FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Breeders' Cup 2009 Resultshttp://www.fanhouse.com/2009/11/07/breeders-cup-2009-results/http://www.fanhouse.com/2009/11/07/breeders-cup-2009-results/http://www.fanhouse.com/2009/11/07/breeders-cup-2009-results/#commentsFiled under:

Zenyatta wins, Breeders Cup Classic resultsZenyatta topped the 2009 Breeders' Cup results, improving her record to 14-0 after a thrilling rally. Despite a rough start, the 5-year-old mare bested a field of 11 males and fought off Gio Ponti down the stretch to win by a length at Santa Anita.

With the victory, Zenyatta became the first female to win the Breeders' Cup Classic and the first horse to ever win two different Breeders' Cup races. In addition to the $5 million Classic in 2009, Zenyatta also won the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic in 2008.

Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Zenyatta paid $7.60, $5.60 and $3.80 as the 5-2 wagering favorite. Gio Ponti returned $9.20 and $6.60, while Twice Over paid $7 to show.

You can check out complete results for all the races below:

Classic ($5 million)
1. Zenyatta (Mike Smith)
2. Gio Ponti (Ramon Dominguez)
3. Twice Over (Tom Queally)

Turf ($3 million)
1. Conduit (Ryan Moore)
2. Presious Passion (Elvis Trujillo)
3. Dar Re Mi (Frankie Dettori)

Turf Mile ($2 million)
1. Goldikova (Olivier Peslier)
2. Courageous Cat (Garrett Gomez)
3. Justenuffhumor (Alan Garcia)

Dirt Mile ($1 million)
1. Furthest Land (Julien Leparoux)
2. Ready's Echo (Calvin Borel)
3. Midshipman (Garrett Gomez)

Juvenile Turf ($1 million)
1. Pounced (Frankie Dettori)
2. Bridgetown (Rob Landry)
3. Interactif (Kent Desormeaux)

Turf Sprint ($1 million)
1. California Flag (Joe Talamo)
2. Gotta Have Her (Tyler Baze)
3. Cannonball (Ramon Dominguez)

Sprint ($2 million)
1. Dancing in Silks (Joel Rosario)
2. Crown of Thorns (Rafael Bejarano)
3. Cost of Freedom (Tyler Baze)

Juvenile ($2 million)
1. Vale of York (Ahmed Ajtebi)
2. Lookin at Lucky (Garrett Gomez)
3. Noble's Promise (Willie Martinez)

Ladies Classic ($2 million)
1. Life Is Sweet (Garrett Gomez)
2. Mushka (Kent Desormeaux)
3. Music Note (Rajiv Maragh)

Breeders' Cup 2009 Results originally appeared on FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>breeders cupBreeders Cup 2009 Resultsbreeders cup resultszenyattaTom HerreraSat, 07 Nov 2009 20:45:00 EST Zenyatta Wins Breeders' Cup, Now 14-0http://www.fanhouse.com/2009/11/07/zenyatta-wins-breeders-cup-now-14-0/http://www.fanhouse.com/2009/11/07/zenyatta-wins-breeders-cup-now-14-0/http://www.fanhouse.com/2009/11/07/zenyatta-wins-breeders-cup-now-14-0/#commentsFiled under:

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) -- What a gal!

Zenyatta overcame early trouble to beat the boys in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday, running her record to 14-0 in the most impressive effort of her career.

The 5-year-old mare rallied from last after a poor start and fought off Gio Ponti in the stretch to win by a length at Santa Anita, beating a loaded field of 11 males and becoming the first female to win the Classic in its 26-year history.

"There are tears coming to my eyes. I can't believe it," said trainer John Shirreffs, who eschewed a box seat to watch his star horse from the rail near the finish line.
More Coverage: Complete Breeders' Cup Race Results

Quality Road was scratched at the starting gate after he acted up and scraped his hind leg, delaying the start by several minutes. Zenyatta initially turned sideways when it was time to enter the gate, and all the commotion may have explained her poor start.

She broke on the wrong foot and dropped well behind the field, and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith let Zenyatta lope along near the back -- her usual running style in the early going.

"At the half-mile pole, I thought, 'Oh God, they're stacked up. There's no way I'm going to get around all these horses,'" Smith said.

Rounding the final turn, Zenyatta still had a lot of ground to make up on the leaders and her chances appeared bleak.

"If she wins this, she'll be a super horse," announcer Trevor Denman shouted in his call.

Zenyatta then made a bold inside move midway through the far turn, and Smith angled her to the far outside as the crowd of 58,845 fans erupted.

