The Brock Talk

Monday, July 26, 2010

Talk Again About Rachel Alexandra Versus Zenyatta

Several New York publications including the New York Daily News have speculated that the possible dream race between 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and the undefeated champion Zenyatta may again be a realistic consideration in the grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 29.

Trainer Steve Asmussen, trainer of Rachel Alexandra, has already indicated to Daily Racing Form that they are pointing towards the $400,000 Personal Ensign while the Zenyatta camp has made no commitment to the Aug. 7 Clement Hirsch at Del Mar.

The Personal Ensign offers two features that should be attractive to Zenyatta trainer John Shirreffs and owners Jerry and Ann Moss. The 1-1/4 mile distance appears to Zenyatta best, and the natural dirt main track. The $300,000 Clement Hirsch, also a grade 1, is the shorter 1-1/16 miles.

The Breeders' Cup this year will be run at Churchill Downs, so the Zenyatta camp may want to prepare the defending Breeders' Cup Classic winner on a natural track like Saratoga instead of the synthetic main track at Del Mar.

No comments: