Woodward Right Race For Rachel

[Rachel Alexandra]

You know its interesting.
To say that we shall NEVER see one like her. I cant believe how quickly people forget great fillies and mares of the past.
What? does nobody remember the GO FOR WAND, Bayakoya, Peppers Pride, Landaluce, Winning Colors, Zenyatta, Azeri, ect. female horses of this sport that has made us talk in history.
THEY COME AND GO. Its not like they don't. Last year the talk was CURLIN, This year is R.A. , Whats next year like?
People, they are horses, they come and go... Really they do.
Rachel Alexandra- presumingly you named yourself after a horse thats running ( R.A.) do realize that she will go eventually, and then what? What are you going to do with your life, now that you named yourself after a horse - yes a horse- that will exit horseracing. - They all do.
Take a grip, stop brown nosing, and realize that there are hundreds of horses out there that are making history. Horses that desereve our attention, horses that have touched our lives,not just through seeing the horse through a lense or a T V. - that you know little about.
Steve I dont mean to be harsh, I really don't - But I see these awesome photos of yours and see that you are a well rounded individual when it comes to racing. There are hundreds of stories out there, why do something that everyone else does just because shes popular?
You have a gift. Why cant you make something that wont reflect the current trend?

Listen lady, I have been working in the racing industry for probably more years than you have been watching races. These horses mean a lot to me.
I have worked with stakes winners and I have worked with claimers. I have been around them long enough to appreciate something special when I see it. It's too bad your pessimism keeps you from doing that. Sure, these horses "come and go" but when did race horses never do that?? Some might stick around longer, but why is it so bad to root for or follow a career of a horse while it's out there?? Good grief lady, if everyone had your view of racing, it wouldn't exist!!
I picked RA for my forum name. So what?? I might have just started this forum but it doesn't mean it's my first forum. There are hundreds of forum members with horse names. What's wrong with that??? This is a horse forum, right?? FYI, I have been around that filly personally and just haven't witnessed her racing on TV!!
Brown nosing?? What?? Being a fan of a horse is brown nosing?? I took notice of RA way before she even started racing this year. So I'm a brown noser?? What kind of wacko are you??
For you to criticize someone that is taking photos just sums up the fact that you are a miserable, jealous person. Steve is taking photos of horses that people want to see currently. He will move on to others someday so don't worry too much.

[winds]

Rachel Alexandra is a special, great horse, period. She's done something even the great Ruffian didn't, and I love Ruffian but facts are facts. If Rachel beats older horses in the Woodward then she has done something no modern 3 yr old filly has done. If someone wants to use Rachel's name in a forum then they have every right, who are we to judge.

I don't see anything wrong with it.

winds

[Bedouwia]

First, I am a firm fan of Rachael Alexandra. She is an exceptional filly, and we are fortunate to have her racing. I am looking forward to the Woodword.

Secondly, I am a fan of Pedigree Query, partly because it is not usually filled with the negative and nasty fights that sadly are typical in other forums.

Yes, it is fine to express your opinion of a race or a horse. However, let's not spend our precious time attacking posters.

Bedouwia

[jrgators]

First, I am a firm fan of Rachael Alexandra. She is an exceptional filly, and we are fortunate to have her racing. I am looking forward to the Woodword.

Secondly, I am a fan of Pedigree Query, partly because it is not usually filled with the negative and nasty fights that sadly are typical in other forums.

Yes, it is fine to express your opinion of a race or a horse. However, let's not spend our precious time attacking posters.

Bedouwia

Thank you Bedouwia!!


On the RA put downs.

I was very angry with TVG and ESPN yesterday for putting down Jackson and Asmussen.

These guys are in a tough spot, they have a star, and people want to beat them up no matter how they handle the star.

I would ask Mr. Bailey and Company, why does this filly get put down for ducking anyone or anything. That's absurd! What is Quality Road to duck? I am appauled with how much negative commentary was generated by both networks yesterday on this filly. Shame on them.

I'm 44 years old, and have been around horses for most of my life. I've seen some awesome horses in my lifetime, and have love and repect for them all.

Whether it was big brown running in the florida derby, or Specacular Bid in the preakness, or Personal Ensign against Winning Colors. Down thru the years we've had some great horses, and we'll have more tomorrow. But I'm grateful to watch this very exciting, and dominant filly.

