Hints of Ruffian, But Not Quite.

Hints of Ruffian, but Rachel Is Different

By COURTNEY HARTNETT

As the dark, spindly silhouette that was Rachel Alexandra strode into the gate at Pimlico this May, racing fans in the grandstand and at home on living room sofas were reminded of the champion filly Ruffian of the late 1970s. The Medaglia d’Oro daughter’s streamlined face, dignified bend at the poll, and snappy, self-assured stride radiated success, potential greatness, even. The best horse that Calvin Borel had ever been on was looking to be the best horse in the field — a field that included the Derby winner Mine That Bird.

The racing world remembers all too well the outcome of Ruffian’s fateful match race against the 1976 Derby winner Foolish Pleasure. Still, Rachel’s run in the Preakness was eerily reminiscent of the drama surrounding the great match of July 6, 1976. Borel’s choice of the stakes-winning filly over the Derby gelding wasn’t unlike Jacinto Vasquez’s decision to ride Ruffian in a match race against the colt he’d piloted to victory at Churchill Downs.

And while the American public didn’t go so far as to distribute and wear buttons emblazoned with “HIM” or “HER” to publicly declare which horse they’d put money on, there was a measure, albeit a contained one, of Battle of the Sexes drama played out in the middle pages of the sports sections.

Like Ruffian, Rachel Alexandra has been good for the sport of horse racing. She hasn’t brought record numbers to the grandstand or made the Pimlico infield packed beyond capacity, but TV ratings for the 2009 Preakness were the highest they’ve been in almost a decade. Circumstances, then, brought to mind Ruffian, but the real measure of our 2009 Preakness filly against the 1976 champion would be in the actual running. Rachel Alexandra and Borel were always a force in the race, but Rachel didn’t seize immediate control as the hotheaded Ruffian so famously — and so often — did. Vasquez often had to restrain the filly, knowing she had the field beaten but fearing she’d injure herself. Rachel Alexandra took command in the stretch, fending off Mine That Bird by a decisive, yet narrow, margin. The general consensus was that, given more ground, the gelding could have overtaken her.

Still, though, Rachel Alexandra’s win of the Preakness is no small feat. As the first filly to win in 85 years, she’s proven herself more than the average Kentucky Oaks winner. Immediately after the victory, Calvin Borel again praised her as the best horse he’d ridden but acknowledged that she wasn’t quite in top form.

That being said, 12 furlongs in the Belmont would have been a stretch for the filly, whose victories have mainly fallen within the 8-9 furlong range, with the 9.5 furlong Preakness being the longest race she’s won. Her strength was noticeably waning in the final strides, indicating that 9.5 furlongs – let alone 12 – is a bit of a stretch. Her sire, Medaglia d’Oro, similarly excelled in the 8-9 furlong range; the greatest distance at which he’s won is 10 furlongs in the Travers Stakes. He ran the Belmont and placed second. Second place might have been doable for the filly. If she had run, she would have likely placed behind the almost-formulaic race-end kick of Mine That Bird, whose sire Birdstone so famously upset Smarty Jones’s surefire bid at the Crown. The filly has found the distance that works for her, and it was unwise to push her beyond her clearly defined limit.

So is Rachel Alexandra our new Ruffian? Not quite. Her dark, lean, impressive frame may give us a touch of déjà vu, as may her recent stakes victories, but she isn’t the gripping heroine that Ruffian proved to be. Granted, her 3-year-old season isn’t over, and any number of things can happen. At best, Rachel Alexandra is close to what Ruffian was. But for the fleet-footed filly who swiped the Triple Crown’s second jewel from a colt many thought had a likely shot at winning all three, close may well be just enough.

Alive...

I'm the worst blogger in the world, who neglects her blog constantly. Sorry to all those in B-Town that actually follow this on a regular basis. 

Drew has leave starting today. He will be off until May 25. A whole week! I never thought I would see the day. We are going to drive down to Panama City this weekend with two other couples, which is very exciting, considering I have officially made more friends. Woo hoo!

