On a hot (mid 90's), partly-cloudy, and muggy afternoon on June 12, 2010, as the 1-5 favorite in a five horse field, Rachel Alexandra ran the 1-1/8 mile $214,000 (Grade 2) Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky. Toting the high weight of 124-lbs, Rachel Alexandra with regular jockey Calvin Borel aboard took a stalking position beside Jessica is Back for nearly 7 furlongs, repelled an advancing Distinctive Dixie entering into the stretch, and won by 10-1/2 lengths in a time of 1:48.78 on a listed fast track. Her time was faster than her Kentucky Oaks victory last year, and faster than the winner of the Stephen Foster today!
The final results:
1- Rachel Alexandra
2- Distinctive Dixie
3- Jessica is Back
4- Multipass
5- Made for Magic
Rachel's fractional times were a quarter mile in 23:93, a half mile in 47:25, 6 furlongs in 1:11.16, a mile in 1:35.90 and she ran her last furlong in 12:88. Her Beyer Speed Figure was 109, the highest that day and also the highest so far for a filly or mare this year.
“She did everything right today,” Borel said. “(Trainer) Steve (Asmussen) told me just to run my race and see where we're at. She showed up today. She felt the same. I just don’t think she was ready before. Steve knows what he’s doing. She was perfect and we couldn’t ask for more.”
"This is Rachel," Asmussen said. "She's a very special horse, has proven to be so. Hopefully she has a lot of chapters left to write in her life ... She's a machine and she ran a great race today, and hopefully this is a step in the right direction for the rest of the year. It's an honor to train a horse like her. We will take her back to the barn and there will be a lot of petting her, and peppermints, and loving on her."
"I guess there's some relief because naysayers were saying she's done, no horse has come back and all of that," Jackson said. "She showed the stamina and endurance is coming back," Jackson said, referring to Rachel. "She's not 100 percent yet compared to last year, but we planned that her progression go slow so that she can last a whole season. We want the campaign to end up at the Breeders' Cup."
Fleur de Lis (Music Video)
Absolutely thrilling to see her returning to form. Thanks for posting so quickly as always.
ReplyDeleteWhat's really encouraging is Rachel ran her 1 mile and 1/8 faster than Blame who won the Grade 1 Stephen Foster later in the day.
ReplyDeleteRachel 1.48.70
Blame 1.49.37
This means Rachel ran about 2-3 lengths faster than Blame even while Rachel was gearing down the final 1/16th. Rachel is totally back. Watch out!!!
sorry for saying 1.48.70. Pixie was right that it's 1.48.78. I though Bloodhorse gave an adjusted time, but they were wrong.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are great! I am thrilled! I'm in the midst of making a video of her race on YouTube. I'm stoked!
ReplyDeleteI was just going to post something about Rachel's time beating Blame, the Stephen Foster winner, but I didn't want to ruin the party for the Blame fans. : )
ReplyDeleteI just watched it again on Twin Spires & Rachel's splits were also faster than the Stephen Foster. I'll have to go to Bloodhorse & see the adjusted time??
Huge Congrats to Rachel - I'm SO very happy for her & all her connections.
So glad to see Rachel win and in such a fine manner ! It seems everyone has all sorted out - and I hope to see Rachel win the BC !!! Go girl !
ReplyDeleteDidn't anyone notice that Rachel ran in her old bit today...............says alot. She settled any ran her race............and she will keep getting better.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the faster time... Rachel was also carrying 4 pounds more than Blame!
ReplyDeleteGreat job girl!!
Pixie, Do you know what Rachel's Beyers speed was?
ReplyDeleteBeyer Speed Figure was 108 I think
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lindsay. Again, did anyone notice that they didn't use the crossover bit that they used in the last two races and went back to Rachel's old bit?
ReplyDeletePixie--thanks again for the immediate posting. I watched her on HRTV.com and was thrilled beyond thrilled. Thank you, horse racing gods and thank you Rachel for proving once again that you are the legend. We can breath acollective sigh of relief and wait in antiipation for her next start. Bless you, Raitch!!
ReplyDeleteSaw you yesterday at Churchill and what a thrill...love you more than ever!!
ReplyDelete