Rachel Alexandra

[pfrsue]

Y'know, I can't rationally fault anyone for going after the money when there's a chance that the horse won't ever be worth more than she is right now. I can't even fault Jess Jackson for having money out the wazoo and the desire to spend it. (Mr. Jackson, if you read this and would like to pay my medical bills with your pocket change, I would be most grateful, sir.)

But ... I can't help but feel sick about it anyway. Deep down inside, it just strikes me that when every feel-good fairy-tale story in racing gets swallowed up by elitism, ego and high finance ... well, it's hard to stand up and cheer. And that's sad, because it certainly isn't the horse's fault when this happens.

I'd be interested to know, thinking of the small breeders and owners, has the ultimate dream stopped being "win the Kentucky Derby/TC/BC" and become "sell a horse to Jess Jackson or the folks in Dubai and buy my own private island with the profits"?

Seriously, and with all respect, are priorities shifting in that direction?

[jagger]

'fraid so, pfrsue. Agree with your post.

On the subject of sire for RA.....Curlin vs A.P., I like A.P. much better....for either horse racing potential and commercial value.

[Sysonby]

I'd be interested to know, thinking of the small breeders and owners, has the ultimate dream stopped being "win the Kentucky Derby/TC/BC" and become "sell a horse to Jess Jackson or the folks in Dubai and buy my own private island with the profits"?

Seriously, and with all respect, are priorities shifting in that direction?

You started off well but you veered

These breeders bred and raced the dam of RA and may have even bred the dam of the dam. They have had a small breed to race operation and I understand that they are the nicest people you'd ever want to meet.

But there comes a point where everyone has to take a profit and this is one that has involved at least 4 years of risk and playing without a net. Also can these folks even begin to afford the insurance on a racehorse like Rachel? At a 6 % rate, it would probably represent a yearly premium equivalent to everything they've made so far on RA minus what the trainer and jockeys have gotten. This is not like a stallion that you can sell shares in or pieces of easily. The big boys who are in the position to help you out like Jess and Godolphin don't want partners.

[pfrsue]

I hate when I veer. All those skidmarks ... tsk.

Honestly, I hadn't considered the ramifications of insurance, but I guess if I had thought about it, I'd have assumed that a horse like RA could cover her own premiums and other expenses out of her winnings. Admittedly, that's an overly simplistic way of looking at it. It does follow that the better a horse does, the higher the expenses go...but I'm going to stick to my guns when I say that although I understand the rationale behind selling to the top guns in the industry, I still hate to see that happen as often as it does.

(I also had no intention of impugning RA's breeders. My question was meant to be more generalized than that. I certainly apologize if it seemed otherwise!)

[bdw0617]

i also think alot of the backlash, not necessairly here but just in general, is the general idea of her being bought for so much money. I don't think people truely dont' like jess. I think they don't like the fact that he has the money to spend on race horses the way he does and when he and IEAH and anyone else spends excess millions of dollars on hores. I think that rubs people the wrong way and is seen as egotistical

[Twingirl]

New owners apparently intend to race her lightly and book her to Curlin.

Running her in the Preakness against the boys is "light" racing?

[Tiz]

"But ... I can't help but feel sick about it anyway. Deep down inside, it just strikes me that when every feel-good fairy-tale story in racing gets swallowed up by elitism, ego and high finance ... well, it's hard to stand up and cheer. "

Perfectly describes my reaction to this type of thing.

[wangkw]

Dirt tracks 0r equiv seem to be more risky than grass ? But investment is all about making money..you can't stop
people toying with money..esp when they have plenty...some horses did fall into a wrong hand in the past..So
long as it is still respected as a sensible animal in its own rights..It does not matter who owns her, who trains her
and who rides her...what matters is who will take care of her.

Preakness is not as treacherous as Belmont..and I should hold my breath if either enters into the latter...I can't
imagine how a tiny bird will choose to run, not fly, for 1.5 miles.

[Lucy]

Preakness is not as treacherous as Belmont..and I should hold my breath if either enters into the latter...I can't
imagine how a tiny bird will choose to run, not fly, for 1.5 miles.

His sire is also a 'tiny Bird', and he handled the 1.5m just fine.

[griff]

That's why it's called the sport of kings.

griff

[oliverstoned]

That's why it's called the sport of kings.

griff

True enough in this modern day version. Me, I'm now over my shock and have come to terms with the sale. I only wish it would of went down before the Oaks so she could be shooting to become the first triple crown winning filly. I think I'll be rooting for MTB in the Preakness just for the sheer absurdity of it but would enjoy seeing RA win as well.

[reenci]

i also think alot of the backlash, not necessairly here but just in general, is the general idea of her being bought for so much money. I don't think people truely dont' like jess. I think they don't like the fact that he has the money to spend on race horses the way he does and when he and IEAH and anyone else spends excess millions of dollars on hores. I think that rubs people the wrong way and is seen as egotistical

be honest.....this game is about ego.......its sheer ego......none the less i agree it does rub people the wrong way.

[bdw0617]

i wouldn't say ego. It's everyone's dream to own race horses and to own that horse, to win that race. I don't think that makes him any more egotstical than me, the only difference between him and I is I am dreaming about winning the preakness and doing the post race itnerview tih NBC and he actually has the means to do so.

[reenci]

i will go out on a limb here and predict that she wont beat the derby winner in the preakness.........whats that sawing noise i hear ?

[reenci]

i wouldn't say ego. It's everyone's dream to own race horses and to own that horse, to win that race. I don't think that makes him any more egotstical than me, the only difference between him and I is I am dreaming about winning the preakness and doing the post race itnerview tih NBC and he actually has the means to do so.

see bdw0617 i lookat and think of it as my own little sports team......its enterntainment....show time.ect....an extension of ones self......i dont know....maybe its just me.......but i love it.