It was such a bittersweet day. There was such anticipation in the air all day, and even with all the maiden/claiming races, there were still some pretty exciting finishes to keep people around until 6pm. We sat right in front of the starting gate for the 10th, and the crowd was buzzing as they went past for the post parade and circled back to load. After the huge gasp that went through the crowd at the finish, there was such deflation. But, I've never heard a crowd cheer so loud for a beaten favorite as when they walked Rachel back past us after the race. She was dead tired though, your description was pretty apt. Everyone on the rail was half-hanging out onto the track to snap pictures, and most everyone I was standing next to believed it would probably be the last time to get a shot of her as a racehorse. I really doubt we'll see her again competitively, and for her sake, I sure hope we don't see her in the Classic.

I really think Borel should be warned for the way he kept hitting Rachel. If she is not taking a hold of the bit, hitting her is not going to help...In fact maybe she does not like to run as much any more because of it.

many a good horse has been defeated at Saratoga. Rachel has nothing to be ashamed of but Boral should be ashamed of the way he whipped her.

Could it be that Rachel is telling us (if only we would listen), that she is ready to move on to the breeding barn? I love Rachel, but when nature calls....

Were the pins a giveaway or can we purchase them somewhere?  I would love to get them to go with some Rachel (and Zen) stuff I got at Hot Springs.

I thought Rachel ran hard and did the best she could. We conclusively found out she doesn't want a mile and a quarter - unless it's over an unusually glib racetrack. Granted, she may have held on had she not received pressure from Life at Ten, but who knows? She doesn't accelerate off the turn like she did last year [Gary Stevens made this astute observation] and her running style didn't serve her well trying to negotiate the distance at Saratoga.  Witness Quality Road's demise the week before.  Closers win races at classic distances at Saratoga, not pace setters or pressers.

i venture to say that there has been lots of lessons,presented to the "new raceing world", this season. what we learned out of them, remains to be seen. after the rise & fall of mine that bird,& then the "dodge'em policys of rachel alexandra. then the ole soft mouth attitude of super savers handlers, its hard to say who knew what.after mentioning three above horses & using them in this compareson. i say that its very true that they were the best horse on  1st saturday of may, they won the derby. they won the kentucky derby because they got the best trip. the question remains , has todays horses morphed into a breed that is good for only this long. or is it the fact that running 20 head of horses at once, has changed the race to where the kentucky derby is no longer the test of true horse flesh, to only a drawing contest. also you need to leave calvin borel alone about the way he rode r.a. he got all she had . that was a jockeys job in the racing days of old. now it seems that a jockeys job is to see who can back with the best human interest story.

it's only befitting that the phipps win a race named after their best female runner and after i seen they had entered a filly in the race and as much as i'm a rachel fan i would've been a bit upset had she beat the phipps filly.

I think it is obvious that Rachel doesn't want any part of 10f. So can we expect to see her in the Beldame then Ladies Classic?

The Personal Ensign was a great race to cap off a great weekend at Saratoga.  Seeing Rachel up close and in person was...fulfilling. I would love to see Zenyatta at Belmont but that will most likely not happen.  Sidekickflats - the pins were a giveaway at the gate.  I'm sure people will be selling them on eBay soon.

To be honest, I've never liked Borel.  I see him as an accident waiting to happen with how recklessly he chases wormholes by the rails (it's brave when it works, but what will it be if/when he misjudges a molecular gap and it turns into a complete and utter tragedy?).  The way he hit Rachel has done absolutely nothing to change my opinion on him.

Rachel doesn't seem to enjoy running as much as she used to, whether being beaten, Borel being overly zealous with the whip, her insane 3-year-old campaign, or something else is the reason I think they should stop on her before it affects her personality in general and not just her racing demeanor.  If any horse were to beat Rachel yesterday, I'm glad it was a Phipps horse.  

However, win or lose, I will ALWAYS be a fan of Rachel's (and to be fair, Zenyatta's).  

Rachel is a beautiful racehorse and maybe she is just tired of the spotlight. She certainly has done her due, and so has Calvin. After all, "All Glory is Fleeting".

Retire her now. She's done for and deserves a good life in the breeding shed. If Jackson insists on continuing to race her, at least get another jockey. Borel should be fined and suspended for the shameful whipping of a clearly exhausted horse. To bad Mike Smith is so committed to Zenyatta. He's the best jockey in the country right now and knows how to get the best out of a horse without beating them.

Being a total Zenyatta fan I know I am not going to be popular here but that being said......

