JC / Railbird

Rachel Alexandra

Rachel Alexandra

… poses for Vogue …

And is declared out of the Belmont Stakes. According to a statement sent out this afternoon from owner Jess Jackson,

While she is in great shape, having strong works, and recovering well from
her amazing performances, we feel Rachel deserves a well-earned vacation.
Since March 14, Rachel has won four graded races with just two weeks rest
between her last two victories. We will always put her long-term well being
first. And, of course, we want to run her when she is fresh.

I’m not surprised (or even all that disappointed) by the decision — it makes sense — but I am that Jackson announced today. I figured he would drag the story out a little longer, perhaps until Monday. Now, Calvin Borel is free to ride Mine That Bird (and go for a jockey triple) and the rest of us can get on with obsessing over the (slightly less compelling) final leg of the Triple Crown.

As for when Rachel’ will start next, Jackson has mentioned a race at Belmont as a possibility. Perhaps the June 27 Mother Goose, then the Coaching Club American Oaks? That would score her two-thirds of the filly Triple Crown.

Posted in Racing on May 29, 2009 / Tagged Belmont Stakes, Media, Rachel Alexandra, Triple Crown

Monday Notes

– Naughty New Yorker, unraced since finishing seventh in the 2008 Suburban Handicap (thanks to TrackMaster for that info), is on the comeback trail, says trainer Pat Kelly, and a start at Belmont before the end of the meet is possible. The 7-year-old NY-bred, who returned to the worktab on May 12, breezed four furlongs in :47.85 (2/25) over the Belmont training track on Sunday.

– Rachel Alexandra worked four furlongs in :50.20 over a sloppy track at Churchill this morning; Mine That Bird went the same distance in :51 with Calvin Borel in the saddle. The uncertainty over whether the Preakness winner will run in the Belmont and who Borel will ride continues with owner Jess Jackson telling reporters today a decision regarding Rachel Alexandra isn’t likely until next week and trainer Chip Woolley backing down from his Monday deadline, saying that he would wait a few more days to name a jockey for Mine That Bird. Will she or won’t she — there’s no shortage of speculation. My guess — she won’t, but that Jackson will take his time, drawing out the story, before making a definite announcement, which seems a cruel thing to do to the Mine That Bird camp … unless they’re fairly certain they’ll get their rider eventually. [Addendum: Claire Novak has the right take on today’s post-work non-story. “We were, essentially, there to report … nothing.”]

– At Monmouth on Saturday, at Belmont today for the Met Mile. Live blogging this afternoon a possibility, occasional on-scene Twitter updates more likely.

Posted in Racing on May 25, 2009 / Tagged Belmont Park, Met Mile, Naughty New Yorker, Rachel Alexandra

Inspired

The Onion sends up the anthropomorphism that suffused so much of the reaction to Rachel Alexandra winning the Preakness:

“Rachel Alexandra has shattered the perception of the role of female athletes in horse racing,” Pearce said. “When she crossed the line, no one cared about her looks or how much she weighed—they only cared that she won. Do you know what that means for a female in today’s society? This victory was for any woman who has been dreaming since she was a little girl of rounding that final turn, racing neck and neck with a colt, and then sticking out her muzzle to win in a photo finish.”

And:

Women’s pride has had its good days, and this was certainly one of them

Oh, wait … that was Bill Dwyre in the LA Times and he was being serious.

——

I’ll be at Monmouth all day Saturday. Any tips from the local railbirds?

Posted in Racing on May 22, 2009 / Tagged Humor, Media, Monmouth Park, Preakness Stakes, Rachel Alexandra

Borel Sums Up the Preakness

“Boo might not be too smart,” he cackled into the phone, “but he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to horses.”

Meanwhile, trainers and riders await Monday, when it may be announced whether Rachel Alexandra is likely for the Belmont and who will get the call on Mine That Bird. “If Calvin is available, we want to give him the opportunity.”

Posted in Racing on May 21, 2009 / Tagged Belmont Stakes, Calvin Borel, Preakness, Rachel Alexandra