Star Filly Wins the Preakness Rachel Alexandra repelled the late challenge of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird to become only the fifth filly in history to win the Blackberry Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. It has been a rollercoaster fortnight for the current connections after owners Jess Jackson and Harold McCormick stepped in to purchase the filly after her 20-length triumph in the Kentucky Oaks two weeks ago. They then stumped up US$100,000 to ensure she was the first Oaks winner ever to compete in the Preakness and sent her to master trainer Steve Asmussen. Jockey Calvin Borel elected to ride her rather than rival Mine That Bird, who he had guided to a shock Kentucky Derby win earlier this month, and it proved to be the correct decision. Sent off the market-leader to become the first filly to win the Preakness since Nellie Morse in 1924, Rachel Alexandra bounced out of her wide draw and was soon at the head of affairs in the extended nine-furlong heat. She took a couple of lengths out of her rivals on the turn for home and although Mine That Bird came with a similar late charge to the one he had produced in the Derby, Rachel Alexandra kept up the gallop to take the glory by a length. Borel was full of praise for his partner who he believes managed to win despite not handling the surface. "She struggled with the ground and I think she has become used to the track at Churchill where she just skips along," said the jockey. "The first quarter was good, then we picked it up heading down the back side and then we slowed it down but the more I asked her, the more she struggled and she'd never been hit before. "I spotted Mine That Bird but I felt like I had it won. She is the greatest horse I've ever been on in my life. She has not handled the track and still won." It was a second Preakness victory for Asmussen who saddled the great Curlin to win this prize in the same colours two years ago. While clearly delighted by the filly's performance, he was quick to praise her former trainer Hal Wiggins for his huge input into her career. "What an amazing 10 days it has been and I can't tell you what a fan of the filly I am. Hal Wiggins and his staff did a great job with her and they deserve a lot of credit," said Asmussen. "She took it to them and earned this victory. It's great for Mr Jackson to acquire this filly and give her this chance. All the people in the grandstand were cheering and it was absolutely incredible." Jackson too was over the moon his purchase has paid off and will now have to decide whether his charge will take on the colts again in the Belmont Stakes on June 6. "We now know she can run against colts but we'll see how she comes out of this race," said the owner. "We'd have to evaluate the Belmont against the other alternatives for her own health and her career, but we will seriously consider it. "I'd love to have Rachel run and become a champion." Mike Smith stepped in for the ride on the Bennie 'Chip' Woolley-trained runner-up and admits he thought he was going to keep Mine That Bird's Triple Crown dream alive. "I thought I had timed it right but hats off to the winner as she is a very talented mare and anyone else would have caved in," said Smith. "Nobody would leave the rail as they all knew I would be trying to go up there and they all just stuck to it. "I had to come right round the field but he ran on great for me. I was getting there and at a mile and quarter dead I'd catch her."