I have also started a Meetup group, specifically for Ft. Benning wives. I am quite proud of myself... little introverted, non-social Katelyn has finally got the guts to organize a group. I already have 34 members in my first three days, and we had our first lunch meeting yesterday. I have been working my butt off trying to advertise it. I swear I've been on every single military website there is to advertise it, and all over myspace, facebook, etc. I have also put up tear-off flyers on all the bulletin boards I find around town, and Drew has done his part by passing out cards to the guys at work (although I don't think any of them actually remembered to give it to their wives...). Typical.

You can see the site at http://www.meetup.com/columbusarmywives  -- I'm pretty proud of it =)

Anywho, just a short blog to let y'all know I'm still alive. Its 1:13 and I'm still not packed for our trip. 

Preakness is tomorrow!!! Be sure to watch it, whether you are a horse racing fan or not. Its going to be fabulous. Boys vs. GIRL =) 

The Best Article So Far

This is the best article I have been able to find on the decision to run Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness. I really, really think her previous owners had it right... To skip the Triple Crown races and run her in the Acorn. Has racing history taught them nothing? 

It scares me. It reminds me way too much of Ruffian, Go For Wand, Eight Belles... 

And yet, I'm still hopeful that she will be the exception and show all those boys who is boss. It definitely adds to the excitement and anticipation of the Preakness, which before this I was not so looking forward to.

Who Will Speak for Racing and Rachel Alexandra?

By JIM SQUIRES

Published: May 11, 2009

If the Preakness Stakes did not have enough trouble with its proprietor, Magna Entertainment, being bankrupt and Pimlico in disrepair, now there is the embarrassing squabble between the people who want Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness and the people who tried to keep her out.

Figuring out exactly how it all started in the first place is problematic because the credibility of almost everyone involved has yet to be established. And that is the least offensive of all that is wrong with this mess.

First, there are the people who want to take her there, primarily her new owner, Jess Jackson, who has signaled his intentions to ship her to Pimlico without declaring she will be entered. This in itself shows little regard for the owners of the Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird, the only horse with a chance to win the Triple Crown, and Rachel Alexandra’s regular jockey, Calvin Borel, who would be in the saddle of Mine that Bird if she is not among the 14 starters Saturday.

O.K., so that is part of the game. Keep Borel and everyone else off balance as long as possible.

Just let those new guys — Mine That Bird’s owners and trainer — sweat it out. They are only rubes from New Mexico. Welcome to thoroughbred racing.

But what about those rubes? They don’t want Rachel in because they lose the jockey without whom Mine That Bird, no matter how good a horse he is, would probably still be stuck in a traffic jam somewhere way back down the stretch at Churchill Downs. That is easy to understand. Nobody but Borel would have come down that rail lane that was so well packed, or scraped so clean, that his horse barely left footprints.

So the New Mexicans announced plans to enter another horse to try to take up a spot that might go to Rachel, who as a supplemental nominee gets last call to the entry box.

That sounded like such a good idea that the rich owner of Pioneerof the Nile, Ahmed Zayat, whose horse would probably be the favorite in Baltimore if Rachel does not enter and would probably have to run her down from behind if she does, said he might enter as many horses as necessary to keep her out. And he has enough. When that drew a negative reaction, Zayat changed his mind and left the impression he just got the idea from the New Mexicans.

The only show of class so far came from Marylou Whitney, who planned to run her horse Luv Gov but said she would not if it cost Rachel a spot among the starters. Salute Marylou.

You have to wonder what Rachel thinks about it all. There are basically three kinds of people in horse racing — those in it for the money, those in it for themselves and those in it for the horse. So far, we have heard from only the first two.

Somebody should speak up for Rachel and for the sport. Although she is obviously physically capable of running back in two short weeks and probably lapping this field of 3-year-old boys, the question of why she needs to do it ought to be asked.

