Rachel Alexandra won the Woodward Stakes today in a smoking time of 1:48.1 holding off a hard charging Macho Again. She still has critics. She has won from coast to coast, at the top, against fillies, against 3 year olds, now against older horses. She has a perfect, unblemished season. She's been criticized she didn't "work for it" in some races - can't be said for the Woodward. There were several gunning for her waiting for a mistake from the three year old filly who dared tread outside her gender AND age! It's criticized she won't be at the Breeders Cup but it seems like unless something spectacular happens then she's done everything she needs to do for Horse of the Year, top 3 year old, top 3 year old filly and only Zenyatta arguably could stand between her and a clean sweep to best female running.
For many racing isn't about the Pick 6 or the Daily Double. Many who enjoy a good horse never bet a trifecta and wouldn't think of dropping a hundred dollar bet on horses betting. They're no less important to the sport. No female has won the Woodward - ever! The word "great" and "legend" is bantered about too often.
This is an incredibly special horse. She's running on level with speed figures of Sunday Silence, she's maybe not against Derby winners as Slew/Affirmed challenged..but is that her fault? Where is last year's Derby winner? What should she prove?
Human nature wants to push the limits. By pushing limits we find how good a horse is but each time is a risk. While many criticize for not running Rachel in the Breeders Cup due to the poly track recent studies shows it's a very real risk indeed! If a horrific breakdown occurs is it worth it to see her and Zenyatta? The answer in hindsight is always no and accusations of greed and cruelty - but before hand people scream for speed. Foolish Pleasure and Ruffian. Bayakoa and Go For Wand.
The fact is all the money, all the things done with racing surfaces still have the inherant risk every stride something can go wrong. Statistics show in Del Mar in 2008 19 of 111 Thoroughbreds died following catastrophic hind leg injuries. On dirt tracks in 2008 one death from 65 resulted. Safer? 18 horses says we're headed in the wrong direction!
No one likes to see horses get hurt. It's a risk whether a horse is on the track or in their field - things happen. But one can hardly blame Rachel's connctions for looking out for her best interests. They know her normal behaviors and quirks in ways that only being there all the time brings. They say she's earned a rest and she certainly has done that. They're looking down the road at her future, which stretches beyond the next couple of months. Kudos to them!
Beautiful filly, breathtaking to watch.
Keywords: Breeders Cup, Horse of the Year, horse racing, polytrack, Rachel Alexandra, racing breakdowns, Woodward stakes
