Rachel is Back!

[smeehan]

Here's a video of today's work, courtesy of NYRA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0L5k6wfGd8

[TJ]

Here's a video of today's work, courtesy of NYRA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0L5k6wfGd8

Hi Smeehan,
Thanks for posting that.....she looked great, couldn't wait to be turned loose. As a little comedy relief, this business is so tough. Everybody is always watching what the other guy is doing. Near the end of the video after they post her 5/8ths time on the screen, you see a white pony take off as the camera pans to the right to follow Rachel....keep looking to the right (on the other side of the rail) and you can see trainer Kieran McLaughlin keeping tabs on Rachel's work....he's the guy in the pink shirt taking a peek at his stopwatch as she went by:>) TJ

[smeehan]

Hi TJ,

Yup, I see what you mean. Stopwatch and all! Good catch!

[TJ]

Rachel Alexandra was on schedule this AM working 6 furlongs over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga. She completed the 3/4's in 1:12.96 breezing. TJ

[smeehan]

And here's the video of today's work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPXR-hfaoMA

[TJ]

And here's the video of today's work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPXR-hfaoMA

Hi Smeehan,
That work looked about as good as it gets, she was really stretching out at the wire.....take note at about the 5/8ths pole (shortly after the start of the work on the backside) she got a bit rank on Bridgmo (you can see her throw her head in the air, trying to release the hold Bridgmo had on her), but then she dropped her head and settled down and did what he asked of her. Thanks again for posting the work.....seeya next Monday:>) TJ

[Heidilady]

Only 9 days after her win in the Lady's Secret, Rachel was out this AM and worked a decent 5/8ths over the Oklahoma training track going in 1:02.45 breezing. Considering his usually work pattern with Rachel....this was a bit out of the ordinary.....first she went 5/8th's (usually she would go a slow 1/2) and second she went at a decent clip. In my book, it signals Rachel is in splendid condition following the Lady's Secret and they will step up the tempo to prepare her for her first attempt going 1 1/4 miles. TJ

Hope I didn't seem like a prat before by correcting the go on the Personal Ensign. It's caused drama before when folks get excited, then they don't make it. I'm excited to see her at the 1 1/4 so definitely looking forward to the race now that they've declared themselves probables. I like Life At Ten, but obviously I hope Rachel schools them all. I really loved RA's last work. Apparently she was so strong that doing the work the normal way would've made her unmanageable because she'd be so full of herself--they couldn't be as easy at the beginning of it. They had to let her do more.

[TJ]

Only 9 days after her win in the Lady's Secret, Rachel was out this AM and worked a decent 5/8ths over the Oklahoma training track going in 1:02.45 breezing. Considering his usually work pattern with Rachel....this was a bit out of the ordinary.....first she went 5/8th's (usually she would go a slow 1/2) and second she went at a decent clip. In my book, it signals Rachel is in splendid condition following the Lady's Secret and they will step up the tempo to prepare her for her first attempt going 1 1/4 miles. TJ

Hope I didn't seem like a prat before by correcting the go on the Personal Ensign. It's caused drama before when folks get excited, then they don't make it. I'm excited to see her at the 1 1/4 so definitely looking forward to the race now that they've declared themselves probables. I like Life At Ten, but obviously I hope Rachel schools them all. I really loved RA's last work. Apparently she was so strong that doing the work the normal way would've made her unmanageable because she'd be so full of herself--they couldn't be as easy at the beginning of it. They had to let her do more.

