Aug 10
31
I am a big critic of trainer’s that run their horses where and when they don’t belong. Case in point, last week’s running of the Pacific Classic. The Usual Q.T. was entered coming off two consecutive grass victories and having won a total of 8 starts on grass out of 10 tries. On Synthetics, Q.T. was a lifetime 0 for 5.
To me The Usual Q.T. being entered in this race didn’t make sense. First off, it’s on a Synthetic surface where he has never won. Further, right now Q.T. seems to be in the best condition of his career. So why risk him by running on a surface he doesn’t favor? Shouldn’t his connections have been planning a grass race a little later as a stepping stone to get him to a Breeders’ Cup grass event? Even if he lost this prep race it would still keep him on target for a Breeders’ Cup grass effort where he might bounce back.
Now, with this loss and the time it will take to recover what will Q.T’s connections do to get him on track for a Breeders’ Cup effort? To me, this horse was mis-placed by running in the Pacific Classic.
Another horse that I feel is about to be mis-placed or mis-entered is Rachel Alexandra. I feel it is time for her to be retired. This year she has been given several chances but she has proven that she is no longer the great horse she was last year. It’s time for her to go off and breeze in the meadow as she starts to pass on her bloodlines.
There is no shame in retiring. What has happened to Rachel has happened to many greats. It’s just so hard to maintain that incredible level she was on. Just think about what she did last year. The distances she ran, the males and females she beat, the different surfaces she raced on. Last year she was great and deserved to be named horse of the year. This year she is just not the same horse any more.
I hope Rachel retires very soon and is a healthy and happy gal at making babies.
I also hope Zenyatta stays healthy, keeps running and keeps winning for the rest of this year and shortly afterwards she retires and gets a chance to run in the meadow and make her babies.
