Wow.
Although I’ve always believed that even great horses, if raced long enough, will eventually lose, I’m starting to think that Rachel Alexandra isn’t really a horse. She’s the Thestral version of the Black Stallion, a J. K. Rowling/Walter Farley super-creature that mere Thoroughbreds regard with the same mixture of fascination and fear displayed on the faces of cheating couples whenever Joey Greco bursts through the door.
Let’s be honest: Rachel didn’t just beat the boys in last Sunday’s Haskell, she destroyed ‘em. Despite battling with Munnings through a :46.43 opening half-mile, the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro exploded rounding the far turn and pulled away to a six-length score in 1:47.21 for 1 1/8 miles — a spectacular time over a sloppy Monmouth Park surface that was far from glib.
“I really didn’t ask her for much run,” jockey Calvin Borel told Bloodhorse magazine after the race. “We have not gotten to the bottom of her, that’s for sure. She’s an amazing athlete and I’m glad that I get to ride her.”
And I’m glad I get to watch her.
Awesome Arlington
There’s some great racing action taking place in the Windy City this weekend, as the 27th Arlington Million highlights a super card from Arlington Park on Saturday. Below is a preview of some of the top events:
$50,000 Top Flight (5th race)
Yeah, I know this seven-furlong dash for two-year-old fillies is not as glamorous as some of the turf contests that follow, but how often does one run across a race in which every single entrant won its last start? Of those recent conquerors, Deceptive Glory earned the best Beyer speed rating (92) for her maiden-breaking score at Arlington on July 4 and is an obvious favorite against the likes of these. However, the daughter of Honour and Glory will be asked to carry her speed another 2 1/2 furlongs on Saturday, so I’ll probably structure my wagers around Sister Resistor, who captured a one-mile maiden event at Ellis Park despite racing wide throughout. True, the 58 Beyer she earned that day is among the lowest in the Top Flight field, but her zero late speed ration (LSR) certainly looks impressive. I’m also intrigued by Richiesgirlgotgame, a Five Star Day filly that lived up to her name with a gutsy debut performance on July 18.
$400,000 Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes (7th)
If you’re a fan of the Racing Post Ratings, it’s hard to look past Black Bear Island, whose lifetime best RPR of 113 is the highest in the field among those who have been assigned a rating (Hoosier Kingdom, Laureate Conductor and Quite a Handful have not). As one might expect, the son of Sadler’s Wells was awarded that 113 figure for his victory in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York on May 14, where he beat Group 1 winner Crowded House and recent Bahrain Trophy champion Kite Wood.
Still, I can’t help but scratch my head over the lack of respect being given to Driving Snow, who will race as part of a Silverton Hill entry in the Secretariat. Not only has the Darrin Miller trainee beaten Black Bear Island before, but he also handed Sea The Stars, Europe’s reigning sophomore stud, his only loss — in the same race. And while some may believe that the son of Verglas has distance limitations, Driving Snow has a healthy Dosage Index of 1.80, which is considerably better than the 3.00 possessed by race favorite Giant Oak.
$750,000 Grade 1 Beverly D. (8th)
I’m a big fan of Pure Clan (as well as simple rhymes) and I think she looks like the one to beat in the Beverly D. I wouldn’t be quick to dismiss Tizaqueena either, as she’s sure to offer an enticing price — which would be nice (sorry).
$1,000,000 Grade 1 Arlington Million (9th)
I find it interesting that, among the European bookmakers that are offering wagering on the Arlington Million (Bet365, Sporting Bet, VC Bet and William Hill), all have Gio Ponti installed as the favorite (ranging from 2-1 to 5-2). Hey, if the Euros think that the Christophe Clement protégé is the one to beat, who am I to argue? Still, I’m probably going to have to throw a deuce or two on Recapturetheglory, who I think is better than he looks on paper. And does anybody know the over/under on Presious Passion’s likely lead at the half — is it 10 lengths, 20 lengths or the Arlington Park backstretch?
Flexing His Muscles
While I hardly disagree with those who think that Muscle Hill is something special, given his likely price in the $1.5 million Hambletonian for three-year-old trotters — he’s 3/5 on the morning line — I’m afraid I’m going to have to root against him on Saturday.
I’ll be pulling, instead, for Explosive Matter, a son of Cantab Hall that has won eight of 11 lifetime starts. Sure, the last time he faced Muscle Hill, on July 22, the champ dispatched him like a 90-pound weakling at Venice Beach, but, hey, a lot can happen in three weeks (just ask a drone).
10th Meadowlands ($1,520,333 Hambletonian):
1- Muscle Hill (1-1 fair odds)
2- Explosive Matter (5-1)
3- Symphonic Hanover (10-1)
4- Hot Shot Blue Chip (15-1)
5- Triumphant Caviar (20-1)
6- Calchips Brute (25-1)
7- Reinsman Hanover (30-1)
8- The Chancellor (25-1)
9- Federal Flex (8-1)
10- Judge Joe (12-1)
For more on the Hambletonian, be sure to check out my chat with the Meadowlands’ Dave Brower on this week’s “Simon Says” podcast.
Currently a full-time freelance business/sports writer, Derek has been published by Motley Fool, Newsmax, Dulcinea Media, iStockAnalyst, Beacon Equity Research and a host of other online and offline venues.
The opinions of Youbet Update writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Youbet.com or its subsidiaries.