Rachel has been trying to tell her connections that she is tired, spent and truly doesn't want to "do this" anymore and if Jess Jackson had one TENTH of the class of the Moss' he'd listen and do what is best for her.

Steve Asmussen is only doing what Jackson directs him to do; Calvin is only doing what Asmussen tells HIM to do.  And I have watched the replay of the race several times and don't feel that Calvin unnecessarily punished Rachel after he knew her "tank was empty".

If they don't retire her now her brilliant 2009 season will be tarnished forever and I don't think that is what ANYONE wants.

Jess Jackson -- ARE YOU LISTENING??????? 

Calvin would have got days for yesterdays ride if it were in Britain. And probably a 3 week ban for the Woodward.

However your whips are more cushioned... but for the non-racing public it's a matter of perception and they see a jockey whacking merry hell out of Rachel

Rachel owes us nothing.  She has been brilliant and thrilling and we should all appreciate what she has done.  The fact that 10f isn't in the cards for her doesn't diminish what she accomplished.

I hated to see her whipped so many times when it was clear she had given her all.  I don't think Calvin meant to hurt her but it was ugly nonetheless.

Rachel deserves our respect and admiration no matter what.  She has it from me even though my heart belongs to Zenyatta.

Enough getting on Calvin for whipping RA. If he wasn't seen as 'trying his best' hence whipping and driving- the stewerds would have questioned WHY he didn't use the whip.

Stop it. Calvin had nothing to do with RA getting beat. She is basically running as fast as she did last year but last year she was lucky enough to catch fields of slow horses - in the Preakness and the Woodward.

Don't you think they have been running RA in some of the 'easiest' spots available for a reason?

I know Rachel wasn't being beaten, but I think she may have been distracted by having that in the corner of her, or feeling the flick. I thought Calvin's ride itself was fair to good, but Rachel just ran herself out, and then stopped. She knew what was wanted of her, but she just couldn't. But she's a good little girl, 2009 HOTY, and maybe it's time for her to see her "betrothed", Curlin.

Living on the west coast, I am a Zenyatta fan, but I can imagine how it felt for the Rachel people yesterday.  I hadn't been to the races since 1990 at Oak Tree, but when Zenyatta was coming to Del Mar this year, I told my husband we are going.  I've always been a casual race fan, my ears perking up at Derby time and the triple crown every year.  Del Mar that day must be what Derby Day in Kentucky is like.  People everywhere!  We got there late, so it was standing only at the rail,so I figured we'd pick a good spot in the paddock for a good look at Zenyatta.  I wanted to look that horse in the eye.  Wow.  The race was another cookie cutter win for Z, but I saw what I came to see.  To stand 20 feet from greatness?  I was blown away.  In closing, horses like Rachel and Zenyatta are good for the sport.  They bring out not only the seasoned vet horse racing fan, but the armchair horse race fan like me who read everything Walter Farley ever wrote about the wonder horse...

As  a loyal Zenyatta,I only wish the best for RA. Many don't appreciate the amazing talents of both horses'.  Calvin should kept her off the front. Don't like in the least he got away with whipping her that much.

I only saw a poor quality replay online and no head-on shot but jocks don't always hit every time their arm goes back with the whip.  A lot of jocks keep the momentum by swinging it back and showing it up front to them and hit every few times so he may not have hit her that often.  He did his job by doing everything he possibly could to try and win.  If he didn't try and stopped hitting he would've been called out as a wrap-up artist and I'd say that's far worse that saying he tried too hard.  Not saying hitting that often is justifiable but if he did overuse the whip he will be reprimanded by the stewards.  I'm an ex-jockey and got a warning myself for something similar so time will tell there, but there are strict rules in place that jockeys in NA have to follow.

Rachel came close to looking like her old self yesterday, but it was as though she was running on talent alone and not with heart. You can't have a competitive racehorse when they don't want to put their heart into it.  Either a trainer change needs to be made or they need to consider retirement.  It'll be interesting to see where they decide to go from here and if they actually follow through with it.

I, too, am a Zenyatta fan, but I admire Rachel and what she has done.  Enough already - retire her before she goes totally sour.  She has done a great job and deserves the rest. She is trying to tell her connections she wants out....

I have said it all year and I will say it now.  Rachel is NOT getting the break in the weights like she did last year.  There is nothing wrong with her either.  She is Fine.  She was on the bit the first 1/2 mile, but that is just her.  From the 1/2 mile pole to the 3/4 pole, Calvin actually ran SLOWER than before allowing her to run a relaxed 25 and change 3rd 1/4.  She simply does not want 1 1/4 miles....at least not on the dirt.  I still think she might be a monster on the turf, but she won't get the chance to run on it.  