Showing the grit of an undefeated champion, Zenyatta closed relentlessly and denied Gio Ponti the upset. Smith pumped his left arm as Zenyatta galloped past the grandstand for possibly the last time in her sterling career.


Owners Jerry and Ann Moss said Zenyatta, named after the 1980 album "Zenyatta Mondata" by The Police, likely will go to the breeding shed next year.

"I think she deserves to go out now with her record intact," Jerry Moss said.

Zenyatta ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.62 and paid $7.60, $5.60 and $3.80 as the 5-2 favorite.

"She's sent from heaven," said Smith, who lovingly patted Zenyatta's mane on the way to the gate. "She's incredible. I still didn't hit all gears."

Gio Ponti returned $9.20 and $6.60, while Britain-bred Twice Over paid $7 to show.

"The horse ran a great race, but he couldn't beat the winner," said Christophe Clement, who trains Gio Ponti. "She's a freak. What can I say?"

More than $1 million was bet to win on both Zenyatta and 3-1 second choice Rip Van Winkle, an Irish import who finished 10th.

Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird was fourth and Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird ninth, extending his losing streak to five straight since his 50-1 upset on the first Saturday in May.

Zenyatta was the star of the show, prancing as she paraded past the grandstand on her way to the gate. Fans held up pink signs reading "Girl power! Go Zenyatta" and roared when the hometown hero came through the tunnel and stepped onto the synthetic track.

"The way the crowd took to her was just amazing," Shirreffs said. "They cheered for her, they clapped for her, they love her. What a wonderful relationship."

The Mosses decided to enter Zenyatta in the Classic instead of trying to defend her title in the $2 million Ladies' Classic on Friday.

"We thought that she deserved this chance," Jerry Moss said.

Her presence gave a big boost to the signature event of the two-day world championships, which was missing the year's other star female, Rachel Alexandra.

The 3-year-old filly went 8 for 8 this year, including three wins against the boys, one coming in the Preakness Stakes. But Rachel Alexandra's owner, Jess Jackson, shut her down for the season rather than run her on the synthetic surface, which he dislikes.

Debate had raged in the week leading up to the Classic about whether Zenyatta could handle an international field of males and possibly snatch away Horse of the Year honors from Rachel Alexandra. The argument only intensifies after her explosive performance.

"If they don't reward her with Horse of the Year, it would be a travesty, or at least co-Horses of the Year," said Bob Baffert, who trained sixth-place finisher Richard's Kid. "It was the only time in horse racing that I didn't mind getting beat in a big race. Zenyatta made the Breeders' Cup, and the way she won! I've never seen a crowd so captivated."

Smith endorsed Zenyatta for the top honor, last won by a female in 2002 with Azeri, who also was ridden by Smith.

"She's horse of the decade by far," he said. "She should go down as one of the greatest horses of all time."

Colonel John was fifth, followed by Richard's Kid, Awesome Gem, Regal Ransom, Mine That Bird, Rip Van Winkle, Einstein and Girolamo.

American horses earned eight victories over the two-day championships, with Europe-based horses winning six, one better than last year's total.

Irish import Goldikova successfully defended her title in the $2 million Mile against 10 male rivals. Another Irish horse, Conduit, repeated in the $3 million Turf, and Pounced won the $1 million Juvenile Turf.

Three geldings won races -- California Flag in the $1 million Turf Sprint; Dancing in Silks in the $2 million Sprint; and Furthest Land in the $1 million Dirt Mile.

Vale of York, part of Godolphin Racing's European division, won the $2 million Juvenile.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

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Zenyatta Wins Breeders' Cup, Now 14-0 originally appeared on FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>breeders cupmike smithzenyattaFanHouse NewswireSat, 07 Nov 2009 19:45:00 EST Horse Racing in Maryland Spirals Into Losing Propositionhttp://www.fanhouse.com/2009/09/28/horse-racing-in-maryland-spirals-into-losing-proposition/http://www.fanhouse.com/2009/09/28/horse-racing-in-maryland-spirals-into-losing-proposition/http://www.fanhouse.com/2009/09/28/horse-racing-in-maryland-spirals-into-losing-proposition/#commentsFiled under:

One of the biggest annual events in Maryland horse racing was approaching, and this particular afternoon in downtown Baltimore last week was especially meaningful. The $1.23-million Maryland Million, the Breeders' Cup-style program started in 1986 and copied by 22 states since, was officially being named in honor of its creator, none other than ABC Wide World of Sports legend Jim McKay, a native Baltimorean and longtime patron of the sport. Major names from the Maryland horse industry, politicians and the late McKay's daughter, Mary McManus Guba, were on hand at Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards to celebrate the occasion.

