Rachel Alexandra

Guess I should say a word about R.A. and all the hoopla. Credit where credit is due. She is a nice filly with that perfect type of conformation permitting weight to easily to bound around a race track. For me the Haskell was maybe the most entertaining race of the year. I perk up when I notice a whole field running instead of coasting on the backstretch.

How to evaluate? For opener's, she's good. But, she also has some advantages. You'd guess that R.A. comparatively has the ideal sort of light hoof for a muddy race track. Add this to the filly weight advantage, and you have a filly skimming over a track while the hoofs of her competitor colts strike just a little more deeply into the surface with each and every stride.

Then, there's the Borel factors. Watch Calvin Borel at Churchill through a full card these days and you'll see some of the best riding ever. In a zone, probably Nafzger taught with Street Sense, and the result is perfect pace judgment, perfect balance, with professional attention to detail down to the way Borel holds the reins. Notice his style. I've never tried it. Instead of keeping a snug hold with his fists against the horses neck pushing the neck with every stride--which probably creates a little more effort for the horse since it is having to fight against the pushing on its neck--Borel holds the reins slightly lose and away from the neck.

But there's one more R.A. advantage, and this possibly is the most important. I believe (without checking) that R.A. is the only horse in that field that comes close to consistent racing over the last year. She's Exhibit A of my constant admonition--keep 'em racing, they will win. It's like a snow ball going down hill--confidence builds, conditioning builds, technique builds, and so on.

So, how to evaluate the Haskell win. Give her 3 lengths for Borel, 3 lengths for experience and 2 for the track and weight, does she still win? Believe so. She's good, but those advantages will even out on another day.

As to Jess Jackson I'll be charitable since I'm one of those believing we need to open up the sport to others besides Jesus Christ. In deference to Jackson's age I'm going to stifle...but will maintain my oft stated position racing fillies and mares against colts. What really is the point, and should the sport in the moment worry more about keeping its head down and avoiding Barbaro's and 8Belles than promoting a filly stars with increased chances of catastrophe due to lighter training than her competitors? The original owners may have had this right. More on Osteons tomorrow.

Training:
Mon. 8/3: Art off with his hoof bruise. Rod: 1.4 miles mostly gallop finishing last 2f in slightly sub:14. Break through for this horse.
Tues. 8/4: Off
Wed: 8/5: we got more like 2 drops of rain instead of the predicted 2 inches. Rest of August before us. We should make good progress. Wed. training ahead.