As for Calvin and his whipping.  Anyone who rides horses and knows what the whips are made of, it is not at all painful to the horse.  The whip snaps when the 2 pieces of leather pop together and the noise more than the spanking makes them run harder.  Most of Calvins whipping was more noise and action than actual hitting the mare. He loves this horse and would not "Beat Her Up" to win any race.  I don't believe she is tired of running.  Her 2, 1 1/8 mile races were superb.  She simply doesn't want to go 1 1/4 miles.  She won the Preakness on momentum more than actual running the 1 3/16th distance.  M.T.B. was in front of her 2 jumps past the wire in the Preakness.  She can run 1 more race before the Breeders Cup, but she needs to run against the ladies in the 1 1/8 mile Ladies Classic.  She is not going to win H.O.T.Y. this year and her owner and trainer need to make her last 2 races, winning ones.  She deserves nothing less!!

Regarding Calvin's whip, and his use thereof, isn't he using the "popper" type that is more sound than pain?  I do agree though...it didn't look good.

I've written on these blogs since last year that Rachel's 2009 campaign was - yes I'm going to say it again - overrated.  Why?  She faced little 3 YO filly competition at all.  Her huge margins of victory on fair tracks came in races where she ran 1:48 and change for 9 furlongs.   She was amazingly consistent and a brilliant 9 furlong horse.  But by conventional handicapping standards, she wasn't even the best runner in two of her victories over colts.  Why this wasn't highlighted or discussed more is anyone's conjecture.  But she barely held off Mine That Bird in The Preakness while in receipt of 5 pounds, and then she won by an even narrower margin over Macho Again while in receipt of 8 pounds.  

Yes...she won...but at equal weights she would not have won.

This year she is conceding weight to rivals and facing better opposition.  Some say she is not the same filly, but her times (taking into account the added weight she has to carry) are close to, if not identical to last year's.  

I would have never - ever - even considered racing this great filly beyond 9 furlongs once she ran in the Preakness.  I saw all I needed to see in that race.  And yesterday I saw what I expected...a great filly giving her all at a distance that is beyond her capabilities.  She crawled home in what...27 -28 seconds?  Compare that to Mine That Bird coming home in the KY Derby carrying even more weight than Rachel did yesterday.  His was the second fastest finish since Secretariat.  And if people want to compare MTB last year to Super Saver this year, I have news for them.  Add about 2 seconds and 10 lengths to what MTB did...they are not even similar, although the track condition was!

Rachel is a brilliant 9 furlong horse, but at equal weights there are fillies this year that could catch her, and certainly the better colts would beat her even with carrying more weight.  Ten furlongs is just a furlong too far.

She can't repeat as HOTY with this 2010 campaign.  She can't even get close to being Champion Older Filly or Mare - really.  The only shot she has in that category is to beat Zenyatta in The Breeders Cup Classic, if Zenyatta runs in it.  Zenyatta is a true 10 - 12 furlong horse, regardless of surface.   Putting Rachel in that race would be cruel if you ask me.

I expect an announcement of retirement soon.  Better now than after another defeat at the hands of another filly or mare.  Rachel has nothing to prove and more to lose by racing again.

To anyone observing Rachel's training routine over the past 2 months...it is obvious that Asmussen has gone very easily on her ...this can be for many reasons...immediately to mind is maybe he isn't ready to crank the screws as yet...or maybe she has a problem they're trying to work with.One thing is for sure...she's nowhere near 100% fit..but still ran a stout race. i said it on this forum many months ago...Calvin Borel is nowhere near top class..and Rachel needs all the help she can get at this level...time for a change in jockey guys ...seriously !

I was there yesterday and let me tell you, even going to be saddled, she looked (to me, a sport horse owner and competitor who spends 16 hours a day tending,conditioning and caring for elite athletes with hooves) like she just did not have a game face on. This whole season I said to all who asked "This is NOT the same Rachel, she does not belong running any longer, she is indifferent to winning or losing now, and its time to let her make a champion" The fact is, she did not run harder and turn back the winner like she would have last year. Last year her gusto would have given her soemthing more to reach that line. But, I also saw the Woodward last year and let me tell you, that took the soul out of that horse, to grind it to the finish like that. I felt very much the same about Curlins Dubai World Cup, he looked tired, tho winning the Stephen Foster after, he just didnt look the same. Anyway, Shes a great filly, and what a lovely girl she is, she deserves to take it easy and Zenyatta needs to step it up (in respect to healing the wounds in RA fans hearts) and give us a good show the rest of the year. Rachel in my opinion, on her best day last year could have beaten Zenyatta. This year, there would be no way unless Zenyatta ran around sideways. This coming from a die-hard RA fan means only one thing- the time has come to retire a great legend and make some Curlin/RA babies!