Yet amid the generally buoyant mood, it was neither surprising nor out of place when, after the announcement, Katherine Voss, one of the state's leading breeders, was asked about the present and future of the sport in Maryland, and she answered with a sardonic smile:

"Hanging on by our fingernails?''

Despite her inflection, it's more a statement than a question. If not for the presence of the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness, and the breeding farms and training centers spread across the state, a newcomer
might wonder why Maryland is considered one of the traditional strongholds of the horse industry. By every possible measure, from attendance to revenue to purses to racing dates, business is bad. Culprits range from the sinking economy of the last two years, to the inability to keep up with the times that afflicts the sport nationwide, to conflicts over the breeding, treatment and health of the horses themselves -- to the issue that has polarized Maryland and racing even as it has taken the sport in other states off life support: slots.

"Maryland is known for the farms, the breeding and so forth,'' said Tom Chuckas, president of the Maryland Jockey Club, essentially the governing body for racing in the state. "So what happens here not only affects people here, but affects everybody out there. People are concerned. People are scared.''

For good reason. And because of the dire conditions, the potential savior grows in stature, as does the acrimony surrounding it. Chuckas -- put in place by Canada-based Magna Entertainment, which owns the Maryland tracks and seven others across the country and has been a controversy magnet itself -- was blunt in saying, "Slots is not a panacea in horse racing.''

In the next breath, though, he pointed out what is obvious to everybody in the industry regardless of location: woe is the state that doesn't have slots when nearly every bordering state bordering has them. Delaware, West Virginia and Pennsylvania have had them for years. Maryland, after a decade-long political fight, voted them in last November, yet nearly a year later has only approved one location, at the Eastern Shore, that likely will not get them spinning before Memorial Day.

"More than 30 percent (of slots-playing in Delaware) is Maryland revenue,'' said Wayne Harrison, longtime horse owner and current Maryland Million president, citing often-repeated estimates. "Thirty-two percent in West Virginia is from Montgomery and Charles counties. So the tax dollars that this state is starving for is being sent to other jurisdictions.''

The payoffs can be seen and felt, in the pockets: the upgrades lacking at the home of the Preakness, Baltimore's Pimlico Race Track, have long ago taken place for Charles Town in West Virginia, Delaware Park and Philadelphia Park, while none has suffered as severe a reduction of racing dates as have Pimlico and its sister track to the south, Laurel, site of the Maryland Million. Delaware Park, of course, now also has sports betting to supplement its traffic and intake.

The arguments for and against slots in Maryland are no different than the those for and against gambling in every other state. The "for'' argument has the same roots in financial decline -- and in racing alone, proof of the decline is all over Maryland, one of the ancestral homes of racing and breeding in America (the Maryland Jockey Club was founded in 1743; George Washington was an early member). Because Magna filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March -- its losses from 2006 to '08 are estimated at $306 million -- it put in limbo both Pimlico and Laurel, the last two major tracks in the state, owned by the corporation since 2002. For a few nerve-wracking weeks in the spring, both tracks were up for auction, and before they were taken out of the bidding, one prospective buyer floated the idea of tearing down 139-year-old Pimlico in favor of a shopping plaza.

The Preakness's attendance, after four straight increases, plunged in its last two runnings, including a 31 percent nosedive this year thanks largely to a controversial ban on outside alcohol in the infield. (The ban will remain next year, said Chuckas, pointing out that the day's handle did increase.) As is the case at tracks all over the country, the stands are empty on ordinary days, and too frequently so are the stables -- lack of attendance and daily entries being about the worst combination imaginable. That, in turn, triggered joint decision to cut down on the days the tracks held live racing each of the last three years, choosing that over the less-enviable option of decreasing the purses.

In all, three Maryland tracks have closed within the last 25 years: Bowie, once the East's prime winter racing venue, and harness tracks Rosecroft and Freestate. So terrifying was the twin prospect of Pimlico being sold and the Preakness moved out of state by Magna, state politicians in April began eminent-domain proceedings to take possession of the race and track. It tried the same tactic, unsuccessfully, back in 1984 to prevent the Baltimore Colts from moving. The reasoning then and now was the same: losing such a treasured institution would be devastating financially (with an estimated impact of some $30 million a year, Chuckas said, the Preakness "is like the Super Bowl'') and emotionally (bitterness over the Colts' departure still resonates a quarter-century later).

