RACHEL ALEXANDRA RETIRES!!!

Majority owner Jess Jackson announced today that Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year has retired.

I'm very sorry to announce this shocking and sad news. We fans will miss Rachel very very much!!!

Rachel Alexandra Workout Statistics Since Her Last Race:

Rachel Alexandra Workout Statistics Since Her Last Race:

Date            Track    Dist.   Time        Surface     Condition      Rank
9/13/2010    Sar       5F      1:00.65    Dirt           Fast              1/6
9/20/2010    Sar       6F      1:12.05    Dirt           Fast              1/2
9/27/2010    Sar       4F      0:48.45    Dirt           Fast              1/49

WORKOUT 9-27-2010

On Monday morning, September 27, 2010, shortly after 6:00 am, Rachel Alexandra fired a bullet four furlongs in 48.45 over a fast track at the Oklahoma training track in Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga, New York. She galloped out 5 furlongs in galloping out in 1:01.09. It was the fastest of fifty works at the distance.

This is her final workout before her next race, this Saturday.

WORKOUT 9-20-2010

On Monday morning, September 20, 2010, shortly after 6:00 am, Rachel Alexandra ran six furlongs in 1:12.05 over a fast track at the Oklahoma training track in Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga, New York. Exercise rider Dominic Terry rode her handily at that distance. It was the fastest of two works at the distance.

Rachel is nominated for the Beldame and Jockey Club Gold Cup

Nominations are out.

Rachel Alexandra is nominated for the Beldame and the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

 Rachel sticks out her tongue last year at Belmont Race Course

The BELDAME: 10/2/2010 (Grade 1) 1-1/8 $350,000 (open to fillies and mares 3 year old & up) at Belmont Race Course. Other fillies nominated are:
AWESOME MARIA E. Paul Robsham Stables, Todd A. Pletcher gr/ro.f.3
BLIND LUCK Mark Dedomenico, Jerry Hollendorfer ch.f.3
BONNIE BLUE FLAG Peachtree Stable, Bob Baffert b.f.3
DEVIL MAY CARE Glencrest Farm, Todd A. Pletcher b.f.3
FUNNY MOON Mrs. C. Wilson McNeely, III Christophe Clement ch.f.4
HAVRE DE GRACE Fox Hill Farm, Anthony W. Dutrow b.f.3
LIFE AT TEN Candy DeBartolo, Todd A. Pletcher ch.m.5
MALIBU PRAYER Edward P. Evans, Todd A. Pletcher b.f.4
MILWAUKEE APPEAL Eugene George, Scott H. Fairlie b.f.4
MISS MATCH (ARG) Lael Stable, Michael R. Matz dk b/.m.5
PERSISTENTLY Phipps Stable, Claude R. McGaughey III ch.f.4
QUEEN MARTHA Robert Trussell, Patrick L. Biancone b.f.4
RACHEL ALEXANDRA Stonestreet Stables, Steven M. Asmussen b.f.4
UNRIVALED BELLE Peter Vegso,William I. Mott gr/ro.f.4

The JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP: 10/2/2010 (Grade 1) 1-1/4 mile $750,000 (open to 3 year olds & up) at Belmont Race Course. Other horses nominated are as follows:
AFLEET EXPRESS Gainesway Stable, James A. Jerkens dk b/.c.3
BLAME Adele B. Dilschneider, Albert M. Stall, Jr. b.c.4
CONVOCATION Centennial Farms, James A. Jerkens b.c.4
COOL COAL MAN Robert V. LaPenta, Nicholas P. Zito b.h.5
DRY MARTINI Carol Nyren, Barclay Tagg gr/ro.g.7
FLY DOWN Richard C. Pell, Nicholas P. Zito ch.c.3
HAYNESFIELD Turtle Bird Stable, Steven M. Asmussen ch.c.4
HOLD ME BACK WinStar Farm, William I. Mott dk b/.c.4
MUSKET MAN Eric Fein, Derek S. Ryan dk b/.c.4
MYTHICAL POWER Peachtree Stable, Bob Baffert b.c.4
RACHEL ALEXANDRA Stonestreet Stables, Steven M. Asmussen b.f.4
RAIL TRIP Jay Em Ess Stable, Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. b.g.5
REGAL RANSOM Godolphin Stable, Saeed bin Suroor dk b/.c.4
TRANQUIL MANNER Darley Stable, Kiaran P. McLaughlin b.c.4

Final list of actual entrants are expected to be released Wednesday September 29, 2010.