I am so tired of people wondering and worrying about Rachel. She is still a super horse! She hasn't run worse than 2nd this year! So it's not against the colts...big deal. I just want to thank Mr. Jackson for having her race this year. She's still something to watch and cheer for! I am a big Z fan and a Rachel fan. I wanted to see Rachel get to the level she was at last year AND extend to 1 1/4. Honestly, let JJ get rewarded for bringing back Curlin and Rachel at 4 to encourage others to do so...I hope she runs at least once more to kick butt and earns the chance to beat the mares in the BC ladies...is it at 1 1/4 or 1 1/8? I think she's going to be tough to beat at 1 1/8 still...all comers beware.

I just wanted to jump in and say I am glad to see so many people who are fans of both horses posting. I am thankful there are people who appreciate both!

Robert and Gary, At least two astute posts. The girl laid her body down yesterday and plain could not get the 1 1/4. Also agree that the Preakness and Woodward were more than an indicator that she would not relish the extra furlong. I certainly do not wish to diminish her accomplishments of last year, but believe that the prestige of those stakes far outweighed the competition she faced. She's a wonderful mare and gives it all every time out. Trust the connections will abandon any consideration of the BC Classic and point her to the Distaff.

For all those that have commented on Calvin's use of the stick - please get a clue about race riding. He wouldn't hurt that girl with a gun to his head

I agree with Brownfan about her having a chance to run on the turf. I would of tried to run her on the turf in her first race back to see if she handled it OK. She has some turf pedigree. Now it's too late. It is a miracle that she came back as well as she did after a hard campaign last year. I think her connections will probably run her in the Ladies instead of the Classic. Both Rachel and Zenyatta have proven their weight in gold and they both have certainly got everyone talking.

Why are people acting like Rachel is finishing up the track dead last in her races? She's just a length and a couple of nostrils from being unbeaten this year. She runs her heart out in each race, and had the PE been 9f she would have won. I just don't think she can handle 10f being pressed all the way.

RA's schedule of training and racing have not been stellar attempts for her 4 year old season.

As with many quality horses they cannot continually overcome bad human decisions.

In summary, without specific comment on owner, trainer or jockey, why would you run this horse at this distance for the first time on the front end? Makes no sense.

Gary at Rough Creek,

Here we go again! I think your evaluation that Rachel’s campaign last year was “overrated” is just silly.  She had one of the best 3yo filly campaigns in history, hands down.  Your comment that ‘she wasn’t even the best runner in two of her victories over colts’ doesn’t even really make sense.  She won! We have had these conversations in the past and I don’t think you ever definitively made your case about times and weights.  I think you are basing your opinion on a faulty assumption.  You are not going to tell me that she is running a fraction of a second or a second slower because she is carrying one or two more pounds, which you have basically said in the past.  There is so much more to this game than times and weights, particularly when we are talking about horses of this caliber.  Mine That Bird was at his absolute best last May, and she beat other good horses in the Preakness in Pioneerofthenile, Musket Man, Big Drama, and General Quarters.  Mine That Bird came on the far outside before Rachel/Calvin even knew he was there, he never went by her galloping out, and even Mike Smith commented after the race that he was never going to pass her.  Calvin rides RA aggressively even when she is winning by larger margins...see the Haskell.  I just don’t understand how you can watch last year’s races and compare them with this year’s races and see the same filly.  There is a visual aspect to this that you are missing.  Actually, her times this year are even slower for the most part, particularly her internal fractions.  We’ve already discussed the Haskell (remember, Summer Bird sat closer to the pace even after the Haskell and won the JC Gold Cup and Travers over QR), and in the Woodward she was facing many older males at their peaks.  The way the race set up did her no favors either.  I was there and saw it firsthand.  As Haskin wrote after her Wodward win last year, her competition flattered her all year long.  I think the main mistake was made in rushing her back this year, and unfortunately they may still be paying for that mistake.  What it boils down to is that RA and Zenyatta should have come along at different times.  RA’s explosion onto the scene last year took away some of the spotlight from Zenyatta, unfortunately, which I think may partly account for some of the Zenyatta fans’ ire towards Rachel, and Zenyatta’s return this year ultimately led to some bad judgment calls with Rachel earlier this year.  These animals are not machines.  They can’t be treated as such, and that also gets to my point about your time/weight assumptions.  The main handicapping perspective to the Personal Ensign stakes was that it set up quite well for Persistently the way it unfolded, you had a sub-par Rachel, and you had Shug at Saratoga with a good filly going long.  Shug knows how to crank them up for the big races in NY, and his filly is bred to run long.

