JC / Railbird

Rachel Alexandra

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

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