Rachel Alexandra didn’t just run with the big boys, she ran past them becoming the first filly to win the Preakness since 1924. Rachel Alexandra was jockeyed by Calvin Borel, who won the Kentucky Derby with Mine That Bird. Mine That Bird finished in second followed by Musket Man. The winning time was 1:55.08.
With the Preakness just a day away, filly Rachel Alexandra is an 8-5 favorite to take home the Woodlawn Vase. The Preakness will mark the first time that she challenged male horses.
According to a USA Today article, she “ran to a record 20¼-length margin in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks. She has dusted her opponents by a combined 43½ lengths since the unflappable Calvin Borel teamed with her five races ago”. Borel ran Mine That Bird to a Kentucky Derby victory. It is the first time ever that a jockey that won the Kentucky Derby switched horses for the Preakness.
On Saturday Mine That Bird will attempt to win the second leg of the Triple Crown in the 134th Preakness at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. To victor will get the Woodlawn Vase and a blanket of Black-eyed Susans.
Over the years some pretty well-know horses have won this event. Names like Man o’ War, War Admiral, Citation, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, and Smarty Jones. There have been several lengths to the race, but it’s been 1-3/16 miles since 1925. Tank’s Prospect (1985), Louis Quatorze (1996) and Curlin (1997) have the fastest times at that length at 1:53.40.
The Preakness is also known for the Party. ZZ Top, Buckcherry, and Charm City Devils will be performing. Click here for tickets to the 2009 Preakness InfieldFEST, presented by Bud Light.
Looking for new baseball equipment for the upcoming season? Sports Unlimited has a wide selection gear including the best selection of catchers gear on the web.