It's all about greed, my friends

So I hear the owners of Mine That Bird and Pioneerof the Nile are going to enter multiple horses in the Preakness in an attempt to keep Rachel Alexandra out of next Saturday's second leg of the Triple Crown. Only 14 horses are allowed to race in the Preakness and 3-year-olds that were nominated to the Triple Crown series receive first priority. Rachel Alexandra is not nominated and new owner Jess Jackson must pay a $100,000 supplementary fee to enter the filly. As of Sunday morning, 13 were planning to enter, meaning that Rachel Alexandra would be the 14th. Well, until some greedy horsemen stepped in with an idea on how to keep the filly out.

Just another example of people in this industry thinking only of themselves and not the sport. What could be better than watching a brilliant filly take on the boys in the Preakness? I mean, it would only add to the buildup and the television ratings if the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro runs. But Mine That Bird's co-owner, Mark Allen, and Ahmed Zayat, owner of Pioneerof the Nile, don't want that. They know how good the filly is and they're hiding behind the excuse that they don't want to see a filly run against the boys because it could result in another Eight Belles incident.

Let's be honest, here. No one knows why Eight Belles broke down at the end of last year's Derby. She could have gone wrong if she'd run in the Oaks the day before or it could have happened during a morning workout or gallop. There is no proof whatsoever that Eight Belles was injured because she ran against colts. I mean, come on ... Rachel Alexandra is as big or bigger than most of the colts. She's strong enough and fit enough to run in the Preakness.

Allen is talking about entering a maiden in the race to keep Rachel Alexandra out. A horse that is winless in nine lifetime races. What a great sportsman. He says he guarantees the maiden will not finish last. The colt, Indy Express, does not belong in a Triple Crown race, plain and simple. Zayat appears to have softened his stance, telling The Thoroughbred Times that any horse that he enters other than Pioneerof the Nile will be scratched. He told the magazine he's been receiving calls from other owners and breeders urging him to do all in his power to keep the filly out.

If Allen has such a hot-shot colt, if Zayat is so sure he's got the best 3-year-old in the country, then take on the best. Don't keep the filly out just because you're afraid of her. Don't hide behind the excuse that fillies are not supposed to race against the males. That's weak ... really, really weak. If she is kept out of the Preakness, the winner's legacy will be tarnished. Let's play fair, guys, and do what's right for the sport, not what's right just for your fat wallets.

I mean, could this sport get any more messed up than it already is?

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