She will not be any more valuable or any more famous if she does than she would be if she just wins four or five Grade I races and the Breeders’ Cup next fall. And she can win just as much money taking the Delaware Handicap in a few weeks. Besides, how much money and self-esteem does one long-striding, young female need? She is already big-headed enough.

Fact is, she may come out of racing a lot healthier of mind and body if she just runs away from other girls for the rest of her career.

Bypassing the certain efforts to box her up before she gets away or banged around by envious and rowdy colts on the narrow turns of Pimlico is not such a bad idea.

Her presence would undoubtedly increase fan interest and television ratings, and maybe the handle, too, although the opposite effect is possible as well. There we go talking about those in it for the money again, but while we are at it, imagine the outcry against racing if she was hurt running against the colts. The game is in bad enough shape already.

One thing is for sure — Rachel’s chances of bearing a regal offspring of Curlin’s down the road and improving the breed will not be affected one iota. And that was the reason Jackson gave for buying her anyway, wasn’t it?

Preakness Update -- To Run Her or Not?

Jockeys might play musical saddles for the Preakness

If Mine That Bird jockey Calvin Borel switches horses, that could start a deluge of jockey changes.

Bill Dwyre 

May 9, 2009

All of a sudden, heading into the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, the humans are stealing the show. It's enough to make a good thoroughbred rear up and whinny.

The story of the day Friday was that Jess Jackson, new owner of super filly Rachel Alexandra, got a commitment from jockey Calvin Borel to ride the horse in the May 16 Preakness.

Borel rode Rachel Alexandra to a 20 1/4 -length victory in last Friday's Kentucky Oaks, which is the female counterpart to the next day's Kentucky Derby. Then, in that Kentucky Derby, Borel stole the show again. Riding 50-1 shot Mine That Bird, who most observers felt would have been 100-1 had he not been on him, Borel weaved through traffic to the finish like Mario Andretti at Indy and left millions stunned. And with two questions:

Who was that and where did he come from?

There were other utterances, especially from the trainers of the 18 other horses, but none are printable.

For a day or so, the story was whether this Kentucky Derby winner from out of nowhere -- O.K., New Mexico, same thing -- would be the second, third, or even fourth betting choice in the Preakness. 

It seemed certain that the only way Borel would get through on the rail this time against the likes of Garrett Gomez and Rafael Bejarano was with a snow plow.

But all that started to take a back seat when Jackson, the wealthy founder of Kendall-Jackson Winery and the owner of Curlin, fell in love with Rachel Alexandra and pulled out his checkbook.

Suddenly, a filly that hadn't even been nominated for the Triple Crown races by her previous owners, who could have done so for $600 before Feb. 8 or $6,000 before March 28, became a factor in the Preakness. 

Friday, Jackson seemed likely to enter her, as long as his trainer, Steve Asmussen, liked what he saw in workouts this weekend. Since she wasn't nominated, it will take $100,000 for Jackson to supplement her into the Preakness pot, where he can then pay another $10,000 to enter her and yet another $10,000 to get her to the gate.

That's lots of Merlot, but worth it to Jackson.

Even with cash at the ready, however, he could be shut out by the rules if 14 other nominated entrants fill the starting gate first. That is an unlikely scenario, because there have been only two full fields in the Preakness since 1979. There have also been only four winning fillies, the last Nellie Morse in 1924.

Assuming Rachel Alexandra gets in, that means Borel will be the first jockey to get off a winning Derby horse and get on another to compete against that Derby champ.

So who gets the ride on the Derby champion, Mine That Bird?

"If the filly gets in, I'll ride him," Hall-of-Famer Mike Smith said Friday, en route to a normal work night at Hollywood Park.

Smith rode Jenny Craig's Chocolate Candy in the Derby and said that Chocolate Candy is likely to be back for the Belmont.

More jockey-musical-chairs ahead?

Evil Pig Attacked My Dog!

Brody has made new friends. He gets along so well with Amanda and Rob's two dogs, Rollo and Bella. 

Their pig, Daisy, on the other hand... Brody has yet to get her approval:

Derby 135 Recap

OK, so obviously I failed miserably at my choices for the Kentucky Derby. I have to admit, Mine That Bird's victory was unbelievable, the second biggest Derby upset in history (last one was Donerail in 1913). He was second to last throughout the entire race, then suddenly he was in front and no one even knew who he was, not even the announcer. Although I am impressed by the run, I think it will be Mine That Bird's last show. I don't have high hopes for a Preakness win, and especially not the Belmont. The other more talented horses in the field should have better trips the next time out, and will blow past him.

This commentary and recap of the race says it best:

Scully's Derby Recap

posted by James Scully on May 03, 2009

Double Eagle Ranch and Bueno Suerte Equine's MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone), a New Mexico-based gelding who lost his first two starts this year in the Borderland Derby and Sunland Derby, rallied from last to win the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1). And it wasn't even close.

The top Kentucky Derby jockey this century, Calvin Borel, got to the rail after the break and stuck -- nobody saves ground better than the Cajun. Borel knew the inside was best and was in no hurry after being squeezed at the start, and Mine That Bird dropped out of it early on, trailing as much as six lengths behind the next-to-place runner. He entered the far turn with a lot of ground to make up, but the Kentucky-bred kicked it in like he was shot out of a rocket.

Mine That Bird was the only horse to finish strongly, registering a 113 BRIS Late Pace number, and it was really something to see Borel work his magic. He skillfully negotiated Mine That Bird around a rival approaching the top of the stretch and then quickly darted back to the rail, rapidly reeling the leaders in with every stride, but there didn't appear to be any place to go nearing the quarter-pole, with pacesetter JOIN IN THE DANCE (Sky Mesa) racing along the inside. Borel has no fear, though, and squeezed the diminutive Mine That Bird through tight quarters, skimming the rail in classic Borel style.

The race was over in the blink of an eye as Mine That Bird kicked clear, and the Canadian champion earned an outstanding 110 Speed figure for the 6 3/4-length decision. His final time of 2:02.66 is good.

Borel won his second Derby in the last three years, and he finished third in 2008. He captured Friday's Kentucky Oaks (G1) by 20 1/4 lengths with Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro). The 42-year-old journeyman was one of the weekend's biggest stars.

There were troubled trips to go around. FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy) grabbed a quarter and was bleeding after being hit hard out of the gate, essentially just galloping home under Gabriel Saez. DUNKIRK (Unbridled's Song) stumbled a couple of jumps after the break, but that wasn't as much of a factor as Edgar Prado's guidance -- he was rushing the gray colt forward like he was aboard a front runner and got his mount slammed around for no reason approaching the first turn. Prado could have taken a lesson from Borel.

Mine That Bird closed from far back, but the front runners still ran well. Second-placer PIONEEROF THE NILE (Empire Maker) enjoyed a terrific trip under Garrett Gomez, closely tracking Join in the Dance from the start, and looked like a winner approaching the stretch. Fourth-placer PAPA CLEM (Smart Strike) was forwardly placed, stalking in fourth most of the way with Rafael Bejarano, and just missed third by a head. Join in the Dance turned in a respectable effort, much better than expected from the maiden winner, and led the way into the stretch. He weakened only to seventh.

MUSKET MAN (Yonaguska) was farther back during the early stages following a bad start but still raced within striking range under Eibar Coa. They took the overland route to reach contention turning for home and wound up only a nose back of Pioneerof the Nile in third. Bred to be a six-furlong specialist, Musket Man is as hard-hitting as they come.

The defections of Quality Road (Elusive Quality) and I Want Revenge (Stephen Got Even) hurt the depth of the field, and the Derby was held over a sloppy track. Most people will label Mine That Bird's victory as a complete fluke, an impossible winner who will be up the track two weeks later in the Preakness S. (G1). But that's horse racing; 50-1 upsets happen. Mine That Bird was the best horse on Saturday, and I give credit to Chip Woolley for a great training performance -- he had the former $9,500 yearling ready for the race of his life.

