By Jack Werk

Some of you might have thought that I’d gone “over the top” in my last post by calling Rachel Alexandra and European 3-year-old sensation Sea the Stars two of the “greats.”

Well, in this country, you’d have to be in daze to think that Rachel isn’t one of the greats – I even said that she’s the best filly I’ve ever seen, and that includes Ruffian. Racing legend John Nerud did the same thing in a recent Steve Haskin column. One thing is for sure – if she comes back at four and dominates in the same way as she has this year, pundits may not be talking strictly about one of the greatest “fillies” ever – they’ll be talking about one of the great horses ever.

I got a little ribbing from some of my knowledgeable friends over my Sea the Stars post on 9/6. I noticed that even the eminent writer John Sparkman qualified Sea the Star’s “greatness” in his blog, The Pedigree Curmudgeon, using the Timeform ratings that have placed the great Sea-Bird alone at the top at 145 lbs since 1965.

Well, quicker than you can blink, Timeform had the naysayers “Seeing Stars” this week when they rated the son of Cape Cross and Arc winner Urban Sea at an incredible 140 rating, with room to improve on that in his next two starts!

Timeform editor Jamie Lynch said, “Mastercraftsman (130) appears to have run his race in third, and there is also good reason for believing that Fame and Glory deserves a rating of 135, and to be bracketed in the same league as Sinndar (134), Galileo (134) and St. Jovite (135).

“Therefore the form of the race looks solid, and we have given Sea the Stars a provisional rating of 140. (Click here to view Timeform ratings. Note that Rachel Alexandra is tied with Mastercraftsman!)

“Furthermore, Sea the Stars again didn’t look all out, leaving the impression there could be an even better performance in him if ever comes up against something able to test him fully.

“He should now be classed as one of the all-time greats.”

So, what company does this place Sea the Stars in on the Timeform ratings? How about Brigadier Gerard (144), Mill Reef (141), Dubai Millennium (140), Dancing Brave (140), and Shergar (140)!

Well, that’s all-time great company for sure!