Thursday, December 31, 2015

End of the Year Favorite Moments: #3 and #2- Rachel power!

Note: Until the end of the year I will be counting down my top favorite moments from this year.

These two go hand and hand considering they are both foals of one of the amazing fillies of recent time, Rachel Alexandra.

#3- Jess's Dream goes last to first to break his maiden

The pressure was on. His dad was a two time horse of the year... mom well she was possibly the greatest 3yo filly since Ruffian. By HOY out of a HOY, Jess's Dream was out to prove the doubters wrong. Even though little sister Rachel's Valentina had won her debut, Taco as he has effectionally been called since he was a baby was not the post time favorite. When the gates opened, Taco was slow and had to start from the back of the pack. Then as they turned for home something kicked in. His father's grit? His mother's determination? Our both of their's heart. He started passing horses and just got up at the wire to win his career debut. As Larry Colums said, “Jess's Dream is a reality!”

Taco would be out the rest of the year, but hopefully he makes some noise next year as a 4yo.

#2- Rachel's Valentina wins the Spinaway

Rachel's Valentina's family was having a great year. Aunt Samantha Nicole had started to show potential, big brother Jess's Dream got a win and Valentina got her career started on a good note as well. The Spinaway was held the weekend after American Pharoah's shock loss in the Travers... but more importanly on the 6th aniversary of the 2009 Woodward where Valentina's mom “raised the rafters” at Saratoga. Could Rachel add to her historic career with a G1 winning foal? The answer would be yes.


Valentina would finish second to Songbird (who ironicly is bred simlarly to Rachel (MDO out of a mare who is by Forty Niner) in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Note: Rachel's 1/2 brother Dolphus also broke his maiden this year.


No comments:

Post a Comment