THE ASPIRING HORSEPLAYER

In a move that could potentially change the entire racing season if not the sport for years to come, owner Jess Jackson has purchased the super filly Rachel Alexandra, who won the Kentucky Oaks last Friday by an astounding 20 1/4 lengths.  And guess what? Not only might she run in the Preakness, but it sounds like Curlin and her might have some matters to attend to in the near future.  

Source: Bloodhorse:  Rachel Alexandra Sold

I’ll start with the tantalizing prospect that it’s still technically possible that Rachel Alexandra might race in the Preakness.   That’s probably a bit of a longshot, and Jackson will no doubt receive plenty of advice against such a decision, but I’ll go on record as saying I am hoping and praying for the opportunity to see her run against the boys two Saturday’s from now.  I don’t think any of them can touch her.  She might be vulnerable to some colts unwilling to let her loose on the lead, but you get the feeling this is the type of filly who can adjust her tactics and overcome just about any adversity that is thrown at her. 

Coming off her amazing victory in the Kentucky Oaks, I was left thinking that no horse had impressed me that much since Curlin.   I feel confident in assuming that all of you understand how serious such a statement is for me.   Never in a thousand years did I think that she might be acquired by the same connections as Curlin and given a chance for the Preakness!  Now that this has happened, it could be the highlight of the entire season.   I’m going to go on record saying another thing….and it’s something I haven’t said since ‘07 with Curlin.  

Not only would I predict a victory from Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness, but I’ll go one step farther and say she’d win the Belmont as well, and we’d all be left wondering “what if” they had run her in the Derby?   On that matter, I’d like to be on the record as saying that considering the condition of the track on Derby day, I think the Oaks was the right call.   Plus, the way she drew off in that race has to have had a positive effect on her psychologically.   I’m sure she already knew, but if there was any self doubt in her at all she knows that she’s the real deal know. 

It would seem we are quite lucky to have a horsemen like Jackson in control of Rachel’s destiny at the moment.   He was unafraid of putting Curlin into challenges, be they the Triple Crown races,  the Classic (on any track condition), or overseas racing in Dubai.  He ran him on dirt, in the mud, on synthetics, and on the grass.   Across the world they travelled, winning major races at tracks like Pimlico, Belmont, Saratoga, Nad Al Sheba, Churchill Downs, and Oaklawn Park.   He gave us back the defending Horse of the Year for a 4-year-old campaign because he wanted to give the sport back it’s stars.   He seems dead serious about this, and I think he’s absolutely right. 

One of the main challenges we face is the fact that our most popular thoroughbreds become flashes in the pan as they are gone as quickly as they arrive, in most cases to early high priced retirement.   You just KNOW Jackson is game to send her against the boys in either the Preakness or the Belmont, and being the kind of guy he is, I’m willing to bet he’d like  her to win ‘em both.  Provided she’s ready, of course, and came out of the Oaks in sound condition.   I can’t imagine she didn’t, considering Calvin Borel never asked for anything as she won for fun by a million lengths (well, not quite a million, but about as close as horse can come that figure).

On the subject of the, shall we say, “private” matter…Last week we tossed around the notion half-jokingly that Curlin ought to be bred to Zenyatta’s mother, Vertigineux, and that the offspring might be named  “Verticurl.”  At some point after that posting, I decided that since I’m prone to making Vercingetorix references whenever the name Vertigineux comes up, that perhaps a better name might be “Curlingetorix”.   With the suggestion that Jackson is interested in one day breeding Curlin with Rachel Alexandra, might I suggest the names “Curlixander the Great” for a colt, or “Curlixandra” for a  filly?  Sound like champions to me.

While we’re on the subject of theoretical possibilities such as the offspring of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, ponder upon this for a moment.  What if (and this is a big what if, but based on what we’ve seen thus far certainly not an impossibility) she went on to become both a Preakness and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner in her own right?   Could you imagine the pedigree of their offspring?   Classic winners on both sides?  Preakness winners on both sides?  It’s mind blowing.  Admittedly I know far too little about breeding thoroughbreds to be able to talk informatively about the pros and cons of such a pairing, so for now I’ll confine myself to dreaming about the possibilities that exist. 

I say send her to Baltimore, Jess.  Let her show the boys who the top 3-year-old in the nation is.   For me their is no question.  It’s Rachel all the way.