Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

EddieSr — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:54:44 GMT

My pick for the Preakness;

1. MTB

2. RA

3. MUSKET MAN

TRIFECTA PLAYED:

MTB/RA with MTB/RA with MM

Perhaps this blog can release the

results of the "Pick The Preakness Winner" survey.

contest

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

RICH D — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:24:07 GMT

With only reading a few of the post Preakness blogs I believe we can see, visually, not theorhetically, just how impressive RA was in her win Saturday. Gun Bow, your facts and insights are right on, and couldn't agree more with everything you said. However I think I can make everyone out there really understand that RA was much better than just her 1 length win. GB already gave the days split times revealing just how strong the early fractions were, coming from post 13, not previously being pointed to this race until 10 or so days before Saturday etc, etc.

I urge everyone to review her Oaks and Preakness wins.

Simply watch her action in both races, the Oaks she completely skipped over the going with aplomb, from start to finish, hence the stir of her performance. Ok, again she may not have beat anything that day, but that has since been validated. What to watch for : #1-again her action (stride), ultra smooth and efficient without really reaching out (w/o urging), and of significant importance look at her ears- from start to finish pricked, waiting for CB to ask her for something, like a steadfast soldier waiting for the "charge" command. All of this, besides the 20 length victory is what made her the post time, huge, favorite.

Now let's watch the Preakness' first 3/4's. What to watch for : #2 her action from start to the 1/2 - 3/4's she looked like a terrified child thrown into the ocean. Her legs were all over the place. I said it while watching to friends that she wasn't handling the track and was very nervous considering the substantial wager I put on her nose. I believe even an amateur eye can see the difference between the two races when pointed out. Now watch her ears- floundering about with what seemed to be confusion, or indecision. Clearly not comfortable she still contested a wicked hot pace, put away the Gulstream record holder for 7 furlongs, during his DQ in the Swale last race in Big Drama. Then proceded to open up on the field without a serious threat. Yeah I know all you MB lovers think the little stutter cost him the race. Ever see a champion get looked the eye, they have a reserve gear, a class about them, a fortitude not to be passed. RA has yet to HAVE to show this. Big respect to MB who along with MM were the only two conceivable dangers to RA. MB has some wheels reminicient to an old fav Concern, a last to first runner that always gives a stirring performance. And as that usually is we give more credit to consistent closers than we do horses that can carry speed, because of that one single move one makes. And although I'm in the running for the biggest RA fan, and stand fast and confident that with despite a longer race in the Belmont she would get softer splits and again be triumphant over the supporting cast, including MB, that she should be given a rest. She deserves this !!!!! However I believe her final destination should be the BC Classic. And I don't wanna hear anyone who said she couldn't beat the boys in the Preakness either. Let's showcase a truly precocious filly in the season ending race. Horse of the Year, first filly to win the BC Classic. Then not a single soul could rationally deny her her place in history as perhaps the best filly to trot on 4 legs. Beware, don't call this silly. I guarantee we have not seen the best of her. Can't wait to see her next race, god willing. Safety above all else, would rather see a colt or two from her, than to ever see her race again if given a choice. Let's remember soundness allows us to enjoy this, the Sport of Kings. Love and peace to all.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

blazing saddles — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:03:12 GMT

mike relva,

So what for MTB. Second place is first loser.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

Citation — Sun, 17 May 2009 17:57:59 GMT

Jason, I'm not much on betting if I'm not actually at the track - but yes, I would have had the winner because I would have bet both RA and MTB, rooting for MTB first and RA second; of course, I wasn't referring to your eating crow over your bets, but over your attitude to MTB - but you did do right by him in your next blog article recapping the race, which is really appreciated. I think a lot of us who have come to love this little horse can't understand the reluctance by some to give him his due, even after his performance yesterday. It doesn't make sense, frankly.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

GunBow — Sun, 17 May 2009 08:39:16 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

GunBow — Sun, 17 May 2009 05:22:42 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I have to give some big props to Hal Wiggins. We all know that Wiggins is the one who had Rachel ready to run in the Preakness. Yes, Asmussen gave her 9 days of care, and did put her through a timed workout, put Hal was the one that put in the necessary foundation. I didn't have time to read all the comments over the last 2 weeks, but for the ones I did it was certainly a fascinating read. I was disappointed to hear that Rachel had been sold. I was more disappointed in her owner, Dolphus Morrison, for selling her. I can understand Jess Jackson for wanting to buy her; who wouldn't want to have her. But Morrison didnt have to sell her, no matter how much he was offered. It's not like Jackson had a gun to his head, although I do not condemn Morrison for doing it(can't say I wouldn't have sold her if I was in his position as well- look at what has happened to I Want Revenge, QR, Mousse, OF, etc). I was disappointed that Jackson took Rachel away from Wiggins. No disrespect to Asmussen, but this was Wiggins' once in a lifetime horse and he had been training her very well after Rcahel had struggled earlier in her career. Wiggins made the Rachel's Oaks win even more special. I understand that Jackson has great confidence in Asmussen given his work with Curlin, but it was hard not to feel for Hal.

