Rachel Alexandra Simply Great in New York
By Dan Silver | September 29, 2010

Rachel Alexandra won thirteen races during her brilliant career, which included 2009 Horse of the Year honors, and two of those victories came in unforgettable fashion on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit.

Yesterday, Jess Jackson, principal of Stonestreet Stables, the majority owner of Rachel Alexandra, announced that the 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro would be retired and bred to two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.

The first chance that fans in New York got to see Rachel live was the Grade 1 Mother Goose on June 27, 2009 at Belmont Park. She came into the race off six straight victories by a combined margin of more than 34 lengths, including a 20 ¼-length romp in the Kentucky Oaks and a triumph over the boys in the Preakness.

Taking on two fillies in Flashing and Malibu Prayer that would go on to become Grade 1 winners, Rachel settled comfortably in third behind swift fractions of 22.57, 44.66 and 1:08.86. When jockey Calvin Borel asked her for run on the sweeping Belmont turn, she catapulted to the lead and turned for home on top. In what NYRA Track Announcer Tom Durkin referred to as a “dazzling display,” Rachel won by 19 ¼ lengths, completing the 1 1/8-miles in 1:46.33, good for a new stakes record.

Following an impressive six-length victory over 2009’s eventual 3-year-old male champion Summer Bird in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, Rachel’s connections had even more ambitious plans in mind. She would attempt to become the first filly or mare to defeat males in the 56-year history of the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga Race Course. The only female to have even finished second in the prestigious race was the great Lady’s Secret, during her Horse of the Year campaign in 1986.

Stabled all summer in trainer Steve Asmussen’s Saratoga barn, Rachel came into the 1 1/8-mile Woodward riding an impressive eight-race winning streak, including all seven of her races in 2009.

An energetic crowd of 31,171 flocked to Saratoga on Saturday, September 5 to see the filly try to make history.

When the gates opened, Borel sent Rachel to the lead, dueling on the outside of 2008 Belmont Stakes winner Da’ Tara through a torrid opening quarter of 22.85, prompting Durkin to comment, “There will be no free ride for Rachel Alexandra!”

Continuing to lead through subsequent fractions of 46.41 and 1:10.54, Rachel put away the other speed horses on the far turn, but turning for home, a trio of closers, including Grade 1 winners Macho Again and Bullsbay, began to find their best stride.

In deep stretch, just when it appeared that Macho Again would surge by his younger rival and score the victory, Rachel, implored by Borel for everything she had and cheered on by the Saratoga crowd, found more and held on to win by a narrow head.

Durkin’s call summed it up perfectly: “It’s going to be desperately close – here’s the wire – Rachel won! She is indeed Rachel Alexandra the Great!”

The Woodward was the final race in Rachel’s undefeated 3-year-old campaign, comprising eight victories, including five Grade 1 events, and netting her Horse of the Year honors.

Given more than seven months off to recover from her grueling, historic season, Rachel returned to the races as a 4-year-old, but was never able to regain the brilliance that she had previously shown. In 2010, the filly made five starts, winning twice and finishing second three times.

The final race of her career came at Saratoga in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign, run at 1 ¼ miles on Sunday, August 29. After dueling with Grade 1 winner Life At Ten through a brisk opening half-mile in 47.73, Rachel led at the top of the stretch but was caught late by Persistently, finishing second by a length.

“Rachel Alexandra is a superstar in every sense of the word,” said NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward. “Her sensational victory in the Woodward provided one of the most memorable moments in Saratoga’s recent history and capped off an incredible 3-year-old campaign. We would like to thank Mr. Jackson for racing her in New York on three occasions and providing our racing fans the chance to see one of the best horses of this generation.”

Fans of Rachel Alexandra can look back on her amazing career at NYRA’s special website, “Rachel’s Sandbox,” including numerous videos, articles, blogs, and much more.

Many Champions Took New York Road to Eclipse Honors
By Jenny Kellner | January 19, 2010

From Rachel Alexandra to Gio Ponti, Summer Bird to Kodiak Kowboy, Steve Asmussen to Godolphin Racing, many of horse racing’s biggest stars turned in their finest performances in New York in 2009 en route to the Eclipse Awards Monday night.

Rachel Alexandra’s historic victory over older males in the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga Race Course – the first ever in the race by a filly – was the culmination of an extraordinary 8-for-8 season that carried her to the pinnacle of the sport when she was voted both Horse of the Year and champion Three-Year-Old Filly at the 39th annual Eclipse Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The Stonestreet Farm miss, who also counted among her victories a record-breaking 19 1/4 length win in Belmont Park’s Grade 1 Mother Goose, led a number of human and equine champions whose outstanding performances at The New York Racing Association, Inc.’s (NYRA) three racetracks – Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga – were highlights on their 2009 resumes.

Castleton Lyons’ New York-based Gio Ponti, a double winner as Older Male and Champion Turf Male, won two of his four straight Grade 1’s in 2009 at Belmont Park, taking the Man o’War and the Manhattan, and also finished second in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, to fashion a record of 4-2-0 from seven starts and earn more than $2.3 million.

Kalarikkal and Vilasini Jayaraman’s Summer Bird, the top Three-Year-Old Male, also did his best running in New York, becoming the first colt since Easy Goer in 1989 to sweep NYRA’s three most prestigious races – the Belmont Stakes, the Travers, and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. The son of 2004 Belmont Stakes and Travers winner Birdstone finished the year with a record of 4-1-1 from nine starts and earnings of more than $2.3 million.

Vinery Stables and Fox Hill Farms Kodiak Kowboy took Male Sprinter honors on the strength of his three Grade 1 victories, all of which came at NYRA tracks. The 4-year-old colt won the Carter at Aqueduct in April, the Vosburgh at Belmont Park in October, and then finished his career with a flourish by taking the Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile at Aqueduct in November. The colt also finished second in the Grade 1 Forego and third in the Grade 2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt, both at Saratoga.

Augustin Stables’ Informed Decision, top Female Sprinter, ran a credible third in the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga to Godolphin Racing’s Music Note, while William L. Pape’s Mixed Up won the Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick, also at the Spa, to become champion Steeplechaser.

As Outstanding Owner, Godolphin Racing led the nation with nine Grade 1’s, six of which came in New York. Godolphin won the Go for Wand (Seventh Street), Test (Flashing), Ballerina (Music Note), Forego (Pyro), Beldame (Music Note) and Gazelle (Flashing). The stable also won NYRA’s Grade 2 Top Flight with Sara Louise, the De la Rose with Cocoa Beach, the Grade 3 Victory Ride with Sara Louise and the Grade 2 Jerome with Girolamo.

