The Bottom Line
Steve Haskin responds to the retire-Rachel crowd:
Rachel’s defeat in the Personal Ensign, although extremely disappointing, should in the long run be looked upon as just that — a defeat, and not as an indication that she no longer should be competing. If she shows any physical or mental signs coming out of the Personal Ensign that she has had enough, then by all means retire her. But if she is sound and that passion is still evident, there is no reason not to put the sword in her hand again and see if she can recapture the glory of last year — at her distance.
Asked if retirement was a possibility, trainer Steve Asmussen replied:
“That question wasn’t brought up to me.”
So, onward. Rachel Alexandra is scheduled to return to the track on Wednesday. Plans for her will be made later. Persistently, winner of the Personal Ensign, is being pointed to the Beldame at Belmont, as is Life At Ten.
Informed Decision may try turf in her next start following her sixth-place finish as the favorite in the Ballerina Stakes on Saturday, said trainer Jonathan Sheppard. “I’ve always said to myself maybe sometime down the road, if she stubs her toe a little bit, that it might be time to try something different,” he told the Daily Racing Form. The 5-year-old mare is a winner over dirt and synthetics; adding a grass win would make her an Omnisurface Star.
Uncle Mo, buzz baby, gets a big 102 BSF for his debut.
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