The ungraded Lady's Secret was moved from August 1st to July 24th, distance increased from 1-1/16 to 1-1/8 mile, and the purse raised from $150,000 to $400,000 to lure Rachel Alexandra back to the Jersey Shore. As you might recall, Rachel Alexandra won the Haskell Invitational at that same Monmouth Race Track by a 6 length romp there last year in the slop achieving the highest Beyer Speed Figure of any horse in North America.
“We had a great experience at Monmouth Park,” Jackson said. “And we appreciate the overwhelming show of support the fans there have given us. It’s the perfect place to start what we hope will be another championship run.”
Rachel romped in the Haskell Invitational in Monmouth last year
Bob Kulina, Monmouth General Manager, said that Rachel Alexandra’s connections in part chose the July 24 date at his track because of its place on the calendar, 15 weeks before the Breeders’ Cup World Championships November 5-6 at Churchill Downs.
“They’re very interested in keeping Rachel [Alexandra] on a five-week schedule,” Kulina said. “They worked back from the Breeders’ Cup because that’s their objective, and July 24 worked well for Steve’s pattern. The distance of 1-1/8 miles was what they wanted. We had contact with them long before this and told them we’d do whatever to make a race work with their schedule."
The Lady’s Secret could serve as a prep for a number of late summer races, including a Woodward defense on September 4 or the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) on August 29, both at Saratoga, or the Molly Pitcher Stakes (G2) on the same day as the Personal Ensign but at Monmouth.
After that, another 5 weeks would take us to Jockey Club Gold Cup (Gr1) or the Monmouth Cup (Gr2) both run at October 2, 2010.
Timing is everything to Jess Jackson. Remember how he withdrew Rachel from the Apple Blossom, but as soon as Oaklawn offered to run it 6 days earlier, he said yes? Even 6 days made a difference to him. Moving the Lady's Secret from August 1st to July 24th is 8 days earlier.
If Rachel Alexandra is unable to compete in the Lady’s Secret, the purse will revert to the originally scheduled $150,000.
Just a thought, but do you thin that maybe JJ announced that Rachel would be running in the Ladys Secert this early was to send a message to the Zen camp? JM stated several times that they were goig to travel this year and where Rachel ran they would be in the starting gate next to her. This would ensure two races between the two. One other thought, isn't the Personal Ensign 1 1/4 miles....if she comes out of the Lady Secert in good shape it would prep for the Breeders Cup (would give the fractions and BSF for 1 1/4).
ReplyDeleteC Conley on HRTV showed Rachel today on the training track. The jockey had a choke hold on her (nose buried in her chest and I believe they had the crossover bit on her) and she look great .
Sorry, but i have to break this down, it won't post to the site if it is too bit. Why is it that tracks are always adding money to lure Rachel to run, but I haven't seen that for Zen...unless Rachel and her were going head to head. There is also an interesting article on throughbred racing site about horse of the year.
ReplyDeleteRachel Fan,
ReplyDeleteWhat site are you referring to?
I have been thinking about this and I agree on the timing issue, but doesn't it diminish her reputation to be running in an ungraded stakes vs. The Ruffian?
ReplyDeleteZenyatta's camp won't ship her across the country for an ungraded race and for once I'd agree with that decision. For Rachel to be running in this race in July is ridiculous. By August, she won't have a Grade 1 on her 2010 resume or a win against males. I knock Zenyatta's campaign for its predictability, but fair is fair. It has to make you wonder whether there's a reason they're being so cautious with Rachel this year.
ReplyDeleteRachelAlex,
ReplyDeleteSorry, Ive got Fourth of July Company in town. The site is
http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/ in middle of page listed under Columnists:
Bill Finley:
Handicapping the 2010 HOY race.
