Posts Tagged ‘Rachel Alexandra’
Rachel Alexandra
September 5th, 2009 | 
Author: If you watched the Triple Crown races this year, you may remember the story about a nice older gentleman who bred a filly and named her after his granddaughter, Rachel Alexandra. He later sold the horse to billionaire Jess Jackson, of Kendall-Jackson Wines fame, who is a controversial figure in the horse racing industry because he believes that the way horses have been bred over the past decade have led to more injuries.
Calvin Borel, who became America’s jockey after riding Street Sense to victory in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, is her jockey.
(Rachel & Calvin at Saratoga Race Course)
That’s the backstory for today’s Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, NY. Rachel Alexandra is the “it” horse this year. And during on this final Saturday of the “Saratoga Season”, there’s a sense of excitement about this 3 year old filly and tens of thousands of both casual and hard-core horseracing fans are expected to fill the stands on what promises to be a gorgeous end-of-summer afternoon.
My dad, Earl N. Brindle, loved horses and Saratoga. I’ll be thinking of him as I watch Rachel Alexandra in today’s race from the historic grandstand at Saratoga Race Course.
Postscript-Watch the race here:
Posted in Baby Booomers, Branding, horse racing, Online Media, Social media | 
Tags: Calvin Borel, Rachel Alexandra, Saratoga Race Course, Woodward Stakes | 
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The Saratoga Season
Today marks the start of the 2009 Saratoga Season which is a major cultural event for those of us who live in New York State’s Capital Region equidistant between New York City, Boston and Montreal. Unlike at most race tracks in America, thoroughbred horse racing at the historic Saratoga Race Course is a family affair where moms, dads and kids outnumber the cigar-chomping Oscar Madison-type old men and picnic near the paddock
Tim Wilkin, who’s a sports columnist for Hearst’s Albany Times Union, listed some of the questions and concerns regarding this year’s Saratoga Season in today’s paper:
• Super filly Rachel Alexandra working out in the morning at the
Oklahoma Track.
• Can trainer Todd Pletcher recapture the magic?: Pletcher tries to
reclaim perch as dominant Spa trainer.
• Rain: The spring and early summer has had lousy weather. Can
Saratoga catch a break?
• Bird is the word: Could have Derby winner Mine That Bird and
Belmont winner Summer Bird in Travers. And Rachel Alexandra…?
• The house: If all three come to the Travers, how many people are
going to come watch?
• Great 2-year-olds have run at the Spa in the past. Perhaps the 2010
Derby winner is in the house.
• One for the old man: 8-year-old Commentator goes for his third
Whitney win.
• Twilight racing: Two cards this year. More people like it than don’t.
• No clear cut choice to win jockey riding title: Alan Garcia, Johnny V.,
Edgar Prado just three who could take it all.
Read more about this year’s Saratoga Season at www.timesunion.com/sports/
Posted in baby boomers, Baby Booomers, horse racing |
Tags: horse racing, jockeys, Rachel Alexandra, Saratoga, thoroughbreds, travel |
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