So Jackson swooped in, bought the Preakness and the Triple Crown away from Mine that Bird who will probably win the Belmont now.Rachel Alexandra, who made history when she became the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes since 1924, will not run in the Belmont Stakes a week from Saturday.
Jess Jackson, the owner of Stone-street Stable, made the announcement Friday.
"We know the media and many fans would have liked to see her run in the Belmont Stakes -- we feel the same," Jackson said in the statement. "But all of us sincerely interested in the horse must agree that we only want to see her run when it is best for her."
Rachel Alexandra has won four graded stakes races since March 14 and has had just two weeks off between her last two wins. If she had run and then won the Belmont, Rachel would have become the first filly to ever win two legs of the Triple Crown.
Jackson did not want to run Rachel in the demanding 11/2-mile Belmont knowing she needs a rest.
"We will always put her long-term well being first," Jackson said. "And, of course, we want to run her fresh."
With Rachel out, that means jockey Calvin Borel will be reunited with Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. Borel had gotten off that colt to ride Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness. Mike Smith rode Mine That Bird to a second-place finish in the Preakness but had a prior commitment on Belmont Day.
Bennie "Chip" Woolley, Mine That Bird's trainer, said Jackson called him Friday before issuing the statement.
"We're happy to have Calvin back," Woolley said by cell phone from Louisville, Ky, where Mine That Bird is stabled. "It would have been great for racing to have her in there for a rematch. Yes sir, it would have been good for racing but not particularly good for me."
Ridiculous.
The horse was bred to run. Run her. Pussy.
And don't get all animal rights on me here.....Jackson isn't running her because he doesn't think she can win at a mile and half. She showed that in the Preakness. It doesn't have anything to do with her health.
