Rachel Alexandra vs. Zenyatta

Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. One thing we have found is that no matter what name you bring up, there is plenty of passion on both sides. From east coast to west coast, just like jazz vs. rap, the Dodgers vs. the Giants there is going to be plenty of debate on who is the best. Rachel fans love Rachel and Zenyatta fans love Zenyatta. That is the way it is suppose to be. But lets not forget that both of these ladies are quite special and have done a great service to the industry, something that track management has failed to do. Instead of bashing each other, lets recognize that and applaud the other camp too. We can all say that one is better than the other but when sides start bashing the connections then the name calling begins and how petty is that really? If we race fans and horsemen want to start bashing, how about we bash track management?

You don't have to be a Dodger fan to like the way Gibson Home Run scored in his debut on August 5th at Del Mar in the 8th race for trainer Peter Miller. Scoring at the maiden claiming level of $32k, it's no doubt that maybe Gibson Home Run has once or twice came back to the barn the way Kurt rounded the bases on that fateful evening but he got the job done under P. Val at $7.60.

American Story looked solid taking down the 2nd race at Del Mar on August 6th as another Bob Baffert trainee scored under Martin Garcia at $6.60. The filly by Ghostzapper looked solid and may be heard from again soon before Fairplex opens.

Zenyatta ran her streak up to 18 in a row, while remaining perfect when the daughter of Street Cry took down the winners share of the Grade I $300,000 Clement Hirsch on Saturday August 7. With slow fractions to chase and a zealous ride by David Flores aboard Dance to My Tune pushing Zenyatta wide into the stretch, the mare did what she has always done and that was to win. What a special mare she has turned out to be for connections of trainer John Shirreffs and owners Mr. and Mrs. Jerry S. Moss. How anyone can say anything negative about this mare is beyond us.

She was only winning her first race in the United States but Late Cuddle sure did look impressive for Jerry Hollendorfer and owner Mrs. S K Johnston, Jr. Ridden under Rafael Bejarano the 5-year-old mare by Postponed paid an overlayed price of $15.60 to her backers. She may like it here and turn out to be a useful sort. keep your eyes on her in future starts.

Too early for Derby talk? Not really. J P's Gusto looked nice winning the Grade II Best Pal on Sunday at Del Mar under Patrick Valenzuela for trainer David Hofmans and owners Gem Inc. The son of Successful Appeal has nice breeding and talent. He's worth following.

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