With respect,

FM      

To me, Rachel has not had the same spark in her eye this year. If she were mine, I would retire her with deep gratitude and admiration for what she has given to us all. What else does she need to prove? Mr. Jackson certainly doesn't need the money, so is it about ego? She ran her heart out last year in a punishing campaign. The right thing for the horse - and the classy decision for the sport - is to stop now and give her the wonderful retirement she so truly deserves.

To all those posting here that Rachel will/should run in The Lady's Classic instead of the BCC, I'd say "think again".

To most of us mere mortals, just running in a Breeder's Cup race would be a dream.  Winning would be unbelievable.  But for Rachel and her connections, I think The Lady's Classic would be PERCEIVED as a step down.  It would be a full blown admission that Rachel isn't even up to taking on Zenyatta.  Not only that, I think there is serious risk of Rachel losing to a mare or filly in that race this year.  How would that go over?

So in short, I think there is too much risk and not enough benefit for running Rachel in The Lady's Classic.  She can't really improve on what she's already done.  I fully expect an announcement soon.

I so wanted Rachel to get the extra distance. Has anyone considered that she should be returned to her original trainer? No one knows her better or had her game ready and happy to be racing. Face it Jess Jackson purchased the filly primed and ready to win, and all they had to do was put her in a starting gate. She is not the same horse mentally. She is not thriving with her current program and does not look to be enjoying her job any longer. Just curious if anyone else out there had the same thought. She still has the heart of a champion, just not the love of the game any more.

Hey,

Fahad my old friend!  I feel your pain man.  

All I can say about your initial comments regarding weights and times and horse quality is...you obviously don't understand handicap racing.  Weight is added to a horse to slow it down.  Weight is added to the BETTER horses to make gambling a more interesting/fair/profitable endeavor.   You may quibble with the equation that I quoted from a British horse racing site, but racing officials use some kind of calculus to assign weights...correct?  The "pure" objective of handicap racing is to have all the horses finish at the same time.  This - I hope - you cannot dispute.

If you ask me (or anyone knowledgeable in such matters) to compare the racing ability of two horses,  they will sooner or later get down to weights.  Which was the better horse AT EQUAL WEIGHT?  That's why all the males in the Triple Crown races carry equal weights, as should ALL competitors in the Triple Crown races if you ask me.  If Rachel had been carrying 126 last year, She would have come 3rd in The Preakness.  She's a big strong filly...bigger than MTB.  I think you would agree with me on that wouldn't you?  Are you saying that she would have beaten MTB at equal weights?  Do you really believe that she would have beaten Macho Again if she had been carrying 8 more pounds?  Stated another way, if horse X beats horse Y, but is carrying 8 less pounds than horse Y and wins only by a head, which horse is faster?  I'd say horse Y is actually the BETTER, FASTER horse.  That's why it was HANDICAPPED with extra weight in the first place.

Blame beat Quality Road, but I think at equal weights Quality Road is the better horse.  Same thing with the PE on Sunday.  Rachel lost, but at equal weights she wins, even though there is still enough evidence that she prefers shorter distances.

You are trying to say that weight doesn't matter.  With all due respect, that's just purely ridiculous.  And I think Rachel's times and performances this year prove my point.  She's run nice races, but she's been beaten by fillies that are getting weight breaks.

Rachel almost always runs a 47 and change first half mile while carrying 121 or more on a fair track.  And that's when when she earns 100+  Beyers too.  What did she run in the PE yesterday?  She went 47.73...well within her wheel house from last year.  In fact, her half mile split in last year's KY Oaks, where she won by 20 lengths or so and earned one of her highest Beyers (108), was 47.76.  She was 2nd by 1.5 lengths off a 47.46 half mile.  She finished up that race in 1:48.87.

At the 3/4 mark in the KY Oaks, she was 1.5 lengths off a 1:11.81 pace.  If a length equals about 0.2 seconds, then Rachel ran that 6 furlongs in 1:12.11 in the KY Oaks.  Let's call it 1:12 and change.  That's just what she did in most of her races last year, and again in the PE yesterday.

