Rachel, P-Val, and High on Cliffs

This past weekend saw the return of the much heralded, reigning "Horse Of The Year", Rachel Alexandra...............The Lady's Secret Stakes, a race whose purse had been bumped up to 400,000 dollars as a result of Rachel appearing. Six other fillies and mares lined up for the bloated purse, but none had the credentials to even step foot on the same surface as Rachel. Being a stake race as opposed to a handicap, R.A., had only five pounds to give away to the over matched field.

In her usual tracking position early, she was roused to the lead by Borel, and was ridden home to a three length win. A ho-hum performance to say the least. In my opinion, having a twenty length talent edge over the field, should not have equated to an "energetic handling" (DRF Chart commentary) three length win. But such is the legend of Rachel "2009 Horse Of The Year".


Patrick Valenzuela made his riding return to California this week...........In a somewhat surprising move, the California Horse Racing Board reinstated P-Val to ride just in time to make the famed Del Mar meet.

In December of 2007, he had been issued a "life long ban" to ride in California. In this case, I guess the term life long equates to just over thirty months. His latest exile had been for a drunken driving case that had violated the terms of his third, fourth, or fifth.......latest reinstatement. I've lost count!

In being cleared to ride, it shows a preference to a jockey that most people feel has extreme talent. Even to make some wonder if another rider with less success, and or ability, would have been given the "second" chances they have afforded Mr. Valenzuela. Myself included. What example does that show to young riders, as well as the public. I believe in giving people another shot at redemption. In return, the person should also realize the opportunity they have been given. Something he clearly hasn't!

Many Jockeys over the years have made poor choices in regards to controlled substances, but have come back and flourished when given a new beginning. Pat Day, David Flores, Martin Pedroza are just a few that have made the most of their opportunities. Sure there will be measures in place to monitor his behavior, but they are the same measures taken twenty years ago that have clearly been ineffective in controlling his behavior. Ultimately, it's the safety and maybe most of all, the integrity of the sport that bears the risk to this irresponsible decision of the CHRB.

High on Cliffs...........There's a new star across the pond. Irish bred three year old Canford Cliffs won the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse this week. It was a very impressive performance. Beating quality Group one winner Rip Van Winkle from the fabled Aiden O'Brien yard. Breaking slow, Cliffs sat at the rear of the field while the O'Brien trio raced near the front. About three hundred meters out, rider Richard Hughes got him in the clear, and raced past a game Rip Van Winkle who had raced a spectacular race himself. Both horses finished well clear of the field.

Trainer Richard Hannon has called him the best horse he's ever trained. Something not to be taken lightly in the land where hyperbole is not spoken as often as it is in the States. He has alluded to running his star in either the Prix Moulin at Longchamp, or the Queen Elizabeth II at Ascot in September. Hopefully we'll be fortunate enough to witness a match up between him and Goldie in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Del Mar, Rachel, and Big Z

Well it's time for another Del Mar meet. This year promises to be full of anticipation as much as a little trepidation. With the continued decline of the Southern California racing industry, even the once insulated Del Mar meet, will make people wonder if they can deliver the deeply competitive fields of years past. Already reduced to a five day week, let's hope they wont have to go the "Hollywood Park route" of unimaginably not being able to fill mid week cards. I tend to think they will.......For now!

Rachel and Zenyatta.....what will their prospective summers consist of? Will Rachel return to her "Horse of the Year" form of 2009? Will Big Z win a third consecutive Clement Hirsch, on her way to a possible Breeders' Cup prep in the Zenyatta Stakes at Oak Tree. Culminating in a "showdown" with Rachel on a traditional surface at Churchill Downs come November. Although myself and about ninety percent of all race fans would love to see it, I wonder if we will. I tend to think Mr. Jackson may still be the main obstacle to that one. There's still too much for him to lose by running against Zenyatta. Right now, he has most fans convinced that he owned the best horse in training last year. In spite of avoiding, ducking, jiving...etc. The Super Bowl of racing because he didn't like the surface. Hey, come to think of it, why were the Indianapolis Colts forced to play in last year's Super Bowl. Didn't they know all they needed to do was go to the NFL and say they weren't showing up to play the Saints. After all they must have done more than enough to be awarded the Lombardi Trophy. Heck they won fourteen games during the regular season. Wasn't that enough for Pete's sake? Why would they be forced to play out doors, on natural grass when they play their games in doors, on synthetic? Surely the NFL dropped the ball on that one.