Rachel

[Srotagtbs]

So the Travers would have been the tougher test eh?

[Risen Star]

I had a lot of mixed feelings about Rachel running against older males. I was torn watching that race.

IMO, Rachel is an all-time great, and she's earned that distinction. However, my hat also goes off to these older males who gave her a real run for her money. To ask a three-year-old to run against older, accomplished males, is always a tall order, especially a filly.

I hope everybody is, and stays, in good order.

[PeteMo]

Gutsy win, congrats to her, its been an amazing run. That being said if they are not going to the BC its time to put her away for awhile. This was her toughest test, she was game..but she got weight and was all out. Beat older, but anyone can see this group of handicap horses is nothing special, just feel she has done enough for now, its been a grinding campaign.

[PrivateSmiles]

There really isn't any reason to run her again this year, is there? Not even to face Zenyatta. She's already proven she's better than Zenyatta.

[PeteMo]

There really isn't any reason to run her again this year, is there? Not even to face Zenyatta. She's already proven she's better than Zenyatta.

How has she proven she is better than Zanyatta? I did not see where they ran against each other? Mine that bird without trouble beats her in the Preakness, if Zenyatta was in the Preakness she would have won by 5 lengths. Very likely Zenyatta would have had a perfect pace set up today to win the Woodward.

[Risen Star]

Gutsy win, congrats to her, its been an amazing run. That being said if they are not going to the BC its time to put her away for awhile. This was her toughest test, she was game..but she got weight and was all out. Beat older, anyone can see this group of handicap horses is nothing special.

I respectfully disagree about these handicap horses not being special. Many of these horses, while not having superstar status like Rachel, have won graded stakes races, and whether the filly is three or four, this is a great filly, who's beaten everybody in sight, and frequently by large margins. But the field she faced today certainly made Rachel know she was in a horse race.

[PeteMo]

On numbers this group of older horses not in the same zip code as Ghostzapper, Saint Liam, Invasor. Not taking anything away from her, but the group she beat, on thorographs is over 10 lengths behind Ghostzapper.

[Thinkinproblem]

A breeders cup win for her would seal her greatness. Until then . . .there will always be that tiny shred of doubt.

[Risen Star]

Rachel may run as a four-year-old, and if she does, a Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs will no doubt be on the schedule.

As to her greatness, IMO, she's already there even without a BC.

[Masterp]

How has she proven she is better than Zanyatta? I did not see where they ran against each other? Mine that bird without trouble beats her in the Preakness, if Zenyatta was in the Preakness she would have won by 5 lengths. Very likely Zenyatta would have had a perfect pace set up today to win the Woodward.

Time to give Rachel her due...sounds like you are a big Zenyatta fan (which is alright) but can't admit when another horse has run a much, much, much tougher campaign on several different surfaces against much better competition.

Rachel is HOY...she can now take a well deserved break.