More Paranoia For Ya
ThoroughbredZone Felt Compelled To Respond To A Blog Entry From Left At The Gate Titled Rachel Risk/Reward Don’t Add Up
Here we are, just a few days away from one of the most anticipated Preakness Stakes in recent history, and yet some so-called racing fans are still spewing garbage all over the internet as to why a filly should not be running against the boys. “Give me a break!” as Warner Wolf would say. The fear mongering, baseless, and unwarranted hits keep on coming.
Another basically useless post invoking the late, great Eight Belles, comes right before the Preakness Stakes, no less. It is nothing more than fear mongering at its best.
This could very well be one of the worst, off base posts on any horseracing blog I have seen anywhere in a very long time. A so-called fan of thoroughbred racing invokes PETA into the mix. In the words of Paul Moran, “Let’s call PETA”. PETA is no friend of thoroughbred racing, they never have been, and never will be.
The Preakness Stakes is Saturday, and the world has a great opportunity to see a champion filly and the Kentucky Derby winner go for greatness, and all some people can do is try to find a way to say, you know what? She should not run. It’s a bad thing for her and the sport. Really?
No it’s not. It’s actually a great thing! Fillies and mares have proved over and over again that they can, and do, beat colts.
You know what’s madness is an ignorant, baseless post that attacks the integrity of some of the best horseman in the world. Absolutely there is no need for things like this a few days before the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Rachel Alexandra is there; she will be ready to go. And as for any nonsense jibber-jabber of a raced-out horse is complete nonsense. We should leave that up to the horseman, as to whether she is capable or not of running again two weeks after her literal public one-mile and one-eighth workout in The Kentucky Oaks.
Any sensible racing fan should hope for the safe return of all of the horses—not just one. No one really cares who one is rooting for either. With blog entries like this, it’s no small wonder why—in some corners—racing continues to lag behind other sports for media attention.
There is a celebration of huge proportions going this weekend in Baltimore. It’s a celebration of thoroughbred horse racing at its all-out best. The Preakness is on. The filly is ready to rumble. Mine That Bird is looking for some respect, and the Pioneer is going to try and give the silver-haired Baffert another Woodlawn Vase to add to his collection.
The Preakness Stakes should be embraced by all—thoroughbred racing fans, and non-thoroughbred racing fans alike—for all of the great things the sport represents, and for all of the history and tradition that goes along with the Preakness Stakes. Not some dopey opinions on why Rachel Alexandra should not be running. She is running, there is nothing anyone can do about it, and that’s a great thing.