I'm saying she went 8 for 8 in less than stellar company, OR she got a significant weight break and barely won.   At EQUAL weights, she would have lost two of those 8 races.

In the PE on Sunday, she ran the first 6 furlongs in 1:12.02.  Again, this is right in her wheel house and right in line with most of her past performances.  She almost always finished 9 furlong races last year in 1:48 and change.  She was like clockwork.

The difference in the PE on Sunday was that she hit the wall, crawled home and was beaten.  Like "28 seconds or more for the last quarter" crawled.  Calvin said so...the clock said so.  It was easily predicted.  

Andy Beyer just wrote some article about the grueling early fractions in that race.  What?  Does he think we can't refer to her past performances to see that she ran similar times - if not faster - in her best 9 furlong victories last year?  I just copied one example and included it here straight out of the drf past performance chart.  She's just NOT a 10 furlong horse...period.    

To even compare Rachel to Zenyatta is really inaccurate.  Rachel was a deserving 3 YO filly champion last year, but Zenyatta is one of the best race mares ever.  She has never lost.  They slow dow the pace to compromise her, and she wins.  They stack weight on her, and she still wins.  She wins on dirt.  She wins on the different synthetic tracks in California.   She beat the best males at 10 furlongs, something Rachel never has done and probably never will do.  

The real problem is not that these two female runners appeared on the scene at roughly the same time.  The real problem is that we have people in this industry who either can't or don't objectively assess quality.  They run down good horses and inflate the qualities of others.  To no real positive end or purpose.  I have NEVER bad mouthed Rachel...she is a brilliant 8 - 9 furlong filly.  But if someone won't agree with the opinion that she's the best runner ever, some think it's an insult.  It's not...and she's not.  So please get over it.  

I live in the east, and am a die hard Zenyatta fan, so i'm not sure my post will be respected around here, but here we go.

Like alot of others have said, I think Rachel is telling us she does not want to run anymore. I would love to see a RA/ Dynaformer baby while hes still active, but he may not be when she isn't a maiden, because Three Chimmneys dosen't accept maiden mares for him. How about a Big Brown/ RA cross or a Eskendraya/ RA cross. We have not seen any of those two stallions babies run yet, so i'm basing this off thier running abiliy.

Bye Y'all,

Maggie Black

Was the greatness of Damascus diminished because the victory column for his 4-year old campaign is less than that of his 3 year old wins?  Rachel ran and finished second:  Horrors!!!  The champions of the past ran frequently, won and sometimes lost; Their greatness was sometimes further defined by a loss in adversity.  Today timid owners and trainers pick infrequent spots-with an eye to one day: Breeders' Cup- placing the pressure for a win more heavily on the rare start.  I can only trust her connections to check her out and do the best by her-retire her if injured.  I'm glad Secretarist wasn't rushed away after a Whitney loss, a Marlboro win and a Woodward loss.

I was there yesterday too and thought she looked resigned in the paddock and depresssed walking past the grandstand after the race with her head drooped down around her knees.Yes, she has won or placed all her races this year and might continue to do so, but it's painful to watch when her heart isn't in it.

Driving home from Saratoga it occurred to me how Rachel's losses drive home the enormity of Zenyatta's perfect record. Zenyatta makes it look easy and it's not--even the great RA can be beat by 20-1 longshot. We knock Z for an "easy" campaign but even RA gets beat by "easy" horses now and again.

I honestly hope they retire her. I'm sick of hearing things like "She's not a good horse" every time she loses. She is a horse, not a machine. And, to tell you the truth, she hasn't been the same this year. It's like she doesn't exactly enjoy racing, she just does her job.

The whole problem started for Rach earlier in the year when that idiot from Oaklawn proposed a race that would pit Rach vs. Zen.  This was what the fans wanted to see.  So did JJ and Steve rush her back to try and get ready for this race?  I think they did.  She just may have needed more time.  Many don't understand what she really accomplished last year.  So put down your racing form and forget your fractions and your weights.  This was a 3 year filly!  A 3 year old filly!  Only those who've ever owned horses or worked the back side know what this means.  

The Woodward - that's all anyone has to look to.  A 3 year old filly shouldn't even be leading the post parade in a race like that!  Rach wasn't only in it, she won it!  Fortunately, for me, I was there for her Woodward, Haskell and Personal Ensign.  Hopefully, I'll see her race again.  She's not through  yet.  She may be a bit sour right now but fillies and mares get that way easily.  She needs a change of scenery, a turn out and maybe a new trainer and rider.  

