Cup(facing males and having to run 10 furlongs too much to ask), yet has apparently given the green light to run the Wygods' 4 year old filly, Life is Sweet, in the Gold Cup. How does that make sense? By the way Jason, I see very little possibility of Zenyatta running in the BC Classic(she'll be in the Distaff, errr Ladies Classic).

My expectations for Rachel are equally measured. By having already won the Preakness, Rachel has placed herself in elite company. Maybe one more race against males, probably 3 year old males in the Haskell or Travers(but not both), and then a race like the Beldame/Ruffian/Gazelle/Cotillion/etc. before going on to face Zenyatta in the BC Distaff.

Right now, Zenyatta is scheduled to run in zero races against males, and zero races outside California, and with Rachel now likely to bypass the Breeders Cup, we might never see the Zenyatta-Rachel matchup so many of us have been fantasizing about for a couple of months now.

It goes without saying, though, that I wish Rachel and Zenyatta, and their connections, the best this weekend and the rest of the year. These are 2 GREAT female racehorses, and a victory in a gr.1 race like the Mother Goose or Vanity, no matter how inferior the competition appears, is still a wonderful accomplishment.  In any event, my disagreements with Jackson and Sheriffs are fairly marginal; I want Jackson to run Rachel in the Breeders Cup(Distaff or Classic) and for Sheriffs/Moss to run Zenyatta in 1 race either against males or outside Cali. The good news is that there's still a lot of time for Jackson and Sheriffs/Moss to change their minds.

Of course, most eyes will be on the great Rachel Alexandra in the Mother Goose and the great Zenyatta in the Vanity on Saturday. However, here in Michigan, 2-time reigning Michigan bred/sired Horse of the Year, 5 year old mare Valley Loot, is making her 2009 Pinnacle Racecourse debut in the $50,000 Larkspur Handicap. Like Zenyatta, Valley Loot is conceding significant weight in the Larkspur, from 5 to 13 lbs. The post-time for the Larkspur is the same as the Mother Goose, with the Vanity about 15 minutes later. As for the Vanity, while I do think weight is an overstated variable these days, when a horse has to carry 129 lbs. and concede AT LEAST 13 lbs. to every other entrant, it is no insignificant matter.  Here's to safe racing, and some great female racehorses.

As a note from last year, Jess Jackson deserves zero criticism for the fact that Curlin and Big Brown never met. The only race Big Brown ran in that Curlin was eligible for was the Monmouth Turf Handicap. Why would Jackson run Curlin in a non-graded turf race, a race designed specifically for Big Brown?  On the other hand, there was nothing stopping Dutrow and IEAH from running Big Brown in the Woodward and/or Jockey Club Gold Cup. And for all of Jackson's hesitation to run Curlin in the Classic, in the end it was Curlin, and not Big Brown, who was present for the Breeders Cup.  

Matthew W, I agree Exceller was a great horse in his own right;-) that race is one of the best...

SS won out as HOY because he beat Exceller by 4 lengths in the Woodward and beat Affirmed in the Marlboro Cup, SS also carried up to 134 lbs that year. I am with you, though, that you could argue both ways, and that Exceller will always rank in the top few great racehorses that didn't get HOY...

Anti dray-

Yes, Curlin could have totally beaten Big Brown. Seriously, Big Brown was retired because he tore a hunk of his own foot off in a routine workout. Not my idea of a champion. (sorry if that offends BB fans, no harm meant by it, just my opinion).

The current International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. are out.

Both Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird have dropped from 7th place to 15th. Zenyatta, who wasn't even on the list last time around, has moved to number 5 on the world's stage.

This is interesting news in light of Jess Jackson's announcement that his horse, Rachel Alexandra, will duck the Breeders Cup so as to avoid a repeat of the Curlin situation a year ago where the world's top ranked horse was handily beaten by the Euros.

At the time, the Jackson camp blamed Curlin's lose on the synthetic surface at Santa Anita, and it appears Jackson and company will be serving the same whine this time around.

However, if Zenyatta holds her lead for the rest of the year, Jess Jackson will be forced to run Rachel Alexandra against the "Z" horse regardless of surface.

He want's another "Horse of the Year" trophy on his mantle so badly to do anything less.

And, if she loses? Well, Jackson can always blame "plastics"... after all, it worked for him before.

Chris right on! Horses are more heavily muscled now and that is why they went to synthetics--for better or worse at least they're trying to prevent breakdowns!

Ron McAnally has a horse in the seventh race at Hol today....only saddled two winners this YEAR--NONE at Hol yet---go Big Mac! A class act all the way---

Zenyatta and Rachel are both equally super horses and if their owners do not want to participate "so be it " after all its their horses.....I look forward to what ever races they race and will watch them wherever...Zenyatta will be retired at the end of this year anyway so........

Chris,

   I'm tired of say he ran Curlin soley on legal issues. Why, because there still are legal issues going on, so why run him last year but not this year it doesn't make sence? Could it have been part of the reason yes, but he also never had to run Curlin in Dubai, on turf or on synthetics. He could've brought him if he wanted to protect him as a stallion prospect he could've just had him run on dirt all year long, just along the east coast. Your statement and other doesn't make sence. If he brought Curlin back because of legal issues, then why not bring him back this year. Also why take risks the may loose him value at stud if he looses. You and other people who make that statement, need to look at the whole picture, because when you do it doesn't make any sence at all.

Zenyatta,

   My pick was Lion Hear actually, and boy wasn't that a good race down the stretch when they hooked up "Smarty Jones is all out, Lion heart is all heart!" I believe that was the call at the top of the stretch. Smarty proved his metal and his heart, and prevailed. What a great little horse.

Stardusty,

   If you want Zen and RA in the same gate, get Zen's connections to get her but out of Cali. She has no right to call the shots unless she is the defending HOTY, and runner up maybe close, but not the money. She is champion of one division, the older fillies, thats it. Zen has also raced on dirt, on which came her largest margin of victory. Why not race her on dirt. You say you want to see them both in the gate, well the door swings both ways. Also JJ stated before even if he were to bring RA to Cali it would've been to run in the CLASSIC. Zen's connections have stated their campaign, and it does not include the Classic, it includes the Distaff. So unless Zen's connections wanted man up and go in the Classic, they still wouldn't have met. Now the only difference is that RA isn't coming to Cali. The only connections that aren't showing any nerve is Zen's. If you'd look at everything put togeather you'd see that. I don't fault them for doing what they think is best, but if you want to get into the game of who looks like they're more gutless, Zen's connections and their powder puff seasons two year in a row, last year ducking HOTY Curlin wins hands down.

i feel like there is a lot of good information here, and also a good amount of instigating going on here towards Rachel and Zenyatta backers.  i almost fall into the trap each time.

amazingly some of the same people that ask for repect at other horse blogs here are at hand.  funny how that works...but the double-talk is truly saddening.

i'll say this again, but when did Zenyatta's owner ever say she was going to run in the the Breeders' Cup Classic? last year Zenyatta ran in the Ladies Classic, and was on top of her game, and at home.

as the DRF said in an article, if the Breeders' location was chosen wisely, we would never be having this discussion.

Jess Jackson is intolerable...Its like how many times can the people who run the sport get it wrong...California, synthetics, great horses never face each other, slots...everything...bad decision, after bad decision..no ambition...thank god for gambling addicts who will bet their social security check to keep the sport going- cause general public interest will continue to plummet if these decisions kept getting made...

Mike Relva

You and I get a long great.  Now what is this about RA?  Don't you think that she should race Zenyatta?  OK not polytrack.  How about TURF? :)

Jason....  

Do you believe that the turf would be the best solution to this entire mess and help the industry?  I have finally decided that would be the best way to handle this race.  I am not the owners or trainers but come on.  GRASS!  Nice dry grass.  That would be so easy.  Easy on the horses, good for the fans, good for the racing industry and good for everything involved.  There is grass in every state.  :)

If I hear one more slam against Greg J., I am going to really start to get mad!  

LPD.... You have some good posts.  :)

I love Mine That Bird-HOY!

LOL!  Perfect Post!  Except for I believe that Zenyatta would be at the wire first.  :)

Shawn P---In your June 26, 2009, post at 5:55 P.M., you stated that trainer Vladimir Cerin, also a kinesiologist, had originally been in favor of synthetic surfaces, but no longer felt favorably about them. I agree that his background would make him "well suited to comment". Are you able to say specifically why he has changed his mind? Can you repeat his specific criticisms? I am not trying to "bait" you; I really want to know the position of someone in the industry with an education in science/health. I am a health professional and am not "sold" on the synthetic tracks, either. Thanks.

It does not matter in terms of injuries, what surface a horse runs on.

They can take a bad step on any surface and break down. Or if they are unlucky, have owners who want to run them regardless of injuries. So they keep dropping them in class.

Perfect example is race one today at Churchill Downs.

#1 and #7. Both are geldings, however---#1 is by A.P. Indy out of a Gone West mare and has ran four times at tough tracks in MSW. Now all of a sudden he shows up for a bottom price of $15,000. Why not $40,000 or so? He is hurting and they want to cut strings with him. It dont matter if this horse runs on plastic, dirt, or grass---he could break down.

#7 is even worse. Was facing MSW at Churchill. Been off almost a year. Now shows up for a bottom price of $15,000. Your not off almost a year, and then surface for a cheap tag, unless something is hurting.

Do away with the plastic fake tracks, keep the grass and dirt racing surfaces. Put more responsiblity with trainers and owners. Have some heart, and don't keep dropping the poor animal until they break down.

Bull! RA has run on plastic smoking it at 1:09...easily.

It's Zenyatta that he is ducking and for those RA fans, believe when I tell you that Jess knows Zenyatta would just inhale RA at the stretch. ENDOFSTORY!

MonicaV...I don't have any idea why you would tell me that everyone has a right to their opinion. I don't take away anyone's right to an opinion, ever, I just state mine.

RACHEL ALEXANDRA should have an easy time of it today, no weight concession and no competition. ZENYATTA will have to work today.

I agree wholeheartedly with Chris, 26 Jun 2009 11:17 PM.  Another who agrees is Richard Eng, "racing writer" (he does not have many duties) for the Las Vegas newspaper.  Eng writes that the person who knows about Rachel's synthetic-track ability is Hal Wiggins, not Jess Jackson.  One is a lifetime horseman, one is a wine maker with megabucks.  Who gets the benefit of the doubt?

So Curlin finished fourth in the '08 BCC because he struggled with the surface.  Isn't it funny how different people can watch the same race and have very different opinions on the running and the reasons for the outcome??  If you own the horse in question (not train, just own), is your observation automatically the correct one?  Just wonderin'.  And yes, of course, I will reiterate, if you own the horse you can run it where you desire, or not.

Racingfan is right about the breakdowns happening right after SA opened again.  And the SA track which had previously been quite fast during the 2008 BCC (in regards to the comment about Zenyatta's time) has slowed down.  I "suspect" another reason synthetics have gone in as that they are touted as low maintenance which means they are cheaper. . . Wasn't it Aqueduct which had a very good season in terms of fatalities.  I seem to remember that the comments were that it was being superbly maintained also.  It's high maintenance.  Follow the money. . . sometimes conflicting needs are at play.

LDP 26 Jun 2009 11:43 AM wrote "

Laz, Curlin was second in the Man o War and was beaten two lengths by RR. Behind Curlin was BTN, who was beaten by a neck i think."

LDP, that was a turf race.  Curlin was undefeated on DIRT last season.  The turf race was a test to see if Jackson wanted to send him to Europe.  When he showed he didn't care as much for turf, the plan was scratched.  Curlin was unstoppable on good old fashioned DIRT.

Zenyatta,no doubt!  

Rachel by double digits.

Wow, Rachel Alexandra is one amazing Filly!, Set the stakes record with ease!, Simply incredible....Zenyatta'a turn...

Another great performance by Zenyatta!, I still can't get over how Big Zenyatta is every time I see her, I will say this, Briecat sure ran her Heart out, Gallant Effort...

RACHEL ALEXANDRA can really run, that was a nice effort today. The time was fast, but the times in all the races today were lightning fast, so that's not so important. Too bad she was beating up on allowance fillies again.

ZENYATTA, on the other hand, was poetry in motion. What a mare! What a horse! What a champion! I love ZENYATTA more and more all the time.

