SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, July 2, 2010--These two headlines were culled from Friday posts at Equidaily.com:

“VIDEO: Rachel arrives at her summer home in Saratoga.”

"NYRA PREZ: We are puzzled and disappointed that Rachel Alexandra, who performed so well at Saratoga last year, is passing up the Grade I Ruffian to run in a non-graded race at Monmouth Park over the same distance.

“We remain hopeful that the Saratoga fans will have the opportunity to see Rachel later in the meet."

I’m only sorry that Charlie Hayward uttered that last sentence at all but understand why he did.

To me it sounded a little like [name your favorite official, celebrity, or New York City mayor here], anyone synonymous with New York, pleading with LeBron James to come to town and shoot some hoops for the home team.

But this is what can sometimes happen when owners act “in the best interests of the horse.”

And I would doubt it but if a conference call were to take place among Bob Kulina, Hayward and Hal Handel, in all likelihood it would be Kulina who would utter the words: “It’s not personal, it’s strictly business.”

Generally, the line made famous by Michael Corleone is really disingenuous at its core: It may be just business, but it always turns out to be personal.

That’s doubtful in this case since these three men genuinely seem to like one another. Kulina and Handel are even former colleagues at the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority.

But I’m not sure Hayward and Handel will be tipping any toll takers on the New Jersey Turnpike on their way back to Oceanport, New Jersey anytime soon.

Nevertheless, boosting the purse of the ungraded Lady’s Secret and moving the date back from August 1, Haskell day, to next Saturday, July 24, is a great business move.

First, it gives Monmouth Park another big day. Rachel probably will put an extra 5,000 fannies in seats, which amounts to lots of hot dogs, beer and admissions, not to mention gaining a measure of star power for the storied New Jersey venue.

Further, Rachel’s appearance on Haskell day would detract from Monmouth’s signature event. There would be one day is big time media coverage instead of two. The Haskell traditionally fills the place. Add Rachel and it would turn into a logistical nightmare.

And it might have been one of those cases in which another famous Garden Stater, Yogi Berra, might have proven prescient, or, to paraphrase: “It could be so crowded that nobody will show up.”

Lengthening the race from 8.5 to 9 furlongs is strictly an accommodation to the horse, or to two horses, the other being Zenyatta. As for other female tomato cans that might show up for this ungraded stakes, $400,000 is an attractive pot.

Since only 55% goes to the winner, to offset the cost of paying Monmouth entrants back to last place, the inflated purse guarantees at least two runners-up a good payday.

But make no mistake, you can bet Monmouth tried its damndest to make a dream matchup happen, made overtures, but the Zenyatta camp “graciously declined.”

“I’ll see your Apple Blossom and raise you a Lady’s Secret,” might have been the more apt response.

From the Rachel camp’s perspective, this much is clear: They wanted an easy prep race for their filly. The Grade 1 Ruffian would have been much tougher. There are some very high quality older fillies throughout the country not named Rachel or Zenyatta.

Of course, Rachel’s connections have the right to run their filly where and when they wish. But that doesn’t make this 11th hour announcement any less tacky.

New York Racing Association officials are embarrassed and angry, as they have a right to be. As I write this, I’m wearing this year’s baseball cap giveaway at the Spa, a nice looking burgundy number with the name Rachel spelled out on the back, in gold.

I’m wondering if it’s too late for NYRA to change the cap’s theme and color scheme prior to August 8th. “Get me Global Sourcing International on the blower, and make it pronto!”

If it weren’t in their best business interests, NYRA would be perfectly with their rights to ask Steve Asmussen to take his horses off he grounds. Stall assignments still come under the purview of the racing secretary’s office.

But it’s better for NYRA’s bottom line that they bite this bullet and get Rachel to run in the Personal Ensign on Labor Day weekend. Forget about her trying to repeat last year’s Woodward triumph.

If for some reason, scheduling or otherwise, Rachel wanted no part of the Ruffian, I don’t think she’s willing to set her sights on Quality Road just yet, either. That meeting would only come for all the marbles.

Of course, the 10-furlong Personal Ensign, farther than Rachel has ever run, fits snugly inside the wheelhouse of the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner. At 7 p.m. EDT on July 24th, the ball will be back in Zenyatta’s court.

It’s too bad that these fillies are so damn good and are being campaigned in this manner. In one case, the big mare leaves town. In the other, the big mare very rarely strays far from home.