Hopefully, The BC Distaff (that's right, The Distaff - not the Ladies Classic.   What marketing genius came up with that?) is in her stars if she's right.  If she's not right then it's been a great run by a great, beloved horse.  

Hmm, it's always interesting to hear the variety of opinions on this lovely mare.  

My 2 cents, for what they're worth  = )

Rachel's campaign was not overrated last year.  It was an amazing campaign and that's something most long-time racing fans seem to agree upon.  However, she did get some weight allowances and she did mostly face 3 year olds - that in no way takes away from the fact that her campaign was unique and exceptional (name another filly who had a similar 3 year old season).

This year, I think it's entirely possible she is the "same" horse.  Unfortunately, I think many were expecting her "same" to actually be better as she grew into her bigger 4 year old body.  A combination of things are probably contributing to a slightly less exceptional year than people were expecting: a different trainer trying to bring her back into form after a long layoff, a bigger 4 year old body that feels/works different, an older peer group that matured to more closely match the precocious 3 year old Rachel, and higher weights compared to her competition.

I think all of those factors could be causing Rachel to be slightly less awe inspiring than last year.  I don't think that necessarily means she is injured or not the same or even that she needs to be retired.

People act like she has finished at the back of the pack in the races she has "lost."  I also think it's very hard for anyone besides her everyday handlers to notice whether she has lost her "spark" or not - plus, when her connections say she isn't the "same," remember they are also trying to do some PR management for the fans.  I don't think that finishing a close 2nd the times she didn't win means that this filly is a goner and must be retired to save her spirit.  She has still gone out and given what looks to be her all each time - I think it's a bit of a stretch to call her "sour" at this point.  Yes, a mile and a quarter may have been a bit past her comfy distance, but you have to race to find out.

Anyway, it is entirely possible Rachel just isn't the "same," but I think it's more likely everyone was expecting far more from this filly than she could realistically give.  Now that she's just great instead of a super freak, everyone thinks she's washed up.  I'm just not sure that's warranted.  I would be okay with her being retired (though I'm not sure it's necessary) only because very few horses are actually happier in full-time work than they are cavorting in the pasture and being fed goodies  = )

Anyway, I love Rachel (and Z) and I'm very glad to see her still racing and showing her guts (provided she is 100% healthy).  Most racehorses don't win every time, and I'm not sure that means Rachel is done for just yet.

Unless you are a die hard horse racing fan that bets everyday then you aren't going to understand that RA had everything her own way last year. She faced a very weak crop of 3 year olds and 3 year old fillies and she ran against allowance and grade 3 caliber older males while getting weight. She is running just as fast this year as she did last year but she is facing 5 and 6 year olds who sre faster than her. Also some of last years mediocre 3 year old fillies have gotten better. Combine that with the fact that older horse carry more weight than 3 year olds and that is why she is 2 for 5 this year. Compare the numbers this with last year and RA is the same horse. Again you really need to know how to read past performances and the sheets to guage a thoroughbred. The top 2 year olds almost always fizzle when they turn 3 because the competition and the longer distances catch up to them. Same from 3 to 4.

I think Rachel ran a really good race in defeat in the PE. Her connections got their answer about 10F I hope. To me Rachel just doesn't have that spark she had last year. In the winner"s circle for the Woodward last year there stood a completely spent horse. Since then she just doesn't look like she likes her job. It has nothing to do with winning or loosing, she just doesn't look happy. You can tell when a horse likes their job, just look at Zenyatta. That horse is soooo happy and full of herself. That's why she wasn't retired, she wasn't ready. Rachel is! I hope her connections do the right thing by her, she deserves it after all she has done for them.

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!!!OR SHALL I SAY QUEENS!

Mr. Jackson should look for another trainer. Period. However, that being said, RA is a grade 2 animial at best. She is performing as last year. Before her season began, I knew she would be beaten severly this year. Unfortunately, her fans elevated her peformances last year to the stratasphere.  Has any of the horses she beat last year comeback and win this year? Possible a few? Lets be honest folks, the Kenty Oaks, Woodward, and Preakness fields were fluttered with Grade 2 animals. And that is what RA currently should be classed at.

she will be retired soon

I believe Race Fan is on to it:  she needs to go back to those who love her; she needs a groom family that will dote on her; she needs new tack (get rid of that god-awful white Curlin-leftover that fits so poorly); put her back in her previous trainer's barn with her friends and her routine and lastly, let her grow out her mane and wear it down - she looks silly all knotted up - my own horse is very particular about his mane and tail and it's a security thing - let's build her back up -she needs her joy back - Jess- what do you think?