If anyone questions the impact the jockey's ride has on a race, this would be the perfect thing to shut them up. Good ride vs. Bad ride. 

This year, I'm much more excited about the Acorn Stakes. The Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra (now known as "Alexandra the Great") is outstanding, and I am still in awe at her victory. She has a very big future ahead of her. She is the definition of elegance. Her victory was effortless. Watching this race is like watching Ruffian... and for me to say that is HUGE, because up until now I thought nothing compared to Ruffian. 

To those that have not seen this: 

Drew, Amanda, Rob, and I went to Victoryland casino to watch the race. I absolutely loved it, but I don't think the others were quite into the excitement. I taught them how to place bets, even though it ended up just costing us money with no return. Drew wanted to bet on a 50-1 horse, so the payoff would be huge if by chance it won. Unfortunately, he picked the WRONG 50-1 horse. He put $10 down on Flying Private, who finished dead last. If he had picked Mine That Bird, they payback would have been $1032.00. My pick, Friesan Fire, finished 19th... Thats by far the worst I have ever done. To his credit, though, he had a horrible trip and just finished the race at a gallop. He had already lost at the beginning of the race. The Preakness may be better for him, if he runs. Dunkirk also had a really bad trip, and I think he will do wonderfully in the Preakness with the shorter distance. General Quarters was my Place pick, and he finished 12th. 

Overall, I've come to the conclusion that as soon as I bet on a horse it is doomed. Next year, I think I'll bet for the horses I don't like. Someday, I will find a strategy that works.

However interesting it was not, that is my derby recap. I'm going to post another blog in a bit with the experiences of the rest of our night.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Derby Day... and did better than me with betting!

Kentucky Derby 135

Today is my absolute favorite day of the year, Kentucky Derby day. Unfortunately, due to our financial situation, we do not have cable, and therefore I am unable to watch any of the daily coverage. My usual routine on this day is to wake up at the crack of dawn, watch ESPN's coverage nonstop, then switch over to the main channel for the race. Instead, I'm doing all my research on the web and trying to decide who to pick from there. Its quite frustrating. On the other hand, though, it may be better in the long run, because my choice will not be inspired by a sob story or my weakness for the underdog. Today, my choice will be strictly strategic and knowledge based. 

... Watch me lose. Eh, whatever. 

Amanda, Rob, Drew, and I are going to Victoryland Casino in Shorter, AL for the race. If you can't watch it at home, might as well watch it from a live simulcast with live betting, right? Absolutely. 

As of now, my picks are leaning towards:

Win: Fresian Fire -- won the Louisiana Derby convincingly over a sloppy track, with dirt in his face. The mud didn't bother him, and he won it running away from the pack. The Churchill Downs track today is very sloppy, and will definitely be a huge factor in the outcome of the race. Also, his trainer is Larry Jones, who trained Eight Belles and Hard Spun (the last two 2nd place Derby finishers), so I think he is due for a win.

Place: General Quarters -- OK, so maybe my weakness for the underdog is still influencing me. I love this horse. The derby tends to favor the overlooked horses, and I think General Quarters will be that one that was overlooked. He is hard to ignore. And to top it all off, his trainer's story will melt anyone's heart.

Still choosing my Show to finish out the Trifecta... I was really rooting towards I Want Revenge and/or Quality Road, but they are both out due to injury. Ugh. Dunkirk looks VERY good and I'm a sucker for grays, but I can't get over his lack of experience. A lot of people are talking about Pioneer of the Nile and Papa Clem, but neither of them are really catching my eye. Desert Party looks promising, but I only root for American horses in an American race. 

Amanda just told me she is picking Chocolate Candy because she likes his name. I'm starting to think that is a very smart and much less stressful betting strategy.

Screw statistics. I'm rooting for the pretty horse. <3