Hi Heidi,
Not at all, glad you made the correction.....if she didn't make this dance, something wouldn't be right. Thanks to Smeehan posting the video's of the works we can see all is well with her. It's starting to get interesting now, let's see what tomorrow brings, I would expect Rachel to post a major work for the Personal Ensign to be run 2 weeks from today. Life at Ten has a great record and she will make Rachel know she was in a horse race....but there are a host of other nice fillies and mares nominated to the Personal Ensign: TJ
THE PERSONAL ENSIGN INVITATIONAL $300,000 (Grade I)
(Up to $41,000 NYSBFOA)
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD By invitation only with no subscription fees. The purse to be divided 60% to the
winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among remaining finishers. Selection of fourteen (14) invitees by
Saturday, August 14. Acceptance to participate in the Personal Ensign by Saturday, August 21. Any original invitee that declines to participate can be
replaced by one from and alternate list. Altenate list Monday, August 23. Three year olds, 116 lbs.; Older, 122 lbs. Non-winners of a Grade 1 twice since
August, 2009 allowed 2 lbs.; a Grade 1 in 2010, 4 lbs.; a Grade 2 in 2010, 6 lbs. Entry of original invitee and or alternate will be at the normal time of
closing. Trophies will be presented to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.
ONE MILE AND ONE QUARTER
TO BE RUN SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2010

CLASSOFSIXTYTHREE Lee Pokoik Gary C. Contessa b.f.4
DEVIL MAY CARE Glencrest Farm Todd A. Pletcher b.f.3
FLOATING HEART Michael B. Tabor Todd A. Pletcher dk b/.f.4
FUNNY MOON Mrs. C. Wilson McNeely, III Christophe Clement ch.f.4
LIFE AT TEN Candy DeBartolo Todd A. Pletcher ch.m.5
MALIBU PRAYER Edward P. Evans Todd A. Pletcher b.f.4
MILWAUKEE APPEAL Eugene George Scott H. Fairlie b.f.4
MISS SINGHSIX (IRE) Team Valor International Martin D. Wolfson ch.m.5
PERSISTENTLY Phipps Stable Claude R. McGaughey III ch.f.4
QUEEN MARTHA Robert Trussell Patrick L. Biancone b.f.4
RACHEL ALEXANDRA Stonestreet Stables Steven M. Asmussen b.f.4
RINTERVAL (IRE) Jerry Jamgotchian Eric R. Reed ch.m.5
UNRIVALED BELLE Peter Vegso William I. Mott gr/ro.f.4
WYNNING RIDE Arnold Zetcher Bob Baffert ch.f.4

[Heidilady]

Only 9 days after her win in the Lady's Secret, Rachel was out this AM and worked a decent 5/8ths over the Oklahoma training track going in 1:02.45 breezing. Considering his usually work pattern with Rachel....this was a bit out of the ordinary.....first she went 5/8th's (usually she would go a slow 1/2) and second she went at a decent clip. In my book, it signals Rachel is in splendid condition following the Lady's Secret and they will step up the tempo to prepare her for her first attempt going 1 1/4 miles. TJ

Hope I didn't seem like a prat before by correcting the go on the Personal Ensign. It's caused drama before when folks get excited, then they don't make it. I'm excited to see her at the 1 1/4 so definitely looking forward to the race now that they've declared themselves probables. I like Life At Ten, but obviously I hope Rachel schools them all. I really loved RA's last work. Apparently she was so strong that doing the work the normal way would've made her unmanageable because she'd be so full of herself--they couldn't be as easy at the beginning of it. They had to let her do more.

Hi Heidi,
Not at all, glad you made the correction.....if she didn't make this dance, something wouldn't be right. Thanks to Smeehan posting the video's of the works we can see all is well with her. It's starting to get interesting now, let's see what tomorrow brings, I would expect Rachel to post a major work for the Personal Ensign to be run 2 weeks from today. Life at Ten has a great record and she will make Rachel know she was in a horse race....but there are a host of other nice fillies and mares nominated to the Personal Ensign: TJ
THE PERSONAL ENSIGN INVITATIONAL $300,000 (Grade I)
(Up to $41,000 NYSBFOA)
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD By invitation only with no subscription fees. The purse to be divided 60% to the
winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among remaining finishers. Selection of fourteen (14) invitees by
Saturday, August 14. Acceptance to participate in the Personal Ensign by Saturday, August 21. Any original invitee that declines to participate can be
replaced by one from and alternate list. Altenate list Monday, August 23. Three year olds, 116 lbs.; Older, 122 lbs. Non-winners of a Grade 1 twice since
August, 2009 allowed 2 lbs.; a Grade 1 in 2010, 4 lbs.; a Grade 2 in 2010, 6 lbs. Entry of original invitee and or alternate will be at the normal time of
closing. Trophies will be presented to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.
ONE MILE AND ONE QUARTER
TO BE RUN SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2010

