Look out Boys, Supergirl is back

Guess who is back in training? It's a bird! It's a plane? Nope it's Supergirl! That's right ladies and gentleman the and only Rachel Alexandra is back in training. She actually is retuning earlier then she was supposed to, but I guess since she's on a track that she clearly loves (Churchill), Steve Asmussen didn't want to wait till they got her to the Fair Grounds. So my guess is she'll prep at the Fair Grounds for the Apple Blossom possibly, however I hope she preps for the race with a race. Fair Grounds created two new stakes races for fillies and mares that where in a way to entice Rachel. She'll miss the first one as I think it's next weekend, but the next one is in March (I think). It's going to be a fun 2010 with all three stars from this year's TC coming back (of course the leading men Summer Bird and Mine That Bird). Add in supporting actresses Careless Jewel (and I really hating calling her that, but honestly she just doesn't bring the same buzz that Rachel does), Justwhistledixie (she returns this weekend!), and some hidden gems for the girls. The supporting actors include, Musket Man (returning from injury), Friesan Fire (returning from injury and is pointing towards the Donn, eek!), Warrior's Reward and Al Khali (keep an eye on these two, if they are anything like their dad, they will get better with age), plus a few hidden gems for the guys. Also returning next year, Gio Ponti and Life is Sweet! Next year's 3yo's be afraid, be very afraid. We could have one of the best older divisions in a few years. It's a shame that Zensational was rushed off to stud (the other two big 3yo's who where retired where injured).

Meanwhile while one of this year's starlit's returns to training, another one gets her own race. The Lady's Secret at Oak Tree at Santa Anita has been renamed the Zenyatta. While not everyone is happy that this race has been renamed, here are a few points why I'm glad it is.

1. Lady's Secret has two other stakes races named after her, one at Monmouth Park which is a prep for the Molly Pitcher S., and an OK bred stakes.

2. The race started in 1993, so it's really not that an old of a race, compared to Californian Stakes which will be renamed after Lava Man once he re-retires which started running in 1954. Now of course that's not named after a horse, but still...

3. In the end the horses won't care, it's just a race.

And while what I'm about to post won't change people's minds, even Jerry Moss was uneasy about renaming the race. Here is the following from the article I posted before.

"At first, Jerry was reluctant to accept our offer of renaming the race, because he was a personal friend of Gene Klein," Chillingworth added. "But after he and Ann thought about it for a couple of days, he called back and said they thought Zenyatta would be flattered by the comparison and to know that she was held in such high esteem."

Personally, I'm really excited for this race next year now.

Just a few other things before I wrap up this post, this is actually a pretty big weekend of racing coast to coast. The final G1's of the season for New York will take place with the Gazelle and Cigar, it will be the final race for both Pyro and Kodiak Kowboy. The Gazelle will feature the return of last year's 2yo Champion Filly Stardom Bound. Remember her? She and not Rachel was supposed to be the boy beater, things change for a reason. Justwhistledixie also returns against Sara Louise and older females at Aqueduct. And oh yeah Basket (aka Go Go Shoot) and Sean (aka Sean Avery) tangle in the Highweight on Thanksgiving. Down at Churchill, it will be the last hurrahs for Unbridled Belle, more then likely Swift Temper on Thursday in the Falls City, while on Friday in the Clark it will be final races for Einstein and Kiss the Kid. Saturday will be the Kentucky Jockey Club won last year by Beethoven who unfortanlly was injured this year, and the Golden Rod which was one by Supergirl (aka Rachel). In California it's a weekend of goodbyes as Cowboy Cal and Ventura will be running for the final time in the Citation and the Matriach respectivly (at this time of writing Cal's stud plans have not been announced, while Ventura will be bred to Oasis Dream). I would love these two especially Ventura go out on high notes. However, also in the Citation is Enriched whose half brother is... Lava Man. On Sunday, Zenyatta will be paraded for all of the fans and Take the Points runs in the most underrated stakes race for 3yo's, the Hollywood Derby.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I will be back next week with new favorite race from this year. And you know what I'm going to make this a guessing game, sorry no prizes just for kicks. But here are the clues,

This was supposed to be a race that featured battle for early top honors, however the winner's main compition was scratched the day of the race. The winner won by a huge margin and almost broke the stakes record. The runner up of the race has sadly done nothing since, and the third place finisher has not run since then. This was a turning point in the winners season and gave them the jump start to being one of the greatest of their sex. This is a really, really easy answer, and I'll be shocked if no one gets it. *wink wink*

Let's not crown Rachel yet

As much as I love Rachel Alexandra, lets not get too ahead of ourselves yet. And this article makes excellent points why we should not, link. Can she become a legend? Of course, especially if she can beat the boys in a Classic race. In matter of fact when you think about it, it happens all the time overseas.

Ouija Board, Sunline, Makybe Diva, Zakava

Those four where the best fillies and mares when they where racing.

Ouija Board- Group/Grade 1 winner, 2 time Breeder's Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner, thrilling winner against Alexander Goldrun, upset DWC Electrocusionist in what would be his final start before his untimely death.

Sunline- Two time Cox Plate winner

Makybe Diva- the legendary Aussie super mare, multible Melborne Cup winner

Zakava- Undefted, Arc winner

Now in Rach's defence all four of those filles race on turf only, she has done it on dirt only. In many people's eyes she's the mordern day Ruffian, but people forget that Ruffian never lost a race. Also she lead at every call in her career, now granted what happend to her in her match race against Foolish Pleasure was a compleate accident. Fillies since her death have faced the boys, and they will continue to do so afterwards.

While we are on the subject of Foolish Pleasure, it makes me happy to say that a decedent of him Smarty Jones, will have a filly running in a prep for the Irish 1,000 Guineas this weekend. Good luck to Smart Coco and hopefully she does well.

And speaking of Smarty, Thoroughbred Times is reporting that Mill Ridge will pension his grandsire Gone West. Other then Smarty's dad Elusive Quality, Gone West is the sire of Breeder's Cup Turf winner Johar, BC Sprint winner Speightstown and many other nice horses. Link

Preakness news

Ahmed Zayat (owner of Derby second place finisher Pioneerof the Nile), may have one of his trainers enter a horse or two to keep Rach out of the race. Ironcily, one of his trainers is Steve Asmussen, the new trainer of Rach. I would not be suprised if the horse he enters is one of my favs, Professor Z. He's by Grand Slam (another Gone West foal) out the Saint Ballado mare Her Halo. The problem is, I don't think he's been working, maybe injured is my guess. It's going to be a fun week upcoming as the Battle for the Woodlawn Vase heats up. Link to an article about Pioneerof the Nile.

Friesan Fire (18th in the Derby as the favorite), is also pointing towards the Preakness, pending the outcome of his workout on Tuesday. I really don't like this move, but I'll be rooting for him.

And btw Edgar Prado will be riding my boy Take the Points in the Preakness. Excellent choice Todd, excellent choice.

Edit (1:42 PM): Mine That Bird will be getting a new jockey for the Preakness (if Rach goes), as Calvin Borel has commited to Rachel Alexandra. Link