I saw this live at the Saratoga track. I have never heard a louder roar of the crowd in all my years going there. Incredible and fun !

@brockjamison6274

2 ай бұрын

I can only imagine! Still gives me chills

This is one of the all time great race calls

Man... what a call by Tom Durkin!!!!!! Gave me goosebumps!!!!

@Stewart638

4 жыл бұрын

Tom Durkin was absolutely the worst race caller in history .flat out sucked finally the horseman who put on the show demanded his removal. They wanted Larry Collmus but NYRA only wants to pay600 a week fr this job. Durkin would work for peanuts because it beats nothing Collmus can go anywhere so he left. Now they have that dickbhead imbrialle .a fight over this bullshit is ongoing at nyra the horseman don't want Andy serling either just sucks NYRA is so cheap it's ridiculous you get what you pay for . Not fair to racing horseman who work hard only to have the public face of racing look like shitband sound even worse . New people listen to the track handicappers who can't pick a winner to save thier lives in NY where favorites win at an 80 percent clip then have to endure race calls from now imbrialle who's better than dick head Durkin but still sucks those new customers who there was a lot of with covid 19 left after a couple of races never to return. To bad a golden opportunity here was wasted.

@mattgor4

3 жыл бұрын

James Stewart you lost absolutely all credibility when you said he’s the worst race caller in history I mean give me a break man you might not like him but he’s definitely better than most.

@callmeishmael4659

3 жыл бұрын

just phenomenal, dude brought his 'A' game for this one, no doubt

@papnlilly

3 жыл бұрын

Big time!

@papnlilly

3 жыл бұрын

@@Stewart638 shut the fuck up. Geezus

The most exciting race I’ve ever seen live; for my money the most exciting race ever. People were weeping, sobbing uncontrollably for this great filly.

@judehaz

3 жыл бұрын

I was there too my friend. The wooden grandstands were shaking. High fiving strangers. I hope we get back there soon.

@matthewmitcham5218

2 жыл бұрын

That is awesome

@jameskeeney2966

2 жыл бұрын

That was an impressive race but nowhere near the best or most exciting. Try watching the Travers Stakes between Jaipur and Ridan where they went a mile and a quarter and were never separated by more than a head.

@mariciamariani2468

Жыл бұрын

I was there weeping as well with all the exciting! I was soak with sweat, very exciting

What a fantastic call by Durkin... talk about getting the race to fever pitch!! Fantastic filly as well... one of the best ever

@christopherallsup4260

5 ай бұрын

Just incredible. If I hadn't heard it in this race and the Bull's Travers, I would have never believed a race caller could add so much ... Extra. Been other great race calls that I love and appreciate, but these are my two favorites.

I was there, emotionally invested does not begin to describe it. I also was present for her last race a heartbreaking loss....

keeping a pace like that the whole race and still coming out victorious is amazing. She is something else.

RA, one of the best fillies of all time!

One of the guttiest performances I have ever seen.

What a fantastic call. His excitement was genuine. I remember it live on tv. So exciting.

Wow...what a call by Tom Durkin here.

Tom Durkin, you took the words right out of my mouth!! Could've said it better. "She is indeed Rachel Alexandra The Great!!" #GirlPower ! Sorry boys.

@rugger104

2 жыл бұрын

Amazing call, he also had a great call when Philly, Rags to Riches won the Belmont in 2007

Amazing you led all the way. She is having a colt in February. She is an amazing horse, this race proves it.

I was there, and that's the loudest old Saratoga ever got. The fans went wild and I can only compare it too Seccretariat's '73 Belmont at the "Big Sandy" , which I was fortunate to also see in person.

I love Tom Durkin

@botvinnik64

4 жыл бұрын

Tears every time I watch. I was there at The Spa and I was sure the Grandstand was going to collapse, people were freaking out, screaming, crying, imploring the 3 year old filly to the wire.

That is a great racecall by Durkin.

@williamdunphy352

5 жыл бұрын

Absolutely.

@jamesmatthews3964

Ай бұрын

His best IMO

It looks like others have been scared off or don't want to face the scrutiny, but I proudly will !!! I'm a Rachellite forever.

Wonderful. She gave it all. She was never the same after this.

Rachel Alexandra the Great

@callmeishmael4659

3 жыл бұрын

Macho Again almost smoked her, tho. What a comeback

Great race !! Greatest filly ever was there live for this one!!!

@michaellucas669

2 ай бұрын

She ducked zenyatta like she had the plague lol

I remember being there at the finish line watching this race live. Favorite horse of all time she was to me. Her and curlin of course. Gotta love Saratoga

In every close race she ran, her heart/the way she dug in deeeeeep stretch, ONLY the great one's have it, she's a born racehorse.

