Rachel Alexandra faces six in Lady's Secret Stakes
If Rachel Alexandra is beaten in the Lady’s Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday it will be one of the shocks of the season.
But it will certainly not be for the want of trying by those closest to the 2009 Horse of the Year. The $400,000 race, which was previously worth $250,000 until Rachel Alexandra was announced as a runner, has been virtually designed to fit the requirements of trainer Steve Asmussen and major owner Jess Jackson.
Not only has the distance been increased from eight-and-a-half furlongs to nine furlongs but it was also moved from its scheduled position in the calendar, which this year would have been August 1st, to this Saturday. Little surprise that Jackson was singing Monmouth’s praises when he said: "We had a great experience at Monmouth Park, and we appreciate the overwhelming show of support the fans there have given us. It's the perfect place to start what we hope will be another championship run."
Attempts by the racecourse executive to entice the connections of Zenyatta over from California failed and what they have been left with is a heavy favourite and what may amount to a guest appearance by Rachel Alexandra, who drew stall five in a field of seven.
Rachel Alexandra, who won last year's Grade One Haskell Invitational over the colts at Monmouth, was a 1-10 shot when she cruised home to win Grade Two Fleur de Lis Stakes at Churchill Downs by 10½ lengths last month. And this may not be a lot different.
Stage Trick, who finished third in the Grade Three Obeah Stakes at Delaware Park last month, probably has the best form along with Ask The Moon who won the Lighthouse Stakes at Monmouth last year.
It is probably asking for the moon and a lot more for this to be very competitive. Perhaps they should ask Rachel Alexandra for a head start?
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