I think maybe that's part of what makes every so gitty over this filly. She destroys filly's and dominates males! I can't think of another one like her in my memory!

OH I almost forgot....

Just as you guys forget how great RA was, I'll take care of your longing for a great filly, her name is Sweet Silent Storm She's mine, and will take over the racing world in 2012!!

Theo

[Joltman]

How can you not be a fan of RA?

BUT, I think she is going to have her hands full with those guys tomorrow. Thev've all run Beyers over 100 and are battle tested. At some point, I've got to believe that RA will not come up to a race 100% and, like Zenyatta, could be vulnerable. These guys will give her a run for all she's worth. I hope she is successful but I have my doubts.

jm

[photofinish]

Interesting thread. I have just recently come to realize there is a small group of "horse/connections" groupies out there. I always knew the tracks had the small knot of buckle-bunny types for jockeys, but I am only now seeing the "fan" thing. Call me jaded, I am. Not quite cynical, but realisticaly grounded enough to be considered a borderline cynic. I cannot grasp the whole "fan" thing. I don't "get it" in movie stars or horses or any other athletes. I have watched a few people that I know, firsthand, are stone drunks/druggies be diefied by the press for having a nice horse (NOT the RA connections, either). Bless 'em anyhow, the industry doesn't need the bad press of the truth and they don't affect my life day to day, so WTH? Assmussen has an ego the size of his homestate, but he may have earned the "right" to be an arrogant jerk off camera - he wins lots of races and is a lifetime horseman, he has paid his dues I reckon. *shrug*

All that being said, I go out of my way to watch Rachel Alexandra run if I possibly can. The damn horse astounds me, esp. after today. I did the same with Curlin. I had boundless respect for Skip Away when he ran. Personal Ensign was special to watch in the early yrs of my adulthood. I would not walk across the street to feed any one of them a carrot. I get more satisfaction feeding one of the $5,000 claimners in my own barn a carrot. But I do so love to watch a brilliant horse run and feel, on that rarest of rare occassions, that I saw history being made as it happened.

Bless the diehard "fans". I sure as heck don't "get it", but I dang sure appreciate it as the last bastion of hope for our fading industry.

[winds]

Heck, it took Seattle Slew getting beat in the Jockey Club Gold Cup for me to be a believer, up in till then I didn't think he beat anything. Funny about our perceptions isn't it.

Yesterday, showing the guts and determination after posting the fractions she had, Rachel made a believer out of me, in fact, she's bumped Ruffian in my mind. She's done things Ruffian didn't do, beat males and now beat older males..............

winds

[Sysonby]

Personal opinion here...the ESPN guys were salivating at the chance to show Rachel in the Travers and they were peeved because Jackson didn't play along. I cannot believe for a moment that they thought the Travers was the tougher race or the more historic moment. ESPN made a calculated gamble and didn't have the Woodward on its schedule. Boo hoo. They missed a corker of a race and one of the fabulous unscripted sports moments when a huge crowd chants the champion's name.

Ra-chel! Ra-chel!

Get back to me when there is another horse this year who gets that honor.

[zinn21]

What a filly.. Most horses going a half in 46 and change going a mile and an eighth at Saratoga can barely 2 minute lick the last eighth mile. Thought she was beat at the eighth pole. Borel was sticking her right handed and she wasn't happy about it. Once he switched back to his left hand she dug in and held off the Macho man. Hell of a race.

Would love to see her and Big Z meet in the Beldame but I really think they will put Rachel away for the rest of the year. They have squeezed her about dry. She needs a rest..

[Fair Play]

No, its just RA is starting to get boring. Same thing, people think that they know that horse and where it should run. Not like there are other horses that run too. I mean really how many posts have to start with RA?
Karen

If there was Internet when Secretariat was winning, would you find him boring too? Perhaps you need a new pastime?

The excitement of seeing any horse go 8 for 8 is inspiring. Remember Cigar's streak? Dance Smartly's? The filly in New Mexico? The luck, skill, horsemanship, and talent to put together any streak is something rare and special. Post on fans. I will never get sick of info or chat on a Champion.