Steve Asmussen, who was voted Top Trainer, won more than a dozen stakes at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga in 2009, including Rachel’s victories in the Mother Goose and Woodward, Kodiak Kowboy’s wins in the Vosburgh and the Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile, Hot Dixie Chick’s triumphs in the Grade 1 Spinaway and the Grade 3 Schuylerville, Kensei’s wins in the Grade 2 Dwyer and Grade 2 Jim Dandy, Heart Ashley’s victory in the Cicada and the New York-bred Haynesfield’s wins in the Count Fleet, Whirlaway, Empire Classic and Grade 3 Discovery.

As well, Julien Leparoux, who was voted Top Jockey, counted a half-dozen NYRA stakes wins among his 2009 total, among them the Grade 1 Diana with Forever Together, the Grade 1 Personal Ensign aboard Icon Project, and the Grade 1 Flower Bowl Invitational with Pure Clan, while Top Breeder Juddmonte Farms was 9-4-4 from 34 starts in New York for earnings of $368,440.

Rachel's Woodward Selected by Fans as NYRA's Story of the Year
By NYRA Press Office | January 16, 2010

Rachel Alexandra’s extraordinary victory in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course has been voted by fans as NYRA’s 2009 “Story of the Year.” The victory eclipsed four other compelling tales from New York racing, including jockey Ramon Dominguez’s superlative year and Linda Rice’s historic Saratoga training title.

“The year was filled with memorable stories and I am delighted that Rachel Alexandra’s race in the Woodward won top honors,” said owner Jess Jackson, whose Stonestreet Stable campaigns the filly with Harold McCormick. “It was an extraordinary race in which she repelled a series of challenges, a race which displayed her courage and tenacity.

“As you may remember, we entered her in the Woodward to test her against older males in order to measure her greatness,” Jackson added. “And greatness is what she demonstrates to all who watch that historic race.”

Rachel Alexandra became the first filly to ever emerge victorious in the 56 year history of the race, and she did so after setting torrid opening fractions of 22.85 and 46.41, and then holding off the late charges of Grade 1 winners Macho Again and Bullsbay. When she returned to the winner’s circle, it was to the deafening cheers of the 31,171 in attendance.

Calvin Borel, who piloted Rachel Alexandra for all five of her Grade 1 victories in 2009, was effusive in his praise of the sensational daughter of Medaglia d’Oro.

“I am so excited to be part of NYRA's ‘Story of the Year’ in Rachel winning the Woodward,” Borel said. “Words can hardly describe how proud I was that day of Rachel – she showed in that victory the depths of her versatility and tenacity. In winning the Woodward, Rachel earned her rightful place among racing’s greatest of all time.

“I would like to thank Steve Asmussen and his staff for always having her ready to answer the challenges that come her way – and also Mr. Jackson, who has put Rachel's talent on display for the racing world to witness, enjoy, and remember for many years to come,” Borel added. “And thanks to the racing public – whose enthusiasm for Rachel has brought new fans to our sport! To achieve a historical feat at Saratoga was a dream come true for me, and I'm glad my favorite memory of 2009 could be recognized as NYRA's ‘Story of the Year.’”

Campaigned by the nation’s leading trainer, Steve Asmussen, Rachel Alexandra’s defeat of older males in the Woodward was the second dazzling show the filly put on in New York in 2009, having won the Grade 1 Mother Goose at Belmont Park on June 27 by a record 19¼ lengths in a stakes record 1:46.33.

More than 5,000 votes were cast by fans choosing among five compelling storylines – some human, some equine – on the NYRA website (www.nyra.com) in voting that began in December and concluded at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 15.

Rachel Alexandra received 2,017 votes (40 percent of the ballots), topping jockey Ramon Dominguez, who had a year-long reign as New York’s leading jockey, winning riding titles at all three of NYRA’s tracks – Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course – in his first full year of riding in the Empire State. The 33-year-old rider finished 2009 with 376 NYRA victories, more than any other rider besides Steve Cauthen, who rode 422 winners back in 1977.

Dominguez garnered 1,638 votes (32 percent).

Also attracting considerable support was Linda Rice, who became the first woman to ever win a training title in New York (or any other major racetrack) when she saddled 20 winners at the Spa to edge Todd Pletcher by a single victory.

Rice received 1,172 votes (23 percent).

Summer Bird, who swept the top races in New York as the first 3-year-old since Easy Goer in 1989 to win the Belmont Stakes, the Travers and the Jockey Club Gold Cup, collected 174 votes (3 percent) and Gio Ponti, whose Grade 1 victories in Belmont Park’s Man o’War and Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap were highlights of an outstanding season that wrapped up with a second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic to Zenyatta, got 66 votes (1 percent).

The five nominees were highlighted by NYRA racing analyst Andy Serling in a video that was available at www.nyra.com, www.facebook.com/thenyra and NYRA’s official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/nyravideo.

Rachel Rules at Saratoga Race Course
By Jenny Kellner| September 6, 2009

Standing outside his barn at Saratoga Race Course on a sparkling Sunday morning, trainer Steve Asmussen was still basking in the glow of Rachel Alexandra’s historic victory in the 56th running of the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes as he reported the filly came out of the race in good shape.

“I’m just extremely proud of her and proud of everybody, and happy for [owners] Barbara [Banke] and Jess [Jackson],” said Asmussen. “He steps up and puts it out there. People like to talk about what could have happened – he sees what will happen.”

On Saturday afternoon, before an enthusiastic crowd of 31,171, Rachel became the first filly to ever win the Woodward. The 3-year-old filly, who has now defeated older horses as well as her male peers in fashioning a nine-race winning streak, will remain in Saratoga for the time being as her connections ponder her schedule for the rest of the year.

Both Rachel Alexandra and the undefeated West Coast mare Zenyatta have been invited to the Grade 1 Beldame October 3 at Belmont Park, the purse for which would be raised to $1 million with an additional $400,000 commitment from TVG-Betfair if both start.

“I honestly don’t know [what her next race will be],” said Asmussen. “I heard Jess say [she might not run again this year] yesterday at the press conference. We’ll just worry about her health, and take her back to the track on Wednesday.”

Asmussen said that Rachel Alexandra, whose blanket of pink carnations adorned the rail outside her stall, was tired from her efforts in the Woodward, in which she set fast early fractions and then turned back the furious late charge from Macho Again.

“She ran,” said Asmussen. “She’s very physical. She ran hard, cooled out, drank plenty of water … she’s a professional. She doesn’t rest on her laurels. She puts in the work. That’s what gives you so much confidence about her. She doesn’t just take the day off.”

In addition to becoming the only female to win the Woodward, and the first 3-year-old to do so since Holy Bull in 1994, Rachel Alexandra also joins an elite roster of champions who have won the race, including Curlin, Forego, Kelso, Sword Dancer, Damascus, Buckpasser, Key to the Mint, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, Slew o’Gold, Alysheba, Easy Goer, and Cigar.

Asmussen and Jackson became the first trainer and owner to win consecutive editions of the Woodward with different horses, having taken last year’s running with two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.

Rachel, who is 8-0 this year, won the Kentucky Oaks by 20¼ lengths and the Mother Goose at Belmont Park by 19¼ lengths and beat 3-year-old colts in the Preakness and Haskell.

Jackson has said he will not run Rachel Alexandra in the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita because of the synthetic racing surface and added he planned on running her again next year as a 4-year-old.

“She’s run more races than Zenyatta’s run, and Zenyatta’s a 5-year-old,” Jackson said during Saturday’s post-race news conference. “You can’t expect a youngster — she’s only 3 and she just ran against older horses — to keep going all the time. You have to give them a break, and we’ll talk that over very seriously.”

In Woodward, Rachel Alexandra Was Great
By Jenny Kellner| September 5, 2009

In an electrifying display of courage and tenacity, Rachel Alexandra made history at Saratoga Race Course Saturday afternoon, taking the early lead and turning back a furious late challenge from Macho Again to become the first filly ever to win the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes.

Under regular jockey Calvin Borel, the 3-year-old filly went right to the front and was pressured through an opening quarter of 22.85 and a half-mile in 46.41 by 2008 Belmont Stakes winner Da’ Tara and Past the Point. Rounding the turn, she shook clear of her early challengers and then was forced to dig deep to hold off the driving Macho Again by a head and earn her ninth straight victory and first over older males.

“She would never let (Macho Again) go by her,” said Borel of Rachel Alexandra, who unseated him briefly in the post parade. “Every time he went up to her, she would dig in again. She is such a tremendous filly. He ran up to her three times, and she kept giving me a little bit more.”

Her winning time was 1:48.29 for the 1 1/8th mile Woodward, a race won by such champions as Curlin, Cigar, Holy Bull, Spectacular Bid, Affirmed, and Seattle Slew.

Borel, who went to the whip in the stretch, pointed to Rachel Alexandra after they crossed the finish line and brought her back to the winner’s circle to the cheers of 31,171 fans, many sporting “Rachel” buttons that were given away by The New York Racing Association, Inc. in honor of the occasion.

“I thought she truly showed she was a champion today,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Rachel Alexandra for Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stable and Harold McCormick. “I can’t say enough about the race she put in today under the circumstances.”

The win marked the first time a 3-year-old filly has beaten older males in a Grade 1 route dirt race in New York since Lady Primrose won the Manhattan in 1887, and likely locked up Horse of the Year honors for her.

Rachel Alexandra has twice beaten 3-year-old colts this year, defeating Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird in the Haskell Invitational, but the Woodward marked her first start against older males.

“She was ready. Those were a lot of big animals she was running against, but she showed her spirit. She showed her class,” said Jackson. “She didn’t give up. That’s my Rachel.”

Sent off as the 3-10 favorite in the field of eight, Rachel Alexandra returned $2.60 for a $2 win bet as she ran her record to 8-0 in 2009. Her winning streak dates back to November 29, 2008, when she won the Grade 2 Golden Rod at Churchill Downs. With the winner’s purse of $450,000, the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro has now earned $2,948,584.

Macho Again was 1½ lengths in front of Bullsbay, who in turn was followed by Asiatic Boy, It’s a Bird, Past the Point, Cool Coal Man, and Da’ Tara.

“She’s a champion,” said Robby Albarado, aboard the runner-up. “Champions do that. Champions find a way to win. She’s great.”

In her two most recent starts against fillies, Rachel Alexandra took the Kentucky Oaks by 20¼ lengths in May and the Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park by 19¼ lengths on June 27. Following her win in the Haskell, Jackson had an array of Grade 1 races at Saratoga to chose from, including the Personal Ensign against older females, the Alabama against 3-year-old fillies, and the Travers against 3-year-old colts, but he opted for the new challenge.

“When Jess has been presented with options, he has taken the toughest one every time,” said Asmussen with a smile.

Jackson would not commit to Rachel Alexandra’s next start, but both she and top West Coast mare Zenyatta have been invited to the Grade 1 Beldame at Belmont Park on October 3, the purse for which will be raised to $1 million if both start with a $400,000 commitment from TVG-Betfair.

“A lot gets said about the other mare [Zenyatta] and what’s next, but I think we ought to focus on exactly what happened today,” said Asmussen.

The "Rachel Alexandra Show" Comes to Saratoga
By Jenny Kellner| August 31, 2009

Audience participation will take on a new meaning this week as “The Rachel Alexandra Show” comes to Saratoga Race Course for Saturday’s 56th running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes.

With gates at the historic racetrack opening early at 7 a.m., just as they did on Shadwell Travers Day, the first 25,000 fans will receive a commemorative Rachel Alexandra button with paid admission in recognition of her attempt to make history again in the 1 1/8th mile race against older males.

Leading contender for Horse of the Year and owner of an eight-race winning streak, including two victories over top 3-year-old colts in the Preakness Stakes and the Haskell Invitational, Rachel Alexandra is seeking to become the first filly or mare ever to win the Woodward Stakes.

While fillies have won against older males in sprints, the only 3-year-old filly to have beaten older males in a route race that is currently a Grade 1 in New York was Lady Primrose, who in 1887 beat the boys in the Manhattan Handicap.

In celebration of her first appearance at Saratoga Race Course, the streets of downtown Saratoga Springs will be lined with specially-designed Rachel Alexandra banners.

Fans who wish to show their support of the leggy bay filly, and also support a good cause, can purchase Rachel Alexandra T-shirts and caps in the NYRA stores at the racetrack this week. The net proceeds from the sales will go to a breast cancer non-profit, the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure.

T-shirts in ladies and girls sizes are pink with “Rachel Alexandra” lettering in navy blue, while men’s T-shirts are available in gray with pink lettering. The caps are pink.

In addition, in The Paddock Tent and the At the Rail Pavilion, all ladies and children will get a half-price buffet at $24.50, and everyone of drinking age in either location will also receive one complimentary glass of champagne. Reservations can be made through NYRA Group Sales at (888) 285-5961.

Rachel Alexandra, owned by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stable and Harold McCormick, first made history when she beat Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird to become the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness Stakes. After a 19¼-length romp against 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 1 Mother Goose at Belmont Park in stakes record time, she traveled to New Jersey to beat the boys again, this time defeating Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird, recent winner of the Grade 1 Shadwell Travers Stakes, by six lengths.

"Hal McCormick (the minority partner), my family and I, like other fans of horse racing, want to see her tested,” said Jackson in making the announcement that Rachel would go in the Woodward, a race won last year by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, also owned by Jackson. “If she goes up against older male horses, we'll be better able to get a measure of her greatness."

Rachel Alexandra to Woodward; Purse Hiked to $750,000
By Jenny Kellner | August 24, 2009

Rachel Alexandra will attempt to make history again as she takes on older males for the first time in the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, September 5, trainer Steve Asmussen announced Monday.

Jess Jackson’s 3-year-old filly, a leading contender for Horse of the Year after having twice defeated colts in the Preakness and Haskell Invitational, is attempting to become the first female to win the 1 1/8th mile Woodward, won last year by Jackson’s two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.

