Rachel looking to make more history
She's already won the Kentucky Oaks and Mother Goose Stakes by record margins, and in May she became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness. On Sunday, she'll attempt to join Serena's Song as the only fillies to win the Haskell Invitational Handicap, and if she does it, she could become the first filly ever to sweep the Haskell and Travers.
Still don't think she's perhaps the best filly since Ruffian came along in the mid-70s? Well, listen to her co-owner, Jess Jackson, talk about the daugher of Medaglia d'Oro.
"Well, we've already proven we can run against colts, and I would hope that she will perform well in (the Haskell)," Jackson said. "And if she should win, I think it just lengthens her legacy and claim to be one of the best of her generation.
"It was delightful for her to beat Ruffian's record in the Mother Goose, and Ruffian was truly one of the best ever fillies, as you know. But that said, if she races against boys and continues to beat them, that is also a major part of her legacy and history.
"We're not necessarily trying to run against fillies. For one thing, the purses are light. And for another, she's proven herself to be 20 lengths (better) than - in both races that were against fillies -- the (Oaks) and the (Goose).
"So we have to look at the competition and have the champions run against champions, whether they're colts or not. And including colts, in our view it's a fair thing for the industry, for her legacy, and for her fans."
Rachel Alexandra, hands down the leader in the Horse of the Year race, certainly has her fans. Monmouth Park officials are expecting a record crowd for the Haskell.
Good for her connections! Never being a big advocate of running girls against the boys, this is what racing needs right now and will have me rooting for her in the Haskell!
Got to bet Duke of Mischief or Munnings to beat Rachel. She will be way overbet and I'm not convinced she's the superstar everyone thinks she is. If she proves me wrong then good for Her!
Andrew,
I think it's going to be a lot like the Preakness. If they go too fast early, Rachel can lay off the pace like she did when those two fillies set a suicidal pace in the Mother Goose. With Munnings in there, I think there's a good chance he'll gun for the lead and Rachel will lay second. If she doesn't go too fast, too early, I think she'll win on a Monmouth Park track that usually favors speed. But you're right, she will be way over-bet.