Sunday, April 25, 2010

When One Door Closes, Two More Open

How ironic is it, that two days after my latest post on the possible starts for Rachel Alexandra, majority owner Jess Jackson decided to come out from the shadows and announce that he will be pointing the superstar filly toward a start in the La Troienne? This has probably been racing's most anticipated news, especially after the Horse of the Year lost her 2o10 debut. Her presence on the Oaks undercard and only a day before the Kentucky Derby itself, figured to add even more spice to an already exciting weekend of racing.

Only days before the announcement, it was also announced that the Bonnie Miss winner, Devil May Care, may just pass up a potential match with Juvenile Filly Champion Blind Luck, for the even more prestigious and lucrative Kentucky Derby, against her male peers. With the recent success of Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, and Rags to Riches, and her own easy win in the Bonnie Miss, one can understand, why the connections of Devil May Care would like to take a shot at the boys in America's most prestigious race.

After days of sizzling works, Devil May Care's Derby possibility, and Rachel Alexandra's presence on the Oaks undercard, everything seemed like it was going to set up perfectly for a huge climax May 1st. The good news was not meant to last, only one day after Jess Jackson announced Rachel Alexandra would race on the Oaks undercard, the Derby favorite, Eskendereya, scratched from the Kentucky Derby.

Every year racing has seen horses drop off the Derby trail, last year even saw the fall of two Kentucky Derby favorites, first when Florida Derby winner Quality Road developed a quarter crack, and then when I Want Revenge, the Wood Memorial winner, scratched the day of the race. Is it me or do we have a theme with the Wood winners getting injured the last two years?

Despite the fact that the Derby lost the favorite, racing must keep it's head up, and remember that we still have had a fairly good year, in terms of losing potential Derby horses. We still have Sidney's Candy and Lookin At Lucky. Devil May Care, now looks like entering the run for the roses, will more than likely happen, too. Then on Oaks day we see Amen Hallelujah and Blind Luck face off, which Rachel Alexandra returning to the sight where she began her journey on a unprecedented 3yr old campaign.

We may have lost one star, but we still have several more that deserve just as much attention as Eskendereya received. Overall, 2010, has given this decade one heck of a good start. Lets not let one small thing, in the whole scheme of things, ruin what could not only be a great weekend but a great year.

2 comments:

  1. I am very excited that Rachel Alexandra is finally confirmed for the La Troienne. I got my tickets for the Derby and Oaks, so that means I'll be seeing her too...a huge bonus.

    It's a shame that Eskendereya had to be withdrawn, I was really looking forward to his show-down with Lookin At Lucky. Hopefully he gets over his filling quickly and can get right back into racing.

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  2. It is a shame that we have lost another Kentucky Derby favorite so close to the big race (2 straight from the Wood Memorial.) But, it will still be a fantastic weekend with 20 in the Derby, the Kentucky Oaks, and the biggest treat of all...Rachel!

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