On the other hand, the state and city are swimming in red ink, and the notion of subsidizing the wealthy horse class while government workers endure furloughs, has hardly been universally embraced.

Clearly, though, that horse class is suffering in its own way. On top of everything else, all of Maryland's breeding numbers are down, according the The Jockey Club (the national organization); the state had the second-steepest decline in live foals among the top 10 breeding states in 2008. It was the latest indicator that had Maryland Million operators worried that there would not be enough competitors sired within the state to fill Saturday's 12-race card. When, the following week, it was confirmed that the total field has actually risen, by one, from the year before -- with the entries for the Classic at 10, double the number in 2008 -- the entire industry sighed with relief.

It's likely a temporary breather. "It's all about stallions in Maryland,'' Voss said. "Because we've fallen so behind, very, very few new stallions have come in the last three or four years, and that's going to continue going backwards for the foreseeable future ... We're going to have to get the whole thing turned around, because the stallions are going to follow our recovery. They're not going to go with us.''

The problem ripples far and wide, because of the reach of the industry all over Maryland, arguably moreso than any of the other major horse states, whose lifeblood relies on it proportionally less. Kentucky's latest bid to include slots at its tracks was shot down in June, but it still has its breeding and yearling sales to sustain it. New York's slots program is still in its infancy; historic Yonkers Raceway debuted slots three years ago, but as successful as that has been, the debates over where the money goes haven't slowed, and the annual hand-wringing over the Preakness gets reprised three weeks later for the Belmont Stakes at struggling Belmont Park.

"Slots give you the ability to maintain and gives you a base, but you have to build on that base, and do the right things by it,'' said Chuckas, widely credited for bringing the various, and often contentious, segments of Maryland racing together for mutual survival. "And what we can't do is take the package we've had the last 30 years and try to force it onto the audience we have today.''

As universal as are the problems in racing in today's sports universe, Maryland's remain uniquely chaotic. As respected as Chuckas is, his arrival in May 2008 made him the third Maryland Jockey Club president in a six-month span. Magna CEO Frank Stronach has gained a reputation as a cold, absentee owner, and his company, amidst its financial crisis, committed a major public-relations gaffe when, after slots were voted in, it failed to submit on time its bid fee for the track in Laurel, long presumed to be the most obvious location in the state.

Magna and Maryland are now tied up in court over the legality of the fee. Also in a seemingly endless holding pattern is another firm's bid for a slots location at a popular shopping mall near Baltimore-Washington
International/Thurgood Marshall Airport, convenient to those major population centers. County officials have yet to approve that site. Yet another proposed location, near the Orioles' and Ravens' stadiums, is creeping along.

"At one point, racing probably needed it more than the state needed it, and now both need it, desperately,'' said David DiPietro, another leading Maryland breeder. "So you would think that would be some kind of a call to action and allow everybody to cut through all the kind of nonsense that delays these processes.''

No one can tell where the bickering will end, when the coins will start dropping or how long one of Maryland's signature industries will stay in purgatory.

Said Harrison, the Maryland Million president, "We need to find common ground on our problems, or this sport will die.''

Horse Racing in Maryland Spirals Into Losing Proposition originally appeared on FanHouse on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>David SteeleMon, 28 Sep 2009 13:43:00 EST Fascinating Filly: Rachel Alexandra Makes History at Woodward Stakeshttp://www.fanhouse.com/2009/09/05/fascinating-filly-rachel-alexandra-makes-history-at-woodward-st/http://www.fanhouse.com/2009/09/05/fascinating-filly-rachel-alexandra-makes-history-at-woodward-st/http://www.fanhouse.com/2009/09/05/fascinating-filly-rachel-alexandra-makes-history-at-woodward-st/#commentsFiled under:

Rachel AlexandraSARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) -- Rachel Alexandra can handle older men, too.

The sensational 3-year-old filly became the first female to win the prestigious Woodward Stakes on Saturday, holding off Macho Again by a head and leaving six others in her wake.

She beat 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds in an electrifying race before a cheering crowd of 31,171 at Saratoga Race Course for her ninth consecutive victory, all but clinching Horse of the Year honors.

"She was ready," said co-owner Jess Jackson, who called the ride "perfect." "Those were a lot of big animals she was running against, but she showed her spirit. She showed her class. She didn't give up. That's my Rachel."