CLASSOFSIXTYTHREE Lee Pokoik Gary C. Contessa b.f.4
DEVIL MAY CARE Glencrest Farm Todd A. Pletcher b.f.3
FLOATING HEART Michael B. Tabor Todd A. Pletcher dk b/.f.4
FUNNY MOON Mrs. C. Wilson McNeely, III Christophe Clement ch.f.4
LIFE AT TEN Candy DeBartolo Todd A. Pletcher ch.m.5
MALIBU PRAYER Edward P. Evans Todd A. Pletcher b.f.4
MILWAUKEE APPEAL Eugene George Scott H. Fairlie b.f.4
MISS SINGHSIX (IRE) Team Valor International Martin D. Wolfson ch.m.5
PERSISTENTLY Phipps Stable Claude R. McGaughey III ch.f.4
QUEEN MARTHA Robert Trussell Patrick L. Biancone b.f.4
RACHEL ALEXANDRA Stonestreet Stables Steven M. Asmussen b.f.4
RINTERVAL (IRE) Jerry Jamgotchian Eric R. Reed ch.m.5
UNRIVALED BELLE Peter Vegso William I. Mott gr/ro.f.4
WYNNING RIDE Arnold Zetcher Bob Baffert ch.f.4

Devil May Care's in the Alabama so she's out--she'd also be the only 3yo and why take on older mares now so that makes sense she'd rather go against Blind Luck, not that that is an easy task. I'm trying to figure out who else is otherwise committed or the timing doesn't work.

[TJ]

Rachel breezed 3/4's over the fast main Saratoga strip this AM going 1:13.24. TJ

[TJ]

Only 9 days after her win in the Lady's Secret, Rachel was out this AM and worked a decent 5/8ths over the Oklahoma training track going in 1:02.45 breezing. Considering his usually work pattern with Rachel....this was a bit out of the ordinary.....first she went 5/8th's (usually she would go a slow 1/2) and second she went at a decent clip. In my book, it signals Rachel is in splendid condition following the Lady's Secret and they will step up the tempo to prepare her for her first attempt going 1 1/4 miles. TJ

Hope I didn't seem like a prat before by correcting the go on the Personal Ensign. It's caused drama before when folks get excited, then they don't make it. I'm excited to see her at the 1 1/4 so definitely looking forward to the race now that they've declared themselves probables. I like Life At Ten, but obviously I hope Rachel schools them all. I really loved RA's last work. Apparently she was so strong that doing the work the normal way would've made her unmanageable because she'd be so full of herself--they couldn't be as easy at the beginning of it. They had to let her do more.

Hi Heidi,
Not at all, glad you made the correction.....if she didn't make this dance, something wouldn't be right. Thanks to Smeehan posting the video's of the works we can see all is well with her. It's starting to get interesting now, let's see what tomorrow brings, I would expect Rachel to post a major work for the Personal Ensign to be run 2 weeks from today. Life at Ten has a great record and she will make Rachel know she was in a horse race....but there are a host of other nice fillies and mares nominated to the Personal Ensign: TJ
THE PERSONAL ENSIGN INVITATIONAL $300,000 (Grade I)
(Up to $41,000 NYSBFOA)
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD By invitation only with no subscription fees. The purse to be divided 60% to the
winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among remaining finishers. Selection of fourteen (14) invitees by
Saturday, August 14. Acceptance to participate in the Personal Ensign by Saturday, August 21. Any original invitee that declines to participate can be
replaced by one from and alternate list. Altenate list Monday, August 23. Three year olds, 116 lbs.; Older, 122 lbs. Non-winners of a Grade 1 twice since
August, 2009 allowed 2 lbs.; a Grade 1 in 2010, 4 lbs.; a Grade 2 in 2010, 6 lbs. Entry of original invitee and or alternate will be at the normal time of
closing. Trophies will be presented to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.
ONE MILE AND ONE QUARTER
TO BE RUN SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2010

