JC / Railbird

Triple Crown

The Real Story

Commenter John S., who knows more than a bit about superb turf writing, made a point on an earlier post that deserves repeating:

EJXD2 and the rest of you are missing the real story here: CLAIRE NOVAK IS ON FIRE!!!!!!

So true. Reporters aren’t usually the story, but this one deserves to be. Over the past year, writing for ESPN and elsewhere, Novak has emerged as one of the best turf writers working, with a particular flair for features and profiles. She’s a storyteller, attentive to detail and dialogue, as in these pieces:

– Old School: “Once, the legend sat down to critique the rookie’s technique. He watched the field come down the lane, the rookie whipping right-handed, his runner flying past them in the stretch. Switch sticks, go to your left hand, thought the legend. And as soon as he thought it, the rookie did it. That’s when he knew this kid was good.”

– Birds of a Feather: “It hits him again and again this morning, as reporters cruise by the shedrow and racing paparazzi set up their shots and fellow horsemen stop by with handshakes and admiring remarks, but it still hasn’t quite sunk in.”

– Two Months Later: “It is picture-perfect, might as well be a postcard scene. But something in the idyllic freedom of it all taunts Rene Douglas.”

And she’s a solid beat reporter. Saratoga doesn’t lack for daily coverage and commentary from a top turf writing colony, but Novak’s Albany Times-Union articles, whether about Da’ Tara finishing last in a race in which his trainer expected better, the introduction of more humane whips, or substance abuse among jockeys, have regularly stood out this season (as have the vignettes and opinions she’s been posting near-daily to an ESPN blog). On fire? She certainly is, to the good fortune of readers, racing fans, and turf journalism.

Posted in Media on August 23, 2009 / Tagged Claire Novak, ESPN, Reporting, Saratoga, Triple Crown, Turf Writers, Writing

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

Odds and Ends

– This is taking fear too far:

Rachel Alexandra became a household name last Saturday when she took on the best colts in the country, including the top four finishers of the Kentucky Derby, and when she crossed the finish line first, the point was well proven.

She is the simply the best, so please, do what is best for her and thoroughbred racing, not what’s best for the Belmont Stakes or TV ratings.

Let her final racing picture be in the Preakness winner’s circle.

– But if Rachel Alexandra retires now, we’ll never see her meet this challenge:

In order for fillies to be regarded as the greatest of their generation, they must prove their worth on two counts: knocking off colts, then disposing older females later in the season. Rachel Alexandra accomplished the former with her Preakness victory; however, the second part of the equation will be the tougher of the two tasks, as she’ll have to knock off undefeated champion Zenyatta, most likely on that one’s favorite surface at Santa Anita.

– Jess Jackson is looking forward to the two meeting at the Breeders’ Cup.

– I’m with Sally Jenkins:

Let’s be clear about one thing: If Rachel Alexandra isn’t at her absolute peak, she shouldn’t run in the Belmont. If she struggles at all to recover from the Preakness, if she shows any lingering fatigue, if she is in the smallest way unfit, she should race another day. But if the argument against it amounts to “she’s a filly, and the Belmont is too hard,” well, that’s nonsense. The reason her owners bought her and entered her in the Preakness in the first place was to prove that she is “a champion horse, not a champion filly.”

– Taking bets on whether she’ll go, or not. Mike Smith says no:

“I bet you they won’t run her against him again,” Smith said. “I bet you she doesn’t run in the Belmont. I can almost predict it.”

– What’s certain is that Mike Smith won’t be riding in the Belmont. He’s jumping off Mine That Bird to honor a commitment elsewhere.

– Undeniably true (see: Superfecta re: the first point, Beyer for the second):

Still, it’s been hard not to detect a slightly patronizing tone in some of the coverage of the jockey, as if he’s some magical bayou Zelig, a la Forrest Gump. What’s gotten overlooked is what a ruthless, Jordanesque competitor he is.

– What might have been … Larry Jones has it right: “That might have been our Triple Crown winner if they had run her in the Derby.”

Posted in Racing on May 19, 2009 / Tagged Belmont Stakes, Champions, Rachel Alexandra, Retirement, Triple Crown, Zenyatta