Rachel Alexandra dueled early with 2008 Belmont Stakes winner Da'Tara before taking the lead along the backstretch. She set a blistering early pace while being pushed throughout -- 22.85 at the first quarter; 45.41 at the half mile -- and covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.29.

On the turn for home, it looked for a brief moment as if the filly would be caught, but regular rider Calvin Borel wasn't bashful about using the whip, first left-handed, then right-handed, to keep her in the lead.

As they crossed the finish line, Borel raised his hand in a No. 1 salute and pointed to racing's biggest star.

"The last 40 yards I was a little worried, but she just kept digging in," he said. "She stepped up and proved to be the best."

Robby Albarado, who rode the 4-year-old runner-up, knew his horse wasn't going to win.

"I never thought I had her," he said. "The only thing I was hoping for was that she'd tire. Champions show different dimensions. She's in a league of her own. Older horses, her own age, it doesn't matter. No matter what they throw at her, she'll beat them."

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Horse Racing Photos
Jockey Calvin Borel celebrates aboard Rachel Alexandra as they are led to the winner's circle by owners Barbara Banke, left, and Jess Jackson after winning the Woodward Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
AP
AP

Horse Racing Photos

    Rachel Alexandra with jockey Calvin Borel up, right, pulls ahead of Macho Again with jockey Robby Albarado aboard, left, and Bullsbay with Jeremy Rose aboard to win the Woodward Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

    AP

    Jockey Calvin Borel rides Rachel Alexandra to win the Woodward Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

    AP

    Jockey Calvin Borel holds up a trophy after riding Rachel Alexandra to win the Woodward Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

    AP

    Jockey Calvin Borel (3) aboard Rachel Alexandra (3), Bullsbay with jockey Jeremy Rose (2) aboard and Da'Tara with jockey Jose Lezcano (1) at the start of the Woodward Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. Rachel Alexandra won the race. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

    AP

    Jockey Calvin Borel celebrates aboard Rachel Alexandra as they are led to the winner's circle by owners Barbara Banke, left, and Jess Jackson after winning the Woodward Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

    AP

    Fans watch from the clubhouse as Rachel Alexandra with jockey Calvin Borel wins the Woodward Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

    AP

    Jockey Calvin Borel aboard Rachel Alexandra is congratulated by owner Jess Jackson, right, after winning the Woodward Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

    AP

    Jockey Calvin Borel poses atop Rachel Alexandra in the winner's circle after winning the Woodward Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. The horse's owner Jess Jackson and his wife Barbara Banke stand to the left. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

    AP

    Rachel Alexandra, right, and jockey Calvin Borel hold off Macho Again with jockey Robby Albarado (4) aboard to win the Woodward Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

    AP

    Jockey Calvin Borel (3) celebrates atop Rachel Alexandra after finishing ahead of Macho Again with jockey Robby Albarado (4) aboard to win the Woodward Stakes horse race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

    AP


Rachel Alexandra beat 3-year-olds boys in the Preakness and the Haskell Invitational, and overwhelmed 3-year-old fillies in the Kentucky Oaks (20 1/4 lengths) and the Mother Goose Stakes (19 1/4 lengths) at Belmont.

Only one other 3-year-old filly has run in the Woodward -- Summer Guest in 1972. She finished second to Key to the Mint before being disqualified and placed third.

The 3-10 favorite, Rachel Alexandra paid $2.60, $2.40 and $2.10. Macho Again paid $3.80 and $2.80. Bullsbay, winner of the Whitney Handicap last month, paid $4 to show.

Asiatic Boy was fourth, followed by It's a Bird, Past the Point, Cool Coal Man and Da' Tara, who did not finish.

She earned $450,000 for Jackson's Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick, her owners, increasing her career total to more than $2.9 million. Jackson and longtime friend McCormick bought the horse after she won the Oaks and decided to enter her in the Preakness two weeks later.

"She's been tremendously consistent," said Rachel's trainer, Steve Asmussen. "She gives us a tremendous amount of confidence every day. I can't say enough about the race she put in today under the circumstances. It means so much to me and everyone involved with her. She came through today like a true champion. She's always raising her game. What a tremendous victory. She' a spectacular athlete."

Earlier, Pyro outfinished favorite Kodiak Kowboy to win the $300,000 Forego Stakes by a half length.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.