Also there is an article on Bloodhorse
Bloodhorse.com - search for "We Can Dream, Can't We" (the top horses meeting at Breeders Cup this Year and who they think will be the best) and "Medaglia d' Oro Filly Sets Maryland Record" (JJ bought a 2 yr old in training half sister to Rachel. There is a picture of the 2 yr old...reminds you of Rachel. She the same bay coloring, confirmation, can't see the markings on her face, but she has those long legs..
Scott B. made the statement that they want to put her on a 5 weeks race rotation. Rachel ran 11 races from 10/17/09 to 9/5/09 (3/14, 4/5, 5/1, and 5/16 were all less than one month apart and she improved with each race as a 3 yr filly still developing) Here's a thought....they maybe running her in the Ladys Secert to prep her for: Rachel runs in the Personal Ensign, the Jockey Gold Cup, the Breeders Cup, and wins, that would give her 3 grade one races in a row at a 1 1/4 miles....no other horse will do that this year. They have clearly been bringing her back slowly, working on distance and have her rate off-the-bit. Could they be working towards this?
ReplyDeleteRachel fan...that's EXACTLY what I was thinking!
ReplyDelete("I" think) they're only putting her in this ungraded stakes race because it's the only race 5 weeks before the Personal Ensign. They've been talking about racing her in the Classic, so they'll need to have her race 1 1/4 before November. Best place to do that? Personal Ensign.
Only 9 furlong race for 3 year olds and up 5 weeks before the PE? The Lady's Secret.
Makes perfect sense to me.
I just got off Bloodhorse.com and the blog has the same thing posted. Personal Ensign, and either the Beldame or the Jockey Club Gold Cup. The Beldame is a week later (too close to the BCC - Rachel would need the extra week). Quality Road is pointed to the Whitney and then the Woodward. Which is only a month apart and they usually want more time for him between races so I don't think they will run in the JCGC before the Breeders Cup Classic. The trash that people have posted is truley "garbage" and for some reason they love to attack Rachel. I just finish posting some facts for them to "chew" on. They have to edit it before they post it, but it will be at the bottom (or close to it) under "a true race fan" The article is under Feature - has a picture of Rachel and the caption: Haskin "So what is their thinking?"
ReplyDeleteWell I did try to post a comment on the blog but it didn't go through, I think someone else already had the name (close to it), but after glancing through it and reading some of the posts...what a soap opera! Decided it's best not to post a comment, people were bashing great horses, that deserve more respect than that. Sadly the good questions and comments were lost in all of it.
ReplyDeleteRachelAlex.....I saw your comment (one of the good ones that got lost in the mess)
Rachel Fan,
ReplyDeleteI try to insert my pro-Rachel opinions in some of these blogs, but as you noted, there are waaaay too many bitter and obnoxious people waiting to trash Rachel. It is unbelievable as well as totally cowardly. It's safe to trash talk on the Internet and people can say things that they would not have the guts to say in person or to your face.
At any rate, we continue to fight the good fight and when I get discouraged, I can go to my safe place at the Super Filly! site. Happy Fourth to all.
PS--I saw a comment from our Pixie on one of the blogs--go Pixie!
Rachel Fan and RachelAlex,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments on this blog. I just typed in a bunch of heartfelt comments and didn't finish up correctly, so it got lost. That's the trouble with trying something new (blogging is new to me). I have been following the Steve Haskins blog on Blood Horse.com as well and I agree about most of the comments being worthless. There have been some, however that seem to be from thoughtful people who love horses (like ourselves). Many of the bloggers seem to have been interested in horse racing for a long time judging from their pen names and from their comments. For that reason I am willing to wade through to find the occasional gem. Glad to have made your acquaintance on this blog and I hope to hear more from you in the future. The comments are abbreviated because I can't do heartfelt more than once a night.
peggylindsay,
ReplyDeleteI've done the same thing and found out it will only accept a certain amount so I split mine so I won't loose it. Glad you found the site. Look at the latest blog...it has current videos of Rachel's latest works works attached. Again welcome...