My whole point is and was, these horses BELONG to the connections. It’s their  call what is best for them and both the Filly and the mare are horses that ANYONE would be thrilled to have. I also pointed out the issues with synthetics and WHY Jess may not want to run the filly. Not that I'm a fan of his at all. I also supported John and the Moss' decision to run Z where she fits and she’s one of my favorites in a LONG time. An impost of 129? Don’t care if she runs on concrete, she’s great. Apparently Jerry left an opening to take her elsewhere to run against  RA.

Where I take exception with FS are more rumors and accusations against trainers, similar to the unsubstantiated ones against Hal (someone I like A LOT) on the other blog.

As for anyone who is so absolute, adamant and then adds constant criticism and accusations, I don't respond well to that. It's counterproductive to the conversation at hand.

If the blog is about that? Fine. It's when a blog is misdirected to these other subjects that aren't really applicable to a particular situation, that, I think it's more about sensationalism and troublemaking.

Running the horses on synthetic vs dirt, East Coast Bias are the issues here. Why veer into the rest of it?

What my comment about the  track maintenance on dirt was? That EVERYONE who actually is IN  HORSE RACING has given Kudos to the super at Saratoga for the fabulous job he did last summer. There are a lot of OTHER dirt tracks that are just as safe as Saratoga was, and as safe as the California tracks have been since they put in synthetics.

I don’t like synthetics because there are still too many uncertainties to say they are the answer to ANYTHING, but Z  nor Rachel belong to me so if John, Jerry, Ann and Dottie want to run Z on it so be it. If Jess doesn’t WANT to run Rachel on it? So be it.

I’m not trying to cause trouble, I’m trying to point out that many of us who post and a lot who DON’T post anymore,  are tired of every issue in racing (real or imagined) being brought up on every blog constantly.

I’m certain almost no one on here has race horses or is connected to the game directly. The few who do or are? Know that things happen, know that handicaps are just that, based on  past performance. The comments to me are looking like grandstanding from people who THINK that those in the industry are reading (which some are) and taking every single word they read as great ideas or the gospel (they aren’t).

As far as informing others? I think Jason, Steve et al do a great job of that with their blogs, their Q&A’s their interviews, new stories etc. Most of us are at least 15 years old or older and I think most can read and interpret get various viewpoints without being taken by the hand and guided along.

By the way? What has any poster done to support your local race track this month? I think  THAT would be an interesting subject.  

WOW! I just witnessed greatness, on both coasts. Though i'm sorry i still feel RA is the best horse in the COUNTRY! First i'll talk about Zen. First off i told all of you who whined about the weight it wouldn't make a difference. She broke slow as usual, but for once she was not last, Mike Smith had her second to last, six legths behind the leader Bricat. The positions remained relitively the same throughout the race, until they began rounding the turn and the amazon started to run. At the top of the stretch she loomed large ready to seize command, but the two front runners faught back, and at mid stretch it look like Zen might be handed her first loss. Anyone who'd believe such a thing was foolish as the Champion older mare lengthened and uncoiled that giant stride and glided past her rivals, if you'd call them that, and coasted to any easy victory with her ears cocked. The margin looked to be an easy length and a half.

    Now on to Alexandra the GREAT! Right from the break, but it did not include Rachel. She sat back about three lengths off her opponents who duel through blistering fractions, the first quarter went in around 22 seconds and the half in 44. Rachel just sat back biding her time, but as they neared the top of the stretch Calvin pressed the button. At the top of the stretch Rachel in a decisive moved between her two opponents and in only a few strides she shot herself out from between the two other fillies and quickly opened the gap. It was all over even before the eighth pole, as Calvin began to stand up in the stirrups and gear Rachel down. Once across the wire i waited and asked where are they (the other horses). The margin of victory was called again at an astounding 20 lenghts. What is also amazing is that she broke the STAKES RECORD being GEARDED DOWN!

    Both great fillies, both showing the world how great they are. What a magnificant sight.

    Maybe These two great Fillies will meet after all!  Jerry Moss said in an interview, ""If the two horses are ready and at the top of their form, I would very much like to see a race between the two of them,"  Who knows?, It could be The Delcap on July 19, Saratoga on August 2 or August 29.  He said he would ship her out of state so she could go for Horse of the Year.  He finished with, ""We hope both horses do well throughout the year and we can meet somewhere."

It sure would be awesome, If so, I would have to go with Zenyatta...

WOOHOO, the girls did it again. You gotta love them!!! Both spectacular. 20 lengths in a short field, but RA sets a record, and then Zenyatta wins carrying 129 pounds against a fairly decent field. How do you decide who's better??? I would love to see them match race together. More interesting than the Breeders Cup by a longshot. They are just magnificent.

I DON'T BLAME EITHER TRAINERS.  THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS BEST FOR THEIR HORSES.  WHAT WILL BE INTERESTING IS IF RA RUNS IN THE HASKELL & TRAVERS AND BEATS THE BOYS AGAIN, THEN ZENYATTA RUNS IN THE CLASSIC AND WINS THEN YOU WILL HAVE THE ULITIMATE HOY BATTLE.  ON ONE SIDE YOU HAVE RA WHO HAS RUN ALL OVER THE EAST AND BEAT BOYS ON DIFFERENT TRACKS, THEN YOU HAVE ZENYATTA WHO IN MY OPINION WILL PROBABLY NOT GET BEAT IN CALIFORNIA.  THESE ARE TWO GREAT FILLIES THAT RUN THEIR HEARTS OUT.  THESE OWNERS ARE AFTER A HOY TITLE AND WANT TO GO ABOUT IT THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE.  I DON'T BELIEVE EITHER ONE OF THEM ARE DUCKING EACH OTHER, REMEMBER CURLIN DANCED ALOT OF DANCES AND REALLY NEVER DUCKED ANYONE.  AS FAR AS ZENYATTA SHE HAS NEVER BACKED DOWN EITHER, SHE FACED QUALITY FILLIES LAST YEAR AND NONE OF THEM COMPARED.  I AM HAPPY THEY ARE BOTH STILL RACING.

Chris,

The legal situation with Curlin is the same.  It hasn't changed and it has not been settled.  JJ is 80%

owner and he could have retired Curlin at 3 but didn't.

Everyone has their own opinion regarding Zenyatta vs Rachel and why that doesn't seem to be happening but really, that is up to the owners and NEITHER ONE doesn't seem to care if it happens or not.

Well, the two best horses in the country both won convincingly today.  Zenyatta didn't have a problem with the 129 weight assignment and her fans were there to support her.  She's just so impressive.

Rachel only faced two today and won by almost 20 lengths and set a new stakes record even with Borel easing her at the end.  I know some of you won't think it was much but to set the stakes record is pretty impressive.  I heard she was going to lose to Malibu Prayer.

Wonder why that didn't happen.

Do you think it might be because Rachel might be just a little bit better, like 19 lengths better?

Well, after Zenyatta's and Rachel's races today, its pretty obvious to me why JJ is afraid to go to the BC.  It ain't plastic...its flesh and blood and her name is Zenyatta!

Stay outta CA, JJ, and let your girl run where you know she can't be beat.  Wouldn't want to run her against a true female champion!

Greg J., Mike Relva and Mike S.  

If your life depended on a race between the two on turf what horse would you take? :)

You don't have to answer that but some imput would be nice.  

Monica V

That was me that said that she was going to lose against MP.  Now take her to run Zenyatta.  HA!  Not a chance.  RA ran against 2 horses and were they even stakes horses?  

Greg J.  Never mind.  I didn't read your post above.  Sorry.  

Rechelle,

    What is your problem, i just corrected what was said. I am one of the biggest Curlin fans on this blog, ask anyone on here who wishes to argue with me about him and they will tell you how much i love this horse. Why the heck are you acting like i just said he was the worst horse ever. Laz stated Curlin was third in the Man o War, so i went back and corrected it. Did you even read his post containing that. I am well aware of him being unbeaten on dirt all year i'm proud of it. You need to back off and learn to read before you go off on someone.

You know I have been going through these posts and I am not saying that I haven't contributed to the debate cause I have.  I believe that it is time to just quit this nonsense.  There is so much to do in life.  After all, how long is life?  Do we really truly know?    Enjoy every second.  It may be your last.  I just want to get along with people but I am not going to state my opinion anymore.  It just isn't worth it.  :)

barb,

    Thanks. I do get excited, but i love fair debates, they just attract me for some reason. I just don't like insults or when ppl say things that are rediculously untrue, then i get mad lol. My summer was going good but i re-pulled a muscle in my shoulder that i pulled last year at work and might have to find another job. I can't believe i have such a problematic body at this age. I thought it was suppose to wait and hit in my thirties, lol, not my teens.

When is someone going to suggest that the two remarkable fillies in training right now, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, meet in a match race? It would be wonderful for racing!

STARDUSTY ROSE

Hello! I would take Zenyatta in a heartbeat!

i saw two spectacular performances today one ending in a record. I really do not care how fast that track was at Belmont, no normal horse is geared way down in the final furlong and sets a stakes record while winning by almost 20. I am sorry but if there is to be a match up Zen can't catch her. Rachel ran roughly a 1.09 2/5 six furlongs and pulled away effortlessly. Her last furlong was roughly 12 3/5 seconds, and Calvin was standing in the irons. I do not care if the track was pavement, NO NORMAL HORSE DOES THAT. On to the west coast Zen was fabulous to, but honestly 129lbs, as i said would not affect a horse her size, that is but a feather on her back, it is only 1 tenth her wieght. She was again Zenyatta. She made her move and easily past an OK field, not a great one, but it was ok. Personaly i hope they both come to run in the DE hanicap, because i'm only an hour away from DE park, and i will do my best to be there for history. So i'll be praying to the Dear Lord Almighty that they will come to my state. Wish me luck on that.

I just came back from my trip up to see Zenyatta run in the Vanity. All I can say is Wow! She is one drop dead gorgeous looking mare. I was standing alongside the paddock and was all of 10ft away from her clicking my camera away. At 17 hands, she's unreal. And after Rachel's race today in the Mother Goose. These two have to hook up. The males had better get their act together.

Karen, There were a couple of articles here on the BH, there were some comments there. Also from Bobby Frankel as to how much the surface changed after some rain. Said he hadn't had any breakdowns but his had a LOT of foot problems.

Here is ONE of the sites which contained comments from Vlad

"Vladimir Cerin, saying at first he was supportive of the move to synthetic surfaces, also equated the situation to "walking through a minefield."

"The question is, ‘Who will be next?’ " he said. "I don't know how to fix it. I just can't have it the way it is."

"Mel Stute, 80, said in the past 40 years he has had 12 fatalities, with nine coming the past two years on synthetic surfaces. Later during the meeting, he got up, mumbled "I've heard enough of this. …” and left."

According to the LA Times there were two more fatalities by Jan 20th bringing the total to 7 by that time.

I'm not saying there were never breakdowns on dirt. But for a track that's supposed to be so much safer?

Also the person who said synthetics have no speed bias? Depends on the track. Look at Keeneland.

Funny I recalled in an argument last year, a trainer on here said they were trying to head in the right direction including banning steroids, regulating whip usage and installing synthetic surfaces. He was told that synthetics weren't the answer. Guess that group had a different agenda to rag on.

Jason, great story on the Debutante, 2 year old fillies fighting it out the way they did? Maybe the next Z and RA?

Did you get a one on one interview with Wayne?

Didn't get to see you there.

Hi Karen in Texas,

I'm not Shawn, but, like you, was curious about Vladimir Cerin's comments.

"Trainers voice concerns over Santa Anita's surface"

1/07/2009

Vladimir Cerin, saying at first he was supportive of the move to synthetic surfaces, also equated the situation to "walking through a minefield."

"The question is, ‘Who will be next?’ " he said. "I don't know how to fix it. I just can't have it the way it is."

I loved how they had the women holding signs for Zenyatta (i.e.Zenyatta for Governor) in the winners circle. Have to love connections that would do that. By the way, Zenyatta might make a better public servant for California than the legislature and Governor they have now.

I keep re-watching those two races and I am in awe of both of them. Zenyatta is a real personality girl. I love her walk up to the post as much as the race.

Both RA and Zen did what was expected today.  No more, no less. Belmont was ridiculously fast and RA's competition - if you could call it that - was hopelessly outclassed.  That's not RA's fault.  She did her thing - which is awesome.  Zenyatta carried a good deal of weight in a paceless race and altered her running style to win a race many would have lost. I found it impressive that she was able to run by the leaders when crunch time came.  The race was more impressive than it may have looked.  These are two top class distaffers who are definitely the marquis attractions today.  I would not miss any opportunity to see either of them.  Let's appreciate these two magnificent ladies.