Vic you obviously didn't like what i wrote but it was the truth , she was over hyped as a 3 yr old and they dodged the toughest races and competition. your readers know that so if you are so one sided why bother to have a blog -open up to all opinions.

I remember another great mare who tried over and over to tell her people she was tired. Lady's Secret finally had to stop dead on the track and refuse to finish the race before they got the message. I hope Rachel's people aren't as stubborn.

Hi! How come Sunday's race isn't considered just one of those enchanting things Saratoga is (still) known for - the Graveyard of Champions? Sure, Rachel fans are disappointed, but any more so than, let's say, an impressionable and volatile lad of 23 as he watches in disbelief as Ron Turcotte puts Secretariat on the rail (contrary to the analysis of the t.v. commentators) and loses to a slug named Onion?

I got over it, Secretariat sure got over it, Rachel and her connections will get over it; her fans? Well, think of it as a slightly altered version of the 1982 Travers - Rachel as Conquistador Cielo, all the rage then, Life At Ten as Aloma's Ruler and, making the same move at the same time, Persistently as Runaway Groom!

I'm sorry it was at the expense of Rachel and her fans (and for this analogy) but that Personal Ensign Sunday was indeed '... what dreams are made of.'

BOE=RAIL NEEDS TO COME OFF OF HER PERIOD...THAT CROWD DONE GONE & ME$$ED HER UP...A NEW TRAINER MIGHT HELP TOO...SHE IS STILL A GREAT ONE...LONG LIVE THE KING!!!...ty...

Kudos to Rachel's connections in doing an amazing job in getting her ready to peak at 1 1/4 and also kudos to taking it to Life at Ten and putting her away at the 1/4 pole. Enough can not be said about the progess she made in the four months since his first start this year. Congratulations to Scott and team Rachel!

I love Rachel Alexandra and only wish her well whether she continues racing or not.  What she has done in 2009 no one can take from her.  She has made history and no one can ever do what Rachel has done.

My wish now is that Rachel's connection let Rachel decide whether she continues on to race or not to race-they need to listen to her horse language-she will speak and give the directives of what is next for her-for her well being-I hope they listen.

God bless Rachel Alexandra!

Love & Blessings

LouAnn

Gary at Rough Creek, with all due respect, I don't think you are quite as knowledgeable as you think you are.  I have read your posts over and again, yet still can't seem to see hte logic in some of your reasoning.  You insinuate that the competition RA faced last year was just average, at best, yet fail to prove that Zenyatta faced anything tougher, less the one race in the BC, of course. You baffle me.

Like some of the others, I just can't understand how anyone would be cowling for RA's retirement!  You'd think she'd been running like a dog, while in fact, she's finished no worse than 2nd and her performance have certainly been nothing to be ashamed of.  So what? She didn't handle 10f in her very first attempt.  I hardly think it's time to send her to the breeding shed - in fact, I think it's ridiculous.  If this were any other horse, her season thus far would be deemed, at the very least, a moderate success.  You can't fault the horse for not living up to the very high standards she set for herself last year.  I think she's just fine and I absolutely see no reason to retire her.  Most owners running horses today would KILL to have a horse like Rachel racing for them.

And since Rachel handled Life at Ten rather easily, does this mean that Life at Ten should also be sent straight to the breeding shed?  I mean, for RA being so "washed up" and "over-rated", it sure doesn't say much for a horse who just lost for the first time in 7 races.....

We must all agree by now that RA & ZEN are the greatest things to happen to this "Sport of Kings" in years in this country. They are both champions in their own rights. Each different to the other but the best at what they do. Rachel is a beautiful girl and will be remembered for what she has done but perhaps the time has come to rest her. She is very obviously not suited to the longer distance but that's not to say she's finished. I hope the connections listen to the horse and let her call the shots for a change. As for Calvin whipping her senseless. That's just plain insulting to one of our greatest jocks. No jockey worth his money would punish a horse who is trying their heart out.

Both of these wonderful girls regardless of anything else need to be kept safe and happy,They both deserve it, they brought to 2009 something fantastic in times we needed something or someone to cheer for,I pray that both barns do whats right for both horses, and they will be around for us to follow for many years

I had the distinct pleasure of being at Saratoga for this race. To see her in person, is nothing short of spectacular.  Rachel ran her heart out but, it is completely clear that she's not the same horse she was last year.  While I would love nothing more than to see her continue to race, I would rather see her retired as a sound horse than being forced to be retired because of an injury.