Monday, June 14, 2010

Sheeee's Back!




Sheeeee's back! Rachel Alexandra ran away with the Fleur de Lis Handicap on Saturday by 10 1/2 lengths. There were no doubts about her abilities or her fitness level although she clearly was the class of the field.

Calvin Borel was aboard and Rachel took the lead at the top of the stretch and never looked back. She pulled away from the field easily and covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.78 on a fast track.

Rachel went off as the dominant favorite at 1 to 10 (why would you even bother betting?) and truly had little competition, although she hung behind Jessica is Back until the quarter pole. Then Borel notched her into second gear with a shake of his reins, and she left her competition in the literal dust.

"She did everything right today," said Borel. "She showed up today. I don't think she was ready before, but Steve (Asmussen) knows what he is doing."

"I'm very proud for everybody that she won," Asmussen said. "We are all grateful that Mr. Jackson and Barbara Banke put a Horse of the Year back in training and take all the advice and criticism."

No word yet as to future plans, but Rachel looks like she's still got a lot left in the tank.

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