Stardusty Rose,

You thought RA would lose to a non-graded stakes horse.  Why?

My point was, yes there were only two horses and not very good ones in the race but barring that, RA broke the stakes record.  IN the 52 runnings of that stakes,she ran it the fastest.  Doesn't matter who was in the race, she broke the record and it's a graded stakes.  It's not her fault nobody entered but you have to give her credit for the record at least.

Wow two great mares! I can't take anything away from either one because both are spectacular!

What can I say about Rachel? Whenever she runs I am amazed! However, I am so tired of people bashing her because she only beat 2 horses. By almost 20 lengths...AGAIN! Furthermore, of the other fillies that she has beaten, many have gone on to win stakes races. There is nothing wrong with any of the fillies that Rachel has competed against. She is just too gifted, and this constant carping is getting on my nerves.

In Ruffian's career, she progressed to a point where most owners decided that it was not worth it to challenge her. I don't recall anyone denigrating Ruffian for facing small fields toward the end of her career. Rachel is magnificent, and there is a reason that owners/trainers are trying to avoid her.

I know that I will be the only one with this sentiment, but part of me hopes that these mares never meet. I am still scarred by the showdown at Belmont between the older mare (Bayakoa) and the three year old filly (Go for Wand). I will never be able to shake the image of Go for Wand breaking her heart and her body to stay with the older, more seasoned Bayakoa.

what we saw today was racing history as there is no time in the last 19 years that i can remember the two best horses in the country being filly/mare and also winning convicncingly on the same day in nearly totally opposite conditions. we have Rachel Alexandra who had the race set up perfectly for her where the two other hores ran each other into the ground and she came out withotu being asked in 1:46:33 by 19 lengths. then again we have Zenyatta who has been and in my eyes remains the best horse in teh country this year who wins the race by 2 1/4 in 1:48:15 but under a staggering 129 lbs while conceding 13+lbs to all other challengers and let it be known that the speed at hollywood held up amazingly in the vanity where Briecat held on for a solid second. too me Zenyatta remains the top horse and has been the top horse in 2009, though to me Rachel Alexandra really proved that she is a force to be reckoned with. the best two horses in the country destroy the competition easily in there own seperate ways talk about a near perfect day of racing its too bad Curlin's gone its been a rough racing year without him, like losing a son who has gone off to college and life. but today will never be forgotten thats for sure. great job by both horses. Zenyatta still gets the nod at teh top spot for me.

Sardusty Rose, Rachel wasn't push to her max and Calvin eases Rachel at the end and she still made a stake record, it doesn't matter who she was up against. If she was againts some top competition...she would have destroy the stake record for at least a whole second.

Wow...both races spectacular. But the splits Rachel chased were ridiculous. Rachel came home 2 seconds faster than Zenyatta - and under a hand-ride and pulling up at the end to boot. Rachel was SMOKIN today!!

I sure hope we get a chance to see these two ladies in the same race. Each might be the other's only real competition out there.

They're both phenomenal!!

Went to the Belmont races today and saw the disturbing part of the sport.  In the 2nd race, one of my picks in an exacta play was the #1 horse named Cape Marco (bought for

$320,000).

The horses were getting in the gate, but when it came to Cape Marco he refused to get in.  This horse was fighting like crazy, the jockey jumped off, the horse backed away, they tried to push him in, he jumped to the side and walked in circles.  I'm getting

pissed off, wondering if he's going to get scratched, compromising my wager.  This

went on for almost 5 minutes, but they finally got Cape Marco into the gate and the jockey on top of him.  I was relieved.

Cape Marco challenged for the lead, running 2nd into the stretch.  Suddenly he faded, battling another horse not to finish last.  I yelled out "Look at this shit!", as Cape Marco crossed the finish line 2nd to last.  Then Silvia yelled out "Look at the horse, he's going to go down!".

Cape Marco was struggling to stay on his feet.  One of his front legs was damaged.  The jockey threw himself to the ground off the horse.  My guess is his leg was broken.  Hopefully it is reparable.  The horse ambulance came out on the track.  Cape Marco

was still on his feet with assistance.

Now it was time for Cape Marco to get into the ambulance.  He didn't want to get in there either!  It was a repeat of getting into the starting gate.  Finally, they got him to walk into the ambulance and off they went.

Watching this, I was crushed.  I'm thinking the horse didn't want to race because he knew he was going to die.  Hopefully he recovers, but I doubt it.  I'll check the racing news tomorrow to see the outcome.

2 GREAT female racehorses and 2 more GREAT performances by them today.

Rachel was absolutely sensational, winning another grade 1 race by almost 20, breaking Ruffian's record for margin of victory in a Mother Goose, while also bettering Lakeway's stakes record with a 1:46 and 1 final clocking.  Yes, Belmont was quite fast today, but Rachel's time in the 9 furlong Mother Goose was about 5 or 6 lengths superior to the 8.5 furlong time posted by the quality 4 year old male, IEAH's Wishful Tomcat, earlier in the card. So, look for another Beyer figure around 108.

And while Rachel did not have to face any world-beaters in the Mother Goose, Flashing had shown some quality when winning the graded Nassau County, and Pletcher had been high on Malibu Prayer. Just as with the Kentucky Oaks, Rachel's margin of victory in the Goose was not simply the consequence of poor competition; although some on this blog still refer to Rachel's vanquished foes in the Kentucky Oaks as "allowance horses", Gabby's Golden Gal came back to win the gr.1 Acorn over Justwhistledixie while Flying Spur and Nan were proven graded stakes competitors, with Nan having twice run competitively against Stardom Bound. As for the fact Rachel only faced two challengers in the Goose, I see it as a reflection of how dominant she is perceived to be by the owners and trainers of her fellow 3 year old fillies.  Just as when the greatness of Man O War, Citation, Tom Fool, and Spectacular Bid would repeatedly scare away all but a very few, Rachel's talent was a direct CAUSE of the short Goose field(with sickness taking out Dont Forget Gil and Hopeful Image).

So, while the speed of the Belmont surface and the quality of the field were factors in Rachel's 2 records, ultimately the 146 and 1 time and the 19 length margin were the consequence of Rachel's tremendous talent. What Rachel has done in her last 3 starts has been truly historic. In addition to becoming the first filly to win the Preakness in 85 years, Rachel has now won two grade 1 races, two of the most prestigious races for 3 year old fillies, by 19 lengths or more; even very good horses simply do not win grade 1 races by 19 lengths, let alone 2 grade 1 races by such a margin!  I wonder if any horse in history has ever won 2 grade 1 races by at least 19 lengths in each(The graded stakes system was established in 1973. One would have to look at grade 1 "equivalent" races pre-73').

I also want to credit Calvin Borel with a wonderful ride on Rachel in the Goose. Perhaps another jockey would have panicked when both Flashing and Malibu Prayer went after Rachel early, but Borel was content to let those fillies duke it out on the front end, and trust that Rachel would be able to take back and come running when called upon.

Zenyatta may not have been as sensational or as dominant  as Rachel, but once again she was perfect. At the top of the stretch, it appeared Zenyatta might not have the sufficient closing kick to win, having been asked by Mike Smith for a little more early speed than normal. However, with strides that appear to be litterally twice the length of other fillies and mares, Zenyatta ended up winning rather comfortably, ears pricked crossing the wire. Zenyatta won her 5th grade 1 race, with 4 grade 2 victories, carrying 129 lbs, the most by a Vanity winner since 1977 when Cascapedia carried the same impost, and 3rd most all-time in the long and glorious history of the Vanity behind Gamely's 131 in 1968 and Silver Spoon's 130 in 1960.

Late last night I wrote about my hope that in the next few months Jess Jackson and/or John Sheriffs/Jerry Moss would have a change of mind and re-think the schedules they had tentatively set for their great racehorses. Well, Jerry Moss is now on record stating his preference for a Zenyatta-Rachel matchup, and suggested he is willing to send Big Z out East for such a race. And even if Zenyatta were to come East for a race, whether against Rachel or not, I would still hope that Jess Jackson reconsiders, and points Rachel towards the Breeders Cup(likely the Distaff against Zneyatta).

What a day!

This reminds me of the original movie "The Parent Trap" with Hayley Mills. One girl was on the East Coast and the other was on the West Coast, hoping to get together somehow.

Remember the song?

"Let's get together, yea, yea, yea..."

What about it, girls?

I was at Hollywood Park today to watch my favorite mare do her thing. Zenyatta the Magnificent did not disappoint her connections nor her fans. I missed the 3rd race because I wanted a prime spot in the paddock area. I parked myself (along with many others) right by her section of the walking ring. When she made her entrance we were all awed. She was almost close enough for me to touch her. She is truly  magnificent. I'm not exaggerating you guys! She treated us to a few dressage steps, snorted loudly, pawed the ground and went on her merry way to her 11th victory. What a GREAT mare!!!

Being busy gawking at Zenyatta, I did not see Rachel's race. I knew she had won but I didn't know how or by how much. The first thing I did when I got home was turn on the computer to watch the BH video.

All I can say is that I was WOWed all over again. What an amazing filly! Wins by 20 lenghts and brakes the stake record !!!

How fortunate we are to have them both! What a great year for horseracing fans!

I know, I'm delirious...but I can't help it.

Rachel vs. Zenyatta?

It's going to be an interesting summer what with both camps  desperately after Horse of the Year.

They both have to protect their interests  by making sure their horses are not put in positions where they can get beat, and yet one or the other still must land a knock out punch.

The advantage right now is with Zenyatta, as her owner seems more the sportsman and his horse more the champion, so Zenyatta can continue to coast.

Since Jess Jackson is the one who seems more scared of the competition, he's the one who has to take more risks ( as in another high profile race against the boys) if he wants to avoid facing the "Z" horse on plastic and still be in contention for HoY.

In terms of drama, this is going to be better than the 09 Triple Crown series. Good days to come.

Stardusty Rose:

Yes, Flashing won the grade 3 Nassau County and came into the Mother Goose with a 4 for 5 record. She is a Godolphin runner, and they had high hopes for her, and probably still do.  I expect Flashing and Malibu Prayer to be solid graded stakes horses the rest of the year, just as a number of Rachel's other victims have gone on to run well in graded stakes races.

Yes, the second place finisher in RA's Mother Goose is a graded stakes winner.  Flashing won the Nassau County Stakes (gr III) in May.  

RA ran the mile in 1:33.60 and finished the 1 1/8 in 1:46.33 - being eased. That is 12.33 for the final 1/8.  Serious racehorse time.  

Zenyatta finished her race in 1:48.15 after going a mile in 1:35.54.  She finished her last 1/8th in 12.21.  Other than RA's ability to go to the front or be rated off the pace, there doesn't seem to be much to separate these two.  

There was considerable talk prior to the Preakness from those fearful of running a filly against males, including Randy Moss of ESPN, suggesting that even if Rachel were to perform well in the Preakness, the race could take so much out of her that it could knock her out for a sizable portion of the rest of the year (of course others, including some on this blog, were upset when Rachel didnt run back 3 weeks after the Preakness in the Belmont). Many folks of this opinion pointed to the historical instances of Ruffian, Eight Belles, Rags to Riches, Winning Colors, and Genuine Risk to demonstrate how running against males could be fatal, and how even those that defeated males could have much less subsequent success. Excluded from this narrative was how Rags to Riches was actually injured months after her Belmont victory, and only after she had already run in the Gazelle. Also brushed over was that Genuine Risk emerged from her Triple Crown wars to run 2 strong races in the Maskette(Go For Wand) and Ruffian, and was only retired the following fall as a 4 year old, and that Winning Colors ran a couple of monster 2nds to Personal Ensign after her races vs. the boys.

From the Mother Goose, it appears Rachel Alexandra has emerged from the Preakness as well as could be expected following such an historic and gutsy performance. In doing so, she has boldly defied those that doubted whether she would ever be the same horse following the Preakness. Just as with Genuine Risk, Winning Colors, and Rags to Riches, it would be hard to blame anything negative that could now happen to Rachel on having fun against males in the Preakness.

I know that there were a number of Mine That Bird fans who were upset that Jess Jackson ran Rachel in the Preakness, ending any chance Bird had for the Triple Crown. Yet, it would be hard to imagine how much criticism Rachel's previous owner and trainer, Dolph Morrison and Hal Wiggins, would be receiving had Jackson not bought Rachel and had they stuck to their original schedule. Had Jackson not bought Rachel, today likely would have marked Rachel's 3rd straight blow-out win in a grade 1 vs. 3 year old fillies, following the Kentucky Oaks, Acorn, and Mother Goose. The chorus of those demading Rachel finally run against males would be almost deafening, with many surely critically disecting the "weak" competiton she was facing.

