Filly likely to run in Preakness
Spot may have opened for Rachel Alexandra
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rachel Alexandra looks ready to challenge the boys in the Preakness.
And after a day of jostling among owners of other Preakness hopefuls, it appears she’ll get the chance.
Owner Jess Jackson declared the Kentucky Oaks winner primed for the second jewel of the Triple Crown following an easy four-furlong workout Sunday at Churchill Downs.
Rachel Alexandra covered the half-mile in 48.40 seconds under exercise rider Dominic Terry, a work trainer Steve Asmussen called “beautiful.”
It was all the evidence Jackson needed to send the 3-year-old filly, who he purchased last week for an undisclosed sum, to Pimlico for the 1 3/16 -mile race.
The process of getting the horse into a Triple Crown race, however, has grown complicated.
The Preakness is limited to 14 starters, with preference given to horses pre-nominated to the Triple Crown.
While Jackson is willing to pay the $100,000 supplemental fee required to make Rachel Alexandra eligible for the race, she could get bumped if 14 horses already nominated to the series are entered.
For a few hours Sunday, it appeared Rachel Alexandra would be all prepped with nowhere to run. The probable Preakness field swelled to 15 late Sunday, including 14 pre-nominated horses and Rachel Alexandra.
One of the entries was Indy Express, a horse owned by Kentucky Derby winner Mark Allen. Allen told the Thoroughbred Times on Sunday he was entering the Indy Express solely to take away a starting spot from Rachel Alexandra.
Jockey Calvin Borel, who guided the 50-1 long shot gelding to a stunning 6 3/4 -length win in the Run for the Roses, has already agreed to pilot Rachel Alexandra for the rest of the year.
“I just want my rider back,” Allen told the publication.
Mine That Bird trainer Bennie Woolley Jr. told the Associated Press late Sunday evening that Allen had changed his mind.
“He’s rethought it and with the best interest of racing and the sport, he feels like it would be unfair to do that and she’s going to run,” Woolley said.
Pimlico oddsmaker Frank Carulli said he would make Rachel Alexandra the morning line favorite if she enters. Nellie Morse in 1924 was the last filly to win the Preakness.