While I applaud TVG’s $400K contribution to the Beldame purse, designed to coax the connections of Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra to enter, it’s not going to happen.  Online fans are already going toe-to-toe about the merits of each horse, but this proposed Beldame purse increase is just fomenting the snarkiness between the two camps. Don’t get me wrong; I would love to see Zenyatta meet Rachel Alexandra in any race – it’s just not going to be at Belmont.

The Mosses are NOT flying Zenyatta to Belmont. End of story.

If the $400K went towards construction of a new detention barn, they may reconsider, but why? While I’m not defending Zenyatta’s perplexing, unchallenging schedule, in every other sport it’s the challenger that comes to meet the champion, not vice versa.  Jess Jackson’s already voiced his disdain for synthetics, and despite his horse having won on the stuff, he still won’t ship Rachel Alexandra  to California because of Curlin’s poor showing in the Breeders’ Cup Classic of 2008.

Jess, get over it. Curlin trained fine over the track. He just was tailing off after almost a 2 year run of mostly exceptional performances. Not all horses can turn in perfect races every time. It was not Curlin’s time. Let Rachel have HER time. Bring her to the BC Ladies’ Classic and let’s end all this turmoil between the two camps once and for all.