Rachel's morning gallop yesterday
Rachel coming off the track after her morning gallop
Rachel getting washed and groomed yesterday

WORKOUT 9-13-2010

On Monday morning, September 13, 2010, shortly after 6:00 am, Rachel Alexandra fired a bullet five furlongs in 1:00.65 over a fast track at the Oklahoma training track in Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga, New York. She ran her first quarter in 25 seconds and three furlongs in 37.20, and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.80. Rachel reunited with previous exercise rider Dominic Terry who rode her handily at that distance. It was the fastest of six works at the distance.

Rachel Alexandra - STILL GREAT?

New Video I made on YouTube to cheer up Rachel Fans:

Rachel Alexandra - STILL GREAT?

Where will Rachel race next?

Rachel has had a rough year, but we Rachel fans still love her and are highly anticipating her next start. Where will Rachel race next? Looking at the Race Schedule for the next month or two, the following are some possible choices (in order of the highest to lowest possibilities):

1- 10/2/2010 (Grade 1) 1-1/8 $350,000 Beldame (open to fillies and mares 3 year old & up) at Belmont Race Course - the distance is good for Breeders Cup prep, the timing is perfect for JJ's current schedule pattern. It is all female, so the competition may not be as fierce as the Jockey Club Gold Cup, considering her recent loss in the Personal Ensign, this seems the logical choice. Many other articles are already pegging her to run here, so this is the MOST LIKELY.

2- 10/2/2010 (Grade 2) 1-1/4 mile $250,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (open to 3 year olds & up) at Hawthorne Race Course - the distance may be good for Breeders Cup prep, the timing is perfect for JJ's current schedule pattern. It's a grade 2 so the competition may not be as fierce as the Jockey Club Gold Cup. However, since it is with males, it might be more of a challenge and I am not sure Rachel's connections would be willing to risk it. Given her upsets this year this race is LESS LIKELY.

3- 10/2/2010 (Grade 1) 1-1/4 mile $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (open to 3 year olds & up) at Belmont - the distance may be good for Breeders Cup prep, the timing is perfect for JJ's current schedule pattern. I doubt JJ would really enter her here. The competition is much scarier than the aforementioned two races as this is often used by top horses as a prep for the BCC. Given Rachel’s success record this year, this race is UNLIKELY.

4- 10/9/2010 (Grade 2) 1-1/8 mile $300,000 Monmouth Cup (open to 3 year olds & up) at Monmouth Park - this is barely a choice because the timing may be a little too close to the BCC for JJ's current schedule pattern, it's a grade 2. Unless he plans to not run Rachel in the Breeders Cup at all, or burn her out for the Breeders Cup races, this race is VERY UNLIKELY.

5- A "Custom-Made-For-Rachel-Race" (with a bumped up large purse moved into whatever date JJ wants) conjured by some opportunistic track president/official who wants to attract Rachel and her fans to boost slumping track attendance. JUST KIDDING (... or not)

Personal Ensign Stakes 2010

 Rachel Alexandra is upset by Persistently

On a warm (low 80's) and sunny afternoon on August 29, 2010, in front of a crowd of 23,347, as the 2-5 favorite in a five horse field, Rachel Alexandra ran the 1-1/4 mile $300,000 (Grade 1) Personal Ensign at Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, New York. Toting the high weight of 122-lbs, Rachel Alexandra with regular jockey Calvin Borel aboard took the lead almost immediately with (6 race winning streak) Life At Ten glued to her side in a stalking position through fractions of 23.66 seconds, 47.73, and 1:12.02 until the top of the stretch when 20-1 long shot Persistently caught up with the front runners, but Rachel shortened stride in the final furlong and Persistently powered past for a clear win in 2:04.49, beating Rachel by 1 length. Life At Ten tired badly from her early efforts, finishing another 10 1/4 lengths farther back. She was followed by Miss Singhsix and Classofsixtythree.