In light of the historic significance of the race, The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has raised the purse for the 1 1/8th mile Woodward from $500,000 to $750,000.

"Raising the Woodward purse will help attract a top field to what will be a historic race," said NYRA Vice President and Director of Racing P.J. Campo. "In addition, we felt that to have a filly like Rachel Alexandra seeking to become the first ever female to win the Woodward warranted an increase in purse."

Asmussen, accompanied by Jackson’s wife, Barbara Banke, made the announcement after Rachel Alexandra worked six furlongs in 1:11.84 over a muddy main track at Saratoga, ending speculation she would face 3-year-old colts again in the Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Travers on Saturday or older fillies in the Grade 1, $400,000 Personal Ensign the following day.

Instead, her stablemate, Jackson’s Grade 2 Jim Dandy winner Kensei, who worked a half-mile in 50.00, will start in the 1¼ mile Shadwell Travers.

“Given how well Kensei was doing, I thought he deserved a chance in the Travers,” said Asmussen. “It would be a race that would mark his career and with that decision, Rachel will be pointed towards the Woodward.”

With regular exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard, and jockey Calvin Borel watching from the grandstand, NYRA clockers caught the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro in splits of 24.27, 36.23, 47.86 and 59.60, galloping out seven furlongs in 1:25.58.

“It was awesome,” said Terry. “She’s amazing.”

Rachel Alexandra, owner of an eight-race winning streak that dates back to November 29, 2008, was purchased by Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick following her 20¼ length victory in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. She then made history by becoming the first filly since 1924 to win the Preakness, defeating Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird by a length. In her next start, she won the Grade 1 Mother Goose at Belmont Park by 19¼ lengths, then beat colts again the Haskell, defeating Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird by six lengths.

“Legacy,” said Asmussen when asked about chosing the Woodward as Rachel Alexandra’s next start. “Jess’s sportsmanship about what they can do is quite obvious, instead of just talk … there’s just so much – no filly has won the Woodward, for everything else that she’s done I think that it’s the showcase or the platform that she’s worthy of.”

A field of eight appears likely for the 140th running of the Shadwell Travers, including Kensei, Mine That Bird, Summer Bird, record-setting Amsterdam winner Quality Road, Warrior’s Reward, Hold Me Back, Our Edge, and Charitable Man.

The Woodward, which will be run for the 56th time, could possibly attract Asiatic Boy, Cool Coal Man, Tizway, Bullsbay, It’s a Bird, and Macho Again.

Rachel Alexandra works for still-undetermined next start
By NYRA Press Office| August 17, 2009

Rachel Alexandra breezed five furlongs in a bullet 1:00.37 on a foggy Monday morning on the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course, after which trainer Steve Asmussen said discussions would begin “in earnest” on where the Preakness-winning filly would make her next start.

Owned by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick, Rachel Alexandra is nominated to four Grade 1 races at Saratoga, two against females and two against males: the $600,000 Alabama for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday, the $1 million Shadwell Travers against 3-year-old colts and geldings on August 29, the $400,000 Personal Ensign against fillies and mares on August 30, and the $500,000 Woodward against older males on September 5.

“There are no races eliminated,” said Asmussen, who will also nominate the filly, who is 7-for-7 this year, to the Pennsylvania Derby on September 7. “I will text [message] Jess as to how the work went, he’ll call me, and we’ll discuss what we’re going to do. We’ll digest where we’re at and try to do the best thing for Rachel.”

With exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard, Rachel Alexandra went to the track shortly before 6 a.m. for the work, the fastest of 18 at the distance. Watching through the mist, along with dozens of fans and members of the media, was her regular jockey, Calvin Borel, who stood with Asmussen along the rail.

“She looked beautiful coming down the lane,” said Asmussen. “I saw her approaching the eighth pole and past the wire down to the turn. And the words [that] came out of Dominic’s mouth: ‘Never better.’”

If she does not run in Saturday’s 1¼-mile Alabama, said Asmussen, Rachel Alexandra will work again next week, also on the training track.

“There are no plans to work her on the main track,” said the trainer. “She won at Monmouth Park [Haskell Invitational] training here and for the Mother Goose [at Belmont Park] training here.”

Rachel Alexandra Does it Again, Beats the Boys in the Haskell Invitational
By Richard Rosenblatt, Associated Press | August 2, 2009

The fans cheered when Rachel Alexandra walked onto the racetrack before the Haskell Invitational. After this fabulous filly rolled to another victory over the boys, beating Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird by six lengths over a sloppy track, the fans cheered even louder.

This was a day the queen of racing became king. All hail Rachel Alexandra, the Great.

"I can't tell you how amazing it is that everybody everywhere asks me about Rachel," the filly's trainer Steve Asmussen said. "I think it's fantastic and Rachel is very deserving of the admiration."

Although pouring rain turned Monmouth Park's main track into slop, it did not deter Rachel against six colts in the $1.25 million race. With Calvin Borel aboard, the 3-year-old sensation swept past the leader Munnings around the far turn and finished a length short of the Haskell record margin of seven lengths set by Bluegrass Cat in 2006.

As Rachel crossed the finish line, Borel saluted the crowd.

"This filly is just unbelievable. I can't say how good she is," said the jockey who has been aboard Rachel during her eight-race winning streak. "I gave her a few taps at the 16th-pole, that's it. I just wanted to keep her focused with a couple of taps. She started looking around at the crowd, so I just wanted to keep her busy."

In her wins against the boys, she defeated Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the Preakness — the first filly in 85 years to win the middle jewel of the Triple Crown — and now she has soundly beaten the Belmont winner to join Serena's Song (1995) as the only fillies to win the Haskell.

In her last two races against 3-year-old fillies, Rachel Alexandra won the Kentucky Oaks by 20 1/4 lengths and the Mother Goose Stakes by 19 1/4 lengths.

Winning the Haskell before a crowd of 37,090 adds to her credentials as one of the greatest fillies in thoroughbred racing

"We haven't reached the depth of her yet," co-owner Jess Jackson said. "She is just running to beat the competition, and I don't know if she will ever get to Secretariat's records."

At this rate, who knows what Rachel can and can't do.

"She's just a tremendous filly, and I'm glad she put on a good show," Asmussen said. "She's very special. She's been able to separate herself from everyone else."

Rachel Alexandra, the 1-2 favorite, returned $3, $2.20 and $2.10. Summer Bird, with Kent Desormeaux aboard, paid $3.40 and $2.60. Munnings was third and paid $3.20.

Papa Clem was fourth, followed by Duke of Mischief, Atomic Rain and Bunker Hill.

The winning time for the 1 1-8 miles was 1:47.21.

Jackson bought Rachel Alexandra after she won the Kentucky Oaks on May 1 and said he wanted to run her against the boys because he believed she could beat them. Now that she has, she has to be ranked among top fillies such as Ruffian.

