Comments on Big Event Blog: In defense of Jackson and owners everywhere

I couldn't agree more with the post. Why bash...

2009-08-27T21:10:16.430-04:00

I couldn't agree more with the post. Why bash Jess Jackson for having RA do the unheard of by taking on older male horses at age 3 while Zenyatta does nothing but race against weak 4-horse fields in California on the poly? Plus Jackson actually considered running Curlin in the Arc last year. It didn't pan out because Curlin didn't take to the turf or polytrack, but do you think any other owner would be that sporting? That Jackson is a sportsman is without question.

Who is Claire Novak ?

2009-08-24T10:30:42.086-04:00

Who is Claire Novak ?

I read Novak's article a few days ago with my ...

2009-08-23T16:26:05.667-04:00

I read Novak's article a few days ago with my jaw on the floor. It was bitter, personalized and more unprofessional with each passing paragraph.
Whether I agree with her or not (and I don't), I could not stomach that this so-called journalist was allowed a forum to just relentlessly bash the connections of Rachel Alexandra. Disgaree with their tactics all you like, but can we be even remotely professional about expressing it?? That is rhetorical, under the circumstances.

That type of personal attack should best be left for a personal blog. And to paraphrase Ms Novak's article: "Trust me"...it IS personal. She knows it, they know it, and so does most everyone else in the horse racing media.

I have news for the young Ms. Novak; neither you, or any of us, are "owed" a thing from any owner, or trainer of ANY horse, at any time.

Perhaps a closer look into WHY Ms. Novak is SO incensed is in order here, because I for one, smell something a lot more rancid than just a tantrum over not being told when a horse is going to race.

Either way, it was nothing but an embarassment to good journalists and writers everywhere. Ms. Novak is young and "untrained" (ie, no degree in journalism) and it shows. One wonders if it's already too late to teach her some tact and decorum, even at her very young age.

"her workout pattern clearly indicated that s...

2009-08-22T07:34:46.391-04:00

"her workout pattern clearly indicated that she would not be racing this week. (...) it's not like deciphering Asmussen's moves required possession of the Rosetta Stone or an advanced degree in reading tea leaves."

This is a revealing statement, and a representative one, I fear. If people in the racing media actually think like this, it explains a lot.

To be sure: the post linked to isn't meant as a personal attack on you, but on the (widespread, I assume) notion this statement presents.

Malcer, Philly Park would benefit not only from t...

2009-08-22T00:44:44.244-04:00

Malcer,

Philly Park would benefit not only from the extra tickets sold (if that's even a factor since most racinos offer free admission) but from the added slot play and concession sales.

As a frequent simulcast player, I'm FAR more inclined to look at the race with Rachel Alexandra in it than without. I'd then in turn look at the pick N wagers surrounding her race.

While your note that tracks don't reduce purses for a lackluster field is a fair point, it doesn't change my bottom line that tracks figure to make more with her in a race than without (why do you think Monmouth offers a $50k bonus to classic winners who start in the Haskell?). Jackson wanting a cut of that not only for himself but also his trainer, jockey, grooms, valets, etc. isn't out of line.

It's one of your best pieces.

2009-08-21T22:36:28.340-04:00

It's one of your best pieces.

"he knows his filly running will make money n...

2009-08-21T19:15:20.610-04:00

"he knows his filly running will make money not only for himself but also for the track staging the race and the network televising it. Him wanting a cut of that by virtue of a higher purse is completely in bounds." -

What do you think the original million-dollar purse is for? Does Greenwood also have the right to withhold 750K in case the field isn't worthy of more than 250? If not, I think this is a terribly bad argument.

There will be no televising network if Jackson keeps announcing her schedule the morning of the race. TV stations plan months or at the very least days in advance (a fact that American racing keeps missing).
It's highly questionable whether Philly Park would be so giddy about the few extra tickets sold (does that dump even hold more than 10.000?) while Rachel simultaneously cuts their betting pools in half.

A point you miss is that Jackson himself has set the bar so high by claiming that he bought RA to broaden racing's appeal. If his actions clearly contradict that goal, criticism is just.

I don't disagree. Rachel Alexandra belongs to...

2009-08-21T17:29:51.542-04:00

I don't disagree. Rachel Alexandra belongs to Jackson, not the fans. If Jackson wants to run her tomorrow in a $5K claimer at Fort Erie or rest for months and try the BC Classic, that's his business.

I think we've been treated to a good slate of races thus far at a variety of tracks against a wide range of competition.

I have no complaints.