Rachel Alexandra stumbled at the start and struggled down the stretch, but the heralded filly was still good enough to beat surging Mine That Bird to the wire in the 134th Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.
The stirring, one-length victory proved to be vindication for all concerned - for owner Jess Jackson, who opted to send the 3-year-old filly against the boys; for Calvin Borel, who became the first jockey to abandon a Kentucky Derby winner for another Preakness horse; and for Mine That Bird, the smallish gelding with the giant finishing kick.
It was a historic race, the first Preakness victory by a filly since 1924 when Nellie Morse won, and the first time since 1906 that a filly (Whimsical) won here as a favorite. On top of that, Borel was the first rider to win the Derby and Preakness on different horses.
Unfortunately, an announced crowd of only 77,850, watched at Pimlico, a drop-off of nearly 35,000 fans from a year ago. The overall handle of $86,684,470 was the fifth highest ever for the Preakness - the second jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown.
History was set up last week when Jackson, founder of the Kendall-Jackson wine empire, purchased Rachel Alexandra after her huge victory in the Kentucky Oaks on May 1. He left the question of whether she would run in the Preakness to trainer Steve Asmussen and his veterinarians, opening himself to public scrutiny and criticism, in part because fillies typically don't run against the boys.
"She showed the heart and skill of a champion," Jackson said. "Our decision was, not vindicated, but was correct."
Saturday's race ensures another year without a Triple Crown winner -- the last was Affirmed in 1978. But a rematch between the super filly Rachel Alexandra and Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird could emerge June 6 in the Belmont Stakes in New York.
Saturday, Jackson left the question of whether Rachel Alexandra would run in the Belmont to the horse herself.
"It will depend on her," he said of the Belmont. "The horse always tells you whether they're ready. ... We'll wait for three, four days, see how she comes out of the race. Then we'll give her the same scrutiny we did with the vets.
"Would we love to run? Yes. Could she win? We think so. We've already shown she can run with the colts."
Mike Smith, the substitute jockey on Mine That Bird for Borel, said he doesn't expect to see the filly in the Belmont, though. And if he does, he said he believes his horse will win this time.