Even after Rachel won the Kentucky Oaks in such a special way, many were critical of Morrison and Wiggins for "only" running in the Oaks, and not being "courageous" enough to take a chance in the Derby.

Of course, after Jess Jackson bought Rachel, there were those aforementioned critics bemoaning the fact a filly was running against the boys. Then, when Jackson withdrew Rachel from consideration for the Belmont, there was another vocal segment claiming Jackson was acting in an "unsportsmanlike" matter, "ducking" a re-match with Mine That Bird in the Belmont.  In contrast to those worried about running a filly vs. colts, these critics wanted Rachel to run against the boys twice in 3 weeks, and with the seond race at 12 furlongs, after having already run 5 times on the season. Some in this segment are certainly among those that have been critical that Jackson and Asmussen chose "only" the Mother Goose and not something more "ambitious" for Rachel's first post-Preakness race. Undoubtedly, however, had Jackson chosen the Dwyer or a race against colts, there would have been those fearful that Rachel was being asked to do too much.

One thing is clear, an owner such as Jess Jackson is not going to be able to please everyone. Overall, I give Jackson and Asmussen/Blasi an A grade for their handling of Rachel. In retrospect, the decision to run Rachel in the Preakness and not wait for the Belmont gave her the best chance to defeat the boys. And while the Preakness did leave Jackson and Asmussen with the option of running back in the Belmont, the decision to give her 6 weeks off and then come back in the Mother Goose is hard to argue with. Hopefully, Jackson and Asmussen can continue doing what is best for Rachel, and not try to please everyone, because doing so is truly impossible. However, I still believe Jackson needs to listen closely to some of the criticism being directed his way over the decision to bypass the Breeders Cup. In this ONE instance, perhaps a different vantage point would help Jackson realize that Rachel is not Curlin, and that, with a win on a synthetic surface, running in the Breeders Cup might actually be what is best for not just the game, but for Rachel as well.

Rachel and Zenyatta were both on SportsCenter. Rachel and her historic Mother Goose came first, and then Zenyatta's Vanity. To be honest, after showing a clip of the Mother Goose and highlighting the records Rachel set in the Goose, I did not expect ESPN to also replay the Vanity. However, the Vanity was shown, and then a tale-of-the-tape was given comparing Rachel and Zenyatta.

The talk of North American racing, these 2 great females and the debate over which is best, has bubbled over into the general sports media. This still leaves racing a long way from sharing the media spotlight with the death of Michael Jackson, but the fact that 2 non-Triple Crown races were shown on SportsCenter, and that 2 female racehorses were profiled, demonstrates that both Rachel and Zenyatta have serious cross-over potential.

It goes without saying that this is yet another piece of evidence concerning the importance of a Rachel-Zenyatta matchup. Perhaps Moss brings Zenyatta East for a race against Rachel, and then Jackson returns the favor and brings Rachel out to Santa Anita for the Breeders Cup?  If the two do not meet because Zenyatta is never brought East and Rachel bypasses the Breeders Cup, the two sides would be EQUALLY at fault.  

Hey, Stardustyrose, who broke a record in the Mother Goose?  And who went down?

StardustyRose, the only problem with your comment about RA running against only 2 horses is that she broke the stakes record which means she really beat every other horse that has run this race.  She wasn't really racing those two but the history of the race, and she beat the time while doing a breeze across the finish! Come on now give her and Calvin some credit.  I happen to love both of these girls, couldn't decide which custom t-shirt to wear today to watch the races, one horse dosn't have to be pulled down to bring the other up!  They are both great in their own way and it only helps racing as a whole to have these two wonderful gals show why we all love this sport!

It sure sounded like The Moss's want to travel East again and I think it's got to be that way---Zenyatta will always be the "asterisk" filly unless they take her back there--the stretch's are longer back there as well, alas she can'e afford to give weight except for weight for age alw for Rachel--that's cuz Rachel is one fine horse! Good luck beating Zen, No question Rachel is all that and a bag of chips, but when they come out with Zenyatta she'll know she's in a horse race.....

RA is a super filly, no doubt. She set a Mother Goose stakes record (146.33)while being eased in this 53 yr. old race. The handicappers here are saying if pushed, she would have threatened Secretariat's track record (145.4).

She ran the Mother Goose faster than Ruffian, Go For Wand,Serena's Song, Shuvee, Sky Beauty, Cicada, etc, etc.

She beat 2 very good horses. Stakes winner Flashing won her last 3 races easily, with two good speed ratings (104, 101). Malibu Prayer won her last two races by a total of 21 lengths posting speed figures of 100 and 103. And they were crushed by 31 and 19 lengths, respectively.

As wonderful as Zenyatta has been, she will have to be a female Secretariat to beat Rachel Alexandra. The feeling here is RA is easily the best horse in the world right now.

Looking forward to the big showdown, whether it be Belmont, Saratoga or maybe Delaware Park.

Yes, Smarty was a very great little horse :) I really like both of them, but I think Rachel might beat Zenyatta...  although it would be close.

We have two super fillies to cheer on, hopefully not being such small, nasty people we have to destroy one for the other.

Terrain, Olredlgetcha, we celebrate your brief life and heart. We grieve for all of you who die for sport. You were still babies, run free in heaven's pastures with your brothers and sisters...

We saw two absolutely marvelous fillies yesterday with wonderful owners who have both done so much for racing that we should not question their motives when they are doing what's best and right for their fillies. The biggest question in my mind is why is the Breeders Cup being held at the same track two years in a row.  That's what seems wrong to me.

Nearing the end of 2007, a state judge gave 20% ownership to over 400 plaintiffs in the civil case. At that time it was a complete cluster and none of the major stud farms wanted any part of it. Who wants to invest in a stud prospect in the midst of that initial chaos? There wasn't the option of buying out the 20% like there is now. The reason there's still litigation over that is because minority owners are claiming JJ 4 million bid is an underestimate of Curlin's worth.  And I agree, I find it hard to believe that Curlin with his race credentials and pedigree is overall worth less than half the amount of Big Brown. 20 mil vs. 50 mil.

Princess Rachel-Queen Zenyatta!!!

what a pair to watch race...I would never want a match race between these 2 because I want their accomplishments to remain as is....truly beauty in motion....Zenyatta is simply awesome as is Rachel....love them both....

Simply put, Mr. Jackson did his best for racing by bringing Curlin to Santa Anita last year.  I think Zenyatta's connections should return the favor.  Zenyatta has won on dirt.  Bring her East to race "Rachel".

Stardusty and Greg J:

thanks for all your interesting info in racing....

Zenyatta what a preformer, gutsy gal just something else..... as is Rachel....

RIP, Terrain, fatally injured last night during the running of the Iowa Derby.  I feel so bad for this little gelding and his humans.  It seems there was a lot of disappointment in his 3YO season, and now the ultimate bad break.  Isn't Prairie Meadows supposed to be a good dirt track with low injury stats?

On a more upbeat note, both ladies were just awesome yesterday.  TVG did a good job whipping up enthusiasm with their "Girl Power Hour."  And don't forget the 9-for-11 Euphony, who won last night in Iowa.  

In a match race between Runnin' Rachel and Perfect Zen, I would have to go with Rachel, as I think she would be too far in front to be caught.  In a race with other speed horses, maybe not.  And now Jerry Moss says he wants the two to meet!!  Jason, it's time for you to step in and get this deal brokered!

RA is a monster... had Borel asked her for all she had she could have came close to the record set by the great Secretariat.  There is no denying...that girl can flat out run.  She was just starting to roll after hanging with a commanding pace. My hats off to her. I love that girl. I also love the call of the race..hard to control my emotions...

Zenyatta speaks for herself.. She is the Zen master!!!! She just comes on like a freight train at the end although the fractions were nothing compared to what RA faced.  A match up between these two would be a race made in heaven. But I say give RA some more time to mature. She is just a baby.

They're (Team Zen) anr noe gonna run her in handicap conditions, rather, it will be the Beldame, at weight for age, where they'll take on Rachel---they will take her across the country to face Rachel, then back across the country to defent their BCup, and that's what West Coast horses do, they ship East, even if they're undefeated! Believe me, Rachel WILL get competition from her elders, she won't be getting any :44 and change splits to run by and please let's hope they're not running on a souped up freeway like yesterday! Belmont Park has become like the old Western dirt tracks, way too fast! But they're gonna come East! They're gonna do this! Rachel's gonna open up and Zen's gonna be coming! They're not gonna let history pass them by, and I applaud The Moss's for realizing their place in racing history--I have said New York deserves to see Zenyatta and, Lord willing, we'll all get to see this! Let's do this!  

Stardustyrose: With all due respect, clearly it didn't matter who RA ran against. Those two fillies set fractions that would challenge any colt. She is just that spectacular.

In fairness to the Moss's and Shirreffs, they have all been critical of synthetics---but that is the hand they are dealt with---On the other hand, Jess Jackson has been a real gamer all the way, but please with this "risking" running on pro ride--get over your Curlin losing at Santa Anita--that was one tired horse, his prep races were certainly not "Curlin-esque", he handled the track enough to circle/pass the whole field--then he hung like a picture in the last 1/16, enough! I'm sure if Zen travels East and beats Rachel, Jess will change his mind and seek a Breeders Cup rematch as Rachel loved the Keeneland poly....it's just too bad his rhetoric out in front of the whole argument--if Zenyatta goes back East we might not have either one in the Breeders Cup, and that would be awful...And don't forget there are several nice fillies, not just those two.....

I would only have an issue with Jackson if he didn't learn his synthetic track lesson. I think we should breed horses that can run on natural surfaces and stay sound doing it, and not develop tracks that can accommodate a weakened breed. Time will put all too fine a point on the synthetic track blunder.

I am not laying awake at night dreaming of a match race between these two great horses. I love them both, and am kind of glad that one may not be defeated by the other. So let them each map out the best plan for their horse that will showcase it's talents, and let history compare the results.

We already know that Jackson isn't afraid to step out of his comfort zone to truly test his own horses as he did by trying Curlin on all surfaces, many different tracks, and even a different hemisphere, and I will never forget Rachel Alexandra's testing Preakness victory over top colts as along as I live. I still review the tape, and thrill to it each and every time I see it, and remain very grateful that I saw that.

My one teensy weensy and ridiculously overly picky criticism of the Jackson camp is that if they had just asked Rachel Alexandra for a teeny bit more instead of easing her up well in advance of the finish line, so that she broke the track record set by Secretariat many years ago instead of coming in just a few fifths of a second shy of it, Horse of the Year could have been all sewn up yesterday. She isn't going to find worthy competition in her sex and age group, and she has already beaten the boys, but she can always race against time and history, and track records set by the greats of the breed.

I do fear that Shirreffs will suppress and possibly cripple Zenyatta's chances of ever showing what she is really capable of by playing it too safe with her. She is not going to be tested by staying on the same tracks in the same state against her same sex in one division even if it does culminate in a Ladies Classic win. I enjoy her races because she is so dominant in her division, but I don't recall ever seeing her tested by stepping out of her comfort zone to the least little degree, whether it was against a comparable rival such as Rachel Alexandra, a different sex, or even a different longitude and latitude. They must be hoping that a long string of safe wins will do it for them. In my opinion that's far too conservative. I'm afraid that her whole career will go by and we will never get to see the true greatness that you just know she is capable of.

If HOY had to be decided on yesterday's efforts, Zenyatta handily won a slow G1 with weight on her back while Rachel Alexandra set a stakes record and came within a breath of shattering a long standing track record set by Secretariat. In my never humble enough opinion, Rachel Alexandra wins.

Best of racing luck to both of those great ladies.

Saratoga AJ:

She beat two vey good horses who raced like they weren't trying to win the race.  Who in their right mind would take off like that and run all out against each other knowing they had nothing left at the end?

As good and maybe even great as she is, if she had to compete in a hypothelical race against the likes of Genuine Risk, Shuvee, Go For Wand, Sky Beauty, Cicada, Susan's Girl and etc. and etc. who do you think would win?  Would it be Rachel?

And if you stuck Zenyatta in this field, wher would she finish?

RA vs Zenny is not going to happen. JJ will never put up RA against Zenny even if Moss took Z to the east coast. All that talk about a neutral track is BS. Rachel have already proven that she can run on poly with ease. They would never take a chance of getting beat by the big mare. They know Z is the only one that can take her and even Borel mentioned this imo. All this talk about RA smoking and setting stakes record is all fluff. Belmont speed rating has been off the charts lately even from claimers.

