What Was Rachel's Best '09 Race?

[randallscott35]

Wondering which race you felt was her best this year? Not an easy question. Much harder than HOY.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Wondering which race you felt was her best this year? Not an easy question. Much harder than HOY.

No..this is just as easy.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by VOL JACK

No..this is just as easy.

Really, not for me.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Really, not for me.

When you take into account who she beat and how easy she done it, I think the Haskell is a no brainer.... She crushed the best MALE dirt horse we have in the U.S.
Borel made the Woodward a very demanding race for her...He was afraid the big boys would race ride her and keep her pinned down inside if he tried to rate her...so he sent her.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by VOL JACK

When you take into account who she beat and how easy she done it, I think the Haskell is a no brainer.... She crushed the best MALE dirt horse we have in the U.S.
Borel made the Woodward a very demanding race for her...He was afraid the big boys would race ride her and keep her pinned down inside if he tried to rate her...so he sent her.

To me, the Moment of the Year was when Rachel, Summer Bird and Munnings got to the top of the stretch and Rachel absolutely broke their hearts.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

To me, the Moment of the Year was when Rachel, Summer Bird and Munnings got to the top of the stretch and Rachel absolutely broke their hearts.

I agree...Only race all year that made my mouth drop open.

[Travis Stone]

To run on the engine with fast fractions and a contentious pace, then subsequently put away each and every speed horse as they wilt backwards and then fend-off a legit closer who had the race tailormade for him is pretty extraordinary. Woodward hands down.

[randallscott35]

I voted for the Haskell myself.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

I voted for the Haskell myself.

Same here. That was a tour de force.

[Gander]

I voted for the Kentucky Oaks, not caring about the quality behind her. I think that was bar none her best performance and she probably would have dusted any horse in training that day.

[VOL JACK]

I think they could have some fun with her races next year.
I would love to see her in the Met Mile.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

To run on the engine with fast fractions and a contentious pace, then subsequently put away each and every speed horse as they wilt backwards and then fend-off a legit closer who had the race tailormade for him is pretty extraordinary. Woodward hands down.

A very strong argument, but I voted for the Haskell because RA had to pass Summer Bird during the race.

[robfla]

I picked the Preakness because thats the race that I won the most $$ with her on. However, it was probably her 2nd best race next to the Woodward as Travis explained.

[10 pnt move up]

Beating Mine That Bird and Musketman on a clear lead does little for me, its nice but if she was a male horse everyone would have thought "nice win"

It was a better effort in the Woodward because the race dynamics were more difficult and even though Macho Again is not much horse he drowns the likes of Mine That Bird.

[zippyneedsawin]

Originally Posted by robfla

I picked the Preakness because thats the race that I won the most $$ with her on. However, it was probably her 2nd best race next to the Woodward as Travis explained.

I'll second that... on both counts.

[CSC]

Preakness for me, for the simple reason that it was one of the few races this year that you can actually say the result was in doubt before the gate opened.

[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

To run on the engine with fast fractions and a contentious pace, then subsequently put away each and every speed horse as they wilt backwards and then fend-off a legit closer who had the race tailormade for him is pretty extraordinary. Woodward hands down.

i agree, they threw everything at her to make her stop and she didn't. great horses win when the going is tough. forget about those 20 length romps against inferior horses. when it was on the line this horse showed tremendous class. face it, that whole field was focused on beating her and they were all older too. she fought it off like the champions do.