Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

Radio Rogers — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:49:04 GMT

Hey Hal you"ll have to get back to me its been a long time. Radio

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

LDP — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:27:06 GMT

Iron Mare,

These things happen all the time in racing, including one that happened a couple weeks ago when QR was moved from Jerkens to Pletcher. I don't hear you whining about that. SA is JJ top trainer, of course he's going to give his newly aquired potential champion to him. Blasi is a good assistant to SA and will take care of RA as good as anybody. I get what you people are saying but like Wiggins you all need to move on. There are better things going on now and may go on in the future, and this is done and over with. It's no use crying over spilled milk.

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

Iron Mare — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:45:52 GMT

I feel a great destiny waiting for this horse, Rachel Alexandra. I hope and pray that Mr. Jackson will understand Mr. Wiggins' situation, and do something about it.

Give the old man his day in the sun.. He deserves it. After 35 years of patient dedication with horses, the Good Lord blessed him with a trophy-- not one made of steel, but one as strong as steel. Mr. Wiggins got RA, his first champion horse in 35 horse!! If you ask me, the Good Lord could not a better gift give to a deserving man. It was the best RETIREMENT reward, and it was so CRUEL that somebody just got up and took it away from Mr. Wiggins.. Just like that.

Mr. Dolphus Morrison is a good man, I feel, and maybe he needs the money thats why he sold RA. But I believe that any guy can have a Million bucks sooner or later. But only ONE MAN can have a Champion like RA. Lightning doesnt strike twice, they say.

Still, Mr. Jackson, if he is really the "humane" businessman that he is, should have done the RIGHT THING--- He should have given old man Wiggins back his prized Mare, Rachel Alexandra. Its the least he could do to reward this old man for his decades of service to horses.

I wonder, Mr. Jackson, how do you sleep at night??

So, please, Mr. Jackson, do the RIGHT THING and give Mr. Wiggins the old man back his beloved Rachel.. It will be very much appreciated, believe me, in many many ways you cannot imagine

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

Karen2 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:49:05 GMT

It took me awhile to read this interview. Not sure why. For some reason I was pouting about the sale of RA and moving her to Steve A. I don't know Hal Wiggens personally but could sense he had a deep respect and love for this filly just as he probably does with all the horses in his barn. Seems like a very genuine, real person. I must say after reading this, I am sorry it took so long for me to read it. Hal, you are nothing but class. I can still feel your broken heart in your words.. but I feel you will have a bright future ahead of you. I look forward to seeing more grand horses come out of your barn.

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

Mike Relva — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:20:45 GMT

STARDUSTY ROSE

I'm sorry,but never got it. Will you please send it again?

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

StardustyRose — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:32:06 GMT

FYI Greg J and others. Got this from Bloodhorse. You all probably did too LOL. :)

"According to an announcement from co-owner Jess Jackson June 17, the filly is expected to arrive at Belmont Park on June 23. In her last race against fillies before defeating males in the Preakness, rachel Alexandra romped by 20 lengths in the Kentucky Oaks.

“Rachel is rested, healthy and ready to run,” Jackson said in a statement. “On Monday, she turned in a very strong six furlong work galloping out seven furlongs around the clubhouse turn in 1:24.80.”

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

MATT H. — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:35:42 GMT

i, myself think she should have ran in the derby i might have more confidence about wining the race if she was ther i would have bet a high amout of money if she was there i feel confident in saying she is better than mine that bird and i know they have only races against eachother once but it seems that calvin has more confidence in her than mine that bird as for the sale of rachel alexandre i think they should have keep the trainer the orignally had but knowing that steve had won races with the trainer they had with cerlin i can see why they wanted to switch, id like to take a second to talk about rachel alexander righ tnow do i actually think sheis going to run in the 27th no i htink that if they were going to run her we would have said so by now and i thin he is going to wait to as late as monday to make a choice an i think that is stupid you either are or your not and thinking about it isnt sayin your going to either i just hope they make up their mind befor monday i think she is a good horse id like to see her get even better it is a difficult situation it can either go right or horribly wrong in a hurry andi hope it goes right but to be honest with you she had made me love horse racing again not that i didnt love it before you just dont want to get atached to an animal because you never know

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

StardustyRose — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:20:33 GMT

Mike Relva. Something weird is going on with my emails. I am going to need to figure this out. A lot of people are saying that they aren' getting my emails. GRRRRRRRRRRR

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

mark toothaker — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:26:09 GMT

I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. and Mrs Wiggins and their sons Lon and Whitney for over 20 years. Lon is following in his fathers footsteps at Arlington and Whitney has a successful career in the retail business. Hal is the same today as he was 20 years ago hardworking, humble, and one of the kindest people I have ever met. What everyone has witnessed with this great filly couldnt have happened to a better man. It was fun going to Hals barn and seeing the big filly train and seeing Hal in the limelight which he so deserves. Though Racheal has changed barns Hal is still the same class act he has always been and I look forward to eating breakfast with him at Wagners and talking about his new group of two year olds. Anyone new or old to the game would be doing themselves a big favor to have horses in Hals barn.

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

Mike Relva — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:35:29 GMT

HI STARDUSTY ROSE

I checked minutes ago and haven't got your email.

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

Soldier Course — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:21:34 GMT

Zookeeper:

Thanks!

And I left you a comment on the blog about Medaglia d'Oro in answer to your question about "soldier course".