I want The Beldame! I want dirt! I want this! It makes no sense for them to ship her but I don;t care, I hope the Moss's and Shirreffs agree that we all need to see her dirt again, and I think Team Zen DOES know and think about this---THAT is why they'll be there, on dirt, v Rachel---cuz this is now too big for persons....If she takes to Belmont like she did to Oaklawn, I just think this would be the the biggest horse race in, well, maybe ever???

merlinmarry,

   Zen finished her last half in 12.61, not 12.21. Maybe you mistyped, your fractions or you solution. Anyway thank you for posting that, because it is true that very little seperates the two.

I am a Zenyatta fan hands down, absolutely adore her. I wish they would race her one more year. She has my heart. That is one GREAT horse. I hope she surpasses or equals Personal Ensign's record.

Saratoga AJ  and Karen2, I agree with everything you said. If RA and Zenyatta have a match race, I think RA clearly has the edge. Zenyatta has the stride, RA has the faster than the speed of light finishing speed. I think speed wins in this case. She is something else again; extremely special. If Zenyatta doesn't race against the boys and win, or against RA and win, RA is HOTY.

To the poster who says she wouldn't want to watch a match race because she wouldn't want to see either one of them lose, I am right there with you. I think it would break my heart to see either one of them lose. I know that is not the sporting way and some of you are rolling your eyes as you read this (LOL), but it would be a killer unless it was so close you could say they both just about finished together.

RIP Terrain and my sincere sympathies to all her connections. This is the part of the sport I just hate.

Now that I've calmed down some after yesterday's total elation, I think that in a match race, with only Zenyatta & Rachel Alexandra running, the probable winner would be RA. She is just too darn fast... and her speed lasts.

If the race included other good fillies and mares (or colts ??), Zenyatta would have a better chance to win but not very much better.

If this mythical race ever occurs, my heart would be with Zenyatta but my head would be with Rachel Alexandra. The whole thing would be too much for me...I'd probably implode!

Dear Messrs. Moss and Sheriffs;

Congratulations on yet another outstanding performance by Zenyatta in Vanity.  You showed tremendous sportsmanship by agreeing to take on an actual weight assignment.

Now, as you turn to deciding on the next race for your magnificent mare, I would like to offer a suggestion.  I assume you are looking to keep her record perfect and tie or surpass the immortal Personal Ensign.  I would also assume you would like to see Zenyatta earn Horse of the Year honors.

I light of these presumed ambitions I only have on word for you - Whitney.  In which race did Personal Ensign register her only win versus males?  What race did Lady's Secret use as a lynchpin in her Horse of the Year campaign?

The Whitney is a perfect choice for Zenyatta's next race.  The only thing missing from her resume is a win over the boys.  You really can't be losing sleep at night over Macho Again, Asiatic Boy or the ageless Commentator.

Oh yeah, and the 800 (or should I say 1200) lb. gorilla lurking in the Horse of the Year woods..I have a feeling if you let it be known you were coming east for the Whitney that they would probably jump into the fray.  If not, well, you can't be blamed.

Boys. Rachel.  Two birds (wouldn't be funny if Mine and Summer decided to run here..lol), one race.

The Whitney.

Sincerely,

The Scarletandgraypimper​nel.

Shawn P and postergeist---Thanks for the links/responses. I wondered if Mr. Cerin had seen an increase in a particular type of injury as well as the erratic pattern of breakdowns. To me, dirt cannot be inherently less safe or more dangerous than synthetics; learning to "manage" any surface can increase its safety. There seem to be reports of suspensory injuries with the synthetics--Mr. Cerin could be in a position to document specific problems and actually present his findings objectively. Again, thanks!

Both Rachel and Zenyatta were great yesterday! Sounds as though Zenyatta's owners are rethinking their postion on staying in California and we may get to see them meet after all. Mr. Moss had nice things to say about Mr. Jackson's opinions...

Soldier Course---Loved your 12:04 A.M. comment!

LDP - thank you for the correction!  I did mistype and never caught it.  

Anyone getting a Seabiscuit/War Admiral vibe from these two?  (Although where The Biscuit and the Admiral were both little guys, these girls are big, strapping amazons.)

Another 3yr old injured (this time fatally): Terrain... Very sad :(

This has been a really tough season for the young colts (or geldings). How many has it been, now...I've lost count. Every time we get elated by this great sport, reality slaps us in the face and brings us back to earth. I feel bad for the connections. An outcome like this must be very hard to take.

Some people are talking about how their heart would break if RACHEL ALEXANDRA lost. Well, she has already lost, three times. She's awesome though.

I am still not understanding why ZENYATTA has to leave California in order to be "great" in some people's minds. She won the Apple Blossom last year, so she already left California. But I don't think a horse has to leave California in order to be great. ZENYATTA is great already. When we start hearing New Yorkers shouting about how a New York horse needs to leave and go to California in order to be great then I'll feel the same way about the reverse situation.

Mary said:

"My one teensy weensy and ridiculously overly picky criticism of the Jackson camp is that if they had just asked Rachel Alexandra for a teeny bit more instead of easing her up well in advance of the finish line, so that she broke the track record set by Secretariat many years ago instead of coming in just a few fifths of a second shy of it, Horse of the Year could have been all sewn up yesterday. "

Agreed. Very well put. An dit's far more than just a "teensy weensy and ridiculously overly picky criticism". It cuts to the heart of the matter.

Just like if  Calvin Borel had been on Mine That Bird in the Preakness, MTB most certainly would have won and thereby set up a real opportunity for us to have seen  a Triple Crown this year.

Now it's going to be a real horse race, with Zenyatta in the lead and the Jackson camp playing catch up.

It will certainly be ironic if Calvin's inexplicable decision to ease the horse on the very edge of making equine history comes back to haunt the RA camp when the HoY trophy is handed out.

Manny how right you are! I think Jess got so pissed they lost at Santa Anita last year that they're still all bunched up! And I went to the same high school as Jess--Go Mustangs!

   Congratulations to the connections of Rachael Alexandra and Zenyatta for the wins on each coast yesterday. Very exciting to hear of a possible match-up, it appears a friendly east-west rivalry is going on...Much fun for the fans of both of these talented horses.                       Alan, thank you for the post, for alerting people of this.

Heartbreaking to hear how Cape Marco didn't want to go in the gate, then got injured in the race. Shame on the owner and trainer if they pushed that horse when he shouldn't have been running; if that is the case, it's abuse and needs to be dealt with to the full extent of the law.

If only they could talk...

I still don't care for Jackson at all.   And after his embarrassing Tantrum about "Plastic" surfaces (Which Rachel has already proven that she CAN win on), I like him even less.

But, he is right about Rachel being the leading candidate for HOTY honors.   And that "IF" Zenyattas connections what a shot at the Title, they will have to come after Rachel (As they should).

1)...Rachel's Oaks by 20.

2)...Rachel's Preakness vs. the Boys.

And 3)...Rachel's Mother Goose by 20 (And almost breaking Secretariats track record "IF" she hadn't been eased across the wire).

So...YES...Zenyatta is currently 2nd in the HOTY voting and should have to go after rachel "IF" they want a shot at the Title.

I very much doubt there will be a match-race between Zenyatta and Rachel. Given the advantage speed has in a match race, Sheriffs and Moss would be a little foolish to agree to it. In any event, neither connection is talking of a match-race.

If the two great horses are to meet, it will be in a regular race, open to other horses. Personally, I think it would be great if Zenyatta comes East for a race on dirt that also includes Rachel, and then the two meet again in the Breeders Cup(likely the Distaff, but maybe the Classic).

Has anyone noticed it is only 10 days until Draynay will be back? Gosh time really flys when your having fun. Also has anyone heard from For Big Red? I miss both of them. All of their great comments! Go RA and ZEN you bad girls!

Karen, not sure. That was an interesting meeting though. Several trainers said they wanted to go back to dirt. Hearing that a lot lately.

My granny has a name for some of you on here, shroud bearers. Wet blankets. Obviously WE can read (or most of us)what perverse pleasure do you get out of saying this was wonderful BUT? Want to send your thoughts to Al? Do so in a letter or an email.

TO:RECHELLE

Get your facts straight! LDP is correct!

Now Terrain breaks down. This is the part of racing that it very hard to take.  The horse must come first and if synthetics work, then fine.  If now, what's wrong with turf? Is the Iowa Derby on dirt or synthetics?

It looks as though RA and Zenyatta may meet after all.  Zenyatta would leave California.  So we will see what happens next.

Like others, I have found myself caught up in the greatness of Rachel and Zen. However, I do want to take this time to reflect on the one female racehorse (on dirt)this decade who occupied the same rarified air Rachel and Zen are now breathing. This great female racehorse was Azeri, and I think it is an appropriate time to recall her exploits.

At one point in her career, Azeri had won 14 of her 15 career starts. Of those 14 wins, 11 of them had come consecutively, with 8 of them being grade 1 wins and the other 3 being grade 2 races.  In fact, at that time in her career, Azeri's record was almost identical to Zenyatta's.  Based in SoCal, Azeri had won two Milady Handicaps, two Vanity Handicaps, a  Clement Hirsch Handicap(Azeri had actually won 2 of the then Chula Vista Handicaps), a Lady's Secret Breeders Cup, an Apple Blossom(Azeri had won 2 Apple Blossoms), and a Breeders Cup Distaff. Like Zenyatta yesterday, Azeri was also able to successfully carry weight, totting 127 lbs in the 2002 Lady's Secret, 2003 Vanity, and 2003 Clement Hirsch(Chula Vista). A key difference between the two was that Azeri had won her Breeders Cup outside of California, at Arlington Park in Chicago.

Much like John Sheriffs with Zenyatta, Azeri's trainer through those first 15 races, Laura de Seroux, had taken Azeri along a very carefully managed campaign, with Azeri's 2003 season a virtual replay of her Horse of the Year season of 2002. After Azeri's 11 race winning streak was ended in the 2003 Lady's Secret, with Azeri having to carry 128 lbs while spotting the quality winner, Got Koko, 10 lbs., De Seroux retired the 5 year old mare upon detecting lameness.

Azeri, however, was brought back at age 6 in 2004 and handed over to D Wayne Lukas. Because Azeri only won 3 of her 8 starts that year, her career record of 17 for 24 does not reflect how dominant, and nearly perfect, she was through her first two seasons. While Azeri lost 5 races in 2004, she did have some great moments that season, including 3-peating in the gr.1 Apple Blossom, outdueling the brilliant Sightseek in the gr.1 Go For Wand at Saratoga, and winning the gr.1 Spinster at Keeneland.  Azeri also ran valliantly in 2 of her losses, missing by a head in the gr.1 Humana Distaff at 7 furlongs while conceding 11 lbs, and then losing by 1.25 lengths to champion Storm Flag Flying in the 10 furlong Personal Ensign at Saratoga while spotting that winner 6 lbs.  and running the first 6 furlongs in 109 and change.   Additionally, 2 of her other lossess in 2004 came against males, running 5th in the Breeders Cup Classic(Ghostzapper the winner) and 8th(but beaten less than 7 lengths) in the Met Mile.

Ultimately, the "A Train", "La Machina" retired with 11 grade 1 victories and 14 total graded stakes wins. She was the 2002 Horse of the Year, and 3-time Eclipse champion Older Filly or Mare (2002-2004). 13 times Azeri earned a Beyer speed figure of at least 105, including a 109 carrying 127 lbs in the 2003 Vanity(which I saw in person). While some are having to go back to the 70s to find equivalents to Zenyatta and Rachel, we should not be so quick to forget that just 5 years ago one of the greatest female racehorses in history was putting the final touches on a 3-time championship career.  

Rachel's Beyer for the Mother Goose is a 111.

Since a Beyer takes into account the speed of a track, this monster figure clearly reflects that Rachel most certainly deserved the stakes record. Like I said yesterday, Belmont was quicker than par yesterday, but the speed of the track alone was not enough to account for the stakes record.

The 111 fig for the Mother Goose is a career high for Rachel. However, I still maintain my belief that her Oaks figure should have been 110-114 instead of the 108 she was assigned.

Hey Bloggers! Rachel's time 1:46.33 and Zenyatta's time 1:48.15 for same 1 1/8 miles!!!! Enough said!!!

merilinmarry,

    No problem, i mistype all the time and then half the time people twist my mistypes or abreviations to make me look stupid, which i hate. I just saw that and wanted to let you know. Thank you for taking that how it was meant, which was to help, not to be rude. Again your welcome and no problem.

