Asiatic Boy apparently changing plans due to Rachel's presence in the Woodward
DiscreetCat
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from Bloodhorse:
As soon as trainer Kiaran McLaughlin found out Rachel Alexandra would be running in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 5 he quickly contacted Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa, the owner of his Woodward hopeful Asiatic Boy, about the possibility of heading to California.
I sent an e-mail overseas to talk to the owner and racing officials, McLaughlin said. We will nominate (Asiatic Boy) to the Pacific Classic (gr. I), which will be run on the synthetic the day after the Woodward, to give ourselves an option. Nobody really wants to face Rachel Alexandra these days, and to think we have to give her eight pounds is a little tough on us older boys. But well discuss our options and keep them open.
Now, Asiatic Boy is not exactly a slouch, having swept the UAE Triple Crown, the only horse to do so, and having finished second to Curlin in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), and second in the Stephen Foster (gr. I) and Suburban Handicap (gr. II) in his only two starts in the United States. But he was forced to skip the Whitney (gr. I) due to illness. Even with those credentials, McLaughlin made it known he really wants no part of Rachel Alexandra under the conditions of the Woodward.
Shes beat everybody thats gotten in the gate with her this year, McLaughlin said. Luckily, I havent gotten in the gate with her and dont look forward to getting in the gate with her with Asiatic Boy. Shes a great filly. The word great is thrown around too often in our industry, but to me shes one of the great ones and shes great for the sport, and it's nice that Mr. (Jess) Jackson chose some of these spots to show how great she is. He said hes hoping to run her next year as a 4-year-old, and that's nice to hear, but I dont look forward to running against her ever, with anything.
Like all top athletes, Rachel has her detractors, who believe she hasnt beaten top-class competition, and that is unfathomable to Tim Ice, trainer of Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird, who felt Rachels wrath in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I)
What do you want her to beat? Ice said. What more does she have to prove? To say she hasnt beaten anything would be a knock against racing. Shes beaten the Kentucky Derby winner and the Belmont winner. It makes no sense. Youre knocking the entire industry when you say she hasnt beaten anything. She is what she is. She does it so easily it may look like she not beating anything. Its a shame that people have that idea.
Trainer Graham Motion is one trainer who has no thoughts of ducking Rachel Alexandra in the Woodward with his impressive Whitney winner Bullsbay. Motion said the son of Tiznow definitely will head back up to the Spa to meet Rachel.
Right after the Whitney my reaction was that I wouldnt run if Rachel runs, but Im not sure that really makes a whole lot of sense, especially when I look at what our options are, Motion said. He just ran the race of his life on that racetrack and came out of the race great. I just cant see why I wouldnt do it. Obviously, I would rather not run against her, but thats what its all about, right?
Other possibilities for the Woodward are It's a Bird and the Nick Zito pair of Cool Coal Man and Da Tara.
As soon as trainer Kiaran McLaughlin found out Rachel Alexandra would be running in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 5 he quickly contacted Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa, the owner of his Woodward hopeful Asiatic Boy, about the possibility of heading to California.
I sent an e-mail overseas to talk to the owner and racing officials, McLaughlin said. We will nominate (Asiatic Boy) to the Pacific Classic (gr. I), which will be run on the synthetic the day after the Woodward, to give ourselves an option. Nobody really wants to face Rachel Alexandra these days, and to think we have to give her eight pounds is a little tough on us older boys. But well discuss our options and keep them open.
Now, Asiatic Boy is not exactly a slouch, having swept the UAE Triple Crown, the only horse to do so, and having finished second to Curlin in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), and second in the Stephen Foster (gr. I) and Suburban Handicap (gr. II) in his only two starts in the United States. But he was forced to skip the Whitney (gr. I) due to illness. Even with those credentials, McLaughlin made it known he really wants no part of Rachel Alexandra under the conditions of the Woodward.
Shes beat everybody thats gotten in the gate with her this year, McLaughlin said. Luckily, I havent gotten in the gate with her and dont look forward to getting in the gate with her with Asiatic Boy. Shes a great filly. The word great is thrown around too often in our industry, but to me shes one of the great ones and shes great for the sport, and it's nice that Mr. (Jess) Jackson chose some of these spots to show how great she is. He said hes hoping to run her next year as a 4-year-old, and that's nice to hear, but I dont look forward to running against her ever, with anything.
Like all top athletes, Rachel has her detractors, who believe she hasnt beaten top-class competition, and that is unfathomable to Tim Ice, trainer of Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird, who felt Rachels wrath in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I)
What do you want her to beat? Ice said. What more does she have to prove? To say she hasnt beaten anything would be a knock against racing. Shes beaten the Kentucky Derby winner and the Belmont winner. It makes no sense. Youre knocking the entire industry when you say she hasnt beaten anything. She is what she is. She does it so easily it may look like she not beating anything. Its a shame that people have that idea.
Trainer Graham Motion is one trainer who has no thoughts of ducking Rachel Alexandra in the Woodward with his impressive Whitney winner Bullsbay. Motion said the son of Tiznow definitely will head back up to the Spa to meet Rachel.
Right after the Whitney my reaction was that I wouldnt run if Rachel runs, but Im not sure that really makes a whole lot of sense, especially when I look at what our options are, Motion said. He just ran the race of his life on that racetrack and came out of the race great. I just cant see why I wouldnt do it. Obviously, I would rather not run against her, but thats what its all about, right?
Other possibilities for the Woodward are It's a Bird and the Nick Zito pair of Cool Coal Man and Da Tara.
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