Belmont or not, Rachel's already accomplished a great deal

Ryan Roshau, HRND

The Preakness Stakes starters had not even reached the barn following the aftermath of one of the greatest Triple Crown races in recent memory when people were already talking about the Belmont Stakes. Could Rachel Alexandra (the first filly to win the Preakness in 85 years) repeat her effort in the Belmont and become the first filly in history to win 2/3rds of a Triple Crown?

As enticing as it was to look ahead, I would enjoy to live in the moment and celebrate the great accomplishment of a filly who's equal me may not see for some time. Simply put, Rachel Alexandra's performance in the Preakness was astonishing. I'll admit, I didn't think she could pull this feat off. She was a filly freshly transferred to a new barn, off a 15-day rest running against the boys for the first time. She would be pressed early and hooked up with a handful of horses who liked to be toward the front early including a super-fast fresh horse (Big Drama) who was breaking from the rail. Add to that the fact that she was starting from post thirteen on a track that is famous for handicapping any horse who breaks from the nine-hole out. As intimidating as her record was she appeared to be vulnerable because of the obvious obstacles.

Obstacles? What obstacles? Rachel Alexandra and her jockey Calvin Borel brushed them all off and proved much the best in winning Saturday's middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

She was forced wide early, dueled through fractions of :23, :46 3/5, and shook off her rivals through six furlongs in 1:11. In the lane she began to spin her wheels, not taking to the loose racetrack under her feet. Just as she began to appear vulnarable with the late closers rallying (including Derby winner Mine That Bird) she found more in the deep stretch and gutted out a one-length score.

After the race, she was a filly who won a classic. But upon further review you really have to sit back and marvel at her accomplishments. Rags to Riches beat the brilliant Curlin in the Belmont in 2007 and Winning Colors beat a solid class in the Derby in 1988 and now here's another filly who deserves to be placed alongside those greats, if not at the top of the list.

As this is written, owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen remain silent on whether or not Rachel will come back in three weeks in the Belmont. With each passing day it appears less likely that they'll commit and frankly, she has nothing left to prove. If she does not show up and take on Mine That Bird again there is bound to be a public outcry. Critics will say her appearance is needed to energize the sport.

In my opinion she's already accomplished that. If the filly is given time off I will respect that decision, look forward to her future races, and always look back fondly on her historic accomplishment at Old Hilltop in Baltimore, Maryland.


P.S. While we're on the subject of fillies in the Triple Crown, it's food for thought that we might be witnessing a changing of the guard in the thoroughbred breed. Ten to fifteen years ago, fillies in the Triple Crown races were quite taboo and while fillies did run, they rarely saw success with Three Ring, Silverbulletday, Excellent Meeting, and Serena's Song all finishing off the board in Triple Crown runs in the 1990's.

But over the past three years there have been revelations. With Rags to Riches (Belmont winner in 2007), Eight Belles (Derby runner-up in 2008), and now Rachel Alexandra we have three fillies in three years playing a signifcant role in the Triple Crown.

Are the three year-old males behind in development and talent at this stage or is it a coincidence that three talented fillies have come along within a few years of each other? It is sure to inspire a lively debate.