Karen2..

No it doesn't matter to me anymore.  I love both of them and wish them the best in their racing careers.  I can't deal with this anymore.  I'll come in once and awhile to say hey but all of this is driving me nuts.  RA and Zenyatta are BOTH beautiful horses.  The thing is we should never ever take anything for granted in life.  Ya know?  :)

I apologize for the typos on my previous blog.  It can be annoying.

There is indeed a lot of passion concerning conversation over the safest racing surface. After reading all the many opinions on this blog, I am more confused than ever.

To Gun Bow: thanks for the excellent read.

Mike Relva & Stardust,

    How are you two?, What about those two great fillies this weekend?, Both incredible, I have watched each race probably ten times, and it still doesn't get old!  I would love to see them meet, I honestly would love to see Zenyatta storm down the stretch and catch Rachel at the line, BUT, I don't know, Rachel is a complete and utter Freak, She is so fast, I believe she was less then a second(?) off Secretariat's record time, I can't even imagine what time she whould have posted if Calvin pushed her, I am speechless.

Zookeeper,

     How lucky you and others are to have seen Zenyatta in person!, I am very Jealous, I know it probably won't happen, But if the stars align and Zenyatta and Rachel meet at Delaware Park the weekend of July 18, It would be perfect, I am seeing Nicanor race at Colonial Downs on the 18th in the Virginia Derby, then on my drive back to Connecticut, Stop at Delaware Park to see these two?, I can't even imagine a more Perfect Weekend!, I really hope it comes true...

Gunbow,

     Thanks for bringing up Azeri, It is quite amazing how Zenyatta's career has mirrored Azeri's so far...

     Congrats has to go out to Fame And Glory for winning the Irish Derby!, Lucky he didn't have to face, Sea of Stars, who was a scratch.

Alan,

    Any word on "Cape Marco"?

Lastly,

    My thoughts go out to all the connections of Terrain, Olredlgetcha, Tougaloo and Veracity.  May all R.I.P...

TO:TVNEWSBADGE

She won by twenty again. That's my point when I've said so times many crybaby fans that aren't ever happy with anything. Give me a break!

I would hate to see a match race: RA against Zen., did we all forget Ruffian??? Nothing good can ever come from such a thing!!!  I applaud JJ and his wonderful horse Curlin.  He owns the horse and had any final decisions in what to do with him.  Curlins record speaks for itself-in my book the only thing left is the breeding shed.  The records of the two fillies also speak volumes as to their greatness, why should either one of them have to run the other into the ground, or worse death.  If I remember correctly, William Nack-one of the greatest turf writers of our time was sooooo distraught over what he witnessed back in 1975 that he was turned off of racing for a time.  Even Ruffians jockey decided never to ride in a match race again.  If these two meet up in a race so be it - but NOT A MATCH RACE!!!  

Gunbow, I think you are exactly right when you said if they meet it won't be in a match race.  Zenaytta's best chance to beat Rachel is in a race with other horses in the mix. Zenyatta is one tough cookie and I would never bet against her, but RA's speed when she is on, is awesome. However here is the thing, RA has been beaten and Zenyatta hasn't.

    Well, There goes my wish of seeing Zenyatta/Rachel at Delaware Park.  Zenyatta is being pointed to the $300,000 Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 9., It is a Stakes race this year, So no high weight for her, Just 123 pounds.  Then probably the Lady's Secret Stakes at Santa Anita, Then the BC Classic.  They did leave the door cracked open a little, Maybe the $300,000 Ruffian Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Belmont Park on Sept. 12, If Mr. Moss decides on that option, and of course if Rachel's connections point her in that direction.  It would be great, but it seems like a stretch(IMO) after seeing what Rachel did at Belmont this weekend!

Greg,

Read on:

2ND: Burley's Gold made his first start in almost a year a winning one as he drew off in the stretch to score impressively. Give credit to trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. for a job well-done. The race was marred by the unfortunate breakdown of Cape Marco. The 3-year-old colt trained by Nick Zito pulled up after the wire with an injury to his left front leg. He was vanned off but later had to be euthanized, according to NYRA officials, becoming the 16th fatality of the year.

Gun Bow,

Thank you for bringing up Azeri. There's a big part of my heart reserved just for her. She raced mostly in California, and since I live here, Laura DeSeroux and the beautiful chestnut mare she trained were my favorites in '02 & '03. I thought that Laura was right to want to retire her. But she didn't own her...and Azeri went to Lucas. I felt very bad for Laura. She really loved that mare.

So did I, along with thousands of CA fans.

If Curlin had won the BCC last year at Santa Anita Jackson wouldn't think twice about entering Rachel this year - she'd be there. But since he lost, he's taking his ball and going home. He's simply making a statement that he is still angry about the outcome of last years BCC. "You guys made me lose the Classic with your plastic so now I'm denying you the opportunity to see Rachel, so there!"

Message to "ALB" about the final time for RACHEL ALEXANDRA and ZENYATTA - You cannot compare them!

Lots of horse racing novices think that you can just draw those conclusions about the time of the race, but let me clue you in about a few things. 1) The track at Belmont is a sandy dirt track which was lightning fast on Saturday, while Hollywood Park is a synthetic track, so it's two entirely different surfaces. 2) RACHEL ALEXANDRA's race was around one turn while ZENYATTA's was around two turns. 3) RACHEL ALEXANDRA carried 121 pounds, while ZENYATTA carried 129 pounds.

RACHEL ALEXANRA ran a 1:46-1/5. ZENYATTA ran a 1:48-1/5. For the reasons listed above (and more) you can't draw a literal comparison.

Greg J.  

Hi there.  Thanks for the post.  I have been really sad and it isn't about horses.   I had some beautiful experiences in Japan in the 80's that are flooding my days with tears right now.  I'll get back to the horses when I can.  For now, I am trying to come to terms with life on lifes terms.  I am going to LA for Michael Jackson's funeral.  I am going to make a video of some horses (you know who they are) to a song that I dearly love.  Hope all is well with you.  :)  Sorry this is off topic but I feel like you and Mike Relva and the rest that have been talking to me should know what is going on.  Love you all.  Please everyone.  Life is so short.  Treasure every second of it.  Treasure ALL of the horses because each and every one of them has their own individuality.  Treasure everyone on this blog whether you agree or not, even Dray Nay (did I really say that LOL).  The breath of life can be over in the blink of an eye.  When it is, we can't bring that back.  Life is a gift.  Make EACH DAY COUNT!

Jason....  

Thank You so much for your articles and your imputs.  They are priceless.

The Mosses also are considering the BC Classic for Zen. If she wins that, does it matter if she didn't race Rachel? That would be an interesting situation for voters to face for HOTY.

I'm not sure how Zen and Rachel can meet if you consider most of the announced options for Rachel -- they are all 3YO races (which I have no problem with as all are traditional must haves on a top 3YO's resume).

ALB: Two different tracks, two different surfaces...the dirt was playing so fast 2 year olds were getting 1:08 and change for 6 furlongs and RA had a blistering pace to run at.

Zenyatta's race...the pace was much slower and Mike Smith said he was only going to ask for what he needed because of the 129 lbs....'nuff said.

Two great fillies displaying great talent in two very different races.

Alan:

I am sending this comment again, because I lost Internet connection when sending it the first time. If the first comment somehow got through, please excuse.

Your comment about Cape Marco was so moving. How sad to think that the poor horse was trying to tell everyone something at the starting gate.

I will always believe that the same thing happened with Barbaro right before the start of the Preakness. Not only did he break from the starting gate early, but he also stumbled a couple of times when Edgar Prado was warming him up.

StarDusty Rose:

Don't leave us. Know that some of this can get frustrating, and it helps to take a breather for a couple of days. But please come back.

Also miss For Big Red. Where are you?

I was at Hollywood Park to watch Zenyatta run in the Vanity. I was one of the many fans taking pictures of her in the paddock and all I can say. She really puts on a show. Words don't do her justic. Zenyatta is one drop dead gorgeous looking mare, all 17 hands of her. She has a presence about her that lets you know she is the queen. Once she's on the track she's all business.

Rachel would so beat Zenyatta! Since Zenyatta doesn't lead until the end of the race, she wouldn't be able to close the margin that Rachel would have already made.

Jess Jackson is the best thing to happen to racing in a long time. Who else is willing to run their champion horses at age 4? Furthermore, I'd love to see what his detractors would do in this situation with questionable synthetic surfaces. Please....you all think you know everything.

Anyone who watches sporting events knows that a home-court advantage is huge. Zenyatta ia a tremendous filly and one would have to be a fool to argue otherwise, but she is at a distinct advantage having the BC run on her home "turf" 2 years in a row.

Also, anyone who tries to downplay the accomplishments of a great filly like Rachel does a disservice to the sport. I get the feeling nothing will make some of you happy...except bashing others to make yourself feel right about something, and that is pathetic.

To Gun Bow,

Thanks for your informative post on the wonderful Azeri.  I have not forgotten her, and twice I have actually slipped in conversation and referred to Zenyatta as Azeri.  Right now with Zenyatta fever at its highest, that might sound sacreligious, but I've done it, so evidently I see  the great similarities between their careers.

Timing is everything, and Azeri may have missed out on superstardom because she was conservatively handled in 2002-2003, when she was at the peak of her powers, then faced males as a 6YO after having maybe lost a step.  Do you agree with this?  I respect your opinion; you are quite a student of racing history.

What fun!

Possible East Coast meetings:

Delaware Handicap, 7/19, 10 furlongs - but that's barely a month away, and RA seems to like time between races, and if she does have trouble with heat, Delaware in midJuly could be an issue

Go For Wand Handicap, 8/2, Saratoga - 9 furlongs

Personal Ensign, 8/29, Saratoga - 10 furlongs (if Zenyatta runs and wins between now and this race, she'd be going for her 13th win in 13 tries in this race - Personal Ensign's record in Personal Ensign's race...)

Or

go for the whole thing, run in 1 of those races, and stay at Saratoga and run with all comers, all sexes, all age- the Woodward on 9/5 at Saratoga, 9 furlongs

some pretty fun choices for Mr. Moss and Mr. Jackson!

DEAL a DEATH blow to horse racing-stop All MEDICATION including lasix.that move alone will end horse racing.I DONT WANT RACING to end but it will.THE FEDERAL gov will step in soon with FORTY PERCENT takeout

Soldier Course....

I am not leaving, I just feel that debating is not what I want to do right now.  I just want to love every horse and everyone.  This is not the blog to be on with what I am going through.  I am OK.  I think.  Thanks for your post and yeah where is Big Red?  

God Bless You all...........

David,

    JJ hated synthetics before he even had Curlin, and didn't even want to run Curlin on them last year. The only reason he did was because he knew fans wanted to see the match up. Then when BB dropped out JJ still kept him there because he knew it was good for racing. Then he gets burned for it. Why would you want to do that again. He has kept the same opinion, only this time he's sticking to his guns about not racing on them this time.

Ali:

Rachel would so beat Zenyatta! Since Zenyatta doesn't lead until the end of the race, she wouldn't be able to close the margin that Rachel would have already made.

Would you please explain the  logic behind your comment? I'd like to know how you came to your conclusion.

Robin,

I completely agree with you. Earlier, on this blog, I said that in a match up, Rachel would probably win, but in no way do I want to see such a race. Altough I wasn't into horseracing when Ruffian was burning up the track and did not witness the tragedy,  I, like you, would protest against a match up race with all my might.

I don't think you were addressing me personally, but if anybody took me wrong, I was only comparing the two very different styles of these amazing athletes.

When I was watching Rachel in the Mother Goose, I had my fingers crossed.(Altough the race was over and I knew that nothing bad had happened.) She is so, so fast that it is a bit scary. I, for one, am

very grateful that Calvin did not push her at the end. She had done enough already and she came back safe and sound. That, to me, is more important than any track record.

Pam S:

Thanks for the compliment. I agree with you that Azeri was not quite as good in 2004, at age 6, as she was the previous two years.  The biggest difference for me was consistency. Azeri could still jump up and run back to a peak effort in 2004, but she only did so occassionally. Some of this inconsistency was simply the result of her not being quite as good as before. Another factor was that Azeri was given a much, much more demanding schedule in 2004.

