Rachel holds off Mine That Bird to make Preakness history

The legend of RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) continued to grow on Saturday as the fantastic filly held off the game late rally of Mine That Bird (Birdstone) by a length to become just the fifth filly, and the first since Nellie Morse in 1924, to take the Preakness S. (G1) at historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Breaking from the far outside post 13, the bay lass moved up and toward the inside to set a contested pace through fractions of :23, :46 3/5, 1:11 and 1:35 4/5 with Big Drama (Montbrook) pressing her all the way along the rail. At the same time, Mine That Bird was running in the same spot from which he won the Kentucky Derby (G1) two weeks ago -- last.

Jockey Calvin Borel was in the saddle for that win, but took off the Derby winner to keep the mount on Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness. Mike Smith, who piloted Prairie Bayou to victory in the 1993 Preakness, picked up the call on Mine That Bird and began guiding the gelding through traffic nearing the final turn.

With a confident Borel in the saddle, Rachel Alexandra drew off from her male rivals in the stretch before finding Mine That Bird closing strongly down the lane. She responded to the challenge, continuing on to finish up 1 3/16 miles in 1:55 on the fast dirt to earn the winner's share of the $1.1 million purse.

Rachel Alexandra became racing's newest millionaire, having now banked $1,618,354 in lifetime earnings.

Sent off the 9-5 favorite, Rachel Alexandra paid $5.60, $4.60 and $3.60 while keying the $39.20 exacta, $216.20 trifecta and $5,807.60 superfecta (13-2-3-10). Mine That Bird vindicated his 6 3/4-length score at 50-1 odds in the Derby by taking down second in the Preakness. This time around, the bay sophomore was the 6-1 third choice and secured the runner-up spot by a half-length, returning $6.60 and $4.80. Musket Man (Yonaguska) filled the same spot he found himself in at the Derby wire -- third -- and gave back $5 as the 11-1 sixth pick.

Flying Private (Fusaichi Pegasus) followed in fourth by another 2 1/2 lengths, while Big Drama, Papa Clem (Smart Strike), Terrain (Sky Mesa), Luv Gov (Ten Most Wanted), General Quarters (Sky Mesa), Friesan Fire (A.P. Indy), Pioneerof the Nile (Empire Maker), Tone It Down (Medaglia d'Oro) and Take the Points (Even the Score) completed the order under the line.

Two weeks ago, one day before the Kentucky Derby, Rachel Alexandra schooled a field of seven fillies in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), drawing off to post a record 20 1/4-length margin. That race marked her fifth straight victory, and that streak now stands at six straight with this score. Those other wins are comprised of the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), Fantasy S. (G2) and Martha Washington S. this season and the Golden Rod S. (G2) as a juvenile. She also placed second in the Pocahontas S. (G3) and Debutante S. (G3) as a two-year-old, with an allowance victory sandwiched in between those two races.

Following her win in the Oaks, Rachel Alexandra was purchased by Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick from the partnership of Michael Lauffer and breeder Dolphus Morrison, and subsequently switched from the tutelage of trainer Hal Wiggins to the barn of Steve Asmussen. Future plans for the filly also changed, as her previous connections had announced after the Oaks that Rachel Alexandra would point for the Acorn S. (G1) on the Belmont S. (G1) undercard on June 6.

Now with the Preakness improving her record to 11-8-2-0, the massively-talented miss might find herself running in the main event at Belmont Park, and could even bring the 1 1/2-mile "Test of the Champion" home for her sire, who finished second in the 2002 running.

The Kentucky-bred Rachel Alexandra is the first foal out of the stakes-winning and Grade 2-placed Lotta Kim (Roar), who has also produced an unraced juvenile colt by Empire Maker named Empire Ruler. Lotta Kim is a half-sister to 2001 Pocahontas S. winner Lotta Rhythm (Rhythm), who was third in that same year's Golden Rod, as well as last year's Tejano Run S. victor High Blues (High Yield). Also included in the female family is 1991 Miss Preakness S. heroine Missy's Music (Travelling Music) and Grade 3 winner Devil Diamond (Devil's Bag).