We wont soon forget Rachel Alexandras thrilling performance in 2009 and the excitement she continues to generate all around the world, said Brinker, the ambassador and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Kentucky Oaks 2009 First Lady of Oaks, in a release. Rachel Alexandra exemplifies the spirit and strength of all women fighting this disease. - Bloodhorse. She's a national treasure. I LOVE IT !!!

This is the greatest narration of any sporting event ever. Tell me one better. I dare you. This is pure adrenaline and poetry.

"Asiatic Boy is launching a bid from the back of the pack and Macho Again is firing too..."

" A dramatic stretch drive awaits!" "It's going to be desperately close" "She is indeed Rachel Alexandra the Great!"...Tom Durkin the Great!

Best horse race I have ever seen.

showed a lot of heart and dug in late where most would have faded... Well done... a filly for the ages... a super filly. horse of the year and thensome...

set a wicked pace against older males and held on to win..theres nothing else to be said..greatness..out

No 3 year old filly has done more or come close .... best ever.

@barryreinitz7331

4 жыл бұрын

No one who ever saw Ruffian would ever say anything this stupid

@leesog3203

4 жыл бұрын

She was amazing.. but her 5 Grade 1's don't quite compare to an Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks, Yorkshire Oaks, King George and Arc de Triomphe.. All accomplished by Enable. Having said that, they're rated pretty much the same so I take nothing away from her; she could only beat who she could beat :)

@mikewarren1401

3 жыл бұрын

Those horses just run on grass right? If so than how can you compare. Much harder running on dirt

@donaldgarrettson3627

2 жыл бұрын

@@mikewarren1401 dude has no idea. Don't even compare. Rachel on dirt in 2009 was the best in the world. Why be a hater and throw names in where they don't belong? Crap cauldron stirring, looking for bs to float up from the bottom 🙄

Was there live , what a day. I have been to many races in my life but none like this , not even close. The Crowd was un real , great great horse. Awesome day.

Rachel was pure greatness.

This was soooo awsome! I was at work during the race, but watched it on KZread before I knew who won. Awesome!!!

That was true greatness by Rachel... It will be a while until we see another like her...

GREAT in most people's eyes. Only time will tell how GREAT !!

Why do people always bring up Zenyatta in every Rachel A video. Let it go. This is not about her. She is a separate legend, watch her videos.

@TitanicHorseRacingLover

4 жыл бұрын

AMEN

@barryreinitz7331

4 жыл бұрын

they are insecure - simple

@TitanicHorseRacingLover

4 жыл бұрын

@@barryreinitz7331 EXACTLY. I have said this from the beginning of what I call this horse racing media and mostly Zenyatta fans fueled "rivalry" that these Zen fans are insecure.

@monomoygirl9562

3 жыл бұрын

Zenyatta faced the boys twice and lost once. The fillies/mares she beat weren’t even good competition....get your facts straight.

@boswindle9050

3 жыл бұрын

@@monomoygirl9562 Zenyatta beat a better field than RA did. Zardana ran down RA and beat her. That was Zenyatta stablemate. Go watch Zenyatta 17th race. She blew the doors off Zardana

This filly can win from behind, in front, wherever. Just show her the track. What an amazing campaign this year. Kudos to the Jacksons for picking her races with her historic legacy in mind.

I appreciate the common sense you display. I can't for the life of me figure out how some attack a horse who did things NOT expected of her while applauding a horse who didn't do things EXPECTED of a horse crowned with the title of "greatest ever." Zenyatta was great, and I don't like putting down her season, but come on, one race does not make a season. Watching Rachel's victories in 2009 should put things in perspective for people, but somehow they ignore her amazing feats.

Happy birthday Rachel Alexandra!

Once in a lifetime horse Rachel is.

Rachel is indeed a once in a lifetime horse. To me, she is up there right along with Secretariat, Ruffian, and Man O' War. People may say: "who has she beaten??" Well, she beat the Kentucky Derby and Belmont winners, colts and fillies who came back victorious in later races, and older male horses in the Woodward -- a feat never been done before by a 3 yr old filly, with pace/splits that only a very talented horse could win. I feel blessed and thankful to have witnessed her in my lifetime.

Thanks for the words of wisdom.

may they both have safe journies tomorrow. You can never take that for granted in horse racing.

Watching this race live at Saratoga was one of the highlights of my time on the racetrack. I handicapped this race to the second and finished 2nd 3rd and fourth with my triple box . After all was said and done , I had to tip my hat to the lady .

Riva Ridge won the 1972 Hollywood Derby. But, in doing so, the horse was 'ruined' because he was pushed too hard, and never was the same again. I hate to say it, but I think that's what happened here. An amazing horse giving every ounce of heart and power, and pretty much leaving it there. To me, she will always be Alexandra The Great. What an awesome year 2009 was to be a horse racing fan!

