Filly Rachael Alexandra Wins Preakness Stakes

Rachael Alexandra, the only filly in the 13-horse field, won the Preakness Stakes despite a strong surge from the Kentucky Derby winner, Mind That Bird who finished second by one length. Alexandra becomes the first horse to win the Preakness Stakes in Post #13, and the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes since 1924 when Nellie Morse won.

Jockey Calvin Borel made the unprecedented decision to ride Rachael Alexandra after winning the Kentucky Derby with Mine That Bird. This was the first time in history a jockey has done that. Borel made the decision a week ago, after riding Rachael Alexandra to a 20-lengths victory at the Kentucky Oaks, calling her one of the best horses he has ever rode on, and guaranteeing a victory at the Preakness. Borel delivered, and made history by becoming the first jockey to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown on two different horses. Veteran jockey Mike Smith rode Mine That Bird to an impressive second place finish.

Rachael Alexandra led from start to finish for her sixth consecutive victory, her first one against the boys, and covered the 1 and 3/16 miles in a time of 1:55:08. Alexandra's previous five victories were by a combined 43 1/2 lengths and were against her gender.

Rachael Alexandra, an 8-5 favorite, got the win, paying out $5.60, $4.60, and $3.60. Kentucky Derby winner Mind That Bird placed, and Musket Man showed. Flying Private, a 50-1 longshot, finished a very impressive fourth. Big Drama finished fifth after being neck-and-neck with Rachael Alexandra in the middle of the race. Papa Clem finished sixth, which is where most people expected this horse to finish. Terrain, a 30-1 longshot finished seventh, a good result. Luv Gov, another 50-1 longshot, finished eighth. General Quarters, a 20-1 underdog, finished ninth. Friesan Fire, the Kentucky Derby favorite, again disappointed, finishing tenth. Pioneer of the Nile, the second favorite at 5-1, finished a very disappointing eleventh, and was never really in the race. Tone It Down, also a 50-1 longshot, finished twelfth. Take the Points finished in last place after it ran out of gas at the end of the race.

No decision has been made yet if Rachael Alexandra will run in the Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. The Belmont Stakes race will take place on June 6, 2009, three weeks from now. Rachael Alexandra would be the first filly to ever win two legs of the Triple Crown.