The Beyer Speed Figure for Rachel was a 93. She hasn't had a BSF as low as 93 since she was a 2 year old.

"After we put away Life at Ten at the quarter-pole, I didn't feel any acceleration and I got worried," Borel said. "She wasn't really there. I knew if anyone was running behind us, we were in trouble... She just got outrun. I had everything my way, and she just got outrun. If you can't take the losing with the winning, you can't be in the game."

"The winner won the race and I don't want to take anything away from that," said Steve Asmussen, who trains Rachel Alexandra. "In a five-horse field, you can't complain about where you are. It is what it is. I thought (Rachel) put a very good mare (Life at Ten) away. It obviously took more out of her on the front end than we would have hoped for. When she moved away from (Life at Ten) that's what you were hoping to see. Then she got run down late... I’m very disappointed that she lost but I’m always very happy with Rachel. It hurts to lose and you’re disappointed for it. But if that’s the case just think how happy she’s made you and all the things that she has done for us.”

Jackson, who did not attend the race, issued a statement about the result, but not her future.

“We are disappointed in the result, as we are sure her countless fans are, but we are certainly not disappointed in her,” Jackson said. “She is still a superstar in our hearts and minds. The old sports adage applies …. on any given Sunday, anything can happen.”

Reference: Brisnet.com

Sizing Up Rachel's Competition in the Personal Ensign

This coming Sunday, Rachel Alexandra will make her fifth start of the year in the 1-1/4 mile $300,000 Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York. Not only is this the first time Rachel will be running in Grade 1 competition this year, but it will be the first time ever that Rachel will take on the Classic distance of 1-1/4 mile. The closest she's ever come to this distance was over a year ago in the Preakness when she covered 1-3/16 mile and won by a length. The outcome of this race will be pivotal to Rachel’s career as it will reveal whether she is indeed back to form and perhaps even ready to conquer the 1-1/4 mile Breeders Cup Classic in November.

RACHEL ALEXANDRA at post position 2, as the 2-5 favorite, carrying the high weight of 122 pounds, will of course be ridden by Calvin Borel. We Rachel fans know all about her "downs and ups" this year with her initial races turning out to be narrow losses, and then wins in her next two races. Rachel fans are anxious to see how she is progressing. But how about the competition? Is there any cause for worry?

LIFE AT TEN at post position 4, at 5-2 odds, carrying 120 pounds, ridden by Johnny Velazquez, is a 5 year old out of the prolific stallion Malibu Moon.  Life At Ten has been on an outwardly impressive 6 race winning streak including the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps and the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap. However, this is not as formidable as it sounds because only 3 of those 6 races were stakes races. She has a lifetime record of 7 wins in 14 starts. Still, Life At Ten has proven herself at the classic distance of 1-1/4 mile when she won at that distance at the Delaware handicap. She is a front runner, which is similar to Rachel, however Rachel although generally being a front runner, has the ability to also stalk (Kentucky Oaks) or even come off the pace (Mother Goose).

Life At Ten

MISS SINGHSIX at post position 1, at 10-1 odds, carrying 116 pounds, ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr, is a 5 year old out of the Irish stallion Singspiel.  She won the Grade 3 Obeah and came a gamely second to Life At Ten at the Delaware Handicap. She has been in the money in her last four consecutive races and seems to be improving. She's had a lifetime record of 5 wins in 20 starts. Miss Singhsix running style is that of a closer, and that could be an advantage for her considering Rachel and Life at Ten have similar running styles and "could" sneak past the two front runners on the (unlikely) chance they tire each other out in a duel for the lead in such a long race.

Miss Singhsix

CLASSOFSIXTYTHREE at post position 5, at 20-1 odds, carrying 116 pounds, ridden by Javier Castellano, is a 4 year old out of Include. She has a lifetime of 5 wins in 21 starts, but has never won a stakes race. However, she was in the money in the past 8 consecutive races and seems to be improving. She came in 3rd in the Ruffian this year. Her running style is that of a closer.

PERSISTENTLY at post position 3, at 20-1 odds, carrying 116 pounds, ridden by Alan Garcia, is a 4 year old out of Smoke Glacken. She has a lifetime win of 3 in 13 starts, but never won a stakes race. She won an allowance race her last race going into the Personal Ensign. Persistently has the running style of a closer.

