July 11, 2010

A Grade 1 Winning Mule?


No, it is not what you are thinking, a mule did not actually win a grade 1 stakes this weekend. Rather it was one of the so called mules that ran in the Fleur de Lis Stakes on June 12 at Churchill Downs. Jessica Is Back became another on the long list of horses treated rudely by Rachel, to come back and win a grade 1 win race. In fact, both winners of the two biggest races at Calder’s Summit of Speed yesterday were formerly vanquished by Rachel, as Big Drama was also a big winner yesterday. When horses are as good as Rachel Alexandra, it becomes too easy to assume the horses she is routing are not very good, but that is what great horses do.

Sara Louise, Dream Empress, Just Jenda, Gabby’s Golden Gal, Mine That Bird, Musket Man, Big Drama, Take the Points, Flashing, Malibu Prayer, Summer Bird, Papa Clem, Duke of Mischief, Munnings, Macho Again, Bullsbay, Da’Tara, Jessica Is Back, etc… The list of major wins continues to grow for the beaten by Rachel club.

All world beaters? No. But, please do not call them mules just because they get thrashed by Rachel. I congratulate Jessica Is Back, who clearly is a nice horse.

In her five races this year, Jessica Is Back ran 2nd in a $300,000 stakes at Gulfstream, won a stakes race by nine lengths, gave the top older mare Life at Ten all she could handle in Chicago, ran unsuccessfully against Rachel, and then yesterday she won the grade 1 Princess Rooney going away. Pretty good for a mule!

6 comments:

Toesknows said...

You forgot Pioneerof the Nile.

NetworkEmpowerment said...

Well now I've heard that she was only 80% for her RA race and that since she was sprinting it doesn't count. It amazes me how people will make up any type of exuse to put a horse down. Whatever, JIB, proved RA is back by flattering her yesterday. As you said she is no worldbeater, but she is no mule either, in fact she's a grade one winner.

Brian Zipse said...

Well I did say, etc... But, yes you are correct. Pioneerof the Nile was another major winner that went down at the hands of Rachel.

Jessica's form has been excellent this year, except of course when she looked Miss Alexandra in the eye. I can not blame her for that loss.

Anonymous said...

Great post Brian, it's nice to have more confirmation for those of us who still believe Rachel Alexandra is as good as she was last year. I remember people joking last year that all you had to do to win a grade 1 with your horse was to run against Rachel and next out you'd be a grade 1 winner. (:

NetworkEmpowerment said...

Well railrunner, look at Gabby's Golden Gal, Flashing, and SB and you have your proof. All you have to do is get beaten by RA and you become a grade one winner in your next start.

RachelAlex said...

Brian, thanks again for your continuing updates and support of Rachel. I have been very discouraged this year about her situation and it consoles me to see that some of her fans have not abandoned her.