History waits for Preakness favorite Rachel Alexandra on Saturday, and it's not good history.
The 3-year-old filly drew the 13th and outside post Wednesday for the Preakness Stakes, drawing a groan from the crowd of invited onlookers inside an air-conditioned tent at Pimlico Race Course.
Scott Blasi, assistant trainer for the super filly under Steve Asmussen, did not share the sentiment, believing the outside post will allow the horse to dictate the pace.
"They groaned and I smiled," Blasi said. "So we're on different pages right now."
Handicapper Frank Carulli agreed with Blasi and installed Rachel Alexandra as the 8-5 favorite for the 134th Preakness, ahead of Pioneerof the Nile (5-1) and Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and Friesan Fire, both at 6-1.
History?
It has been 85 years since a filly won the Preakness, 103 years since one won as the favorite. Nellie Morse was the last filly to win, in 1924, and Whimsical, at 8-5, was the last winner to go off as the favorite.
As if that wasn't enough to overcome, Rachel Alexandra and jockey Calvin Borel will be battling these odds: From records dating to 1909, no horse has ever won the Preakness from the 13 or 14 post. Since parimutuel betting began in 1941, horses are 0-for-10 from those posts.
But the 12 post produced winners in 2005 (Afleet Alex) and 1981 (Pleasant Colony).
Borel is the first jockey to abandon the Kentucky Derby winner for another mount in the Preakness. The rail-loving Borel, who won the Derby on Mine That Bird with a rail-hugging ride, will have to do it from the outside, though.
"That's the great thing about being in 13," Blasi said. "I think it gives Calvin a great chance to dictate the race."
The speed on Saturday will be on the edges. Shooter Big Drama drew the dreaded No. 1 post, just inside Mine That Bird, which is certain to drop behind the pace with new rider Mike Smith.
When trainer David Fawkes learned Big Drama had drawn the 1 hole, he looked at his wife and shrugged.
"What are you going to do?" he said later. "I'm not super disappointed. It kind of forces your hand, that's all."
Rachel Alexandra, who arrived at Pimlico less than an hour before the draw, is in the same situation. Her connections had to sweat out back-door deals even to get into the $1.1 million race as a $100,000 supplemental entry.