"There's not been a filly as good since Ruffian," Jackson said, "and she just might be as good."

Hall of Famer Ruffian won 10 of 11 races in 1974-75, but suffered a broken leg in her famous match race with Foolish Pleasure in 1975, and was later euthanized.

So what's next for this great gal? Could it be another test against boys in the Shadwell Travers for 3-year-olds or the Woodward for 3 and older horses, both at Saratoga, on Aug. 29 and Sept. 5, respectively. Or against older fillies and mares in the Personal Ensign at Saratoga on Aug. 30?

The Travers, racing's Midsummer Derby, is appealing because it could match the Triple Crown race winners.

Jackson isn't committing to anything.

"We'll let her tell us," he said.

"Rachel" Turns in Bullet Work at Saratoga Race Course
By NYRA Press Office | July 13, 2009

Preakness and multiple Grade 1 stakes winner Rachel Alexandra was back on the Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course Monday morning for a more serious workout.

Trainer Steve Asmussen and assistant Scott Blasi watched as the three-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro breezed five furlongs in 1:01.38, the fastest work of twelve at the distance. She took the first three fractions in :12 3/5, :25 and :37 1/5 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:14 4/5. This was the first time that Asmussen has been at his Saratoga stable since Rachel Alexandra arrived there on June 28.

“She’s tremendous; she’s a beautiful animal; she’s doing great,” Asmussen said. “She was unbelievably light on her feet today and she felt great about doing it. It was about as easy as she could do it. It was exactly what I was hoping to see.”

Rachel Alexandra’s next start remains a question mark, with several races being considered by her connections. One of those races is the Grade 2, $1 million Delaware Handicap for fillies and mares three-years-old and up going 1¼ miles at Delaware Park this Sunday, July 19.

“I think [a decision] to eliminate the Delaware Handicap will have to be made today or tomorrow from a timing standpoint,” Asmussen said. “They are drawing the entries tomorrow [for the race].”

Along with the Delaware Handicap, owners Jess Jackson, principal of Stonestreet Stables, and Harold T. McCormick and trainer Asmussen may also be considering the Grade 1, $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks for three-year-old fillies running 1¼ miles on July 25 at Belmont Park and the Grade 1, $1 million, nine-furlong Haskell Invitational for three-year-olds on Aug. 2 at Monmouth Park.

“It’s a timing thing more than anything,” Asmussen said. “Her being a three-year-old filly that has success outside of her division just gives [us] that many more options. I think the only thing that we can state is the obvious – that’s her and she looks good.”

Rachel Alexandra breezes at Saratoga
By Ashley Herriman | July 6, 2009

Rachel Alexandra put in her first workout this morning over the Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course since winning the Grade 1 Mother Goose in a record-setting performance eight days ago.

Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, and his lead pony Dakota guided Rachel Alexandra, with exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard, onto the training track at 5:50 a.m. The sensational three-year-old filly owned by Jess Jackson breezed four furlongs in 50.67 seconds over a track labeled as “fast.” Rachel Alexandra took the first quarter in :25 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:05.

“She went in an easy half mile to get her accustomed to her surroundings and the track,” Blasi said. “It was a maintenance breeze. We weren’t out there to impress anyone today.”

Jackson, Asmussen, and Blasi sent Rachel Alexandra to Saratoga last Sunday after winning the Mother Goose by a stakes-record margin of 19¼ lengths. The previous record for the Mother Goose (13½ lengths) was set by Ruffian in 1975. The trio wanted to get her acclimated to training at Saratoga.

The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro also ran a stakes-record time of 1:46.33 for 1 1/8 miles, surpassing Lakeway’s 1994 record of 1:46.58.

“That why we brought her up here after that race so she could have her full week galloping over it,” Blasi said. “It’s pretty normal for her. I get nervous every time she walks out of the barn. We want every thing to go right. We don’t want loose horses around her. We want to take care of her.”

A small, but anticipated, crowd waited for Rachel Alexandra to arrive on the track. Besides the usual horsemen like trainer Todd Pletcher and former trainer Elliott Walden, a father and his young daughter watched the workout along the outer rail.

“It’s a blessing to have her; it’s great for everybody,” Blasi said. “Nothing surprises me with horses like her. It's the anticipation and excitement she brings. When you see a kid up at 5:30 in the morning to come out and watch Rachel breeze, that sums it up.”

Blasi suggested that Rachel Alexandra will have another workout next Monday around the same time.

"Rachel" Takes Up Summer Residence in Saratoga Springs
By Jenny Kellner | June 28, 2009

Scarcely 12 hours after her record-setting victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose at Belmont Park, Rachel Alexandra stepped onto a van that carried her up the Northway to Saratoga Race Course, which will be the base for her summer campaign.

“She ran a big race,” said trainer Steve Asmussen of the three-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who set a stakes record of 1:46.33 for the nine furlongs, along with establishing the largest margin of victory (19¼ lengths) in the 53-year history of the race. “I think (jockey) Calvin (Borel) said it best – she’s not normal.”

Asmussen, still wearing one of the 10,000 pink “Rachel Alexandra” bracelets that were given away on Saturday, said he had watched the replay of the Mother Goose several times, and was still bowled over by the ease of her victory.

“The best way to describe it is that she’s got an extremely high cruising speed,” said Asmussen of the filly, co-owned by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stable and Harold McCormick. “But obviously, we’ve known that about her for a long time.”

Rachel Alexandra, who extended her record to 9-2-0 from 12 starts with earnings of $1,798,354, arrived at Saratoga mid-morning and took up residence in Curlin’s former stall in Asmussen’s barn near the Oklahoma training track.

“She shipped great,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi, who accompanied Rachel Alexandra to Saratoga. “She’s settled into Curlin’s old stall, which is now her stall, right next to my office.

“She recovered very well,” added Blasi. “She seemed strong yesterday and was starving when we fed her last night, and ate everything this morning, as well.”

Several possibilities exist for Rachel Alexandra’s next start, including the Grade 1, $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks for three-year-old fillies at 1¼ miles at Belmont Park on July 25, the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy for three-year-olds at nine furlongs at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 1, and the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational, also for three-year-olds, at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2.

Following one of those, the scenario could next include the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes for three-year-old fillies at 1¼ miles on Saturday, Aug. 22, the $1 million Shadwell Travers for three-year-olds going 1¼ miles on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Saratoga Race Course, or even the Grade 1, $400,000 Personal Ensign for fillies and mares, three-years-old and up, going 1 1/4 miles on Sunday, Aug. 30.

Asmussen declined to engage in any speculations.

“I’m well-versed in that with the Curlin-Big Brown thing last year,” he said. “I’m just going to worry about her health and happiness, and then we’ll sit down and decide what’s best for her.”

No Fairy Tale - Rachel Alexandra Best in Mother Goose
By Lane Gold | June 27, 2009

For a brief second, it looked like Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra might be in for a tough race, but on the far turn jockey Calvin Borel asked his filly for run and with an explosive move she quickly opened up for an authoritative 19 1/4-length win in the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose.

