Lady's Secret 2010

On a hot (mid 90's) and muggy afternoon on July 24, 2010 (with a heat index over 100 degrees), in front of a crowd of 12,859, as the 1-9 favorite in a seven horse field, Rachel Alexandra ran the 1-1/8 mile $400,000 (ungraded) Lady's Secret at Monmouth Race Course, Oceanport, New jersey. Toting the high weight of 123-lbs, Rachel Alexandra with regular jockey Calvin Borel aboard took a stalking position beside Queen Martha until the 6 furlong mark, then duked it out at the stretch, and won by 3 lengths in a time of 1:49.78 on a listed fast track.

“We’re very pleased with her, how she ran today,” her trainer, Steve Asmussen, said. “It was an awfully warm day, and she kept her composure. She was very relaxed off the other mare. The first thing Calvin said when he came off her was he loved how she came home today, and I think that will be the key to her future success.”

"She's bigger than she was last year," said assistant trainer Scott Blasi. "She's put on weight. Last year, if you looked at her neck, it was narrow. Now it's filled out. She's just doing great."

“She won very easily again today,” her jockey Borel said. “I let her run a little bit in the stretch to make sure she got something out of the race, but I think we saved a little bit in the tank for next time... She’s back to herself. We just have to get her ready, and where Mr. Jackson runs her, I’ll be there to ride. I think she’s the greatest filly around and the greatest I’ve ever been on in my life.” 

Rachel's preliminary Beyer Speed Figure was 110 and was later adjusted to 105.

The Lady’s Secret was originally scheduled to be run August 1st at 1-1/16 mile with a $150,000 purse, but to lure Rachel Alexandra to run, Monmouth management moved the race up eight days to July 24th, increased the distance to 1-1/8 mile, and increased the purse to $400,000.

Racing was canceled at Philadelphia Park and at Delaware Park that day due to heat restrictions, as it was earlier that week. Despite that and the urging of horse enthusiasts to do the same at Monmouth Park, officials at the beleaguered Oceanport track opened. But Monmouth County SPCA Chief Law Enforcement Officer Victor “Buddy” Amato said he received multiple calls from people concerned about the welfare of horses, as temperatures approached 100 degrees and heat indexes reached between 104 and 108 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Amato said he made a strong recommendation to Monmouth management that racing be postponed, but the races went off promptly at 12:50 p.m.

 “I told them that if a horse goes down in this heat, and it’s determined it died from heat stroke, animal cruelty charges will be handed down,” Amato (SPCA) said.

Monmouth management reiterated to Amato that the condition of the horses and the heat index are taken into consideration.

“I’m not saying it’s not hot, but these horses get acclimated to heat,” Kulina added. “They’ve been in it for awhile now. Some race in Texas all summer.”

He also noted Monmouth Park sometimes benefits from higher winds that come from its close proximity to the ocean.

That day's race day featuring Rachel Alexandra, called "the most popular female racehorse in the world" by some, was believed by some to be too good to pass up.

Jess Jackson, the majority owner of Rachel Alexandra, has previously said that he and trainer Steve Asmussen want to space Rachel Alexandra's races out five weeks apart between now and the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs in November. Jess Jackson today announced that Rachel Alexandra will indeed run in the 1 1/4 miles, Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga on Aug. 29. The Personal Ensign is a race that will likely feature Life at Ten, winner of six consecutive races including the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps and the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap.

 References: nytimes.com and nj.com

Music Video of the Lady's Secret