Comments on: Ahmed Zayat Wrong To Bring Up Eight Belles And Ruffian Before The Preakness Stakes

By: ThoroughbredZone

ThoroughbredZone — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:32:09 +0000

I just don’t think there is any real need to bring up those two thoroughbreds at this particular time. It’s time to move forward and get ready for an exciting renewal of The Preakness Stakes this Saturday. The girl looks like she is a big time player, and Pioneerof the Nile looks like he is ready for a big try as well. Preakness close up soon…

By: Kate

Kate — Thu, 14 May 2009 07:37:40 +0000

Amen!

By: Amateurcapper

Amateurcapper — Thu, 14 May 2009 05:31:34 +0000

So, now that RACHEL’s in, is she a lock in post 13? No doubt she’s the Champion 3y.o. filly already but the short rest, more pace, and extra distance along with the target that goes with a 8-5 favorite diminishes her chances greatly. I hope she and the other 12 have a healthy run.

I’ve said it before and will many times over, the fillies should be separated from the males beyond 7f at age 2 on DIRT. Why are horse racing enthusiasts so ready to throw fillies in against the boys on the main track?

I believe dirt racing is hard on horses, period. It’s not the surface that horse racing was meant to be run on.

Fillies are asked for a supreme effort against their 3y.o. male counterparts and this will take a toll on them…if not sooner, it will later. History may prove that her previous connections were wise to keep her with the girls.

By: Glenn Craven

Glenn Craven — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:54:18 +0000

Excellent comments so far.

Ted’s absolutely right that the best fillies and mares do prove, including at the Breeders’ Cup (remember Miesque?) that they can run with boys. Superfecta hits the jackpot by noting that Mark Allen, in particular, was fixed to enter a virtual donkey (well bred one, though) in the race just to keep Rachel out. And Rhonda, yes, they’re scared of a girl!

I’ve been surprised, though, by the number of people, including a female trainer I know, who didn’t want Rachel in the race. It’s a minority of people, and I don’t agree with their reasons. But they’re adamant in their beliefs.

My only hope is that she comes home safe and sound. If she doesn’t, there’ll be a hue and cry over how she didn’t belong, when it could’ve been any of the colts who got hurt — and who have in the past. (RIP, Barbaro.)

Go Rachel! And, everybody, stay safe.

By: Rhonda C

Rhonda C — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:11:17 +0000

They are doing this because they are all afraid of what is going to happen on Saturday when she beats them all!! This is poor sportsmanship at its worst!!! Typical action of someone who is afraid, face it they all know who is the best horse and what will happen once she steps out of the gate! people like this should not be involved in any sport, if you can not handle honest competition and losing with grace you should not be there in the first place!

By: Superfecta

Superfecta — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:02:50 +0000

Not only was it moronic, it completely ignores the fact that he was willing to put in seriously overmatched and underfit colts – if there were to be a horse at greater risk of injury, it would have been one of them. So much for welfare.

By: Ted

Ted — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:26:39 +0000

I think we saw as recently as this past year’s BC that a championship caliber filly is, quite simply, a champion of her breed – not only of her gender.

Now, if there is evidence of 3 year old female development to behind that of 3 year old male development at this stage, then maybe there is an argument – but I have not heard any.