I've listed the above according to how I think they will finish. But anything can happen in horse racing so don't bet on it.

The 1 1/4 mile, $300,000, Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga is this Sunday August 29, 2010 at 5:56 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will be covered on television by TVG and HRTV.

Rachel Alexandra Workout Statistics Since Her Last Race:

Rachel Alexandra Workout Statistics Since Her Last Race:

Date            Track    Dist.   Time        Surface     Condition      Rank

8/02/2010    Sar       5F      1:02.45    Dirt           Fast              6/9
8/09/2010    Sar       6F      1:12.96    Dirt           Fast              2/2
8/16/2010    Sar       6F      1:13.24    Dirt           Fast              1/1
8/23/2010    Sar       4F      0:48.80    Dirt           Muddy         2/14            

Video of Rachel Schooling on 8-26-2010

WORKOUT 8-23-2010

On Monday morning, August 23, 2010, shortly before 6:00am, Rachel Alexandra worked four furlongs in 48.80 seconds over a muddy sealed track at Oklahoma Training Track near Saratoga Race Course in New York. With jockey Shaun Bridgmohan aboard, she ran at an even pace throughout, posting opening and final quarter-mile splits of 24.40, then she set galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.18. She ran the second fastest out of 14 horses running the same distance on that track.

 “I was very concerned about the weather but they did a good job with the racetrack, it was safe and she went well over it,” Asmussen said as Rachel Alexandra cooled out back at the barn. “She seemed really happy.”

“We just wanted to see her happy and loose,” he said. “She knows what her job is by now, and you want to see an acceptance and a willingness to do it.

“With her, you’re careful with the rhythm you get into to start off. She’s very strong, very physical, and likes to do quite a bit. Shaun has done a great job with her, getting her away from the pole smoothly, and then once she gets into a rhythm, it’s been pretty good from there.”

Asmussen said Rachel Alexandra would school in the paddock during the week, dependent on the weather. Rain is forecast into Wednesday.

“As we’ve talked about and by design with Mr. Jackson, it’s time to pick it up,” Asmussen said. “She’s very keen. We’re just trying to keep her in a rhythm right now and keep her happy, and we feel that’s where she’s at.”

This is Rachel's fianl workout in preparation for the 1 1/4 mile, $300,000, Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga this Sunday August 29, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. E.S.T. The race will be covered on television by TVG and HRTV.

Video of Rachel's workout today

Video of Rachel galloping 2 days ago

References: drf.com and thoroughbredtimes.com

WORKOUT 8-16-2010

On Monday morning, August 16, 2010, shortly after 6:00 am, Rachel Alexandra worked six furlongs in 1:13 1/5 over a fast track at the main track in Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga, New York. With jockey Shaun Bridgmohan aboard she then galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25 4/5 and a mile in 1:39.

Rachel was the only horse running that distance on the main track.

Her trainer Steve Asmussen was very pleased and said, "She was off (the first eighth) in :13, then she came off the bridle for him, very relaxed, her ears forward, stuck in a bunch of :12 and changes, came home just a tad better the last quarter, and her gallop out was strong. That rhythm, because of the 1 1/4 miles, is what we were looking for. That’s where she is…I feel she is more relaxed in the middle of her works than she was last year."

Yesterday morning (Sunday), Life At Ten also had a Saratoga workout and went five furlongs in 1:01.98. She will be Rachel Alexandra's main threat in the Personal Ensign. She is currently on a 6 race winning streak, including Gr1 Ogden Phipps, and The Delaware run at 1-1/4 mile.

This is Rachel's third workout since her last race. Rachel will have one more work in preparation for the 1 1/4 mile, $300,000, Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes run in less than 2 weeks at Saratoga, at 5:56 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday August 29, 2010. The race will be covered on television by TVG and HRTV.

