a nice, friendly thread about the races this weekend!

[RuffianT21]

Zenyatta was uber-impressive in the Santa Margarita. As usual, she beat no one, but as usual, it wasn't her fault there was no one to beat. Her time was good, and the way she did it was most impressive! I'm also happy to have another Zenyatta poster (free giveaways at Santa Anita!) for my wall.

I was disappointed that Rachel lost, but in no way do I think that she's any less of a horse. We knew she wasn't 100% fit going into the race. She has had a long break. She clearly didn't have her usual kick at the top of the stretch, but I was impressed by her stretch run. She was very game to hold off Zardana that long, and it was clear at the end that Calvin wrapped her up when he saw he wasn't going to win. Keep in mind they were ~10 lengths in front of 3rd place. Will she be fit enough for the Apple Blossom? I don't know. I would be sad, but not surprised, if Jackson bowed out. We'll see what happens, and at this point I wouldn't blame him either way. Train her another month and see where she's at.

Overall, they're both pretty great and I'm glad I'll get to see them race for another year!

[Discovery]

great post! Totally agree.

[bdw0617]

I knew rachael was going to lose. i was hoping (not hoping, betting ) she would not hit the board as i played the bridgejumpers. she's still rachael she is just way, way too short. everything about her, her trainer and just the whole orderal screammed short. i just didn't know who she'd lose to. i thought clear sailing.


i would expect she be much better if she ran in the AB but i don't think she will be "rachel" until june.

i have no problem with her running becuase that's how they do it everywhere else (Even here at lower levels) race them into shape.

but right now you are basically giving the race to Z.



man where did all this socal horse power come from?

[Sysonby]

man where did all this socal horse power come from?

Its always here. It just gets overlooked until someone hits the road.

[winds]

They both ran great races, RA just wasn't tight enough. This should put her forward for the AB. Z is just amazing, giving 12 to 19 lbs to the field, no matter that they weren't the best, and doing it from the 1/4 pole, wow!

winds

[KBEquine]

Per the Paulick Report, RA won't be running in the AB.

[FOS]

hi RuffianT21

...We knew she wasn't 100% fit going into the race.

Jockey Calvin Borel's assessment, going into the race, was apparently different than yours.

Earlier yesterday, before Rachel Alexandra's race, Calvin stated loud and clear "She wouldn't be running if Steve didn't have her ready." Calvin said we'll "let her do her thing and win easy, hands down you know, and not gut her too much." Calvin said "We all got together, me and Scott and Steve, and she's doing wonderful."

As for trainer Asmussen, it was clear that he not only believed RA was ready to win, but he expected her to win. After all, post race he said "If I thought she'd get beat I wouldn't have run her today." Subsequently, neither he nor Borel said anything to the press until they spoke together and determined what they would disseminate. Gotta get the story straight , after all, his and Calvin's credibility were at stake.

After the two talked, DRF reported Borel told Fairgrounds publicity the filly got tired. He was quoted as saying "She needed the race, that's all".

Per the DRF, that assessment was apparently echoed by Asmussen, who blamed himself for Rachel Alexandra's defeat. "The filly's lacking fitness," he said. "It was my job to have her there, and I didn't do it."

'The buck stops here' is such a handy script, don't ya think?

She was very game to hold off Zardana that long, and it was clear at the end that Calvin wrapped her up when he saw he wasn't going to win.

Seems like you've underdescribed what unfolded after they turned for home.

Reality is, Calvin really got into Rachel A haaaaaard down the lane...whipping and driving. He asked Rachel for everything she had. He tagged her left handed four times, hard...then switched the stick to his right hand, and continued to get into her another five times while still pushing and driving her very hard

Calvin asked Rachel for everything she had, but she couldn't hang with Zardana who started to edge away, widening the margin with every stride. Calvin was whipping/driving incessantly down the lane, but it became clear (apparently to Borel too) that Rachel A simply could not match, much less exceed, Zardana's effort. That's when Calvin packed it in, acknowledging that Zardana was too much for Rachel A.

Best to ya.

Respectfully

[reenci]

this was ZARDANA'S first win in N.A. on a dry track....on dirt....maybe we are all looking at this the wrong way..... ..can it be possible that ZARDANA is a much better horse than appears ? and RA LAST RACE IS NOT SO BAD...

[Danzig]

Per the DRF, that assessment was apparently echoed by Asmussen, who blamed himself for Rachel Alexandra's defeat. "The filly's lacking fitness," he said. "It was my job to have her there, and I didn't do it."

Interesting how EPO testing has been expanded within horse racing since the Fall of last year and all of a sudden RA gets beat by a second stringer.

[FOS]

hi reenci...hi Danzig

..can it be possible that ZARDANA is a much better horse than appears ?

The Zardana I saw appeared to be a VERY good one.

As for trainer Shirreffs, he may not have known for sure how Zardana might handle the surface and/or the distance etc etc; but I don't believe he would've shipped her to FG to run versus Rachel A if he didn't think she was worthy.

Bottom line, Zardana made one helluva statement. She apparently loved the track, loved the distance; was cool, calm, relaxed and plenty tenacious...and was simply too much for Rachel A to handle.

Per the DRF, that assessment was apparently echoed by Asmussen, who blamed himself for Rachel Alexandra's defeat. "The filly's lacking fitness," he said. "It was my job to have her there, and I didn't do it."

Interesting how EPO testing has been expanded within horse racing since the Fall of last year and all of a sudden RA gets beat by a second stringer.

Clearly he's come under fire/visited the stewards on more occasions than McDonalds sells hamburgers . Okay, maybe french fries .

Regardless...I don't underestimate Asmussen's ability/talent/skills as a trainer.

Respectfully

[oliverstoned]

Remember too that Hal Wiggins trained her when she won the Ky Oaks by 20.

[ageecee]

[quote="Danzig"][quote="FOS"]Per the DRF, that assessment was apparently echoed by Asmussen, who blamed himself for Rachel Alexandra's defeat. "The filly's lacking fitness," he said. "It was my job to have her there, and I didn't do it."
[/quote]

Interesting how EPO testing has been expanded within horse racing since the Fall of last year and all of a sudden RA gets beat by a second stringer.[/quote]





Steve doesnt use EPO.

[reenci]

i agree..i would be shocked and saddened if it came out that he did...he is a good horsemen....you dont win as many as he does and not be good...75 % or more of all trainers push the envelope ....let's be fair..