I was in Lucky's race and sportsbook earlier today, and they were offering the following matchup on the Belmont:

2401 Mine That Bird +110

2402 Rachel Alexandra -140

Cat...........i No You Jumped On The Bird ............i Dont Think Rachel Will Run Do You ?? I No Belmont Park Needs Her To Run For The Attendance Will Go Through The Roof If She Does.....

Both horses must run for action.

Cat......yea I No Buddy I Just Cant Imagine The Filly Running If She Does I Would Love The "bird" At +$110.00 Another 3 Jumps And She Was Beat At Pimlico.......i No Theres A Euro Coming Over As I Read It Last Month In The English Racing Post Im Going To Check Overseas And See If Theres Any Info......

Regarding Rachel, Jackson says he'd like to run her in the Belmont, so i'm assuming that's the plan. Myself, i really don't see what she has to gain from it, but i guess it would be pretty cool to see a filly win two-thirds of the Triple Crown, especially if the only one she DIDN'T win was the one she never ran in. But i really don't see how winning the Belmont at even-money (or whatever) will do anything to enhance her reputation. And running 3 long-distance route races within 5 weeks probably wouldn't be the best thing for her. If it were up to me, i think i'd give her a well-deserved break, and point to the Travers if they really want to add to her resume. Rags to Riches already won the Belmont a couple of years ago; but i don't remember a filly ever winning (or even running in) the Travers. Not since i've been following horses, anyway.

That being said, the Alabama carries a lot of prestige, so as far as Saratoga goes, she might be pointed to that. Personally, i'd like to see her face Zenyatta and/or Life is Sweet at some point, but i'm not holding my breath that it will ever happen. I get the feeling that Jackson would rather run her in the Classic than the Ladies Classic (especially if that means avoiding Zenyatta). Let's face it, a loss in the Classic wouldn't tarnish her reputation all that much. A loss vs. females probably would, Not that she hasn't lost to them before, but it's been a while.

Incidentally, it's possible that Zenyatta could face males in the Classic this year as well. She alreday won the Ladies Classic last year, so that's been done. And Shirreffs could very well win it this year with Life is Sweet, even in Zenyatta's absence. Not to mention, Zenyatta's connections are probably a bit jealous of all the attention that Rachel Alexandra has been getting recently (saying she's the best filly in the world, and what have you). Might prompt them to face males also, especially when many (including myself) think she would've had a big shot last year. But that's getting WAY ahead of ourselves. She hasn't even run yet this year. No reason to think she's anything less than when she left, but you never know...

Cat.........i Agree With You Whole Heartedly That If She Runs And Gets Beat In The Belmont That It Definitely Wouldnt Tarnish Her Reputation................she Is A Special Filly No Doubt And The Alabama At Toga Would Be Like Stealing Probably,not Sure What Trainers Would Enter Against Her................im Sure The Belmont Management Is On The Phone Begging Jackson To Run Her Cause If She Shows The Attendance Will Go Through The Roof In My Mind...........im Getting Ready To Shoot Out Of My House Now I Have 4 Stops To Make Before The Turf Club Opens At 11.30....good Luck If Your In Action At Belmont Today Hopeing To Make A $5,000 Score Today.....if Not Lunch Will Be Good Anyway..lol..lol..

Theres An Article In Thursday Form Team Valor Euro Was Injured In Race In England May 8 Th. And Wont Be In The Belmont...............

Originally Posted by DiscreetCat

I was in Lucky's race and sportsbook earlier today, and they were offering the following matchup on the Belmont:

2401 Mine That Bird +110

2402 Rachel Alexandra -140

If you look at the possibles for the Belmont it's all closers, only CMan shows some type of speed. Mr. Hot Stuff, Dunkirk, CCandy, Summer Bird, Flying Private are all stone cold closers. If RA runs this race she will probabaly get way with 24, 49, 113 and so on, just gallop them around the track. I truly hope they don't run her and let her get a break. But she is in top form right now and they could rest her after this one. She is holding fles well and hasn't lost any weight. They race in the Preakness was TOP NOTCH, running splits of 23, 46, 111, and 135 going head to head with those colts and still winning by daylight going 1 3/16. Every other colt backed up and was nowhere to be found. When the Bird came to her on the gallop out she rebroke like she was in a starting gate and pulled away by 3 in a flash.


FB

I saw what you saw. It would have to be something freaky for her not to romp in the Belmont. Mine That Bird has proven to be better than most thought but it is only measured by the medicore group of 3 year old males. RA is much better than that bunch. Not even close.

Seems to me if RA wins the Belmont she will have won the fllly Triple Crown. Beating the Derby winner twice and winning the Oaks means she is better the all the fillies and all the colts. I think its even harder to do then the regular Triple Crown for sure.

Mine that Bird is going to release his excellence over all that dare to challenge his superiority.