CLASSOFSIXTYTHREE Lee Pokoik Gary C. Contessa b.f.4
DEVIL MAY CARE Glencrest Farm Todd A. Pletcher b.f.3
FLOATING HEART Michael B. Tabor Todd A. Pletcher dk b/.f.4
FUNNY MOON Mrs. C. Wilson McNeely, III Christophe Clement ch.f.4
LIFE AT TEN Candy DeBartolo Todd A. Pletcher ch.m.5
MALIBU PRAYER Edward P. Evans Todd A. Pletcher b.f.4
MILWAUKEE APPEAL Eugene George Scott H. Fairlie b.f.4
MISS SINGHSIX (IRE) Team Valor International Martin D. Wolfson ch.m.5
PERSISTENTLY Phipps Stable Claude R. McGaughey III ch.f.4
QUEEN MARTHA Robert Trussell Patrick L. Biancone b.f.4
RACHEL ALEXANDRA Stonestreet Stables Steven M. Asmussen b.f.4
RINTERVAL (IRE) Jerry Jamgotchian Eric R. Reed ch.m.5
UNRIVALED BELLE Peter Vegso William I. Mott gr/ro.f.4
WYNNING RIDE Arnold Zetcher Bob Baffert ch.f.4

Devil May Care's in the Alabama so she's out--she'd also be the only 3yo and why take on older mares now so that makes sense she'd rather go against Blind Luck, not that that is an easy task. I'm trying to figure out who else is otherwise committed or the timing doesn't work.

Hi Heidi,
Devil May care had to go in The Alabama, she's going for the 3YO Filly Triple Crown/Tiara which used to be held at Belmont....The Acorn, The Mother Goose and the Coaching Club American Oaks....we had all time greats win it and only 8 were able to do so, Dark Mirage, Shuvee, Chris Evert, Ruffian, Davonna Dale, Mom's Command, Open Mind and Sky Beauty being the last in 1993. Unfortunatley they changed it all around, threw out the Acorn and use The Mother Goose, CCAO's and The Alabama....not sure but I think there may be a bonus involved, also don't believe any horse has been able to win all three since the change? Outside of her defecting, the timing for all nominated is OK and there's no reason for any of the others not to try Rachel....they have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Rachel tries a mile and a quarter for the first time and after all it is Saratoga, graveyard of the favorites. I think Pletcher has as good a chance with Malibu Moon who beat Unrivaled Belle in the Ruffian earlier in the month. The outcome of this race will be a good indicator as Unrivaled Belle ran well against Life at Ten as well as Malibu Moon, finishing a close 2nd. She beat Rachel....so the competition is probably the best distaffer's on the east coast. If Rachel can beat this field as well as turn the tables on Unrivaled Belle, then you know she has moved well forward from her first two starts of the year. TJ

[smeehan]

Hi TJ,

Here's the link from the 8/16 work. She is flying. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkZQF8wxB7I

[TJ]

Hi TJ,

Here's the link from the 8/16 work. She is flying. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkZQF8wxB7I

Hi Smeehan,
Thanks, She really seems to be back to her old self.....she galloped out awful strong, doesn't look like the 1 1/4 will be an issue, but you never know for sure till she gets into no man's land at crunch time. TJ

[TJ]

Rachel Alexandra had her first off track breeze since June 28th at CD. She worked a 1/2 mile over the muddy Oklahoma training track in 48.89 breezing. TJ

[diomed]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z9hCbgubzU
Video of today's work along with an interview with Assmussen.
Crappy quality though.
Wish they could have recorded from the same vantage point as Saturday's gallop. Sigh. Oh, well....It's better than nothing.