JC / Railbird

Rachel Alexandra

Hustling for a Meeting

… between Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra. From the Times-Union:

“NYRA generally does not sweeten pots or provide incentives but this could be a situation that might warrant that consideration,” NYRA president and CEO Charlie Hayward said in an e-mail.

And the New York Post:

“As you know, Mr. Moss opened the door to running in the East, and we will be spending this week to find out exactly what that means,” NYRA president Charles Hayward told The Post. “As you also know, we have two great older filly races at Saratoga [where Rachel Alexandra is now stabled], the [Aug. 2] Go For Wand and the [Aug. 30] Personal Ensign that might have some appeal to the parties. Early days, but we will stay on top of it.”

The two at Saratoga? Can’t imagine anything better. Good luck, NYRA.

Posted in Racing on June 29, 2009 / Tagged Distaffers, Go For Wand, NYRA, Personal Ensign, Rachel Alexandra, Saratoga, Zenyatta

Just Super

Both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, that is, who accomplished exactly what was expected of them on Saturday in winning, respectively, the Mother Goose Stakes and Vanity Handicap. But if the outcome of both races felt unsurprising, there was nothing boring about how they won (and for more reaction, plus replays and photos, visit R360), with Rachel Alexandra breaking records (and creating a minus win pool) and Zenyatta giving away 13-18 pounds to her six challengers (the approximate equivalent of 7-9 lengths). Despite appearing to labor slightly under her 129 pound impost, the most the mare has ever carried, Zenyatta dug in gamely to bring her undefeated record to 11 straight.

Now, if only the two could meet …

Beyer speed figures: 111 for Rachel Alexandra, a career best; 104 for Zenyatta.

Posted in Racing on June 28, 2009 / Tagged Mother Goose Stakes, Rachel Alexandra, Vanity Handicap, Zenyatta

Rachel Alexandra Wines

“Rachel Alexandra Wines, debuting this holiday season” (via @EJXD2). Just in time for a month of parties … and for sending to Eclipse Awards voters.

Posted in Industry on June 11, 2009 / Tagged Eclipse Awards, Jess Jackson, Kendall-Jackson Winery, Rachel Alexandra, Wines

Monday Notes

– Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra breezed six furlongs in 1:13.80 this morning at Churchill Downs, galloping out seven furlongs in 1:28. “She went beautiful, like she always does,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “She’s in a nice rhythm and seems very happy right now.” No decision yet on where she might start next. Owner Jess Jackson has mentioned the June 27 Mother Goose at Belmont as a possibility, but the racetrack rumor much-repeated over the weekend, including from those who had seen her recently at Churchill, was that the filly is not training well and may be away from the races longer than her connections publicly anticipate. Of course, while it’s true that her work times have been less zippy since the Preakness (in her final breeze before that race, she went four furlongs in :48.40 versus the :50.20 she posted in the first work after; in her one five furlong breeze before the Oaks, she went the distance in :59.40 compared to the 1:01.60 of her work the first week of June), it should be noted that she has kept to her training schedule without apparent incident, working three Mondays straight for her new barn.

– Tweeted @EJXD2 on Sunday, in reference to Birdstone’s successful Triple Crown season as a young sire:

The last time [a] sire was represented by two different classic winners in his first crop was Count Fleet in 1951.

For the trivia-interested, there’s some additional historical similarity between the two sires and their winners in that, like Birdstone, Count Fleet’s first classic winner was a little regarded Kentucky Derby longshot, Count Turf, who beat another Count Fleet colt entered in the Derby, the favored Counterpoint. He went on to win the Peter Pan in record time and then the Belmont Stakes as the third favorite. According to the Belmont chart comments, “Counterpoint permitted … Count Turf to go to lead … regained the lead when the latter gave way.” Sounds a bit like what we saw on Saturday …

– There may be layoffs at Blood-Horse and Thoroughbred Times, and the newspaper industry in general may be imploding, but Daily Racing Form is doing fine, reports the New York Times.

– After the race: Visiting Summer Bird in his barn after the Belmont Stakes.

Posted in Racing on June 8, 2009 / Tagged Belmont Stakes, Daily Racing Form, Rachel Alexandra, Racing History, Summer Bird