Rachel works out 8-16-2010

Asmussen and Barbara Banke (JJ's wife) discussing her workout

Reference: Bloodhorse.com

WORKOUT 8-9-2010

On Monday morning, August 9, 2010, shortly before 6:00 am, Rachel Alexandra worked six furlongs in 1:12.96 over a fast track at the Oklahoma training track near Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga, New York. With jockey Shaun Bridgmohan aboard she set fractional times of 12.79 for the first furlong, 25.46 for the quarter, 37.98 for 3 furlongs, 49.77 for the half mile, then galloped out seven furlongs in 1:26.04 and went a mile in 1:40.35, according to the drf clocker.

New York Racing Association clockers disagreed slightly and caught Rachel Alexandra''s finishing time at 1:12.95 with 38.02 for her first three furlongs and 50.53 for a half-mile, galloping out seven furlongs in 1:26.00.

“I’m pleased with how well she came out of the Monmouth race, how she trained that week, the work last week, it’s just a progression,” Asmussen said. “She’s done really well up here. I’m expecting two more moves before the Personal Ensign. Hopefully the weather will cooperate as much as it has to this point. It’s time to pick it up. We’re trying to get this to climax in November.”

Asmussen plans to keep Rachel Alexandra on the training track leading up to the Personal Ensign. Last summer, he worked her on the main track because of inclement weather and to give her a glimpse of her surroundings prior to her Saratoga debut in the Woodward Stakes (G1), where she beat older males in what turned out to be her final start of the year.

“I feel very comfortable about it, with her being here and having the success she did here last year,” he said. “Right now, you try to get your work schedule where it is and hope that Mother Nature and weather allows you to do that.

“I remember last year before the Woodward, trying to decide which racetrack we were going to work on because of all the rain and the condition of one track as opposed to the other. Hopefully, it’ll be a little easier than that this time.”

This is her second workout since her last race and will be in preparation for the 1 1/4 mile, $300,000, Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes run in less than 3 weeks at Saratoga, at 5:56 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday August 29, 2010. The race will be covered on television by TVG and HRTV.

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

WORKOUT 7-12-2010

On a very foggy Monday morning, July 12, 2010, shortly before 6:00 am, Rachel Alexandra worked six furlongs in 1:12.45 over a fast track at the Oklahoma training track near Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga, New York. With jockey Shaun Bridgmohan aboard she set fractional times of 13.20 for the first furlong, :36.40 for 3 furlongs, :48 for the half mile, then galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25.80 and went a mile in 1:38.40, according to the Saratoga clocker.

Her trainer Steve Asmussen said of her morning exercise, "She's Rachel, she's incredible."

It was a very misty foggy morning. The half-mile pole was totally blanketed by fog. Her workout was very difficult to see, much to the dismay of a dozen or so fans who lined the rail to take pictures or videos or her.

Rachel is no stranger to working out in the morning mist (picture from 2009)

Video of her daily gallop last Saturday, July 10, 2010

Video of her Workout TODAY

Rachel Alexandra is to race next at Lady's Secret!

To the surprise of everyone, Jess Jackson has announced that Rachel Alexandra is to race next at the Lady's Secret at Mounmouth Race Track in New Jersey on Saturday July 24th! This announcement has come unusually far in advance compared to his usual last minute announcements. Perhaps Jess Jackson's confidence in this filly has increased dramatically since her last win where she demolished the field by 10-1/2 lengths?!

The ungraded Lady's Secret was moved from August 1st to July 24th, distance increased from 1-1/16 to 1-1/8 mile, and the purse raised from $150,000 to $400,000 to lure Rachel Alexandra back to the Jersey Shore. As you might recall, Rachel Alexandra won the Haskell Invitational at that same Monmouth Race Track by a 6 length romp there last year in the slop achieving the highest Beyer Speed Figure of any horse in North America.

“We had a great experience at Monmouth Park,” Jackson said. “And we appreciate the overwhelming show of support the fans there have given us. It’s the perfect place to start what we hope will be another championship run.”

Rachel romped in the Haskell Invitational in Monmouth last year

Bob Kulina,  Monmouth General Manager, said that Rachel Alexandra’s connections in part chose the July 24 date at his track because of its place on the calendar, 15 weeks before the Breeders’ Cup World Championships November 5-6 at Churchill Downs.

