Saratoga proved once again to be the graveyard of champions when Persistently closed late to win the 2010 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga by 1 length over heavy favorite and Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. Life at Ten was another 10 1/4 lengths back in third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Persistently beats Rachel Alexandra in the 2010 Personal Ensign
By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide August 30, 2010
Saratoga proved once again to be the graveyard of champions when Persistently closed late to win the 2010 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga by 1 length over heavy favorite and Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. Life at Ten was another 10 1/4 lengths back in third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.Explore Horse Racing
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Comments
Persistently lived up to her name in the stretch drive to catch and pass Rachel. My hat is off to her.
CINDY-your “weekly stakes races” are a great feature, can you update it? thanx much.
Right off the bat. Let me say that I’m a huge Zenyatta fan. One that’s always believed that Zenyatta could, and would beat Rachel Alexandra. That said. I’m not making these remarks to do any comparing between the two’s careers. What I am saying is that obviously, the Rachel Alexandra we’re seeing race in 2010 is a mere shadow of the same filly we saw race in 2009. Was it a fabulous feat that Rachel beat colt’s 3 times in 2009? Absolutely. But was Jess Jackson’s ego so large, that he felt 3 races against colt’s was really necessary? That’s very taxing on a young 3yr.old filly. As Rachel was then. That was still growing, maturing, and developing physically and mentally when she was thrown under the bus. So what has what she accomplished in 2009 done for her in 2010? Instead of making her out to look like the champion filly she raced like in 2009. It’s now made her look like a “one year wonder.” Rachel was beaten in the Personal Ensign by a filly who was an optional claimer. Who’s last previous win had been against horses that were non-winners of two races. Rachel is obviously not a G1 filly any longer. She’s lost 3 of her 5 starts in 2010 to what amounts to barely above allowance company across the board. It’s time for Jackson and Asmussen to do right by this filly. Because she’s certainly done right by them. Running her heart out. Her problem now is the old biblical saying. “The spirit is willing. But the flesh isn’t able.” Retire this great filly to broodmare. Do not continue to race her and let her get beaten by fillies that she would’ve ran away from by 15 to 20 lengths in 2009. For Jackson to continue to race Rachel Alexandra at this point. When she’s literally physically spent. Is racing her strictly to satisfy his own ego and vanity. TJMO.
Agree with EmperorCladius. Rachel was overworked this year, and she clearly needed time off for rest and play. I am hopeful that Zenyatta gets recognition for Horse of the Year, as I truly believe she was the real winner last year.
Let the beautiful Rachel rest. Don’t turn her into a wreck.
I myself like Zenyatta, let me say that I am a horsemen all my live, I have seeing lot’s of good horse in the pass. Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra are very good fillys, I like them both, but I do believed that Zenyatta could, beat Rachel Alexandra at a 1 1/8. That said what I think, and what I see. I am not making these remarks to do any comparing between the two’s careers. What I am saying I see a little more run in Zenyatta,,,,