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 six 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.