DRF WKND (Hersch): Not Unusual for Filly Champs to Struggle

[Rupert Pupkin]

Here is an interesting article in DRF. It talks about how it's not that surprising that Rachel Alexandra is not the same filly this year. The article talks about how many champion fillies were not the same the next year and in general how it's tough to get more than 2 good years out of horses, especially if you run them a lot.

http://drf.com/news/article/113789.html

[OldDog]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

Here is an interesting article in DRF. It talks about how it's not that surprising that Rachel Alexandra is not the same filly this year. The article talks about how many champion fillies were not the same the next year and in general how it's tough to get more than 2 good years out of horses, especially if you run them a lot.

http://drf.com/news/article/113789.html

A very good piece, putting RA (and others) in perspective.

This part,

Before the La Troienne, Jackson told the New York Times he had "no regrets" over Rachel Alexandra's 3-year-old campaign.

"I didn't overwork her," he said. "She was in peak condition and up to everything we threw her way, and she handled it beautifully."

made me wonder if Steve Asmussen would agree. The words of other trainers (McGaughey, Baffert, Lukas) on the subject, while certainly not a condemnation of RA's connections, are worthy of thoughtful consideration.

We all want to see greatness in thoroughbred racing. We hope to be a witness to a horse that has not just one great season, but several, a horse that we can speak of with reverent tones for many years to come. Will RA be one of those horses? I don't know . . .

but I sure hope so.

[johnny pinwheel]

its the same thing i said in this forum months ago but people don't want to hear it. how can people be around horse racing and be betting it for years and years not see it....do i have to run down the names of horses that have had the same problem over recent history? in this day and age, rachel pretty much ran a career last year. here running style and the way she was pushed through hard races was bound to take a toll and then the long lay off....it was pretty much common sense. but people don't want to hear it. thats fine because it brought about some good money making races.....lol. everyone makes fun of zenyatta and her schedule but the way they run her, she could go on for years barring injury. lukas does not mention ladys secret who he ran into submission. ps. when betting horses its better to figure out whats happening before the article comes out.....lol

[Danzig]

i think the main issue at this point is they attempted to rush her back for the apple blossom. had they shown more patience in bringing her back to form, she may well not have these two losses on her resume.

[Indian Charlie]

How about just letting her run her race.

[RolloTomasi]

Could you imagine these geniuses if they owned Affirmed, when that colt lost the Grade 2 Malibu and San Fernando to start what was essentially his 4yo campaign?

Asmussen basically said there's nothing wrong with her. She hasn't been dominant as was expected to start the year, but that doesn't mean she is no longer competitive.

She has a long way to go before being lumped in the same as the 4yo versions of Winning Colors or Ajina or Proud Spell.

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by johnny pinwheel

its the same thing i said in this forum months ago but people don't want to hear it. how can people be around horse racing and be betting it for years and years not see it....do i have to run down the names of horses that have had the same problem over recent history? in this day and age, rachel pretty much ran a career last year. here running style and the way she was pushed through hard races was bound to take a toll and then the long lay off....it was pretty much common sense. but people don't want to hear it. thats fine because it brought about some good money making races.....lol. everyone makes fun of zenyatta and her schedule but the way they run her, she could go on for years barring injury. lukas does not mention ladys secret who he ran into submission. ps. when betting horses its better to figure out whats happening before the article comes out.....lol

Can we assume you'll be betting against Rachel again tomorrow?


--Dunbar

[chucklestheclown]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

Here is an interesting article in DRF. It talks about how it's not that surprising that Rachel Alexandra is not the same filly this year. The article talks about how many champion fillies were not the same the next year and in general how it's tough to get more than 2 good years out of horses, especially if you run them a lot.

http://drf.com/news/article/113789.html

He lost me at "little known Unrivaled Belle."
WTF? That is really an arrogant thing to print in the DRF. Much more appropriate for the Post.
And anyone who knows anything will tell you the difference with females is they are NEVER gelded.