I understand that after 1 moderately demanding season(2002) and then a  fairly conservative season(2003) Michael Paulson wanted to really test Azeri, pushing the limits to see the level of her greatness.  They asked her to run at 7 furlongs and 10 furlongs, giving away lots of weight, and at 6 different tracks including one, Belmont, she did not care for. In addition, the races she challenged males in, the Met Mile and BC Classic, drew two of the strongest fields of older males all year. In the BC Classic, Azeri finished behind Ghostzapper, Roses in May, Pleasantly Perfect, and Perfect Drift, but AHEAD of Birdstone, Funny Cide, Dynever, and Newfoundland among others.

A look at the Beyers reveals how a decline in talent and a tougher schedule prodcued this greater inconsistency.

2002 Beyers(Won 8 of 9): 100, 105, 110, 110, 109, 107, 101, 102, 111)

2003 Beyers(Won 4 of 5): 105, 109, 109, 100, 101)

2004 Beyers(Won 3 of 8):  112, 99, 103, 78, 106, 97, 108, 109).

Azeri's best from 2004 was as good as her best from 2002 and 2003, but she just couldn't run to that level in every race like she did those other 2 seasons. Again, some of it was the schedule. She lost one of those 2004 races sprinting, in the Humana Distaff, by just a head while carrying 11 lbs more than the winner. While Azeri ran well in defeat, particularly given the weight, she just was not as effective sprinting. Later that year she lost the 10 furlong Personal Ensign conceding the winner, Storm Flag Flying, 6 lbs; 10 furlongs was probably a tad out of her comfort zone as well. The race that really reflected Azeri's inconsistency in 2004 was the Ogden Phipps Handicap, when she finished 4th, and last, beaten over 11 lengths with a 78 Beyer. The Azeri of 2002 and 2003 would not have run so poorly.

My thoughts on who would win in a race featuring Rachel and Zenyatta:

On Dirt- Rachel

On Cali Synthetics- Zenyatta

It's not that I think Rachel can't run effectively on synthetics, because I think she can and hope Jess Jackson sends her out for the Breeders Cup. However, she probably isn't quite as good on synthetics as she is on dirt. Similarly, Zenyatta already demonstrated in the Apple Blossom last year that she can run fast on dirt. Yet, she obviously isnt as proven on dirt as on synthetics, and certainly doesnt have the proven form on a track like Belmont or Saratoga that she does on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride.

Additionally, tracks like Belmont and Saratoga, which appear to host the only dirt races that would fit the schedules of both Rachel and Zenyatta, play much more towards speed than does Santa Anita. At a one-turn 8.5 or 9 furlongs at Belmont, or even at Saratoga, I don't think Zenyatta would be able to make up the 10-15 length lead Rachel would have on her early, unless it was at 10 furlongs in the Personal Ensign(but I haven't heard any talk from Zenyatta's camp indicating they want to run her beyond 9 furlongs). At Santa Anita, on the other hand, Zenyatta and Mike Smith have everything perfected. Hopefully, we'll get to see both races(on dirt, on synthetic in the BC). There is still alot of time. The most important thing is for both horses to stay healthy. Everything else is secondary, but still very fun to discuss.

these horses are very good and the chess match is on, Breeders cup is a long way off  so many things can happen.If a horse is called great they should run on any surface and win to prove it.

To: Somethingroyal

Rachel almost always leads from the top of the stretch to the wire. Doing so, most of the time she leads by a good margin. The past races I've seen of Zenyatta, She doesn't lead until around the final furlong. I don't believe that Zenyatta will have enough speed to catch up with Rachel. She might come close. But not close enough. Don't get me wrong, Zenyatta is GREAT. But I think Rachel is Better.

Did that help you understand?

-Ali

How about this....THE JUDDMONTE SPINSTER!!!!!  RA would be on synthetics for the first time but would receive 3 pounds from Z (as a three year old).  Z would have to come east and RA would be on synthetics.  It's a total compromise.  It would also leave three or four weeks til the BC at SA.  Perfect...

I am hoping that after Zenyatta's next start in the Clement Hirsch, her connections will bring her to Belmont. I think she would like Belmont, with those big, sweeping turns--perfect for her running style. Maybe they could meet in the Beldame--that is a weight-for-age at a mile and an eighth around one turn. And it is several weeks before the BC at Santa Anita. Add in Cocoa Beach if she regains her best form, Music Note if she is healthy, and Seattle Smooth, and that makes for one great race.

Why did Santa Anita get two Breeders Cup races in a row?  

Where is Stardom Bound?

What is next for her?

Both Rachel and Zenyatta have raced at Oaklawn. I say they could meet there in a race, on a date to be determined later. Maybe Stardom Bound will be back in training to join them.

FillyFan,

    That won't work, since JJ is completely opposed to running RA on synthetics. If CA has a dirt track still that was open that would be a good comprimise, but i don't think they do.

So the Mosses are now explaining why they don't like Belmont or Saratoga because of the 'detention barns' that so upset Giacomo in the Belmont Stakes.

Do we now say that they're taking their marbles and going home the way we like to bash JJ for not wanting to run on synthetics?

The Breeders Cup should never have been run on the same race track in consecutive years.  Hopefully the powers that be are learning an important lesson from this.

Phantom,

    Affirmed never ran on turf, so why is he considered great, he never ran on synthetics either. When a trainer says a great horse could run on anything, they didn't always mean turf as well. They meant that the horse could take their game on the road to all kinds of tracks or run in any conditions whether it be sloppy, good, muddy or fast. On turf firm, soft, or yielding. A horse doesn't need to run on everything to be considered great, it is rare that horse can transfer their best from one surface to another. Spectacular bid didn't win the Crown or race on turf i believe and he is considered great. Invasor is considered great and when did he race on turf or synthetics. Trainers and owners did not mean that, again it was meant that your horse could run at any track, in any weather, and on any track condition.

Ali:

I think you need to read up on horses known for coming from behind. Damascus, Secretariat,and Native Dancer just a few are known for their devastating come from behind wins. I saw Zenyatta win both the Milady and Vanity Handicaps and I can assure you.

When Zenyatta makes her move, she  is like a freight train coming through. Zenyatta and Rachel both ran superb races this past weekend and I look forward to seeing them race through out the year.  

I don't think they are going to meet. Something tells me this isn't going to happen. I am ok. with it. Let them make their separate case for horse of the year if they want, but my girl Zenyatta has to race with the boys at some point or its RA for HOTY. Absolutely love them both.

<"As owners, we plan for the Breeders’ Cup,” continued Moss. “That is where championships are supposed to be resolved.">

Gee, that just doesn't compute. I'm sorry to see people play into the BC says it all notion.

Even if the BC were designed to resolve championships, whoever originally dreamed that up thinks everybody else is dumb as dirt. Really, it's just the biggest payday. It may help to stick that feather in your cap, but it doesn't trump outstanding achievement all year long.

Can't you smell it? We are in for another year of Zenyatta's team being so cautious with her that we will never get to see what she is capable of as they string a bunch of safe wins together.

Oh well. It's their horse. We can always watch Rachel Alexandra when we want a thrill.

Best of racing luck to both lovely ladies.

Gun Bow, thanks for your answer.  My favorite Azeri memory is when she pulled out a win in the 2004 Apple Blossom, her third in that race.  I was at Santa Anita (same day as SA Derby) watching the simulcast, and when she hit the wire the guy next to me turned and said, "What a horse."  He had a look of absolute reverence on his face.  

I had actually forgotten just how ambitious Azeri's schedule was under Lukas.  I would not want that for Zenyatta, but maybe a little compromise somewhere along the line, 'cause she is definitely at the peak of her powers now.  Her whole career has been a peak so far.  But if there is a "lesson of Azeri," it's that they are living creatures and can't be on top forever.

Lets not blame any owners for doing what is best for theyre millions dollars horses I would cry my eyes out if either ZENYATTA or RACHEL ALEXANDRA got hurt and died going on a surface they arent used to.If ZENYATTA stays unbeaten and wins at the Breeders Cup she should be horse of the year no matter what any horse does.If the RACHEL fans want her to prove she is better than make her go to Calfornia and prove it.Does ZENYATTA really need to prove herself after winning all her races and especially after carrying 13 extra lbs.Lets stop debating a matchup and hope both can retire healty and in there winning ways.

Boo to the Mosses for not taking Zenyatta back East because it will "compromise her chances to win another Breeders Cup."  It's not like she's shipping to Dubai.  There are plenty of horses coming from the east coast to run in the BC.  Second - who cares if she wins another BC?  She'll be running against nothing.  It means nothing to win on synthetic.  Just look at all the BC winners last who didn't win championships.  RA vs Z would be the race of the year and have much more historic significance than any Breeders Cup race at Santa Anita.  Personally, I think they're terrified Rachel will beat Zenyatta.

Moss is offering the best plan--Breeders Cup THEN MAYBE a race v Rachel...The Clark v older males, hopefully after Zenyatta has won the Classic.....

FillyFan:

I understand your logic, but Jess Jackson's problem with the Breeders Cup is not that it is out West or at Santa Anita, but that it is on synthetics. He clearly doesnt want to run her on synthetics, even though Rachel, unlike Curlin, has won on a synthetic, the Keeneland Poly you mentioned. It would make sense that Jackson would be more open to run Rachel on a track she has proven success on, but his dislike of synthetics seems to cover Keeneland as well. If he is going to reverse course, and run Rachel on a synthetic, I would think, and hope, he would choose the Breeders Cup over the Spinster.

Again, this is all going by Jackson's own words and opinions, which I dont necessarilly share. Rachel has won on synthetics, at Keeneland, so I see why the Spinster could be an option. However, I also think that Rachel's success at Keeneland should help ease Jackson's concerns about running in the Breeders Cup, and I would prefer to see Zenyatta and Rachel meet in the Breeders Cup, racing's championship day, rather than the Spinster. However, if Jackson remains adament about not running in the Breeders Cup and Moss wont race Zenyatta at Saratoga or Belmont, the Spinster would certainly be better than nothing. And, if Jackson is going to be moved from his "synthetics ban", perhaps a track Rachel is already proven over would be option #1.  

For Moss and Sheriffs, I can see how the Spinster would be a preferred option over the Beldame or Ruffian. Unfortunately, Moss' latest comments suggest he is content keeping Zenyatta out in Cali until the Breeders Cup, and waiting for the pressure on Jackson to run in the Breeders Cup to grow. Ultimately, the best option for the Zenyatta camp would be if Jackson, under similar pressure he was under last year with Curlin, relented again, and Rachel and Zenyatta met in the Breeders Cup, on a track Zenyatta clearly enjoys.

Last time I checked, Zenyatta went to Oaklawn a couple of years ago and cruised past the best the east had to offer in the Apple Blossom.  Last time I checked that race was on real dirt.

A great horse can run and win on anything.  Curlin lost on turf  and then beat a bunch of bums in a couple fo races after that.  That is why he lost the BC.

Jess Jackson seems to think that Curlin would have won easy at Santa Anita if the race had been run on dirt.  The field in last years BC Classic was 100x deeper than the race in Jersey the year before.  It's a shame he can't say that.

I hope the people at Oak Tree and BC just move on and forget about RA.  Something tells me JJ is waiting for them start begging and then maybe he will change his mind.

Also, can anyone name any horse Jess Jackson has owned that he bought from a sale that was anything on the track?

I'm not 100% for a match race, but I don't see why all of you think of the Ruffian match race. The end was tragic...yes...but do you remember that it wasn't the only match race in history? Sir Barton v.s Man O'war, Seabiscuit v.s War Admiral...

