Absolutely agree with Arrrgy. Steve A. has been saying RA wasn't fit, but JJ made the final call. JJ almost killed RA last year, and he expects her to bounce back without proper training after what she was put through with the grueling campaign she successfully handled as a 3yr old!!! Poor Rachel..
I agree to a degree. JJ put RA through a grueling campaign last year, one no other 3yr. old filly has ever had to do, but at what cost!! Even JJ admitted RA lost 100lbs after the Woodward, and it was a cost to her health. It is entirely JJ's fault that RA had to lay off training for such a long period of time. RA's trainer, SA, was quoted on numerous occasions "I am very concerned about RA's fitness", so why didn't JJ listen to the trainer?!?! What other great filly defeated top males and came back to win handily?? RA beat top males three times, and we expect her to be herself after seven uneven training sessions?? I love Zenyatta no doubt, but I adore RA as well. RA wasn't herself yesterday, and JJ may have killed the champion in her last year. Way to go JJ!!!