“They’re very interested in keeping Rachel [Alexandra] on a five-week schedule,” Kulina said. “They worked back from the Breeders’ Cup because that’s their objective, and July 24 worked well for Steve’s pattern. The distance of 1-1/8 miles was what they wanted. We had contact with them long before this and told them we’d do whatever to make a race work with their schedule."

The Lady’s Secret could serve as a prep for a number of late summer races, including a Woodward defense on September 4 or the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) on August 29, both at Saratoga, or the Molly Pitcher Stakes (G2) on the same day as the Personal Ensign but at Monmouth.

After that, another 5 weeks would take us to Jockey Club Gold Cup (Gr1) or the Monmouth Cup (Gr2) both run at October 2, 2010.

Timing is everything to Jess Jackson. Remember how he withdrew Rachel from the Apple Blossom, but as soon as Oaklawn offered to run it 6 days earlier, he said yes? Even 6 days made a difference to him. Moving the Lady's Secret from August 1st to July 24th is 8 days earlier.

If Rachel Alexandra is unable to compete in the Lady’s Secret, the purse will revert to the originally scheduled $150,000.

Rachel Alexandra has arrived at Saratoga - she's a "pro" at traveling!

Rachel Alexandra arrived at the Albany International Airport today. She was on a flight from Louisville, Ky. with 19 other thoroughbreds from trainer Steve Asmussen's training stable. They are headed for Saratoga Race Course. (Photo taken by Skip Dickstein)

Video of Rachel disembarking off the plane

"We left Churchill Downs at 7:15am and we got here at 11:15am; four hours from track to track is pretty impressive," said Blasi. "She's at Saratoga and everything is good. The air is good; the water tastes good. It's all positive. She looks fabulous right now. I am looking forward to getting her back to the track tomorrow." Blasi said that Rachel will most likely have her first breeze at Saratoga on Monday, July 5. "She's the ultimate pro as far as traveling," he said. "She's great at everything she does."
Unlike some other horses who might be apprehensive about traveling, Rachel is an old pro at moving around and has no problems with being shipped:

As a yearling, she was shipped from Kentucky to Texas to get broken in, then she was shipped back to Kentucky.

As a two year old, she stayed in Kentucky and was raced three times at Churchill Downs and once at Keeneland then two more times at Churchill Downs.

As a three year old, she was shipped to Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, then shipped to Fair Grounds in Louisiana, then shipped back to Oaklawn Park, then shipped back to Churchill Downs, then shipped to the East Coast to Pimlico in Maryland, then shipped to Belmont in New York, then moved to Monmouth in New Jersey, then moved to Saratoga in upstate New York, then shipped to Fair Grounds in Louisiana for the winter. (Whew!)

As a four year old, she was shipped from Fair Grounds in Louisiana back to Churchill Downs in Kentucky, and now she has been shipped to Saratoga in upstate New York again.

Rachel is anticipated to have her next start in a race on the East Coast.

Critics of Rachel Alexandra's Fleur de Lis win: Don't Underestimate Rachel!

BIG DEAL. Rachel Alexandra just won a grade 2 race against a bunch of former claimers. Some Rachel critics and doubters love to point that out. But here is a sound warning: Don't underestimate Rachel Alexandra. The Fleur de Lis win gave Rachel Alexandra a speed figure of 109, which is the HIGHEST speed figure for any filly or mare this year so far. That race also ties her for 4th best speed figure this year of any horse male or female in a race longer than 1 mile. (Quality Road 121, Understatement 115, Redding Colliery 111, were ahead of her.) And she's only starting to roll.

Many of the Rachel-critics come from the Zenyatta group of fans. I like Zenyatta the horse (who is currently number one in the NTRA polls), but a few of her fans can become quite obnoxious in their critical attacks on Rachel. To set matters into perspective, let's do a simple comparison of Rachel's and Zenyatta's Speed Figures for the past 2 years:


                                       BEYER SPEED FIGURES

Rachel Alexandra                                   Zenyatta

2010 (4 y.o)                                  2010   (6 y.o)
Fleur de Lis            109                Vanity                       103
La Troienne            103                Apple Blossom            95
New Orleans Ladies 100                Santa Margarita        102

