An Exciting Weekend Of Horse Racing

This weekend signalled the return of the major players in this years Triple Crown races. Derby winner, Mine That Bird, finished third in the West Virginia Derby. Jockey Mike Smith blamed himself for the defeat saying that he moved too early.

Rachael Alexandra once again dazzled her fans with an impressive 6 length win in the Haskell Invitational beating the boys. Also in that race was Belmont Stakes winner, Summer Bird, who finished second, and Triple Crown contender, Papa Clem, who finished fourth.

To cap it all off, the Florida Derby winner, Quality Road, made his return to racing with a record setting time in the 6.5 furlong Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga. You may remember that he was the early favorite before the Derby who was sidelined with a quarter crack. This fall's racing is really starting to heat up!

In My Humble Opinion...

It may come as a surprise, but I'm not all that keen on Rachel Alexandra running in the Preakness. A part of me would love to see a filly take on the boys and really whip them but another part of me would love it to be in the fall after the big picture of the boys is more clear. I would really like to see the cream rise to the top in the big picture of who is the best male contender right now. The Derby has left me with a lot of questions; was Mine That Bird's victory a fluke? Will Pioneerof The Nile improve on his second dirt start? Will Papa Clem continue to improve? Musket Man?

I also hate the fact that Calvin Borel has to make a choice between his Derby winner and his superstar filly. I understand why he is choosing the filly who he has ridden all along over the Derby winner that he rode only once, but it doesn't seem fair that he should have to give up either one. Wouldn't it be better to see Rachel Alexandra win the filly triple crown, then go and take on the boys in the Haskell? Or better still, what about Rachel Alexandra going up against Zenyatta? What is your take on this?

Quote Of The Day

“Quite frankly, it didn’t occur to me that he’s giving up a potential Triple Crown winner. I’m thinking like most people are—that Mine That Bird is a fluke, kind of an anomaly. … Rachel
Alexandra is the best filly I’ve seen since Ruffian; the most dominant filly since 1975.”

Racing Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron, in the San Diego Union-Tribune, on jockey Calvin Borel’s decision to ride Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Rachel Alexandra instead of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Mine That Bird in the Preakness Stakes (G1)