Rachel Alexandra Returning to Form says Steve Asmussen
She was the horse of the year in 2009 after winning the Kentucky Oaks and the Preakness Stakes. Rachel Alexandra, a filly, also became the only female horse to ever win the Woodward Stakes last year beating all the boys at Saratoga. 2010 has been a different story. She has failed to live up to expectations so far this year and the much anticipated showdown with Zenyatta has failed to materialize. However, recent workouts show she may be about to rally back.
The most encouraging news on Rachel Alexandra came at Churchill Downs on May 24th.
She turned in a five furlong workout at just over one minute in the second fastest workout of the day. In a press release from Churchill Downs, trainer Steve Asmussen released a statement saying he is very encouraged. "She looked great and galloped out super. She’s doing well. It was just very nice. It was nice and smooth, covered ground well and was out very strong." Asmussen is not saying where Rachel Alexandra may race next saying that he is keeping all options open.
This season, Rachel Alexandra has two second place finishes in two races. She was beaten by Zardana at the Fair Grounds and then lost at Churchill Downs to Unrivaled Bell. While Rachel Alexandra was losing back to back races, Zenyatta the other top female horse kept winning. The mare dominated the Apple Blossom in April and now is gearing up for the Vanity Handicap on June 13th which she has won two straight times at Hollywood Park. It is very unlikely that Rachel Alexandra would travel west to take on Zenyatta there but a possible meeting later this summer could still occur.
The next race for Rachel Alexandra probably will be June 12th at Churchill Downs in the Stephen Foster Handicap. This would be another match up with the boys if her trainer thinks she is ready and could determine if she continues to train for the Breeders Cup this fall. This year, the event is being held at Churchill Downs, so Rachel Alexandra would not have to travel west and can run on dirt which her handlers prefer. Zenyatta is also on course for a trip to the Breeders Cup this fall wanting to earn the horse of the year title that many thought should have belonged to her last year.
Jockey Calvin Borel has made it clear that he is hoping for a showdown between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta in the Breeders Cup Classic this fall. It is not clear however if Borel will continue to ride the four year old filly. There has been a great deal of speculation that Borel could be pulled because of the horse’s poor showing in the last race. Borel held Rachel back early on and there are those who speculate that the move cost her a victory.
Trainer Steve Asmussen would not blame Borel publicly for the loss and continues to try and find a way to help Rachel Alexandra capture the magic she showed last year. The biggest reason for her struggles is the extra weight that she is forced to carry as a four year old. Owner Jess Jackson has made it clear he has no intention of retiring the horse and is going to keep racing her. Jackson believes his horse’s struggles so far this year are due to her six month layoff more than anything else and he finds the recent workouts very encouraging. He has been quoted in several publications as saying he hasn’t given up the hope of one day ending up in the same starting gate with Zenyatta.
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