2009  (3 y.o)                                 2009  (5 y.o.)
Woodward               109                Breeders Cup Classic 112 (highest)
Haskell                   116 (highest)   Lady's Secret            97
Mother Goose          111                Clement Hirsch          99
Preakness               108                 Vanity                     104
Kentucky Oaks         108                 Milady                    103
Fantasy                   101
Fair Grounds Oaks   103
Martha Washington  100

Speed figures show different aspects for different running styles. Speed figures for front-running horses like Rachel give us a glimpse of her capabilities because she usually gives her best effort regardless of the competition (thus, at times winning by a head and other times winning by 20+ lengths). Speed figures for deep closers like Zenyatta show how tough (or weak) the competition is because she usually gives just enough effort to win. You will not usually see deep closers winning by 20 lengths. The above comparisons of their Beyer Speed Figures are simply to show that, regardless of the competition (whether they be former claimers or not, as in the Fleur de Lis), Rachel still performs like the champion that she is and should not be gauged by her competition, as a deep closer like Zenyatta would.

It is interesting to look at the career best BSF for the two. Both Rachel and Zenyatta had their career best speed figures last year: Rachel at the Haskell and Zenyatta in the Breeders Cup Classic. Rachel's was higher by 4 points. To give you an idea of how high a speed figure of 116 is, let's do a comparison with the Beyer Speed Figures for Haskell winners going all the way back to 1991:

2009 Rachel Alexandra (116)
2008 Big Brown (107)
2007 Any Given Saturday (113)
2006 Bluegrass Cat (106)
2005 Roman Ruler (108)
2004 Lion Heart (109)
2003 Peace Rules (109)
2002 War Emblem (112)
2001 Point Given (106)
2000 Dixie Union (111)
1999 Menifee (110)
1998 Coronado’s Quest (110)
1997 Touch Gold (114)
1996 Skip Away (113)
1995 Serena’s Song (110)
1994 Holy Bull (115)
1993 Kissin Kris (108)
1992 Technology (108)
1991 Lost Mountain (107)

Historically over the past 18 years of the running of the Haskell, Rachel Alexandra achieved the highest BSF over females and males. Please look over the list of well respected horses she beat. Some of them are legends in their own right. But she topped them all. Stop and think about it. That was last year, but she is now older, bigger, stronger, and already picking up speed in each and every succeeding race this year. What will the future bring? More excitement for Rachel fans I'm sure!

WORKOUT 6-28-2010

On Monday morning, June 28, 2010, at about 6:30am, Rachel Alexandra worked five furlongs in 1:03 over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs in Louisville Kentucky. It rained hard overnight, so jockey Shaun Bridgmohan was careful as he guided her over the slop in fractional times of 12.80 for the first furlong, :25.60 for the quarter mile, then :38.40 for 3 furlongs, :50.60 for the half mile, then galloped out six furlongs in 1:17, according to the Churchill Downs clocker.

Rachel tied for 16th fastest of 26 horses running at that distance. Rachel ran on a "sloppy" track but as the day progressed the track condition improved to "muddy". Mine That Bird was one who worked out 2 hours later on the now "muddy" track and ran over 3 seconds faster than Rachel, coming in at :59.80. He came in 1st place of the 26 horses. The main difference between "sloppy" and "muddy" is that "sloppy" tracks are the risk factor for all the horses and jockeys, wheras "muddy" tracks are sometimes beneficial for some horse. A sloppy track tends to be more slippery due to standing water accumulating. Many trainers choose to run their horses slower and more carefully on a sloppy track.

Where racehorses are concerned, running on a sloppy or muddy (ie: wet) track has advantages and disadavantages. In addition to being slippery, mud is also heavy, and horses which run in it for long distances tend to tire more easily than they otherwise might have. On the other hand, because mud is softer, it's easier for horses which are sore to run on, at least in some cases.

Asmussen was pleased with the move and said the sloppy track condition after overnight rains was no reason for concern.

"She handles it really well," Asmussen said. "She went good. We've got travel plans this week and want everything to go smoothly."

Asmussen will be sending the champion and many others of his horses to historic Saratoga on Wednesday. The hot weather in Louisville convinced Asmussen to ship to upstate New York a week early.

"It's time," said Asmussen. "I'll be very happy when she's settled in there and we can get into our routine up there."