Rachel Alexandra |
||||||
|
||||||
Prep Recap
| Date | Trk | Race | Chart | Distance | Time | BSF | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/15/09 | OP | Martha Washington Stakes | Chart | 1m | 1:36.40 | 100 | N/A |
| 3/14/09 | FG | Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) | Chart | 1 1/16m | 1:43.55 | 103 |  |
| 4/5/09 | OP | Fantasy Stakes (G2) | Chart | 1 1/16m | 1:43.35 | 101 | |
| 5/1/09 | CD | Kentucky Oaks (G1) | Chart | 1 1/8m | 1:48.87 | 108 | |
Profile by Art Gropper
Strengths: Scintillating Kentucky Oaks performance stole the show on Derby weekend. Her natural ability to carry her speed is a big asset to stay out of trouble. Races with 121 pounds, which gives her a significant five-pound weight break versus her male rivals. Boasts four consecutive 100-plus Beyer Speed Figures, including a field-best 108 in the Oaks, while only Mine That Bird came away with a 100-plus Beyer from the Kentucky Derby. Keeps regular rider Calvin Borel. New trainer Steve Asmussen won the Preakness with Curlin (2007). Fillies have run well in recent Triple Crown events, with Eight Belles finishing second in the 2008 Derby and Rags to Riches, who also won the Oaks, capturing the 2007 Belmont Stakes.
Weaknesses: While the pace for the Oaks was pretty quick, she had a relatively easy trip, sitting right off the speed, then was ready to pounce whenever Borel asked. It should be a much different scenario in the Preakness as many of the new shooters, like Big Drama, Take the Points, and Tone It Down, have speed, along with Derby runners Friesan Fire and Papa Clem. This is clearly the deepest and toughest field she has ever faced. Fillies are 4 for 52 in the Preakness and are winless since 1924. She becomes just the fifth filly since 1939, and the first since 1999, to attempt the race.
Strategy: She is a very speedy filly who can rate just off the pace. Her best scenario is to find herself loose on an easy lead - she is 4 for 4 in such cases. She has never been more than two lengths behind the leader at the first call going a mile or longer.
Value: There is absolutely zero value to betting her in the Preakness. While she won't be under 2-5 odds, like in her last four dominating victories, she will be the favorite.
|
|
Owners: Stonestreet Stables |
Pedigree Analysis by Dan Illman
Dosage Profile: 3-2-7-2-0
Dosage Index: 1.55
Center of Distribution: 0.43
Auction: Homebred, private purchase
Sire: Rachel Alexandra's sire, Medaglia d'Oro was one of the top nine-furlong horses of his generation. He won five graded events at 1 1/8 miles, and was able to successfully stretch his ability to 1 1/4 miles in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Medaglia d'Oro placed in the Belmont Stakes at 1 1/2 miles, earned a 120 Beyer Speed Figure in winning the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at nine furlongs, and ran Beyers of 115 or greater on five occasions.
The Medaglia d'Oro - Roar 'nick' has also produced She's Our Annie, a stakes-winner at six furlongs with a 102 Beyer.
Dam: Lotta Kim won the Tiffany Lass Stakes at the Fair Grounds at one mile, and placed in the Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. She is a half-sister to Lotta Rhythm, the winner of the Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs around a one-turn mile. Another half-brother, High Blues, was a stakes-winner at nine furlongs over polytrack.
This is the female family of Hail to All, the Belmont and Travers winner in 1965. Hail to All finished third in that year's Preakness.
Overview: It's never easy for a filly to beat the boys at this level in North America, but Rachel Alexandra defeated easier competition with breathtaking ease in the Kentucky Oaks at nine furlongs. It doesn't look as if the extra sixteenth of a mile will adversely affect her chances