Rachel Changes Jockeys: from Brian Hernandez Jr to Calvin Borel

Brian Hernandez Jr

Rachel showed great promise in training, but on the track only won 2 out of 5 starts with Brian Hernandez Jr as her jockey. One particular day Hernandez Jr was not available to work Rachel on the track, and Calvin Borel happened to be around and free, so Wiggins asked Borel to work her. Borel had very strong work ethics. He would get up early in the morning to work horses and then ride horses in races in the afternoons. While Borel rode Rachel, Wiggins noticed how good Borel was with her and he considered a change in jockeys. He asked Borel to ride Rachel in the Golden Rod.

Calvin Borel

On November 29, 2008, Borel not only rode Rachel Alexandra in a romp by 4 ¾ lengths in the 1-1/16 mile, $162,900  (Gr II) Golden Rod but also set a new Stakes record for time of 1:43.08. The previous record was 1:43.82 set in 2001 by Belterra. Rachel beat out her nemesis Sara Louise (who bested her in the prior race, the Pocahontas).
Video (Gr II) Golden Rod

Calvin Borel riding Rachel Alexandra in the Golden Rod

The Golden Rod was the beginning of Rachel Alexandra's winning streak. With Borel on the mount, she has not lost a race.

Video: Calvin Borel hand-rides Rachel Alexandra

After the Golden Rod, Rachel Takes a time off

International Equine considered buying Rachel Alexandra but decided against buying her after X-rays showed a tiny chip in the filly’s left ankle. Instead, Morrison and Lauffer had Dr. Larry Bramlage remove the chip, and Wiggins gave Rachel Alexandra two months off.

“I may have lost her without that chip,” Wiggins said.