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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, August 2, 2009

Horse racing: Alexandra the Great! Filly beats boys in Haskell


Associated Press

OCEANPORT, N.J. — 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 Haskell Invitational 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.

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.