Last weekend, Rachel Alexandra held a match race.
It’s wasn’t an official match race.
Other contenders were in the field.
And, the match race wasn’t against Zenyatta.
But, it was against a horse that was riding a record of six consecutive victories – Life at Ten.
Officially, Persistently won the Personal Ensign at Saratoga. It was a great victory for a horse with final odds of 19-1 as she entered the gates against a top-notch field.
And, Persistently deserves respect for beating the reigning Horse of the Year while clinching her first Grade I career victory.
Yet, in my mind, there was a race inside the race.
It was a match race between Rachel Alexandra and Life at Ten.
It was a race between the reigning Horse of the Year and a rival who had been undefeated in her last six consecutive starts.
Sound familiar? It was similar to the match race that the racing community has pondered since Zenyatta crossed the finish line in the Breeder’s Cup Classic.
Life at Ten slammed her six-race undefeated record on the line to square-off with reigning Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra.
And, neither of them won the official race.
But, there was a race inside the race.
The rest of the contenders fought against the field.
Yet, Rachel and Life at Ten fought against each other in a match.
And, in the first two-turns, racing saw something stunning. The two great horses called a match, dug-in, blew past their rivals and shot out on their own.
Stride-for-stride, they fought like warriors against each other in a forgotten field of fellow contenders.
It was if Rachel said, “Fine. If a match race is what you want, I’m delivering it. Right here. Right now. On my terms.”
It was gutsy. It was beautiful. It was stunning.
It displayed the pure glory of Rachel Alexandra that led to her coronation as Horse of the Year in 2009.
Yet, in reality, she lost the Personal Ensign.
And, since the race, the focus shifted toward the defeat of Rachel by Persistently.
But, there was a race inside the race.
It was a match race between two great horses.
It was the moment that Rachel stomped out, picked her own opponent and started a match race on her own terms and timing.
And, Rachel claimed a personal victory when she finished in front of Life at Ten.
She may have not run the match race that racing wanted to witness.
Nor did she pick the opponent that many saw fit.
And, she didn’t win the Personal Ensign.
But, there was a race inside that race.
It was a match race.
And, Rachel Alexandra won the match.
To see footage of the Personal Ensign, click here.
Way to put things into perspective, Jennifer. Thank you for recognizing what she did yesterday, and giving credit to a truly remarkable horse.
This is one of the most unusual and wonderful articles I’ve read about the race !
The author has written so wonderfully about what was actually happening on the track, and opened my eyes to a new way of looking at this race.
Thank you for a penetrating look at the horses,
Sincerely,
Thank you for the nice compliment, Bobbie. I’m happy you enjoyed my article!
Thanks, Brian. I loved Rachel’s race yesterday.
Jennifer,
Great reflection, very precise.
Everyone wants to see if Rachel lost … but not how she lost.
All the best!!!
The bottom line here is that Rachel was spent with a 1/16th of a mile left in the race. Beaten by an optional claimer, who’s last win was against horses who were non winners of two races. It amazes me how the press still tries to glorify Rachel Alexandra. Who’s now lost 3 of 5 starts in 2010. While the perfect machine that is the behemoth beast known as Zenyatta marches on. Rachel Alexandra’s 2009 campaign that “captain ego”, Jess Jackson put her threw was a far too taxing campaign for a 3yr.old filly that was still growing and maturing. The effects of that taxing campaign are now being played out on national T.V. every time Rachel Alexandra steps onto a racetrack. Never when she was at her zenith in 2009 to present day. Could Rachel have ever beaten Zenyatta. Never has. Never will. I truly hope they don’t race Rachel in this year’s Breeders Cup Classic. All that will be gained by that will be massive embarrassment for Rachel Alexandra. With the field that’s lining up for the 2010 Classic. She’d be very lucky to finish inside the top ten. Maybe an 8th or 9th place finish at best. She’s a decent filly that’s always been overrated and over-hyped. So she beat colts 3 times in 2009. Where has that gotten her in 2010? Rachel will now and forever more be remembered as a “one year wonder.” While Zenyatta, after she win’s back to back Classics and retires likely 20 for 20 as a 3-time Breeders Cup champion. And the only horse besides Tiznow to ever win back to back Classics. Will then be retired, and rightfully take her place among the all-time greats of American racing. 3 losses in 5 starts in 2010 for Rachel. Against mediocre competition at best. The two words “retirement” and “broodmare”, while she still has any credibility left. Spring to mind immediately. This filly should now be retired. To continue racing Rachel Alexandra at the level she’s performing at now would be nothing more than Jess Jackson racing her to satisfy his own ego and vanity. You can only beat a dead horse for so long. TJMO.
Thank you, Luciano. I’m happy you enjoyed the article.
I appreciate your opinions, Medlocke. I still believe Rachel ran a gutsy race in the Personal Ensign - even if she lost. And, I’m a big Zenyatta fan. (This is the first article I’ve written about Rachel.) However, I think even if you’re a Zenyatta fan, you can be a fan of Rachel. They are two different horses.
I fully agree that the performance was gutsy. Rachel had Life at Ten glued to her hip all the way around and put her away. That is a dream scenario for a horse coming from out of the clouds.
And it amazes me that people try to belittle the competition. It’s a Grade 1 going a mile and a quarter, anyones welcome to enter!
Rachel may not be as Great as last year, but she’s not as far off as people try to make out. Ok she lost 3 of 4 Graded Stakes, well sorry for finishing a close second!
I hope Rachel comes out of this race perfect…for if she does I would not count her out…not ever.
Mike McKenzie
Thanks for the great comment, Mike.