After the Woodward, Rachel Alexandra could be done for the year
DiscreetCat
Moderator
from Bloodhorse:
Majority owner Jess Jackson said on a national teleconference Sept. 1 that plans for Rachel Alexandra following Saturdays $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) are up in the air, and he did not dismiss the idea of putting her away for the year.
We have several options, including the Beldame Stakes (gr. I), if Zenyatta should show up for that, Jackson said. But if she should win the Woodward, there would be no necessity to run her again. Shes a tired horse in a way, which is why weve been giving her long periods of time between races. We plan on racing her in 2010. Its going to be her decision whether shes ready to race after the Woodward. If Zenyatta should come to the Beldame that would certainly direct us to that race.
As we did with Curlin , history is always on our mind. Every time she passes one of the hurdles weve given her we go on to the next. Its all about defining her greatness.
Jackson also quashed any ideas of Rachel Alexandra running in next years Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at the new Meydan track, because of the installation of a synthetic surface (Tapeta).
Jackson said he is not taking the Woodward lightly, and realizes it is a tall task to take on older horses.
Were not discounting any of the horses in this race, Jackson said. These horses are the best of their age group.
As for the decision to point for the Woodward instead of the Travers (gr. I), Jackson said, The trainer has the health and condition of his charge primarily on his mind, and I respect that. He has intimate daily contact with the horse. Thats what Steve and Scott (Blasi) communicate to me. I look at the long term picture. I felt Rachel could have handled the Travers. We had already defeated Summer Bird and I felt Quality Road wasnt quite ready for her yet. But taking on older horses was the next defining factor. Had we known we were going to face Zenyatta and a star quality field in Beldame, I might have made a different decision.
Majority owner Jess Jackson said on a national teleconference Sept. 1 that plans for Rachel Alexandra following Saturdays $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) are up in the air, and he did not dismiss the idea of putting her away for the year.
We have several options, including the Beldame Stakes (gr. I), if Zenyatta should show up for that, Jackson said. But if she should win the Woodward, there would be no necessity to run her again. Shes a tired horse in a way, which is why weve been giving her long periods of time between races. We plan on racing her in 2010. Its going to be her decision whether shes ready to race after the Woodward. If Zenyatta should come to the Beldame that would certainly direct us to that race.
As we did with Curlin , history is always on our mind. Every time she passes one of the hurdles weve given her we go on to the next. Its all about defining her greatness.
Jackson also quashed any ideas of Rachel Alexandra running in next years Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at the new Meydan track, because of the installation of a synthetic surface (Tapeta).
Jackson said he is not taking the Woodward lightly, and realizes it is a tall task to take on older horses.
Were not discounting any of the horses in this race, Jackson said. These horses are the best of their age group.
As for the decision to point for the Woodward instead of the Travers (gr. I), Jackson said, The trainer has the health and condition of his charge primarily on his mind, and I respect that. He has intimate daily contact with the horse. Thats what Steve and Scott (Blasi) communicate to me. I look at the long term picture. I felt Rachel could have handled the Travers. We had already defeated Summer Bird and I felt Quality Road wasnt quite ready for her yet. But taking on older horses was the next defining factor. Had we known we were going to face Zenyatta and a star quality field in Beldame, I might have made a different decision.
Comments
All I can say is that I hope the Moss' decide to take their skirts off and come play.
Otherwise it's gonna be a long wait for 2010 RA
See everyone says this and that about the last but I strongly believe she overcame a HUGE disadvantage to pull that win off.
1-Pace was slooooww
2-Mike Smith moved too late
3-Overconfidence
If Zenyatta is gonna have a shot at beating RA, that giant sweeping move is not going to work. Mike Smith is going to have to ride her tactically as she wont be able to afford losing all of that ground.
My point is that she over comes late moves and slow paces all the time, and against better horses. I don't think she can be ridden tactically and still have the same kick. RA can run on the lead or rate, and that ability makes her dangerous, and what make her even better is that, she always has a burst of speed, even after chasing a hot pace. It's just my opinion, but i think she's a step slower than last year.