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Fascinating Filly: Rachel Alexandra Makes History at Woodward Stakes originally appeared on FanHouse on Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>rachel alexandraFanHouse NewswireSat, 05 Sep 2009 18:35:00 EST Rachel Alexandra Does It Again, Wins Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Parkhttp://www.fanhouse.com/2009/08/02/rachel-alexandra-does-it-again-wins-haskell-invitational-at-mon/http://www.fanhouse.com/2009/08/02/rachel-alexandra-does-it-again-wins-haskell-invitational-at-mon/http://www.fanhouse.com/2009/08/02/rachel-alexandra-does-it-again-wins-haskell-invitational-at-mon/#commentsFiled under:

Rachel Alexandra wins at Monmouth ParkOCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) -- What a gal!

Rachel Alexandra turned on the speed around the far turn and rolled past the boys once again to win the $1.25 million and establish herself as one of the greatest fillies in thoroughbred racing.

When the regal bay filly returned to the winner's circle with Calvin Borel patting her neck, the Monmouth Park crowd of 37,090 cheered mightily for racing's brightest star.

Rachel Alexandra was not bothered a bit by the sloppy track Sunday, and settled in behind the leader Munnings, with Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird third in the seven-horse field.

When Munnings went into the final turn, Rachel Alexandra accelerated and blew past him to lead by four lengths at the top of the stretch. With Borel urging her on, the filly extended the lead and beat Summer Bird by six lengths.

Rachel Alexandra, the 1-2 favorite, returned $3, $2.20 and $2.10. Summer Bird, with Kent Desormeaux aboard, paid $3.40 and $2.60. Munnings was third and paid $3.20.

Papa Clem was fourth, followed by Duke of Mischief, Atomic Rain and Bunker Hill.

The winning time for the 1 1-8 miles was 1:47.21.

"She's just a tremendous filly, and I'm glad she put on a good show,'' winning trainer Steve Asmussen said. "She's very special. She's been able to separate herself from everyone else.''

Rachel Alexandra joins Serena's Song as the only fillies to win the Haskell. The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness when she beat Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird by one length.

Now that she has beaten the Derby winner and the Belmont winner, can the prestigious Travers Stakes at Saratoga in three weeks be next?

"We'll let her tell us,'' was all Rachel's co-owner Jess Jackson said.

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Horse Racing Photos
In this photo provided by Equi-Photo, Rachel Alexandra, ridden by Calvin Borel, goes on to win the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Equi-Photo) ** NO MAGS **
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EQUI-PHOTO

Horse Racing Photos

    In this photo released by Equi-Photo, Rachel Alexandra (6), with Calvin Borel riding, leads the field around the final turn as she romps to victory in the Haskell Invitational horse race at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., on Sunday Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Equi-Photo, Mark Wyville) ** MAGS OUT **

    AP

    Rachel Alexandra (6), with Calvin Borel aboard, is behind Munnings (4) and Papa Clem (3) at the start of the Haskell Invitational horse race at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. Rachel Alexandra went on to win the race by six lengths. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

    AP

    In this photo provided by Equi-Photo, Rachel Alexandra, ridden by Calvin Borel, goes on to win the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Equi-Photo) ** NO MAGS **

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    In this photo provided by Equi-Photo, Rachel Alexandra, ridden by Calvin Borel, goes on to win the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Equi-Photo) ** NO MAGS **

    AP

    In this photo provided by Equi-Photo, Rachel Alexandra, ridden by Calvin Borel, goes on to win the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Equi-Photo) ** NO MAGS **

    AP

    In this photo provided by Equi-Photo, Rachel Alexandra, ridden by Calvin Borel, wins the Haskell Invitational horse race at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Equi-Photo) ** MAGS OUT **

    AP

    Jockey Calvin Borel sponges down Rachel Alexandra after winning the Haskell Invitational horse race at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

    AP

    Jockey Calvin Borel reacts after winning the Haskell Invitational horse race on Rachel Alexandra at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

    AP

    Rachel Alexandra, with jockey Calvin Borel aboard, wins the Haskell Invitational horse race at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

    AP

    Jockey Calvin Borel reacts after winning the Haskell Invitational horse race on Rachel Alexandra at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS


Jackson bought the filly after she won the Kentucky Oaks by 20 1-4 lengths on May 1 and said he wanted to run her against the boys. Now, Jackson said he just may have himself the best filly - ever.

"There's not been a filly as good since Ruffian, and she just might be as good,'' Jackson said.

Hall of Famer Ruffian won 10 of 11 races in 1974-75, but suffered a broken leg in her famous match race against Foolish Pleasure in 1975, and was later euthanized.

By RICHARD ROSENBLATT, AP Sports Writer

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Rachel Alexandra Does It Again, Wins Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park originally appeared on FanHouse on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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