Apparently she bled and did not fair very well in her most recent start in Dubai so they have decided to forget about the DWC and let her go home. She is such a great mare... she has nothing left to prove. I'm glad they have made this decision.

this was posted yesterday on Fillies First blog... they decided today not to go on with her.


Vodka Nearing Retirement

The incomparable 6-year-old Japanese turf mare Vodka is nearing the end of her illustrious career, which will culminate in the March 27 UAE-G1 Dubai World Cup, run over the new Tapeta synthetic surface at Meydan. On Thursday, in preparation for that race, Vodka made her first appearance on Tapeta in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Race 3, and unfortunately it was a tad disappointing, as she finished eighth of 14, 4-1/2 lengths back. However, the winner was the other Japanese filly in this field of older males, 4-year-old Red Desire who last out finished third to Vodka in the G1 Japan Cup on November 29.

from TB TIMES- here is the link since the lovely picture doesn't want to copy= http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/international-news/2010/March/06/Japanese-media-outlets-report-Vodka-to-be-retired.aspx







Posted: Saturday, March 06, 2010 9:57 PM



Japanese media outlets report Vodka to be retired

VODKA

Masakazu Takahashi photo

by [url=mailto:mcurry@thoroughbredtimes.com]Mike Curry[/url]
Multiple Japanese media outlets are reporting that two-time Japanese Horse of the Year Vodka will be retired after she bled during an eighth-place finish in the Al Maktoum Challenge-Round 3 Sponsored by Derrinstown Stud (UAE-G2) on Thursday at Meydan Racecourse.
The superstar six-year-old Tanino Gimlet mare was shipped to Dubai for a planned start in the $10-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1). The all-time leading female earner with $13,147,826, Vodka would have surpassed T.M. Opera O ($16,200,337) to become the Thoroughbred racing’s all-time leading earner with a World Cup victory.
Nikkan Sports first reported that Vodka would be retired and several other Japanese media outlets have confirmed the news. Trainer Katsuhiko Sumii is scheduled to hold a press conference on Sunday.
Vodka was named Japanese champion two-year-old filly in 2006, but she gained worldwide attention the following season when she became the first filly in 64 years to win the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby). She retained her brilliant form as a four-year-old, posting wins in the 2008 Tenno Sho (Jpn-G1) (Autumn) and Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-G1) before finishing third in the Japan Cup (Jpn-G1) en route to Horse of the Year honors.
She won the Victoria Mile (Jpn-G1) and scored a repeat win in the Yasuda Kinen last year before a career-defining victory in the Japan Cup that cemented a second Horse of the Year award.
Nikkan Sports reported Vodka will be bred to 2009 European Horse of the Year Sea The Stars. A winner of ten of 26 starts for owner Yuzo Tanimizu, she is out of the Rousillon mare Tanino Sister

I would have loved to see her go up against Life Is Sweet and the boys in the Dubai World Cup, but like you said, Karen, she has nothing left to prove.

She's an amazing mare...right up there with the likes of Ouija Board and Makybe Diva!!
Gonna miss seeing her at the DWC...I even read talk early on that they were thinking of bringing her to the US for the BC late in the year as the final race of her career. It REALLY would have been cool to see her and LIS in the DWC together...and finish 1-2!!! The last few years sure have graced us with some AMAZING fillies and mares!!

And an even bigger question looms as well...if she is to be bred to Sea the Stars then what will they possibly name the baby????




SEEING DOUBLE perhaps??? LOL!