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Rachel Alexandra Runs Like A Girl!
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Rachel Alexandra Runs Like A Girl!
Already showing up the boys in the Preakness on May 16, 3 year old wonder-filly, Rachel Alexandra, won the race at Saratoga Springs yesterday afternoon. She is the first filly ever in the 56 year history of the $750,000 Grade I Woodward race to take the title.
When seasoned jockey Calvin Borel mounted the young mare on the afternoon of Saturday, September 5, the pressure was on. New York Racing Association officials asked the eight horses to do a full lap of the walking ring after riders up for the benefit of the spectators - not a typical request. Rachel Alexandra, the 3-10 favorite, dumped Borel on the track with just six minutes to post. Despite that minor mishap, the pair fared well once the race was on, flying home with a time of 1:48.29.
It was Borel who rode Rachel to victory at the Preakness, making RA the first filly to take that title in over 80 years. When Rachel Alexandra's current owner, Jess Jackson, opted not to run her in the Belmont (she was not a triple crown contender, as her prior owner didn't race her in the actual Kentucky derby; she won a fillies-only race at that event), Borel remounted Mine That Bird, the horse he had ridden across the finish line to win the Kentucky Derby. Kent Desormeaux beat out Borel, along with the rest of the field, winning the Belmont on Summer Bird.
An exceptional athlete by the standards set for any gender, Rachel Alexandra has brought a level of excitement and elation to her sport, almost healing the hearts of all who witnessed the tragic injury that took the life of the beautiful Eight Belles just over one year prior. It's been a demanding road for the young girl. Owner Jackson explains that she ran 13 races as a two- and three-year-old, seven of them this year; four of those have been in Grade 1s and the majority of the remainder in Grade 2s. She’s earned a little rest and relaxation.
Fillies aren't often victorious on the male-dominated race track and the ones who are good enough to make a name for themselves, following in the hoof prints of Ruffian and Personal Ensign, are sure to capture our attention. We're betting Rachel Alexandra will be making history and capturing hearts for years to come.
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