It's not because there's one accident one time that it will always happen. like Eight Belles loose her life in the '08 Derby but nobody say anything about having another Derby...or gerge Washigton in the Classic...and we still have the Breeders' Cup.

after this weekends coments anout zenyattas owner i think he really wants to face rachel essepcilly now that she is based in saratoga but if they wait till after the breaders cup the season is techically over i do find it funy she is racing at delmar it is a polly track i dont think we will see it anyway after this weekend preformance i ask you this do you really want o face a horse that can beat you rom 19 lengs i know that zenyatta can pick up the pace but know rachel can too but i think by the time you line her up rachel will be gone im waiting fo the coment about a match race witch we all know didnt work wit curlin and  big brown but to me rachel is alittle more impressive i mena i realize she only had to beat a 3 horse feild this weeken and she probably thought it was only practice i personally think she is going to the jim dandy with quality road haskle invitaion the same weekend but my question is this if they go back to belomeont how many horse actually go its kinda wierd that her compition doenst want to face her here is and example ther was a 5 horse feild when i left my house saturday whan i got to the track there was a 2 horse filed besides rachel and i know the other two horses wernt majicaly injured in the hour an a half i took me to get to the track dont get me wrong it was an impressive win she broke a stake racord that hasnt been acheaved since 1975 and it was ruffin in the same race but i realize we have a long way to go to when i feel she need to be if you take her at the earning sheet at ntr.com zenyatta isnt even on the list unless i over looked it which i dont think i did but if people are expecting that to happen before the breaders cup they are delusional youknow i have a faster why to do this if they really think zenyatta is better put her in the breaders cup classic instead of the race before tahts how we would salve everything to many people whowats to know who is better who cares and there was no way big brown was better than curlin was people may not have liked how he got the earning record last yera but at leat he did it my question is this we alwas have 2 horse ever year we have two horse everyone want to face off and if you want to do that then maybe you should base horse of the year that way to instead of the fans but i like the fans way better i guess i though horse racing was more about wining the race and enjoying the sport then whos better who is better zenyatta or rachel but we know  by looks that it is rachel who will end up haveing the better career she has won alot more major races on 3 triple crown tracks by the way no matter what she does the rest of the season i will be behind her the rest of the season GO RACHEL!!! part of me wants to get it over with so people will quit talking about it some body will win it somebody will always lose it doesnt mean they are always better than the horse the just beat maybe i care to much thats the problem i do think rachel is the better on of the 2 i know alot of people are going to have a problem with that i dont really care i just like what i see and i think calvin ad rachel are a good team im not sayin mike and zenyatta arnt a good team im just saying you can see how much he like her when he rides her he said ina coment on  sunday and i quote she is not normal i have never heard a jokey say that next to edgar about barbaro and i think that is saying alot right there and i hope she wins the race of the year i know thats a pretty tall order she is goin to half to stuff the talk about there match up and you never heard jes jackson coment on that dn i think i know why he doesnt want to ge her hurt unnessisarly and i like that and putting her in a race that means absolutly nothing but if they want to do it i think it should be dont at churchill or better yet at a mutual site  

in that artical this morining i noticed that zenyatta  owner said her was worride about he tight turns at saratoga correct me if im wrong isnt hollywood like that? i think he jsut doenst want to send her back east becasue of giacomo and i hate to ell him this horse is so much better that tha horse and i love that he said rachel has been on syinthetics well he also need to rmemeber that was under different ownership and differnt owners hav differnt plans and if he is so worried about it why didnt he jsut run in sasratoga he jsut had everyexcute not to that really jsut gets my goat if you she say that she is the best adn you want her to be the best and yo clam that the then why was she such an over whelming favorite

i wonder if the belmont is to difficult for her to run in october it seem to be no problem for rachel so why should it be a problem for her? oh wait churchhill was to difficult for her the fisrt weekend in may i forgot that she dropped out cuz suposedly to wet and she wasnt to comfort able with the track so she they said you had the oppertunity to sho case these 2 horses on the same track on the same weekend yet he chickend out but he keeps dropping out i dont see he doing it or offering to take her out of california

I hope the Zenyatta folks don't complain when they lose Horse of the Year again.  That's it guys, stay in California because that's what allegedly is "good for the horse."  Refuse to go anywhere out of California to any dirt track anywhere because, hey, the Breeder's Cup is in California and that's the goal.  Owners have become such wimps and hide behind statements like "for the good of the horse" so nobody criticizes them.

I guarantee you Rachel Alexandra's owners would meet Zenyatta anywhere in the country on a dirt track, Zenyatta folks just name the place.  But we won't see that.  Instead, Zenyatta will keep beating the same old California retread mares while Rachel goes and beats males again and older distaff runners at the greatest and most historic tracks in the country.

And I don't want to hear about the Breeder's Cup and Rachel should go.  They might as well change this year's Breeder's Cup to Europe and they can do that whenever they have the bright idea to schedule it for a synthetic track.

Rachel Alexandra needs to now be considered amongst the greatest fillies ever.  I think the Zenyatta folks know this and do not want any part of her.

It was very disappointing to read that Zenyatta's people will now not consider bringing her out of California to meet Rachel. Maybe New York would be too far. ButFilly Fan's idea of the Spinster at Keeneland would be great. It is sort of middle ground for traveling. It is Poly-Track, and Rachel has a win there and Zenyatta runs over a not too dissimilar surface in California. The timing is also spaced for the BC. I hope the Moss's reconsider.  

Wow. Took a mini vacation in which the highlight (to me!) was ZENYATTA!!! My lord, she is one beathtakingly beautiful mare. Seeing her run is simply awesome. Also, congrats to the amazing filly RA for her win! Seen her race on video when I got home. I am so glad I have seen Zen, I would love to see RA in person, and seeing the two of them together side by side I think I'd faint at the sight. Racing aside, (Zen would win:)), just the opportunity  to witness that sight would be one for the ages!!

Any word on Cape Marco? To read that was upsetting, because horses do "tell" what's wrong with them, the connections choose to ignore the signs for the sake of the dollar. Just because he was not a "name " horse, he deserved consideration from the owners/trainer to be scratched. RIP to all the others who passed on.

Greg J. I ALWAYS enjoy your posts!! :) Keep it up, I like your links! LOL :)

Katie:

I have read that the dynamics of a match race are different from those of a regular race, because both horses will run at full throttle, regardless of threat or consequence. Therein lies the increased vulnerability.

Somethingroyal:

If been around horses for a long time. And no, I don't need to read up on horses who were known for coming behind. And those horses were a few of the best horses ever. Zenyatta is very fast. And I did see her in the Vanity and the milady as well but I really don't think that she would be able to catch up to Rachel as fast as Rachel is.

L:

The Mosses are justified in their concerns about the detention barns at NY tracks. Look at the effect the detention barn had on Mine That Bird at Belmont Park.

I think it's a shame that the poor horses have to be so traumatized before a race because their people are inclined to be unscrupulous. There has to be a more humane way to keep things clean.

No reason to be upset with either owner/trainer of either party. They have no obligation to meet and race one another. Both fillies are proven and great in their own right. I can understand not wanting to run on synthetics. The Breeders cup should not be run on a synthetic surface IMO.  Zenyatta doesn't need to come east to prove her worth so why do it?  Enjoy both of these fillies for what they contribute to the industry.

Solider Course,

I'm not saying the Mosses aren't entitled to feel that way about the conditions at Belmont or Saratoga.  I'm just saying that maybe we should stop beating up on JJ because he has strong feelings about track surfaces, just as the Mosses have strong feelings about detention barns.

Personally I don't blame one owner over the other for their choices.  I feel it's unfortunate that the powers that be chose to run the BC at the same race course two years in a row.  I'm sorry we won't get to see RA in a Breeders Cup race but I don't feel JJ should be pressured to run her there anymore than the Mosses should be pressured to come East with their horse.

They are the owners, they are paying the bills, if they don't like the track conditions for any reason, whether it be the actual track or the track barn laws then it's their choice.

Ali:

Either way, I think a race between the two would be great for racing.

Lady Ruffian & helsbelles:

I was looking for you on Sat. Were you there? Anyway, I was glued to the rail when Zenyatta was brought out to the paddock and got some great photos of her. What an amazing looking animal. I can't wait for her to race at Del Mar on Aug. 6th.  

IAfter watching Zenyatta win again Saturday, and considering her come from behind running style, I am now convinced she's the only distaff runner in the country that may be able to get within 5 lengths of the great Rachel Alexandra.  

i have gotten a interestong idea if you want to see who the best horse is put all three of them in one starting gate ther reason i three or maybe four if you really want ot descide who the best horsr id you would in vite not just rachel or zenyatta but mine that bird and well armed the reason i say that is well armed won the dubi world cup and mine that bird won the kentucky derby and zenyatta won the breaders cup then you would settle who the best was by the earning sheet or would that be to complicated as well the whole issue i think for jes jeckson and it applys to zenyattas owners but i rachels case is that jes is woried out synthetic because curlin didnt do well on it as far as zenyatta they are worried about going to belmont becasue of geocomo and i think jes jackson it really trying ot save his horse for next you he wants to run her against and as well a know in this buisiness its all about the money if you dont have a horse i sound condition you cant make the millions of dollars they are all use to making and i also think that it would be a publicity stunt i find it kind of add that people dream this stuff up if you notice that jes jackson hasnt made one coment about this happening at all some people were aperently that they would majically would run in the breaders cup together i would like to know how this whole thing got started was it zeyattas owners coments on sunday adn if it was they need to find a track adn put them on that they both agrea too and settele this before the breeders cup id really like to tell you what i think about zenyattas owners but i cant the dont like to use those coments on this blog i have read a guys coment on you tube that said it best rachel has nothing to fear when it comes to zenyatta in my oppion win or loose its just horse racing i however do think that rachel will end up having the better career becasue she hastime to accumulate races but i also know that she got to take it one race at a time i probably bet on zenyatta at the breeders cup she will always tower over the field becasue there is othing else to bet on and i like both but come on rachel wiht so her thinkg and zenyatta do hers why cant we for once have 2 good horses this season and just leave it at that  

Somethingroyal-

Yeah it would be a great race.

Blame it on the fake crap!! If this isn't a wakeup to go back to dirt then the sport has fallen into a snow white like slumber. Who really pays attention to the Cali circuit and their typical 5 horse fields and 2-5 favorites anymore? The bigger races draw better but for the most part it seems they are all regional horses anyway. If they don't wake up on the left coast all their tracks will go the way of Hollywood Park and we won't have to have this discussion anymore.

Someone get out the Guiness Book of World records!! I think Matt H just set one for the longest run on sentance in history!! He may have set another for typo's too.

Seriously though, horseracing needs to find a way to get the best and most popular horses in training in a race together. Not just this year but for the future. The Breeders Cup was to be that venue but sadly and I blame alot of it on the advent of fake tracks is no longer able to do so. Rachael vs Zenyatta and toss in some of the others would draw a crowd if it was the only race on a card. Somewhere there is likely a sponsor who would put up big money to create such a race. Heck they spend billions sponsoring less appealing things. Hockey has gone to outdoor games that draw "world record" crowds why not create an event at a premier dirt track, put up some temporary bleachers, add a big name band or two and have the race of the year for all the marbles? You could even tie it in to a day honoring racing legends man/woman/and beast. I can't think of a better way to spend a day.

Slyder,

    lol, I wasn't going to say anything, So, Thanks!, And Good Idea, But, It probably won't happen, Just doesn't make sense for them not to meet...

Matt H, now there's a race!  Just to make it interesting, why not add Summer Bird who won the third leg of the Triple Crown?

TO: 2:24

I've said this many times,the connections of Zenyatta are going to do what's in her best interest despite what "crybaby" fans think! She's the champ,why don't others come to Calif. to race her? You need to deal with it!

only 7 1/2 hours till we welcome back dray.  We missed you.

I don't even know where to start.  The fact that the Breeders' Cup is being run on synthetics is keeping the best from running with the best (Rachel vs. Zenyatta).  If the horse racing world hasn't realized that synthetics are ruining our sport, I don't know where horse racing is going to be 10 or 20 years from now!  I totally agree with Jess Jackson calling synthetics "plastic."  The Breeders' Cup had been held on dirt and turf for over 20 years and that truly brought our the champions.  In 2008 we saw horses, mainly European-breds, win most of the BC races.  If they weren't European they were used to running on synthetics.  European horses run mainly on the turf, and synthetics favor turf horses!  The 2008 "Dirt" Mile made me laugh because it wasn't even run on dirt!  Albertus Maximus, the winner, had run on synthetics before.  To me, the winner was going to be Well Armed, clearly the best horse in the field who was raised on DIRT.  Well Armed did not fire in the Dirt Mile.  Fast forward to March.  Well Armed dominated the Dubai World Cup on DIRT while Albertus Maximus did not fire.  I agree with wowhorse that the Bluegrass and the Coolmore Lexington at Keeneland will prove to be the least useful of the KD preps because it is run on synthetic and the KD is run on dirt.  It escapes me why anyone would prep their horse on a turf-like surface for a dirt race.  Take Advice for example.  He ran an absolutely beautiful race in the Lexington Stakes.  In the KD he did not run well, coming in 13th.  Some people will say "Oh, he had a bad trip and ran into traffic" or whatever.  I just think he is a better turf/synthetic horse.  In the Arlington Washington Futurity he ran a stunning race.  He unofficially came in second by a head, but because of an inquiry, the 3rd place finisher was placed infront of the unofficial winner, bumping Advice back to 3rd.  He runs well on synthetics.  Overall, WE NEED DIRT BACK!  Fake dirt is keeping the best from being and meeting the best!