Rachel Alexandra Captures Lady’s Secret
Monmouth Park was buzzing with excitement and anticipation on Saturday, 24 July 2010, as spectators and horses were preparing for the Lady’s Secret Stakes. This breathtaking Group 1 thoroughbred horse racing event is one of the highlights of the race calendar at the Monmouth Park Racecourse, and it was even more memorable with the entry of Rachel Alexandra. She was set to race against formidable competitors, but she did not disappoint as she crossed the finish line with her second consecutive victory for the year.
Rachel Alexandra clinched seven graded stakes victories last year, including the Kentucky Oaks, Woodward Stakes, Haskell Invitational Handicap and Martha Washington Stakes, and walked away with the 2009 Horse of the Year Award. In her last thirteen races she has been partnered up with jockey Calvin Borel, which seems to be the perfect match. Borel has come to know the talented filly over the last year and knows exactly how she prefers to run her races. Her first two races of the year, the New Orleans Ladies and the La Troienne Stakes, saw her coming in, in second place, but she seems to have settled into her racing season by winning the Fleur de Lis Handicap and now the Lady’s Secret Stakes.
Spectators watched anxiously as Rachel Alexandra settled off the pace in second position and got comfortable. For a few seconds it seemed as if the beautiful filly has lost her spark, but as she turned for home all it took was a flick of the reigns from Calvin Borel to encourage Rachel Alexandra to turn on the power and overtake Queen Martha for a three length victory. Trainer Steve Asmussen commented that he was not worried when he saw Rachel Alexandra in second place, as she seemed to be very relaxed throughout the race. In addition, she has always been known for her late runs for victory, which seems to be the way she gets the job done. Borel also thought that she won very easily, commenting: “I let her run a little bit in the stretch to make sure she got something out of the race, but I think we saved a little bit in the tank for next time. Steve really got her right. She’s doing so well right now. I think she’s best when she can sit right off the pace like she did today.” Rachel Alexandra will now be heading to Saratoga, where co-owner Jess Jackson will make a decision on her next career start.