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

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

Zookeeper — Sun, 17 May 2009 04:19:36 GMT

LDP, Funny Cide's TC races were really exciting but if I remember right, he didn't have the calm demeanor of MTB. I remember him kind of losing it because of the crowds and the noise. Maybe MTB will last longer because nothing seems to bother him. I sure hope so. I like him so much!

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

Zookeeper — Sun, 17 May 2009 04:07:46 GMT

Jason, as a strong MTB's supporter I don't want you to eat crow, I simply wish you would admit that you were dead wrong about him.

Congratulations on your choice of the winner. She is magnificent. I was so scared of her that I included her in all my bets. My heart was with Bird, but my head told me I better edge my bets.

Preakness biggest surprise: Flying Private 4th!!!

The biggest disappointment: Pioneerof The Nile: 11th

Musket Man is a tough customer. He did very well. What a gutsy horse. Very consistent.

Can't wait for the Belmont now!

Thank you for a GREAT blog!

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

LDP — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:57:52 GMT

Stardusty Rose,

Thank you, glad to know a few ppl on here don't think i just ramble on and on, lol. It will be a cool belmont this year, and i can't wait to see who will show.

Karen2,

What did happen to POTN? I know he ran wide, again, for most of the race and i saw he got bumped but happened? Again I thought he was brought a bit to close to the pace and should've been taken back even more. I feel bad for LJ and FF. I saw he stumbled out of the gate then hustled back up to like third then faded. To bad, maybe LJ will give him a break.

Hey Mike,

What's up? Congrats on being in the half that thought MTB was for real, now you get to laugh at me in all my boneheadedness. Better late then never right? As i said earlier i hope he can hold his form after the TC. Funny Cide had a great spring, then nothing. I'm hoping that that won't happen to this little horse.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

LDP — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:47:20 GMT

Tony,

I agree. I already admitted to MTB being a fluke, but i was thinking about the way Funny Cide wowwed us in his TC bid, then for some reason never got back to that form. If MTB does hold his form he'll be a good horse, I won't say great yet, but he has potential. I really do hope he can keep going after the TC though. It would be a shame if he didn't.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

LDP — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:43:15 GMT

RA wasn't even tired when she came off the track, so what are you talking about JJ blowing her career? Calvin said she struggled with the surface, horses do that all the time. Plus the last couple of strides Calvin stopped riding her. Would you quit whining and trying to put a downside to something when there isn't. RA is going to be fine, if you saw her after the race she wasn't even tired so just chill.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

sherpa — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:34:18 GMT

It was a terrific race and I'm happy that my favorite, MTB, proved he's no flash in the pan.

RA is magnificent, no doubt about it. That said, I think it was wrong to give her a 5# weight advantage - particularly if the object was to prove she's "better than the boys." Heck, she's a full hand taller and 100 lbs heavier than Bird.

I'm not sorry RA's new owners put her in the Preakness, but the weight advantage she was given just doesn't seem right.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

GunBow — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:18:52 GMT

Glad to see Churchill form held up. I didnt have a cent on the Preakness, but I was at Churchill for Oaks and Derby day and was really rooting for the top finishers to run back to those performances. As a huge racing fan who has been watching very closely at how the general media has covered the Preakness(pre-race), the Preakness was just about a dream race. The two horses that had dominated the very large media coverage both fired and were together at the wire. Borel is vindicated for his decision, as is Jess Jackson for his decision to run a filly in a Triple Crown race, Rachel Alexandra proved herself as a truly great 3 year old filly, and Mine That Bird proved himself to be a very worthy Derby winner. I also can't forget Musket Man, a horse that is pure heart and now has placings in the first 2 legs of the Triple Crown. Bravo all!

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

Kat — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:15:57 GMT

I hope Jess Jackson does not take RA to the Belmont. She has proved herself. If Calvin had known she was in for a grueling triple crown series, he would not have let her win the Oaks by 20+ lengths. She ran big numbers, then the Preakness. She runs so happily and eager, don't ruin her mind by overfacing her.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

StardustyRose — Sun, 17 May 2009 02:58:19 GMT

Central Valley Dame

I hit 3 of 4 in my superfecta. Oh well. Such as life. Boxed them of course cause I really wanted Mine That Bird to win. He did great though. Should have done the darn tri. Had Musket Man in my box. :) Lost all my money LOL!