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

Soldier Course — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:12:26 GMT

For Big Red:

Just got home and read your comments to me here. Glad you got a kick from my inside information about the Saratoga moose. Thanks so much!

Yes, that photo of Eddie Sweat haunts. I have read at least one source that claims that Claiborne Farm did try to work something out for Eddie to stay. Maybe Eddie was like those Clint Eastwood cowboys who just had to move on, no matter what. But I'd sure like to think that Claiborne gave him that chance.

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

LDP — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:35:32 GMT

Greg J,

Thats too bad, i too think he'd win on dirt, and since it's mud he may take to it even better. Thanks for the update on Crown of Thorns.

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

LDP — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:33:24 GMT

Stardusty if i remember correctly Personal Ensign, whom i mentioned did get injured, did have surgery to put skrews in, and then did successfully return to the track. If he were a gelding they would not even question his return. As i said race him a couple of times, if he's not the same horse then retire him.

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

StardustyRose — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:30:18 GMT

Greg J.

That would be nice but I hope they really look him over well before they put him in a gate. :(

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

StardustyRose — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:27:55 GMT

LPD The other horses aren't and haven't been in surgery. It is my opinion that when they have injuries that result in surgery, they should retired. I know I know, I get injured in my sport and go back again when it heals but I speak for my own life. Horses can't do that. :(

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

Sweet Texas — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:26:47 GMT

Have to disagree with lobieb's remarks (june 12) about Steve A. not training his own horses. He does train and race his own horses. And if you ever saw him, in person, at any track - with his horses, his clients' horses, his clients, his jockeys, his family - you would know, this is a man that does know his business and does know his animals and his people. As the "little guy" worldwide has learned, racing is a rich man's game and those rich guys will do as they please, wonderful Mr. Wiggins or not.

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

Zookeeper — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:10:44 GMT

Soldier Course,

You are too funny !!!

Greg J,

Good luck tomorrow! I'm really impressed with Nicanor's figures. Nobody in that field even comes close. A lot of them have more experience, Stevil being one of them, although seems to have seconditis. I would definitely put him in exacta and/or trifecta bets.

Stay dry and may Nicanor be safe!

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

Greg J. — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:50:45 GMT

Stardust,

Old Fashioned yes, But Friesan Fire's injury, While Serious, I would say see how he heals up, ALOT of very good horses have come back from this type of surgery and done quite well! Like "LDP" said, If he comes back and isn't the horse he was prior to the injuries, then, Yes, Retire Him, But it is very likely he will return to form and be the Great horse that he is...

LDP,

My gut is telling me that if it is moved to the Main Track then he will be a scratch, even though, I do believe, He would win on dirt against this field, By the Way, "Crown of Thorns" had another work, 5F in 1:02, Breezing, at Santa Anita...

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

For Big Red — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:47:44 GMT

SOLDIER COURSE: I've seen that photo also, and it is heartbreaking. When you've been to the mountaintop, sometimes it's hard to come back down.

Claiborne had its own long-time personnel and ways of doing things, and I understand that. Still, the romantic in me wishes they had found a way to keep Eddie and Red together, like Will Harbut and the first Big Red, but as we all know, there's not much room for romance in real life. :(

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

For Big Red — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:38:38 GMT

GREG J.: I did see that report about FF and OF, but thanks for calling it to my attention just in case. It's good news re both colts. FF might be back in training mid-to-late August. Then, depending on his progress, they might be looking for a suitable comeback race in September.

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

For Big Red — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:33:57 GMT

SOLDIER COURSE: "I overheard someone saying that a third party told her that another person had a friend who told him that someone in the know has confided that Darley is trying to purchase the moose at Saratoga."

Repeated what you wrote because it's the POST OF THE YEAR!!!

For the umpteeth time, I wish we could post emoticons here, but this link for ROFLMAO will have to do: bestsmileys.com/.../5.gif

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

LDP — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:50:25 GMT

Greg J,

He probably won't scratch. He's not bad on dirt, so even if they switch surfaces due to the rain they will probably keep him entered. I hope he does well. I live in DE, but i have to work on tomorrow, so i'll have to settle for the replay.

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

LDP — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:48:10 GMT

Stardusty Rose,

Why not just retire every horse, there all so beautiful, they should never be raced. Why don't we just retire Niconor now, he could break down. While we're at it lets retire Lentenor, too. We need horses to stay around longer. There will always be injuries in this game, always, no matter what we do. Person Ensign came back to win the BC distaff over Winning Colors with screws in her legs, to remain unbeaten. Just because a horse get injured does not mean to we just up and retire them. If the injury is career ending, then i can understand, but if not, try the horse a couple more times. If he doesn't seem to be the horse he was before the injury then retire him.

re: Rachel Revisited - A Candid Interview With Hal Wiggins

Soldier Course — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:15:23 GMT

For Big Red:

Guess you know about the book "The Horse God Built" by Lawrence Scanlan, which has so much information about Eddie Sweat. This was published a year or so ago, and it is very good. I just read a review of it in the NYT Book Review. The reviewer suggests that Eddie Sweat may have spiraled down to an early death because he mourned Secretariat.

I have seen a heartbreaking backview photograph of Eddie Sweat sitting with his suitcase on the stone wall near the office at Claiborne Farm, waiting to leave after Secretariat had been settled in.