The Steve Asmussen-trained daughter of Medaglia d’Oro shattered two Mother Goose records – the margin of victory and final time, 1:46.33. The previous record for time was held by Lakeway (1994, 1:46.40) and the margin belonged to the great Ruffian (13 ½ lengths, 1975).

In front of a crowd of 13,352, Malibu Prayer and Flashing dueled through torrid fractions of :22.57 for the quarter and :44.66 for the half while Rachel Alexandra waited patiently three lengths off the lead. As the field moved around the far turn, Borel called on his filly, split horses and made the lead at the top of the stretch. Then under minimal urging from Borel, the bay filly rolled to the easy victory.

“I can’t say enough about Calvin Borel’s ride,” said Asmussen, who saw his star filly pay $2.10 for the $2 win. “They took it right to her with 44 and change, the 1/9 shot, and all the pressure in the world. He just let them go about their business and did what’s best for her and he needs to keep doing that.”

Rachel Alexandra’s record now stands at 9-2-0 in 12 career starts and has rattled off seven straight victories, all stakes races. Her career earnings now stand at $1,798,354.

“She's a racehorse, this is a racehorse,” Borel said. “Believe me, she's not normal, I'm telling you, she's unbelievable. I nudged (her) on the turn for home around the quarter pole but that was it. To make sure she'd get something out of it and do something for me. She is, I don’t know, like a Secretariat or a Seattle Slew. I’ve never been on one like that in my life. ”

Malibu Prayer finished second and Flashing was third. With the late scratches of Don’t Forget Gil and Hopeful Image, it left a field of three.

“We were very pleased with the crowd today, especially the number of girls and women,” said Hal Handel, NYRA executive vice president and COO. “The cheers that followed Rachel Alexandra from the paddock to the racetrack were thrilling. We would like to thank Mr. Jackson for bringing her to Belmont Park for this historic race.”

Belmont Park had free admission for women and gave away free “Rachel Alexandra” pink bracelets to the first 10,000 people through the turnstiles.

The Mother Goose had a win minus pool on Rachel Alexandra of $18,698.62, with NYRA’s share being $1,162.39.

Mother Goose Notes
Contact: Eric Donovan | June 25, 2009

Preakness and Kentucky Oaks champion Rachel Alexandra galloped about a mile and a quarter on Belmont’s fast main track early this morning, well in advance of a 9:30 a.m. downpour.

On Saturday, racing’s hottest star will be a heavy favorite against four rivals in the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes. Admission is free for all women and pink bracelets with Rachel Alexandra’s name will be given away to the first 10,000 customers in support of owner Jess Jackson’s decision to donate a percentage of the filly’s future earnings to the Susan G. Komen “Race for the Cure” for breast cancer.

“We send her out with the second set,” trainer Steve Asmussen said from his Belmont office this morning. “We don’t want her to be a guinea pig and we don’t want to send her out there when the track’s all torn up.”

The Mother Goose will be the second start that Asmussen has trained Rachel Alexandra for and already he is completely enamored with everything the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro does.

“She is a great pleasure to be around,” Asmussen said. “She’s very endearing in the way she looks and acts.”

While Rachel Alexandra has been installed as the 1-5 morning line favorite for the Mother Goose after beating Mine That Bird in the Preakness, the presence of the speedy Malibu Prayer and Flashing could make things slightly tricky for jockey Calvin Borel aboard the eight-time winner.

“I think it’s an extremely respectable race,” Asmussen said. “That said, our only concerns are what we can control. We have to take her over there in the right state of mind and right condition and hope she runs her race.”

Rachel Alexandra Continues Mother Goose Preparations
Contact: Jenny Kellner | June 25, 2009

Trainer Steve Asmussen continued to put the finishing touches on Rachel Alexandra’s preparations for Saturday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park, as the filly went to the gate in the morning and schooled in the paddock in the afternoon.

The 3-year-old filly, the first of her sex to win the Preakness Stakes in 85 years, stood in the starting gate for a few moments at about 6:30 a.m., then galloped a mile on Belmont’s training track with exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard.

During the sixth race, under sunny skies and with a small crowd looking on, the Stonestreet Stable’s star stood quietly in the saddling enclosure, and then took several turns around the paddock before heading back to the barn with assistant trainer Scott Blasi.

“She was great in the gate this morning,” said Blasi of Rachel Alexandra. “She was relaxed, and paying attention. This afternoon, she parked herself right in the saddling enclosure and she never moved a muscle. I didn’t have to do a thing, and I couldn’t be any happier with how she acted, and how she’s coming into the race.”

Rachel Alexandra, who brings a six-race winning streak into the Mother Goose, is the 1-5 favorite over four others in the nine-furlong race: Don’t Forget Gil, Flashing, Malibu Prayer, and Hopeful Image. The race will be aired live on MSG Plus from 5-5:30 p.m. (EDT).

It's Time For The Rachel Alexandra Show!
By Jenny Kellner | June 24, 2009

She walks like a supermodel and runs like an Olympic champion, and Saturday afternoon, Rachel Alexandra will make her New York debut when she puts her six-race winning streak on the line in the 53rd running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park.

The leggy bay daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who will be making her first start since beating the boys in the May 16 Preakness Stakes, arrived at Belmont Tuesday afternoon to the snapping of camera shutters, and was bedded down at trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn in stall No. 5, the same one occupied by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.

Not surprisingly, there were more people on hand for her arrival than will be horses facing her in the nine-furlong Mother Goose – just four others were entered in the one-turn race: Alan Brodsky’s multiple stakes-winner Don’t Forget Gil, off the board just once in eight starts; Godolphin Stable’s Flashing, with a three-race win streak of her own; Edward P. Evans’ Malibu Prayer, who has won her last two starts by a combined margin of 20¼ lengths, and Linda Sullivan and Gerald Procino’s Hopeful Image, who is coming off a 1 3/4-length victory in an optional claimer in the mud here on June 12.

Whether any of them are up to the challenge of upsetting Rachel Alexandra, who her jockey, Calvin Borel, calls “the best horse in the country” remains to be seen.

“We’re all kind of in the same boat, with Rachel Alexandra being in the race, of looking at a Grade 1 stakes placing,” said Rick Mettee, the North American racing manager for Godolphin Stable, which won last year’s Mother Goose with Music Note. “Besides Rachel, the other three are pretty good fillies, and they’re all in form. Flashing is doing exceptionally well – after her victory in the (Grade 3) Nassau County (May 2) it was felt this would be a logical spot for her.

“Apparently,” he added, “they thought it was a logical spot for Rachel Alexandra, as well.”

Indeed. After her historic victory over Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the Preakness, her new owners, Jess Jackson and Harold McCormick, considered entering Rachel Alexandra in the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 6. After much consideration, they felt it would be asking too much of her and aimed instead at the Mother Goose, whose roster of victors fillies such as Sky Beauty, Go for Wand, Davona Dale, Ruffian, Shuvee and Dark Mirage, all of whom went on to championship honors.

