Now I see why Rachel Alexandra didn't run in Breeders Cup

jw · 03-14-10, 05:40 AM

Originally posted by BarkingToad

Having Mike Smith is enough of a handicap.

Amen.

**Brewers in 7** · 03-14-10, 07:07 AM

it was a awful ride by Smith on Zenyatta, i liked that he saved ground, rather see him do that on the turn then go 8 wide and lose a ton of ground but he couldve angeled out in the stretch, diving to the fence is never a good idea..

**robmpink** · 03-14-10, 12:44 PM

I think she will beat Zen when they run.

**BarkingToad** · 03-14-10, 05:00 PM

Originally posted by robmpink

I think she will beat Zen when they run.

Too bad Rachel's chickening out again.

**joeyp1222** · 03-14-10, 05:17 PM

they are not running anymore zenyetta will run in the blossom without rachael and no 5 million bucks

**EmpireMaker** · 03-14-10, 07:07 PM

Originally posted by BarkingToad

Even though Zenyatta can handle extra weight, I wish she would quit running in handicap races. Having Mike Smith is enough of a handicap. When will we finally drop the female part from "Best female ever".

Truer words were never spoken

**EmpireMaker** · 03-14-10, 07:08 PM

Smith gave a very poor ride yesterday.

**gtkid911** · 03-14-10, 07:17 PM

i didnt think it was that bad of a ride. He didnt want to expend too much energy so he decided to go inside. He never went to the whip once and i feel that its worked for this long, why change.

**BarkingToad** · 03-14-10, 07:42 PM

It's Smith's job to angle for a clear path for a great horse with a great late kick. I thought she was too far off the pace coming to the stretch and Smith did not find a clear path. Smith almost cost her a race last year, too. Zenyatta bailed him out again.

jw · 03-14-10, 08:28 PM

Its not the first time he has given her more to do than was necessary ... for someone who is supposed to be a "top jockey" he seems to have MORE than his fair share of poor rides.

**turfnsport** · 03-15-10, 12:06 AM

Originally posted by BarkingToad

She couldn't even handle Zenyatta's 3rd string stablemate in a 5 horse field. In fairness to Rachel, though, she did spot 2 pounds to Zardana. Oh yeah, Zenyatta spotted 16 pounds to the runner up, and that was with a bad trip and slow pace.

I think the six month layoff got to her more than the 2 pounds.

**Arsenal** · 03-15-10, 01:32 AM

I have this weird feeling that Rachel never runs again.

**gtkid911** · 03-15-10, 02:30 AM

Originally posted by Arsenal

I have this weird feeling that Rachel never runs again.

I wouldn't be suprised. I mean look at her three year old campaign. Nothing she runs can really top that, and to return to that top form would be take some serious time. This coming from Zenyatta fan who hopes that we will have race to show how mighty Zenyatta is.

**BigdaddyQH** · 03-15-10, 09:52 AM

Rachel's owners have backed out of a race against Zenyatta again. They have announced that Rachel will not run in the Apple Blossom on April 9th. And they voted these phonies "Horse of the Year?"

**BarkingToad** · 03-15-10, 08:15 PM

I've heard nothing but pathetic excuses from Rachel Alexandra people. If you know your filly has been in the barn since September, you know you're going to race her as a 4yr.old, and you know the likely 2010 debut races for your filly are in March, then why is she not fit and ready?

**robmpink** · 03-16-10, 05:19 AM

Originally posted by BarkingToad

It's Smith's job to angle for a clear path for a great horse with a great late kick. I thought she was too far off the pace coming to the stretch and Smith did not find a clear path. Smith almost cost her a race last year, too. Zenyatta bailed him out again.

I watched it on replay yesterday and I thought he slightly interfered with the horse on the rail when he made the cut.

**gtkid911** · 03-16-10, 07:17 AM

they would never ever ever take down Zenyatta in a race especially in California

**BarkingToad** · 03-16-10, 07:58 PM

Originally posted by robmpink

I watched it on replay yesterday and I thought he slightly interfered with the horse on the rail when he made the cut.

I'm sure you're just kidding, but as SHE was angling to the rail the runaway freight train easily cleared the horse when Zen got in the other horse's lane. It was a non event, far, far worse never gets called.

**Arsenal** · 03-16-10, 11:27 PM

No there was no interference there. Certainly nothing even close enough to warrant a disqualification.

**sq764** · 03-17-10, 08:35 AM

she got beat fair and square... had an easy trip and just wasnt good enough, period