Rachel Alexandra gets a pass despite soft campaign
Hmmmm, I think I smell a double standard here.
Through much of last season and all of 2010, I've heard cries from the East about Zenyatta's "hand-picked" schedule against "the same old tired fillies and mares."
I've heard and read the criticism despite the fact that she's raced in seven consecutive Grade 1 races and beaten all-comers, becoming the first female to win the Breeders' Cup Classic last fall when she blew past double Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti in the stretch.
I've listened to the protests despite the fact she just beat a very good mare in St Trinians and spotted her nine pounds while carrying 129 herself. St Trinians, by the way, had beaten 2009 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic champion Life Is Sweet in her previous race.
But it's funny and quite amusing how I hear no cries of dismay from the East today as Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year, attempts to beat six nondescript rivals in the Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park -- a race that is not even graded.
In fact, Rachel will race for the fourth time this year today and two of those four starts have come in non-graded stakes. The other two were Grade 2s. When was the last time the reigning Horse of the Year had such an easy schedule?
I hope she wins by 20 today, but how can she get away with facing a field that includes only one other filly that is even graded-stakes placed? None of her six rivals today have won a graded stakes.
Where is the outrage, the cries of protest over such an easy campaign from the same folks who have lambasted Zenyatta in the past?
Double standard? The silence from the East is deafening.
What did you expect?
For the most part I have been hearing nothing but negative about Rachel Alexandra's Lady's Secret placing from East and West coast fans.
It is true that we in the East are being more shut-mouth about Rachel's very soft campaign this year and you're right it is a double standard. But I guess when it comes down to it that kind of loyalty is a good thing and when the day of the race arrives all we want to do is relish the moment and not pick apart our "heroes" performance or placing.
Hey she did what she had to do and won. Can't take that away from her. Amazed that there was over $1-million wagered on her to show!
Rachel Alexandra = Easy Goer. Great horse, but overrated when compared to an even great horse. And this is coming from somebody who wasn't convinced about Zenyatta (or as Trevor would say "Zenyatter") until after the BC Classic.
This is UN-BEEE-LIEV-ABLE!!!!!!!!
People just cant seem to appreciate both mares. I would give anything to have either one for a broodmare.
They both ran their guts out last year so they are taking the easy path this year. So what? You should be happy they both ran in your lifetime, they wont be around much longer
Two horses with completely different running styles. I love em both...