Sep

5

So close

by Barry Roos
Published: September 5, 2009 1 Comment
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This is one tough filly, this Rachel Alexandra.

Whoa.

First she has to handle being pushed like crazy by the worst Belmont winner ever, Da’ Tara. The first quarter was suicidal. In fact The two horses that pushed her are just hitting the wire now.

Yes she won by a head, but this was a remarkable effort. Calvin hit the filly by my count 21 times down the lane. The funny thing is, she doesn’t move an inch in or out know matter how hard she is hit left and right handed. She is as tough as they come.

No, there were no Cigar’s in the race, but I don’t give a crap. You run as fast as she did early and still hang on, you are one of the best ever.

Here’s the question. If  Zenyatta was running at Rachel down the lane instead of Macho, would she have bested Rachel?

We will never know.

There’s the shame of this situation. Can you imagine, both ladies coming into the Breeder’s Cup, Rachel, the dream season, and Zenyatta unbeaten? The best Filly and Mare race ever, and the buzz around the Cup would be the best thing to happen in racing since Big Red looked through the bridle.

So close. Racing finally could make up ground in the eyes of the public.

We could be noticed.
New fans would be cultivated.
Scores of young ladies, beaming with pride.

Instead we remain a fringe sport.

So close.


Comments

1 Comment so far

  1. Carmine Weatherbee on September 9, 2009 11:38 am

    Funny, they don’t mind her running on a bad sloppy track as at Monmouth or getting wacked 21 times, but no artificial surfaces. I was at Keeneland when she won on poly and she loved it. What a joke. All this is about is sour grapes at Curlin lost.

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