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Will We Ever See it? Rachel Alexandra vs. Zenyatta? Not for Now (at least)

When economic times are difficult, certainly games of chance suffer —witness on the one hand the ascendance of stay-at-home online casino…and more specifically online blackjack and online poker, versus horse racing, which is going through tougher times.

I mean, to get the full power of horse racing, to really ENJOY the sport, you need to GO to a track in person.

Did you read the recent story in the New York Daily News about how thoroughbred racing is almost a thing of the past in New York state now?

This is difficult for me to comprehend because of my love for the sport and the fact that I grew up 10 minutes away from Belmont Racetrack, on Long Island, N.Y.

But every once in a while, along comes a horse…or in this case two horses, that can change everything.

Yeah, we’re talking about Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. Everyone, even non fans want to see them race each other, right?

Not gonna happen this April, as planned.

Damn it.

The handlers of Rachel Alexandra, the filly who is the reigning Horse of the Year, wants no part of the undefeated mare Zenyatta.

At least for now.

Jess Jackson, Rachel Alexandra’s co-owner,  and Rachel Alexandra’s trainer, Steve Asmussen, are  concerned about her level of fitness.

“She either did too little or did too much,” Asmussen said recently.  “We are  behind schedule.”

When Zardana blew past Rachel Alexandra in the stretch of the New Orleans Ladies Stakes this past weekend, the trainer learned just how far behind they were.

Zardana, after all, is a good horse, but not a great horse.  But a 6-year-old mare whose best races were run in Brazil, lshould not be passing the Horse of the Year.

“Yesterday’s race while a disappointment, helped us define Rachel Alexandra’s racing condition,” Jackson said in a statement.

“While she is healthy, just as I had anticipated, she is not in top form.”

Some would argue they have made a wise decision not to race Zenyatta.

The public, the sport and fans across the country have too much invested in these two amazing and accomplished athletes.

I want to see the race, but I want both horses in 100 percent fit condition.

“We have a whole season before us to help define her greatness,” Jackson said. “She will tell us when her next race will be.”

If the Stakes is Rachel Alexandra’s last race, so be it. I can live with that.I’d be disappointed, but whatever is better for the horse. Right?

She is one of the greatest horses of our time, and we all consider ourselves very lucky  to have seen her in action.

So what do you think?

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