Asmussen: No Rachel for Blossom

[Smooth Operator]

Please, hoovesupsideyourhead

For the 63rd time, RA didn't face much last year.

Z's the one which took on "all comers" … including a couple high-quality Euros … and dusted them in the BCC.

RA would've been another also-ran in that championship contest.


SB is probably a better 10f runner than RA.

QR will drill RA this summer … unless they duck him too…

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by Smooth Operator

Please, hoovesupsideyourhead

For the 63rd time, RA didn't face much last year.

Z's the one which took on "all comers" … including a couple high-quality Euros … and dusted them in the BCC.

RA would've been another also-ran in that championship contest.


SB is probably a better 10f runner than RA.

QR will drill RA this summer … unless they duck him too…

yup , she did very well at CD by scratching

[slotdirt]

That wittle muddy twack would have hurt poor Zenyatta's delicate hooves!

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by kgar311

How am I handling it? I would say I couldnt be happier with the race Rachel ran. I along with everyone else knew she was short for that race. She gains 150lbs, is off 6 months and is probably 50% fit going into the race. Zardana had been racing all along and probably peaked in that race and Rachel ran into a buzz saw and still only lost by a length. Id like to see Zardana in a couple months and she wouldn't even be able to see Rachel at the finish line. As far a Zenyatta goes, I still cant wait till the meet up and Rachel is at 100%, it wont even be a contest. Rachel doesnt lose again for the rest of the year guaranteed!!!

I bet she doesnt race again period. Put a fork in her she's done, those 3yo triple crown races cooked her.

[prudery]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

That wittle muddy twack would have hurt poor Zenyatta's delicate hooves!

It wasn't the muddy track--it was the objection to a sealed track for safety reasons in her first race back when fresh...

Did you notice the carnage at Delta yesterday from the sealed track that led to multiple accidents ???

Just because it didn't happen at Churchill THAT day does not remove the ob jection .

And how about Jackson objecting to the unsafe synthetic track for reasons of opting out of the BC ???

For the thousandth time--Shireffs would have run on a harrowed/floated track, but not a sealed track-- they sealed it . He said that pre-race in an interview on TVG...

It wasn't the mud, it was the track preparation ...

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by prudery

It wasn't the muddy track--it was the objection to a sealed track for safety reasons in her first race back when fresh...

Did you notice the carnage at Delta yesterday from the sealed track that led to multiple accidents ???

Just because it didn't happen at Churchill THAT day does not remove the ob jection .

And how about Jackson objecting to the unsafe synthetic track for reasons of opting out of the BC ???

For the thousandth time--Shireffs would have run on a harrowed/floated track, but not a sealed track-- they sealed it . He said that pre-race in an interview on TVG...

It wasn't the mud, it was the track preparation ...

Yet Ian Wilkes, one of the most careful and conservative horsemen in the game, trained the winner of the race Zenyatta scratched from.

NT

[prudery]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Yet Ian Wilkes, one of the most careful and conservative horsemen in the game, trained the winner of the race Zenyatta scratched from.

NT

And there were NO breakdowns at the BC unsafe surface either--and I am sure some of the trainers there were conservative as well, and chose to run ... .

Shireffs chose not to run on a sealed track--Wilkes did not ...

Was Wilke's horse first off a layoff of 7 months and first time over the track as well ???

Wilkes chose to run--conservative or not, and Shireffs for the aforementioned reasons did not .

Shireffs did not ship his mare acrosss the country for frequent flyer miles--but you can believe what you wish ...

I fail to see anything conclusive in your " point " ...

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by prudery

And there were NO breakdowns at the BC unsafe surface either--and I am sure some of the trainers there were conservative as well, and chose to run ... .

Shireffs chose not to run on a sealed track--Wilkes did not ...

Was Wilke's horse first off a layoff of 7 months and first time over the track as well ???

Wilkes chose to run--conservative or not, and Shireffs for the aforementioned reasons did not .

Shireffs did not ship his mare acrosss the country for frequent flyer miles--but you can believe what you wish ...

I fail to see anything conclusive in your " point " ...

My "point" is that the whole argument about that race is dumb. The problem is Zenyatta fans have taken on the stance that she had a phenomenally gallant campaign in 2009 where she took on all comers, left no doubt about her superiority and tackled truly unique obstacles. That's not accurate whatsoever.

More importantly, I don't know why I posted because 2009 is done. The sour grapes from anyone associated with Zenyatta not getting HOTY can be cured in 2010. I hope they do everything they can to leave no doubt about her being the best horse in the country this year.

NT

[prudery]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

My "point" is that the whole argument about that race is dumb. The problem is Zenyatta fans have taken on the stance that she had a phenomenally gallant campaign in 2009 where she took on all comers, left no doubt about her superiority and tackled truly unique obstacles. That's not accurate whatsoever.

More importantly, I don't know why I posted because 2009 is done. The sour grapes from anyone associated with Zenyatta not getting HOTY can be cured in 2010. I hope they do everything they can to leave no doubt about her being the best horse in the country this year.

NT

No sir--I said NOTHING about Zenyatta's 2009 campaign --good or bad ..

I have no sour grapes and I recognize that it is a new year...

I merely stated the reason she was scratched--do not lump me into generalities and things I have not expressed ...

I do however, share your view that Zenyatta needs a more contentious campaign THIS year, and I hope she gets this showcase .

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

That wittle muddy twack would have hurt poor Zenyatta's delicate hooves!

z's connections were fearful that RA would run a monster race later on the card in the Oaks and it would overshadow Z's debut. They saw enough that they never left SoCal again.

[cannonman]

Point of the matter, counselor, seems to be that if you percieve/predict Rachel would hold off Z at nine furlongs, on any surface, at any track, is pure lunacy. Bulletin....Z better on dirt............. and unbeatable on turf!

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by cannonman

Point of the matter, counselor, seems to be that if you percieve/predict Rachel would hold off Z at nine furlongs, on any surface, at any track, is pure lunacy. Bulletin....Z better on dirt............. and unbeatable on turf!

I assume that is your group opinion?

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I assume that is your group opinion?

"It's cheaper than a movie, and there's free coffee."

[letswastemoney]

Originally Posted by cannonman

Point of the matter, counselor, seems to be that if you percieve/predict Rachel would hold off Z at nine furlongs, on any surface, at any track, is pure lunacy. Bulletin....Z better on dirt............. and unbeatable on turf!

If it were Fairplex, most handicappers would take Rachel!

Certain tracks favor Zenyatta. Certain tracks favor Rachel. No horse is unbeatable at every track though.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I laugh when people say this is "good for racing". If these decrepit old misers took 30 minutes to go on Youtube and punched in "Alysheba Bet Twice", "Alysheba Ferdinand", "Sunday Silence Easy Goer", or "Skip Away Formal Gold" or even "Silver Charm Free House" they'd see how much overwrought fanfare they've brought on for a mere baby step in the realm of sportsmanship.

A curse on both their stables.

I was a fan and a witness for most of those match ups. I realize that current event accomplishments real time often seem to pale in comparison to accomplishments by achievers of yore. Time heals wounds, and time helps good stories ferment, develop and gain traction in acceptance.

I think the Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra stories and races of 2009 and 2010 certainly deserve more than mention in the names you reference, and others. And trump some of them.

Again, I have great respect for Rachel Alexandra and have enjoyed her career. I just don't think the Rachel Alexandra connections played their cards as well and managed their filly as well as the Zenyatta connections managed their unique and great mare.

[westcoastinvader]

..zen is a nice horse also and deserves most of the accolades she gets . but make no mistake r.a. when right would be accross the finishline before her. in any number of types and distances. zen beat up on also rans in most of her crushing victorys. and most all in her cozy home track. r.a whipped ass on all comers for more time at more places and any gender.. just know that


Kudos for being the first in a long time to label anything in metro Los Angeles as "cozy."

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

I think the Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra stories and races of 2009 and 2010 certainly deserve more than mention in the names you reference, and others. And trump some of them.

The point was that all those pairings mentioned faced each other multiple times with merely an iota of the press these two horses have received for a matchup that still has yet to take place.

Again, I have great respect for Rachel Alexandra and have enjoyed her career. I just don't think the Rachel Alexandra connections played their cards as well and managed their filly as well as the Zenyatta connections managed their unique and great mare.

Rachel Alexandra's legacy will likely pay the price for Zenyatta coming out of "retirement" and getting another streamlined campaigned with the main focus maintaining an unbeaten record as opposed to taking on all-comers. Zenyatta seems poised to maintain her form whereas Rachel Alexandra appears hard-pressed to find her 3yo form, not to mention any improved form related to maturity.

It's ironic that you suggest that Rachel Alexandra's camp somehow mismanaged their filly. Her 2009 season was clearly one of the greatest campaigns for a 3yo filly of all time. Unfortunately, it appears as though that campaign has gutted her in much the same way that fillies like Silverbulletday, Winning Colors, and Genuine Risk were gutted.

Of course, Zenyatta supporters will turn a blind eye to this probability, equating the 3yo Rachel Alexandra with the 4yo version. Sadly, that group must rely on Rachel Alexandra failing this season to be able to trump up their own heroine, who, ironically, has few real noteworthy accomplishments herself, save one.

As far as Zenyatta is concerned, make no mistake, being "managed well" has more to do with what races you don't run in, not what races you do.

Yes, the Moss's and the Shirreffs have pulled off an amazing stunt; they have created the illusion that Zenyatta is unbeatable. And it is the main blight on her career.

[zippyneedsawin]

Originally Posted by 2Hot4TV

[/b]
I bet she doesnt race again period. Put a fork in her she's done, those 3yo triple crown races cooked her.

I think we'll see RA race again by Derby Day.

[Smooth Operator]

Originally Posted by 2Hot4TV

I bet she doesnt race again period. Put a fork in her she's done, those 3yo triple crown races cooked her.

Actually it was the Woodward that "cooked her".

She doesn't ever want to feel that burn again … lol



OVERRATED … and skeered of Big Mama Z

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

I was a fan and a witness for most of those match ups. I realize that current event accomplishments real time often seem to pale in comparison to accomplishments by achievers of yore. Time heals wounds, and time helps good stories ferment, develop and gain traction in acceptance.

I think the Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra stories and races of 2009 and 2010 certainly deserve more than mention in the names you reference, and others. And trump some of them.

Again, I have great respect for Rachel Alexandra and have enjoyed her career. I just don't think the Rachel Alexandra connections played their cards as well and managed their filly as well as the Zenyatta connections managed their unique and great mare.

I respectfully disagree, I think Rachel winning the Haskell, Preakness and Woodward over males is more exciting and better management then staying in one state and taking on the same terrible fillies & racing in the BCC on your home course against a field of horses who most were question marks on the Pro Ride..

BCC was a great win and a great day, but there is no doubt that Rachels year was much better managed and was much better overall.

This year could obviously be different.. and if Moss and crew decide to run Zenyatta out of Cali it will be great. Of course Rachel could come back as strong as she was last year too.. people are making way too big of deal of one race off a long layoff where Rachel actually ran okay.