@weathergirlca

2 ай бұрын

Thanks to the miracle of the internet, I have watched this race multiple times. I do wonder whether she left something on the track, fighting off one challenge after another to get her nose across the wire first. I imagine her looking those colts in the eye, saying, "Not today, boys!" The greatest 3 y.o. filly ever, including Ruffian, who, sadly, never had the opportunity to show us her best.

I am so ready for tomorrow, but I don't think I'll be able to see the races until they are posted. DAMN !!!!

She is the most accomplished 3yr old filly on dirt in American racing history. She is a great one for the ages.

rc...I just jumped back on here a bit ago, and picked up where I left off. Same players. Same argument. I love it !!!

O big, bold, beautiful filly...what next? You've trounced the other fillies twice this year, by 20 lengths each, beat the Kentucky Derby and Belmont winners, won the Preakness, beat older males, and handed the boys their walking papers 3 times. Thank you for being a paragon of excellence, taking my breath away, bringing tears to my eyes, and restoring my faith in the Thoroughbred breed. You ARE Alexandra The Great.

Don't know what's happened to announcer Tom Durkin these past few years, but he really did a great job calling this race. Absolutely nailed it. One of the best moments in racing, for sure.

Tom Durkin was horse racing's Vin Scully.

The most exciting race i have ever seen!

This is one my favorite calls by Durkin and as we all know, he's had quite a few. RA was a fantastic filly, who had an incredible campaign and deserves to be recognized for her greatness. As it always seems to do, this will turn into a Zenyatta vs RA debate so let me say this: both incredible horses but I absolutely think Zenyatta was "better". I don't care that she ran a ton of races in California only and only ran on the dirt twice in the Apple Blossom plus the BC at Churchill. She was 19-20 and her one loss was by a head. Two amazing horses, wish they had run against each other but we the fans were deprived of that. No matter which amazing filly you like more, appreciate them both. RA had some very impressive wins, as did Zenyatta.

@dylanmuniz1404

5 жыл бұрын

Joseph Ciraco I agree but I think the debate was awesome at the time bcuz it made a showdown so hyped up but sadly we never saw these two amazing fillies compete against one another

@nina5841

2 жыл бұрын

There is only one Rachel Alexandra. In her prime no one could beat her.

watched it live right on the rail.... it was awesome.. so many people cheered!

congradulations RACHEL, YOU r the reason we love the sport, You r HOTY IN A LANSLIDE VOTE AND YOU R the future of the sport! tHANKS JJ For running your horse throughout the country and on a ''real'' surface. SHES INDEED THE TRUE CHAMPION!

Some observers have been very critical of Rachel Alexandra's performances in 2010, but no one will ever take away what she accomplished, & this race features her at her very best. Which was nothing short of great.

Horse of the Year--Rachel Alexandra!

I just can't wait any longer !!!

If our favorite Rachel basher was not concerned or worried about her he would not spend so much time here. He's fascinated with this filly because she's special.

Wow!!!I mean Wow!!!Rachel Alexandra and Calvin Borel.

She is indeed Rachel Alexandra THE GREAT

Zen is a fantastic mare! You are right. I do think Rachel winning shows that to win horse of the year you need to run a campaign and take on several challenges. I hope Moss learns this and shows us what the great mare can do when she's not sheltered in California on plastic tracks all the time.

I may be, but people are making a serious mistake thinking that Rachel was herself. Clearly she was not, and the day she has caught up is the day she will put on her show. AND I CANT WAIT !!!

congratulations on having your colt today!!!!

No announcer can call a dramatic and exciting finish better than Tom Durkin.

I think so also. I just believe she knows what time it is.

Indeed we will !!!

Hunter, they don't even give you a chance !!!good to see you again. I'll be back in a minute

HRTV has to be glad they have the two prep races this Saturday. I think there is an hour special devoted to Rachel and Zen.

This was her greatest race. I am glad she didn't meet up with Zenyatta. I never wanted to see either one lose to the other.

So much better than Havre de Grace... Rachel is the true champ in this race, she faced a much harder field

I checked and this workout is a bullet workout by two seconds over the others today (6 horses including Hot Dixie Chick and Friesan Fire). Also the best 6 fur work of the week. And yes it was breezing.

That is true it was the best field of 2009 which is why she gets credit for winning. That still doesn't diminsh the season Rachel had. The horses that she beat are starting to put together resumes of their own which strengthens hers

Those who are protesting about the whipping are casual fans that rarely ever see a race beside the Kentucky Derby and perhaps the Breeder's Cup. Whipping has always been part of the sport, and jockeys don't whip horses that are beaten, ESPECIALLY horses of Rachel Alexandra's value.

