Friday, May 08, 2009

Open Letter to Jess Jackson, Don’t Do It!

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, May 8, 2009--

Dear Mr. Jackson,

Congratulations on the purchase that you and Mr. McCormack made to acquire Oaks heroine Rachel Alexandra. I’m sure you paid a premium for her and I must admit I was enjoying the Hal Wiggins story immensely.

But given current economic conditions, it would have been irresponsible for the filly’s original owners, and their long relationship with Mr. Wiggins, not to accept your offer.

Perhaps now they might consider tithing their social security checks back to Uncle Sam, who could use a little stimulus of his own.

As you know, I’ve been a fan of yours since a) you spoke truth to power at the Congressional hearings last June, b) were sporting enough to try Curlin on the grass and c) took a shot at the Pro Ride with potentially more to lose than gain.

Or d), for that wonderful bottle of Merlot reserve you sent along from your vineyards at Christmas time. (You had my Eclipse vote at hello).

So it is with the best of intentions that I advise you not to do it. Running in the Preakness would be a mistake. The race you want to run in is the Belmont, especially if Mine That Bird happens to win the Preakness, too.

Besides, what could be better than foiling a Triple Crown bid? And everyone knows about your respect for the game and its history.

But I have pragmatic reasons that have nothing to do with whether or not Rachel Alexandra is America’s best three-year-old.

I wrote a piece on this site before the Oaks saying that Rachel was reminiscent of Ruffian, in terms of domination. So it’s not my lack of confidence in her to win.

(And, if you recall, I encouraged Zenyatta’s connections to run against you in the Classic. So it‘s not as if I have a filly vs. colts taboo thing, either).

But meeting seasoned males in a limit field in Baltimore is dicey--especially coming in off two weeks rest.

Secondly, your filly would be coming in off soft wins. She’s been so dominant this year that she’s never had to answer any questions. If you’re going to try males, which is tough as it is, why not under optimal conditions?

There are plenty of big stages left in this racing season.

Ask Mr. Asmussen this question: What race do you think her galloping-speed style would be suited to given that style?

It’s the dynamics of the Preakness race shape on short rest vs. the wide expanse of Belmont Park where she could, if good enough, gallop the boys silly at a sensible pace.

To me, the choice seems obvious unless, of course, you know something about Jerry Bailey coming out of retirement for a reprise his Eddington role in the 2004 Belmont Stakes.

Getting back to your sense of history, consider: What if Calvin--to whom you promised all future rides--were to win the Preakness on his Derby mount with you on the sidelines, then foregoes a chance at a Triple Crown sweep to beat Mine That Bird with a filly and win his own personal Crown?

Wouldn’t that be the Mother of All Triple Crown storylines? And don’t let anyone convince you that I’m a complete idiot here. Just consider it for yourself, talk it over with your trainer and make the right choice. I know stories regarding her participation in a Triple Crown race thus far have been conflicting, so I'm taking no chances.

Besides, if you wanted to make an immediate statement, why not the Met Mile, where Rachel would get tons of weight because she’s a filly and a three-year-old?

And the Metropolitan Handicap gives you another two weeks.

Just received the Preakness Equiform figures from Cary Fotias who picked out the Belmont for Rachel on Derby eve. Turns out the filly earned the identical figure for the Oaks that Mine That Bird earned in the Derby. And you get a weight concession; edge to you.

Big Drama ran a super race and earned an excellent figure finishing first in the Swale, virtually the same figure as the Oaks and Derby. He’s fresh and was a two-turn winner as a two-year-old. He’s got demon speed. Why go looking for trouble at this stage?

If she were mine, I don’t believe that running in the Preakness would be in her best interests. It’s just too much, too soon. You won over a lot of fans last year with Curlin. But they don’t like this move (check out the comments of fans beneath Bill Christine’s Thursday blog).

A final thought: When I first started out in the business at Newsday in 1977, I was a big fan of Seattle Slew. The first column I wrote a week before the Derby predicted that he would win the Triple Crown.

I know, that was sophomoric, but when you’re young you know it all. Anyway, I became friendly with Billy Turner and do you know what he told me in the winter of 1977 when he and Slew wintered at Hialeah Park?

He said that for Slew, the Belmont would be “the easiest of the three.” Turned out he was right in every way.

Now, if Quality Road makes it back in time for the Belmont, given his style and class, I’d pass the Belmont, too, and run in the Acorn the same day. Then, instead of the Alabama, set your sights on the Travers.

I’m just sayin’, Mr. Jackson.


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