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Calvin Borel Rachel Alexandra Horse Racing Hand Signed 16×20 Photograph 2009 Preakness Stakes Color
$151.99
On May 16, 2009 Borel won the Preakness Stakes on Rachel Alexandra (after that horse was sold following the Derby). This accomplishment marked the first time that a jockey won the first two legs of the Triple Crown on different horses, and Borel could have become the first jockey since Steve Cauthen to win the Triple Crown in 1978 with a win in the Belmont. A win would have made him only the secon…
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If Rachel meets Zenyatta this spring at Oaklawn who will be in a better form cycle and what other top mares ..?
may show up?
Always had to speculate on horse racing especially months ahead of time and I’m not the brightest crayon in the box, but it sure seems they are both pointing to the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn in the Spring. On one hand, Zenyatta is continuing on after her brilliant ‘09 campaign while on the other hand Rachel Alexandra has been laid off … will Rachel be rested and have an advantage on that basis? Some good handicappers I know think she may actually not be ready enough by then, off the layoff. But Steve Asmussen is a very, very good trainer so that should be considered as well. Who do you think will have the form advantage if this early scenario plays out and what other mares may show up and beat them both as a longshot or “dark horse”?
This is a tough question, as it has been all of 2009 with like questions. Tops F/M other than Zenyatta and Rachel, I would say that would/should be in great form, BUT, not necessarily better are…Ventura, Silver Swallow, Goldikova, Informed Decision and Life Is Sweet. I’m sure there will be some top males too. I read, and have to agree that Oaklawn Park’s $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on April 3 would be the perfect place for their meeting. Both horses have won there and demonstrated a fondness for the surface: Zenyatta took the 2008 Apple Blossom by 4 1/2 lengths in what remains one of the best performances of her career. Rachel Alexandra cruised through two Oaklawn stakes last year, the Martha Washington and Fantasy, by a total of nearly 17 lengths.
Having resumed training in New Orleans, Rachel Alexandra could be ready to race in March. Fair Grounds has created a stakes race in anticipation of just such a possibility. And Zenyatta could use the Santa Maria on Feb. 13 at Santa Anita to prepare for the showdown. The timing of the Apple Blossom could be perfect for both horses, and theirs would be the most anticipated matchup since Ali and Frazier or Seabiscuit and War Admiral.
Such a race would, of course, be a boon to the sport. Oaklawn would fill with a record crowd, on television monitors from California to New York to London, millions and millions of eyes would follow the drama, and the race would become the omphalos of the sporting world.
Exciting isn’t it… 
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