Quality Road won the Donn today by 12 3/4 lengths in track record time. There is a beast in the house.

It is so true. One of the subtle things about training on the backside.

Mvlach, I'd love to see her run in Dubai also. And would cheer her on. It would be wonderful to see. If she won it, it would be icing on her cake. Take the invite Mosses !!!

HRTV has the rights to Rachel's and Zen's races this Saturday. This last week I shifted satellite services to Dish Network so I could get HRTV. I'm liking that decision right now.

If I remember right, the West Coast horses coming off the Santa Anita Derby used to do pretty well in the Kentucky Derby--Winning Colors, Sunday Silence, etc. I do believe that horses traveling across the country struggled back then, but not like they do now.

WOW, looks like NEW ORLEANS is the place to be for a lot of athletes at the TOP of their game !!!

Yep. She has one in the Hirsch. I didn't know either, so I looked it up. Yes the 3yo's do look good, and it should set up well for a great season for them. QR looks very impressive. They never had to take him out of training because he was lightly raced last year. He's primed and ready to go. It doesn't make a difference where she goes. Would be smart to keep her on dirt, but it really doesn't make a difference. She's well beyond surfaces.

I saw this on the internet: "According to Online Sportsbooks, Zenyatta has been set as the slight favorite to finish higher than Rachel Alexandra at the Apple Blossom Invitational. Zenyatta has been set as a -120 favorite compared to -110 for Rachel Alexandra."

Well I tell you what, we're definitely going to get what we want this year which is fine. I look forward to the matchup which will probably come at the earliest in the Apple Blossom. Ohhh boy !!!

Just heard Gary Stevens interview Calvin Borel. Some notes from Calvin: --He expects Rachel to win easily --He said the ideal race is for Rachel to come slightly off the pace. --His goal is to get her to relax --He says getting her to relax and coming off the pace is important for her race with Zenyatta.

What a race. What a call.

You know me. I say bring her on !!! The Classic was impressive, but I still want 'yatta. If she catches me, so be it. She better be ALL OUT !!!!

Kerk Thanks for the info. Your facts come in the right context.

Amazing race

Wouldn't really call Blame Mediocre.. won multiple Grade I races..

Gio Ponti got beat yesterday in a $150,000 race. Just another reminder that this is a new year and we're dealing with horses that have not run in a while. While some may want to plug in Rachel and Zen's last races last year to the present, I'm not sure it's that easy. I can't wait for March 13 to start finding out what we got. I know it's a guess but I think Rachel is going to be an absolute beast this year. I hope the 100+ pound weight gain helps and not hurts.

You wouldn't expect duh, but the fact is she's on schedule. Until the word comes down she's in. She's in, she wins !!!

This is such a great, game win by a 3yo filly. Those are full-grown, older male horses and Grade 1 winners as well. Look at the horses RA is running against when they come close to her in the stretch. Take a look at the size of that monster Bullsbay. Check out the width of the chests of Bullsbay and Macho Again and the size of their muscles compared to RA.

On the muscle. Run off. Bite. That's all I needed to hear. The girl is ready. I can't wait for Saturday !!! Bring on the New Orleans Ladies !!!

Rachel was not beaten by Borel, a veteran who would not risk sanctions for inappropriate whipping. His switch is in the left hand and remains there. There are about 7 hits with the left hand switch.The right hand is open handed slaps. Note where the hits with both hands are-behind the boot on the pad. Rachel hears noice and feels pressure but absolutely no pain. She is urged on. Racing may be cruel but the cruelty is not the precise, controlled and well monitored race whipping.

I'm happy for two reasons. As a Rachel fan, I'm OVERJOYED that she won HOY. She totally deserved it. BODY OF WORK (like I told a certain someone) was uncomparable. As a racing fan, I'm excited that Zenyatta didn't retire, and will be back this year. This is exactly what the sport needs to start off 2010. Racing fans excited in January is good for the industry as a whole. So as Michael buffer says, "LET'S GET READY TO RUMMMBBLLEEE !!!"

With Eskendereya not running, I'm more excited about Oaks day as well. I read an article yesterday that said of the 19 horses that ran last year in the Derby only 3 went on to win a race the rest of the year.

I am amped too. I'm getting more confident about Rachel's race. I don't think it will be as hard as I originally thought. I expect her to win pretty easily now.

And if she does lose, so what. Doesn't diminish her greatness. She's done things no other horse has ever done. Set records. Those things you can't take away. How many horses that we call legendary have retired undefeated ??

I'm a Rachel fan but I think it would be great to see Zenyatta run and do well in Dubai. Liking one of the horses does not mean you have to root against or dislike the other.

This was the last great call by Tom Durkin IMO