“This,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi of the Stonestreet Stable miss, “is a stepping-stone, hopefully, to bigger things.”

Rachel’s reign began last Nov. 29, when in her first start for Borel she ran off to a 4 ¾-length victory in the Grade 2 Goldenrod Stakes at Churchill Downs. She piled up impressive victories in the Mount Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park, the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks and the Grade 2 Fantasy, also at Oaklawn, but it was her 20¼-length tour de force in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks that catapulted her to superstar status.

“Pretty impressive,” said Mark Hennig, trainer of Don’t Forget Gil. “In fact, very impressive.”

Don’t Forget Gil, a New York-bred daughter of Kafwain, owns a pair of stakes victories in the restricted East View Stakes at Aqueduct and the Grade 3 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs earlier this year, but finished a disappointing eighth in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico the day before the Preakness.

“She got sick a few days after the race, so maybe she was coming down with something,” said Hennig of Don’t Forget Gil. “She’s had a busy year and a few miles on the van, and it kind of made us choose to stay home. This will be her first time running at her home track since she broke her maiden, so we’re coming back to a place where she’s had success.”

Malibu Prayer, a daughter of Malibu Moon, will be making her stakes debut in the Mother Goose after just four starts, including a 13-length maiden victory at Aqueduct on April 17 and a 7¼-length allowance win at Philadelphia Park on June 2.

“The race seems to be more about Rachel Alexandra, but Malibu Prayer is a filly that on her own merit probably deserves a chance,” said Jonathan Thomas, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.

Hopeful Image, a daughter of Gulch, has three victories in 13 starts, with her best finish in a graded stakes race a third behind Justwhistledixie in the Grade 2 Bonnie Miss at Gulfstream Park on March 27. Her most recent stakes appearance was a sixth-place finish behind Gozzip Girl in the Grade 2 Sands Point on May 30.

Rachel Alexandra Arrives at Belmont Park
Contact: Jenny Kellner | June 23, 2009

Following an uneventful flight from Louisville, Ky., Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra arrived safely at Belmont Park late Tuesday afternoon for her next start, Saturday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Accompanied by assistant trainer Scott Blasi, exercise rider Dominic Terry, the Stonestreet Stables security team, and four other thoroughbreds, Rachel Alexandra departed Churchill Downs at noon (EDT) for the 90-minute flight to Farmingdale, N.Y., and arrived at trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn on the Belmont Park backstretch by van at about 4:30 p.m.

After a few turns around the shedrow to stretch her legs, and a bath, the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro was bedded down in stall No. 5 – the same stall previously occupied by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin – at 5:30 p.m.

“Four and a half hours, barn to barn, that’s pretty good,” said Blasi. “She’s a pretty good traveler, though – she’s shipped to Oaklawn Park, and the Fair Grounds, and of course to Baltimore.”

Rachel Alexandra, whose six-race winning streak includes her historic victory over the boys in the Preakness, will get her first tour of the Belmont Park oval Wednesday morning, and will likely school in the paddock Thursday afternoon between races.

The Mother Goose, which will be run for the 53rd time Saturday, is expected to attract a compact but talented field including Alan Brodsky’s multiple stakes-winner Don’t Forget Gil, off the board just once in eight starts; Godolphin Stable’s Flashing, with a three-race win streak of her own; and Edward P. Evans’ Malibu Prayer, who has won her last two starts by a combined margin of 20¼ lengths.

Free Admission For Women, Bracelet Giveaway For 'Rachel's' Belmont Debut
Contact: Ashley Herriman| June 22, 2009

In honor of Preakness-winning filly Rachel Alexandra’s Belmont Park debut in the 53rd renewal of the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes on Saturday, June 27, the New York Racing Association, Inc. will give away pink bracelets embossed with the filly’s name and admission for ladies will be free on Mother Goose Day.

The Rachel Alexandra bracelets are free with admission for the first 10,000 customers (paid for males, free for females) and will be handed out at both Clubhouse and Grandstand admission booths as patrons enter the park. One per customer, no coupon required, while supplies last.

NYRA has chosen to give away pink bracelets to show support for the decision announced last week by Rachel Alexandra’s owners, Jess Jackson, founder of Kendall-Jackson Wines, and his wife Barbara Banke, to contribute a portion of Rachel Alexandra’s future winnings to the Susan G. Komen “Race for the Cure”® for breast cancer.

Finally, all afternoon on Mother Goose Day the Belmont backyard will be swinging to the sounds of Echoe Orchestras Inc., a band that specializes in swing, pop modern and classic jazz standards. They will perform live on the backyard stage from noon-4 p.m.

Mother Goose Notes
Contact: Jenny Kellner | June 22, 2009

At Churchill Downs Monday morning, Rachel Alexandra worked a half-mile in 49.80 as she prepared for Saturday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park, her first start since beating Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and 11 other males in the May 16 Preakness Stakes.

Exercise rider Dominic Terry was in the saddle as the 3-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro covered the distance over a “fast” track in fractional times of 13, 25 and 37.40, galloping out five furlongs in 1:03.40.

“The filly went beautiful this morning,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “She looked very happy. Scott (assistant trainer Scott Blasi) and Dominic have done a great job keeping her happy.”

Rachel Alexandra is scheduled to arrive at Belmont Park late Tuesday afternoon from Churchill Downs as she puts her six-race winning streak on the line in Saturday’s nine-furlong Mother Goose. She will be accompanied by Blasi on the flight from Louisville, Ky., and will be bedded down at trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn in stall No. 5, the same stall occupied by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.

Super Filly Rachel Alexandra to Run in Mother Goose
By Jenny Kellner | June 19, 2009

Preakness heroine Rachel Alexandra will make her first start since winning the middle jewel of the Triple Crown on Saturday, June 27 at Belmont Park, where she will face fellow three-year-old fillies in the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes.

“Rachel is rested, healthy and ready to run,” announced co-owner Jess Jackson on Wednesday, nearly three weeks after he decided to rest his star rather than run her in the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes against colts on June 6.

At the time, Jackson expressed concern that a start so soon after her historic Preakness win would be asking too much and said she deserved “a well-earned vacation." Had she run in the third leg of the Triple Crown, it would have set up a rematch with Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, who finished second in the Preakness and wound up third in the Belmont behind victorious Summer Bird and Dunkirk.

After watching exercise rider Dominic Terry work Rachel Alexandra on Monday morning under the newly installed temporary lights at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Jackson committed to running her at Belmont Park, which will mark her first appearance in New York.

“On Monday, she turned in a very strong six furlong work galloping out seven furlongs around the clubhouse turn in 1:24.80,” said Jackson of Rachel Alexandra, who is expected to arrive at Belmont Park on Tuesday, June 23.