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

StardustyRose — Sun, 17 May 2009 02:54:16 GMT

Karen

I hear ya. Mine That Bird is a really good racehorse. This time it was from dead last in and out of so many horses to the wire, I lost track LOL and he still almost did it. He needed a little more time. :)

I am estatic that Mine That Bird came in second. And RA is no Ruffian. That is for sure. She is a good horse though. No doubt there.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

helsbelles — Sun, 17 May 2009 02:47:30 GMT

Thank you Mr. Jackson for doing the gutsy thing and giving Rachel a chance to make history. And now the little Birdie gelding gets the credit he deserves; it WAS an awakening and he has really won me over (just hope he stays sound with that highly inbred pedigree and the way they characterize him as not being correct). Lesson to be learned: never take the Canadian Champion title lightly. It was disheartening to see Take the Points backing up so early in the race and coming in last, and the hard-trying Pioneer being basically eased by Gomez. I did see them collide early on, and I hope we don't find out that either of them is injured. Kind of depressing also to see Larry Jones' horse do poorly again, and he looks very sad to me these days. Lastly, I think it would be a mistake to run Rachel in the Belmont; let the little guy take it, she has bigger fish to fry.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

Jason Shandler — Sun, 17 May 2009 02:06:16 GMT

Citation: I had the winner. Did you? Nothing to eat crow about.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

sophiekea — Sun, 17 May 2009 01:49:36 GMT

Mike, I second that! MTB didnt have the easiest trip today and he still got second. I think he will beat her in the Belmont if they both go. He is a good horse and I called the exacta and triple. I wish MTB won but Im not complaining with second. That horse has a big heart just like his sire. Hes a class act all the way.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

MikeM — Sun, 17 May 2009 01:34:35 GMT

Hats off to RA. Now can we put to rest this whole notion that MTB is a fluke,needs the slop,Calvin Borrel, blah blah blah.With a little better trip we might be talking Triple Crown. That "little horse" has an amazing stride.He practically flew down the strech. WHAT A MOVER! Cant wait for the rematch.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

Central Valley Dame — Sun, 17 May 2009 01:18:44 GMT

Hooray!!!! I CAN say I knew it would be Mine That Bird or Rachel Alexandra. A couple of days ago I said that Mine That Bird would be the ONLY horse that could catch her. She won while struggling with the track (Borel's words) and if it had been another sixteenth of a mile Mine That Bird had a damn good chance of beating her (he doesn't have anything but heart and lungs in that little body, I swear). I think that both horses were vindicated most thoroughly. If only I had had Flying Private in our super....constantly missing by one horse...still, what a race!

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

Paula Higgins — Sun, 17 May 2009 01:15:48 GMT

Rachel is one helluva horse. Simply amazing and gorgeous to boot. She is going to be one for the ages I think. But I have to tell you Mine That Bird was equally as impressive in his own way and if this had been a mile and a half, I think he would have won. He is a great little horse. Just love him. He is no fluke. He also got boxed in. With a better trip I really believe he would have won.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

Stanley Marcinkowski, Plowville,Pa — Sun, 17 May 2009 01:07:22 GMT

mile time for Black E S was 137 1/5, mile time for Preakness 135 4/5. has any cal based horse won a triple crown race since they installed syntheics in Calif?

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

Kat — Sun, 17 May 2009 01:06:34 GMT

Does anyone know officially what the last 1/8 and quarter were run in? The 3/16 went in 19.26.

re: Preakness Prediction - Rachel Beats the Boys

Pam S. — Sun, 17 May 2009 00:56:30 GMT

My hat is off to Rachel for her historic victory and to Jess Jackson for his successful gamble.

The much-maligned little MTB ran another GUTSY race, credit to his trainer, who seems like a nice guy. One of the owners, though, who shall remain nameless, apparently tried to keep the filly out of the race. I bet it's hard for him to stomach the fact that if Rachel had not run, his gelding would be going for a Triple Crown in three weeks.

And the Zayat horse, never a factor, finished 10th or 11th or something. I know this is a handicapping blog, but still, I gotta give props to the racing gods for this outcome.

If I were Mr. Jackson, I wouldn't even be concerned about the Belmont. It's true no filly has ever won two-thirds of the TC, but I would just let the boys fight it out. I would give RA a nice little rest, then head to California in search of big bad Zenyatta. I think that is the race most fans would like to see next.