134th Preakness Stakes: Rachel Alexandra Strikes Again

For many years, the Preakness Stakes has been a race for colts and geldings. Only four fillies have been able to break the mold. The last time a filly has won Pimlico's showcase horse race was Nellie Morse in 1924.

Back then, the USA had yet to go through a Great Depression, fight in the Second World War, send a man to the moon or develop the Internet.

85 years would pass until am ambitious filly would not only break the streak, but also become the first-ever horse to win from the outside position.

That horse was Rachel Alexandra.

On May 16, 2009, she outran a field of 12, including Kentucky Derby champion Mine That Bird, to win the 134th Preakness Stakes.

Just weeks ago, she won the Kentucky Oaks by 20 lengths. The margin was too tempting for the people at Stonestreet Stables and Harold T. McCormick to pass up.

Rachel became a late entry to the field, and she would start at the 13th spot, with Calvin Borel delegating jockey duty for Mine That Bird to Mike Smith.

Leading for a majority of the race, Rachel took down every other horse in the field, from Mine That Bird, to Musket Man (who finished third), to Flying Private, Big Drama and Papa Clem (who finished 4th, 5th and 6th, respectively).

It's not very often you see a bunch of guys beaten by one woman. But one can only wonder how she could have done in the Derby.

Hello! She would have been the odds-on favorite to take the torch passed from Affirmed in 1978.

Borel was chuffed. “She’s the greatest horse I’ve ever been on in my life,” he said with a wry grin.

A well-deserved bath for the filly, who walked back to the stable feeling a bit exhausted from the race, triggered owner Jess Jackson to keep mum on any Belmont talks. “We will seriously consider the Belmont, but that doesn’t mean we’re going,” he said during the trophy presentation.

The fans, thought, wonder about a rematch between Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra. So, I have decided to ask you the question: should Rachel Alexandra race in the Belmont Stakes?

Vote, and discuss. Final order of finish:

1. Rachel Alexandra
2. Mine That Bird
3. Musket Man
4. Flying Private
5. Big Drama
6. Papa Clem
7. Terrain
8. Luv Gov
9. General Quarters
10. Friesan Fire
11. Pioneerof the Nile
12. Tone It Down
13. Take the Points