Rachel A's ears post race

Toccet02 · Postby **Toccet02** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:04 pm

Sorry if this has been discussed already...I just got on the PC and can't wade through 15 pages of Preakness post!! I did skim though.

I thought they were sort of held out low to the sides and flicking around nervously after the race. Looked like she might have been in some pain or just tired? Does she usually have that kind of ear carriage?

dray33 · Postby **dray33** » Sun May 17, 2009 7:02 pm

Interesting Toccet02, I will have to watch the replay, but I didn't notice the ears. Not to add to any "conspiracy" theories, but I happened to watch the replay a bunch of times (on racereplays.com) and I noticed what looked to be a very crabby gallop out. It seemed to me (every bit a novice) that her back left leg was hurting her as she slowed down to a stop. Like it was "crabby" or something I really can't put into words.

Anyway, I figure if Borel kept on her, and she seemed great after, it must have been me. What a terrific filly she is. Hope she races for another year or two (yeah, I know).

Turn-To Fan · Postby **Turn-To Fan** » Sun May 17, 2009 7:48 pm

I also noticed her ears. I just looked back at the Oaks and post-race video on YouTube and she is also doing it there, so I think it is just her. The other thing I noticed in the Preakness was her bridle flopping around, but I think that is probably just because it is now white and it is more noticeable than it was before when it was a dark color. I didn't notice anything with her back left leg, but I am also a novice. Is it perhaps because of the lead she was on? Also, the outrider reached out and grabbed her bridle which might have made her go a little sideways.

Georgerz · Postby **Georgerz** » Sun May 17, 2009 8:15 pm

She is back at Curchill Downs, safe and sound.

nferro9925 · Postby **nferro9925** » Sun May 17, 2009 8:36 pm

Calvin Borel did say she was getting tired at the end.
Was this her longest race yet? I can't remember the Oaks distance.

Wouldn't a triple crown won by the jockey be something though!

Vicbrenan · Postby **Vicbrenan** » Mon May 18, 2009 5:31 am

It is a noisy. busy atmosphere...

When I was watching it I thought she looked very calm and smug with herself after the race... just what I saw...

wangkw · Postby **wangkw** » Mon May 18, 2009 5:38 am

Please show the video link....I use my telescope.

:lol:

Toccet02 · Postby **Toccet02** » Mon May 18, 2009 7:38 am

Assmussen was on GMA this morning, and he was asked if RA was tired after... or "how she seemed". He dodged the question and went on and on about her great disposition and calmness. The the question was reiterated and he dodged a bit more. I think she was pretty pooped after that race (and should be) and he's a tad aware of it if not concerned.

photofinish · Postby **photofinish** » Mon May 18, 2009 8:31 pm

I'm guessing she was a bit tired after the Preakness, that was a hard race with the loose track, wide first turn, and quick early fractions. She's the real deal. Looks to me like her ears are about a foot and a half long as it is, makes sense they'd flop a bit post-effort :wink:

doublete · Postby **doublete** » Tue May 19, 2009 5:03 pm

Saw her in person two days before the preakness while schooling in the paddock. Her ears "flopped" while standing in the saddling stall.

wangkw · Postby **wangkw** » Tue May 19, 2009 5:39 pm

People ask for more from this poor girl...want her to run in belmont s..to run in Haskell, Travers, Prioress,
Beverdly, BC Ladies Classic.....want this..want that...better still if all..and for the peace of mind...she
closed one ear.

erhrdt3 · Postby **erhrdt3** » Wed May 20, 2009 9:57 am

I sure hope that they don't run her in the Belmont against fresher horses, and Mine That Bird, who we know comes from a long distance line of horses....

Are the new owners playing with the new "toy" and going to burn her out?
I hope not.

Prob. the best horse in the country is Zenyatta, why not keep Rachel running, but selectively so she can face Zenyatta for a much anticipated race between the two? We already know that the new owners are not going to race her next year since they want to breed her to Curlin, so let her go out on a good note.

I think that if a fresh Zenyatta and a fresh Rachel met in the Breeders Cup, it would have to be one of the most watched BC in quite some time!

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Wed May 20, 2009 10:04 am

funny, if rachael were a 10k claimer you would think nothing whatsoever of running her a week back, hell half a week back after a good race. "they are still in race shape". Dutrow does this daily as do other trainers.

but becuase she's rachael alexandra than it's different. she's still a horse. a very good and talanted horse. but a horse. 4 legs, eats oats and hey, probably bites people too.

she'll be fine

Toccet02 · Postby **Toccet02** » Wed May 20, 2009 10:16 am

doublete wrote:Saw her in person two days before the preakness while schooling in the paddock. Her ears "flopped" while standing in the saddling stall.

OK. That's what I was asking. Thanks!

But in a horse that usually has pricked and forward ears, this might be a sign of distress, right?

Georgerz · Postby **Georgerz** » Wed May 20, 2009 12:15 pm

Rachel Alexandra is already galloping at Churchhill Downs, she was not in distress. She was tired after a hard won race.