Jess Jackson is ducking the big mare

[majxmom]

I saw what Shammy saw. Until they hit the far turn Calvin was water skiing on RA's back. I don't think she was short, I think she was mentally unready to race. She did not relax, and all that energy Calvin took out of her holding her back was energy she did not have to fight off Zardana. We didn't see RA's best race, but there was nothing wrong with her fitness.

That's a very good point. I think that is a good analysis. Also, she was on the inside and sometimes that can be intimidating. HOWEVER, Zenyatta gave up 12-16 pounds in her race. I still think Rachel's connections were looking for any excuse not to face Queen Z. Duck, duck, QUACK!!

[BenB]

I do not think they duck.

Rachel will not win the race (AB) with her normal racing style, but they
cannot change it without repercussions, as shown.

So they decided to quit at this stage, however if she was good enough the match would have taken place.

[reenci]

i also noticed mike smith looking down at Zenyattas leg ..more likely hoof....she probably grabbed herself alittle....my heart sank when i saw smith looking there........have not heard anything since, so all must be well....horses are always dinging themselves one way or another. you just have to own just one to understand that. ....another point...."HASKIN" from the daily racing form just might have a very valid point..RA might not be the same horse....the last slow work ...head turned during different points in race...all these little things are the horse "talking" to you and telling you something....what the horse is saying at this point is debatable....anyone's guess is as good as mine ....but it's not positive thats for sure.

[Shammy Davis]

This thread is getting pretty interesting. Majxmom thought it would be flagged but now that civility has become rule alot of good information is being passed.

It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out.

As an aside, I was thinking about what a match-up between Z and RA would look like. After watching Z bump and jump in the stretch at SA because of traffic, a future race w/numerous entries could get complicated. RA could get on the lead and Z, even with her come from behind kick could have real difficulty.

It is like rolling dice.

[Dave C]

RA has shown herself to be rateable, sitting off the lead, in the past. Perhaps she was too anxious to compete in the NO Ladies after being on the sidelines for so long. But you are correct if RA made the lead and kicked free at the head of the lane, it would be interesting to see Z try to steamroll her.

[reenci]

RA has shown herself to be rateable, sitting off the lead, in the past. Perhaps she was too anxious to compete in the NO Ladies after being on the sidelines for so long. But you are correct if RA made the lead and kicked free at the head of the lane, it would be interesting to see Z try to steamroll her.

my guess after seeing Z run in all her races......she only needs 3/16ths of a mile to inhale her and turn her{RA}INTO SMOKE.....this mare is
I.N.C.R.E.D.I.B.L.E......open your eyes people.. she pounced on the breederscup field....what is she going to do to RA.....who "last year" beat a suspect woodward field.....barley..........open them peeper's people.

[Hold Your Peace]

"The White Jesse Jackson" moniker came into effect after the "The Black Jesse Jackson" became a leader (for a very short time) of that joke of an organization called "The Jockey's Guild".

Indian Charlie picked up on that and still likes to call Jess Jackson "The White Jesse Jackson".

The only offensive thing about any of this was "The Black Jesse Jackson" being named a leader of The Jockey's Guild for a time.

[wilf]

Hi FOS, SHAMMY, ETC, I have been hauling horses up north without sleep which is not a good idea but I have just logged in and am laughing at this thread. I will make this quick ,firstly I am surprised that Danzig is still able to post as he is prone to make asinine comments after he returns from the pub and makes little sense and is often offensive . Secondly I will not engage in banter against either of these fantastic racehorses as they are both responsible for an upswing in public interest in racing which is sadly lacking as you all are aware. Thirdly Zenyatta is in the hands of the most underrated trainer in modern times, and her stable mate is a monster in the making. Thirdly ,the incredible Rachel is having problems and to me seems unable to do her best. A close friend and impartial judge described her last two works as "unimpressive". If team Rachel can bring her back up to her best than we may be in for more great racing ,but as you all knowthis sport can humble even the best of us. I am off to bed ,goodnight!

[tbrace]

Be serious. RA is a good mare. She is not in the class with Zenyatta.

If Z had been an East Coast horse and RA had been based in the West,

Z would be Horse of the Year.

What more does she need to do to prove that to people? Did you see her last race? Those are G1 horses and she just played with them. RA ran second to an arguably lesser field. Not ready? Excuses come easy.

As for Jess Jackson, he should try to buy Zenyatta as he did Curlin, etc.

He would then have the HOY.

[Shammy Davis]

tbrace posted:

Be serious. . .

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm always serious.

[Shammy Davis]

Here is a pedigree analyst making a comparision of RA to RUFFIAN.

http://www.thoroughbredadvisor.com/pedi ... month.aspx

[zinn21]

I think it's a huge stretch to mention RA in the same breath as Ruffian. I don't think Zardana could warm up Ruffian.

RA's 09 campaign was perfectly managed. After she won by 18 she was crowned the next great horse. She then beat the boys in the Preakness which added to her legend. She ran the table in her remaining races then was removed from the Classic with JJ claiming he wouldn't run her on any "phony tracks" The powers that be voted her HOY, employing a blind eye in assessing her competition quality and denial over an undefeated mare who crushed the best horses in training in the Classic.

Six months and one race later her legend and brilliantly managed 09 campaign received a reality check when a Grade II mare from the same barn as Zenyatta defeated her..

In any other instance, RA would be a well deserved HOY. Unfortunately a very unique circumstance occurred when HOY voters chose to dismiss Zenyatta's undefeated 09 campaign, culminating with an overpowering performance against a top notch field in the Classic.

[majxmom]

I like all your points, zinn. My only objection might be that I don't really think that the 2009 Classic was a top-notch field any more than Rachel's races had top-notch horses. Other than Zenyatta and Rachel, right now there seems to be a dearth of really good horses to me.

I especially liked what you said about Ruffian. I would want to think carefully before I compared any horse to Ruffian, because she was basically never headed in a race until her leg snapped off. Zenyatta might be a perfect 15-for-15 (and, yeah!), but never having any horse beat you to any pole is whole 'nuther level.

[tbrace]

New Orleans management quoted in TB Times saying they made arrangements to create the race for RA with Assmussen and Jackson last August.

Guess Steve doesn't know how to get one ready in 8 months.

100 Beyer and she's "not ready". Come on.

These people are embarrassing themselves. They got beat by a second tier horse. Admit. Move on.

Running style, etc.,? -- give me a break. The mare got beat.

[diomed]

You need to give it a rest. That was a week ago time to concentrate on the Derby. Rachel won't race again until May or later anyways.