Rachel Alexandra makes precautionary trip to hospital

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year who produced her first foal on Jan. 22, was taken with her Curlin colt to the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital here "as a precautionary measure after her delivery for pain management related to the birth," according to a statement from Stonestreet Farms.

The statement said both mare and foal are "fine."

"Rachel has been under the care of Dr. Bonnie Barr, who is doing a great job of making sure both mother and foal are doing well," the statement issued Friday evening said.

"Rachel has proven to be an extraordinary mother and taking to her feisty colt right away," said Stonestreet owner Barbara Banke, who bred the colt in partnership with Hal McCormick. "I'm a Rachel-chondriac. We are taking every precaution to ensure that Rachel and her colt are
healthy and happy."

Mare and foal are expected to return to Stonestreet near Lexington in a couple of days, barring "unforeseen issues," the release noted.

Rachel Alexandra's colt weighed 125 pounds at birth Sunday afternoon and is by a two-time Horse of the Year in Curlin. The 6-year-old mare is the first of two Horses of the Year expected to produce their first foals this year. The other, 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, is due in early March to a cover by Bernardini. She boards at Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky.