Persistently Beats Rachel Alexandra

In yet another exciting stretch run at Saratoga yesterday, Persistently wore down Rachel Alexandra in the Personal Ensign Stakes. Rachel was two lengths ahead down the stretch but Persistently hung tough, winning by a clear head at the wire.

This was Rachel's first try at the classic mile and 1/4 distance and the last quarter made all the difference. She tired down the stretch as Calvin Borel tried to urge her on. The longer distance is not to her liking and ironically, Persistently is trained by the same trainer who trained Personal Ensign after whom the race is named.

It was those familiar Phipps colors--black with a scarlet cap--at the wire in a huge upset. Just goes to show you, anything can happen in horse racing!