A winner of six straight races under regular rider Calvin Borel, dating back to Nov. 29, 2008, Rachel Alexandra last faced fillies at Churchill Downs on May 1, when she rolled to a 20 1/4-length victory in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. Overall, she has won eight of 11 career starts and earned more than $1.6 million.

Her other major victories include the Golden Rod Stakes (2008), Martha Washington Stakes (2009), Fair Grounds Oaks (2009), and Fantasy Stakes (2009).

Likely to face Rachel Alexandra in the 1 1/8th mile Mother Goose are Godolphin Stables’ Flashing, winner of four of her five starts including the Grade 3 Nassau County on May 2, Alan Brodsky’s Don’t Forget Gil, no worse than third in seven of her eight starts, and Edward P. Evans’ Malibu Prayer, 2-0-2 from four starts this year. West Point Thoroughbreds’ Justwhistledixie, whose five-race winning streak was snapped when she finished second in the Grade 1 Acorn on June 6, and Stewart L. Armstrong’s Dream Play, the Grade 2 Comely winner who was off the board in the Acorn, are questionable. Both are trained by Kiaran McLaughlin.

The Mother Goose, which will be run for the 53rd time on June 27, boasts among its winners such stars as Music Note (2008), Serena’s Song (1995), Sky Beauty (1993), Meadow Star (1991), Go for Wand (1990), Davona Dale (1979), Ruffian (1975), Shuvee (1969), Dark Mirage (1968) and Cicada (1962).

Foaled in 2006, Rachel Alexandra is out of Lotta Kim, a daughter of multiple stakes winner, Roar. Rachel Alexandra was sired by 2002 Jim Dandy and Travers winner Medaglia d'Oro, who also won the 2003 Whitney at Saratoga Race Course before retiring with earnings of more than $5.7 million.

Rachel Alexandra To “Race For The Cure”
Contact: Caroline Shaw | June 19, 2009

Rachel Alexandra, who last month became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness, will “Race for The Cure” in the remainder of her 2009 campaign. A $20,000 donation to a breast cancer nonprofit, the Susan G. Komen "Race For The Cure"®, from the Jackson Family Fund at the Blue Grass Community Foundation, will be the inaugural contribution.

Rachel Alexandra’s co-owners, Jess Jackson, founder of Kendall-Jackson Wines, and his wife Barbara Banke, originally created a fund to share the winnings of their 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year Curlin with the Lexington-based Blue Grass Community Foundation, and plan to continue sharing their success with charitable, worthy causes.

“Rachel Alexandra is a magnificent horse. In her honor, we are making a gift to the Susan B. Komen "Race For The Cure" said Barbara Banke, co-owner of Rachel Alexandra.

Rachel Alexandra, who won this year’s Kentucky Oaks by 20 lengths prior to her historic Preakness win, has won eight of 11 career starts and is in training for her next race [the Grade 1, 1 1/8-mile Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday, June 27]. Each new success on the track by Rachel Alexandra will help replenish the charitable fund.

“This exceptional fund is one more example of how generous people can help direct their money to charities that make a difference,” said Allison Lankford, Director of Philanthropic Services, Blue Grass Community Foundation. “What a wonderful way for Barbara and Jess and their fabulous horse Rachel Alexandra to benefit so many.”

Girl Power; Rachel rules in the Preakness
By Jenny Kellner | May 16, 2009

BALTIMORE – If Rachel Alexandra was racing’s starlet after her 20¼-length victory over fillies in the Kentucky Oaks, she became the sport’s current superstar with her historic win over the boys in the Preakness Stakes on May 16.

Setting a pressured pace after breaking from post No. 13 at Pimlico Race Course, Rachel first ran most of her opponents into the ground and then turned back the gutsy late challenge from Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird to become the first of her sex to win the Preakness in 85 years.

“Like I said, I think she’s the greatest horse in the country right now,” said her regular rider, Calvin Borel. “She’s just an amazing filly. God knows how good she is.”

Rachel Alexandra was the 53rd filly overall and first since Excellent Meeting 10 years ago to even compete in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. In 1980, Derby winner Genuine Risk finished second, and in 1988 Derby winner Winning Colors was third as they attempted to become the first since Nellie Morse (1924) to win the Preakness.

Purchased privately by Jess Jackson and Harold T. McCormick just days after her jaw-dropping performance in the Oaks, Rachel Alexandra was transferred to trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn and immediately pointed toward the Preakness, the first Oaks winner ever to contest the race. But off her amazing performance at Churchill Downs, racing fans had no problem making her the 9-5 favorite, and she delivered in a big way.

Confidently ridden by Borel, the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro was four-wide as she set fractions of 23.13, 46.71 and 1:11.01, and while Borel said she seemed uncomfortable over the surface, she was game enough to pull clear of her early rivals and then hold off the late surge from the Derby winner to hit the wire in 1:55.08, a length clear of the brave little gelding.

"She just wants to run. Gender doesn't matter. A thoroughbred wants to run, and if a filly is as good as the colts, they ought to compete,” said Jackson. “ That was my position and that's why we came. She showed the heart and skill of a champion, so I'm delighted that our decision was not vindicated but was correct.”

Rachel surges to 20 length Tour de Force in Kentucky Oaks
By Jenny Kellner | May 1, 2009

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Her four previous victories had been impressive, but no one, except perhaps jockey Calvin Borel, expected what they saw in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

Without drawing a deep breath, Rachel Alexandra cruised to a record

20 ¼ length victory over her rivals in the nine-furlong Oaks before a delighted crowd of 104,867 at Churchill Downs.

Trained at the time by Hal Wiggins for the partnership of breeder Dolphus Morrison and Michael Lauffer, Rachel Alexandra stalked early pacesetter Gabby’s Golden Gal until Borel began to inch up midway on the final turn, taking over at the head of the stretch and then rolling home with Borel looking over his shoulder in amazement.

Ears pricked and eyes ahead, she hit the wire in 1:48.87, which just missed the stakes record of 1:48.64 established by Bird Town in 2003, her fifth straight victory dating back to Nov. 19, 2008.

The margin of victory is believed to be an Oaks record. Available records date to 1916 and the largest previous victory margin was 10 lengths, a feat last achieved by Oaktown Stable’s Lite Light in 1991.

“It was just unbelievable,” said Wiggins, a training veteran of 40 years who scored his first victory in the Kentucky Oaks and notched his first win in a Grade I stakes race. “When he (Borel) asked her, she just naturally took off. And just finished tremendous. It looked like she came out of the race really, really good. That’s the main thing.”

The victory in the Oaks was the first for Borel, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2007 aboard Street Sense and the following day added his second with an astounding ride aboard 50-1 Mine That Bird.

The following week, when faced with the choice of riding either the filly or the gelding in the Preakness, Borel unhesitatingly chose the filly.

“She’s probably the greatest horse I’ve ever been on in my life,” he said. “There are other things down the road for her and she’ll prove it, I promise it.”

And she did.