With the $5 Million Apple Blossom showdown between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta scheduled for April 9, Jess Jackson, co-owner of Rachel Alexandra, has begun an interesting media poker game in the past few days.
In a recent New York Times Article, Jackson appeared to be gearing up for an excuse to back his horse out of the Apple Blossom. Jackson stated that he gauged her fitness at “about 85 percent” of where she should be now. He then elaborated, “We are targeting the Apple Blossom. We are stretching to get there. But if we’re not in top shape, we’re not going.”
It seemed like a pretty basic statement. The industry and fans would not want to jeopardize the health of Rachel Alexandra for any race. In all honesty, I wondered why he even emphasized it at all since it was fairly obvious.
Then, I read a recent post by NTRA Blogger Bob Ehalt and began to rethink the New York Times interview. In his blog, Ehalt saw what I missed – two possible bluffs by Jackson in the ongoing “poker race” between these camps. Ehalt wrote:
If you also read the words of Rachel Alexandra’s co-owner Jess Jackson in the New York Times last week, you have to wonder if the Apple Blossom might wind up a walkover.
Jackson certainly did not sound like someone who is eagerly awaiting the race. He continually stressed in the article that he would not run his filly unless she is 100 percent fit, which is hardly the year’s biggest scoop.
Yes, Jess, we know. Guys who own claimers do not run their horses when they have problems, so it’s a given that a horse as beloved and valuable Rachel Alexandra will not be risked. So why remind of us that. Why not follow the lead of Zenyatta’s owners Jerry and Ann Moss and just say you’re on course for the Apple Blossom and you hope to make it. If you can’t, let us know. Otherwise we’ll see you in Hot Springs on April 9. Don’t keep reminding us of what we know already. It’s sort like pointing out that we all have to pay taxes and die.
One of the possible explanations for comments like that from Jackson is that he is looking for an excuse.
In my mind, Ehalt called the first bluff. No one wants to risk an injury to this beautiful horse. If Rachel is not physically sound at the time of the Apple Blossom, she can decline to race at that point.
Then, I began to wonder. If Rachel is admittedly only at “85 percent” of where she should be now, why is Jackson racing her this weekend in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies Stakes? It seems like a great risk to take a highly-prized horse to a relatively minor career race when she is only performing at “85 percent.”
It may be that Rachel Alexandra isn’t fit for a Grade 1 race at this point in the season and Zenyatta is still performing as a Grade 1 horse. It may be as simple as that. Or maybe not.
Where Ehalt’s article calls the heart of the bluff is Jackson’s newest comments about a three-race series between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. In the New York Times, Jackson plainly states, “If they beat us in one race, they might just disappear and retire her undeafeated… If they commit to the best of the three, it would be great for the sport and a better way to judge both of these great horses.”
Ehalt sees Jackson tip his hand in the Poker game. “How do we rationalize Jackson’s newest comments about a three-race series? Everyone would love to see these magnificent horses race three times. Yet Jackson says his desire for a three-race series is just in case Zenyatta wins the Apple Blossom and her connections retire her. He wants another crack at her.”
And, Ehalt calls the bluff. “Why bring that up as a concern? It certainly wasn’t the type of comment one expects from an owner who believes his horse is as good as Ruffian.”
He’s right. Why is this a concern? This is a test of who wins when pegged against the other champion. It is not a “two-horse triple crown” series.
Neither horse should race if they aren’t sound. The welfare of these two amazing horses preempts any other concern or interest. This is not a subject of debate.
If both horses are sound on April 9, there should be one single race. Rachel Alexandra won a single title – Horse of the Year. Zenyatta waged a serious challenge to Rachel Alexandra’s nomination for the title in one single win – The Breeder’s Cup Classic. Neither horse had three tries to match the crowning accomplishment of their rival.
If Rachel Alexandra loses the race, and Zenyatta retires, both horses remain champions. It’s time to stop playing poker with race cards. It’s time for the match.
I’ve been thinking along the same lines recently. Jess Jackson is a sportsman, but sometimes I think he’s a little to “carefull” when protecting his horses from challenges that involve other top runners like Zenyatta. He leaves too many loopholes for himself to escape through. If Rachel wins the New Orleans Ladies this weekend and he pulls out of the Apple Blossom a little while later, he will be the most unpopular man in racing!
Hi Brian,
It will be interesting to see the outcome of both races this weekend. I’m looking forward to Saturday!
Jennifer