The $150,000 Golden Rod Stakes (G2) featured a field of six 2-year-old fillies also going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Dream Empress was sent off as the 7-5 favorite over 8-5 second choice Sara Louise, winner of the Pocahontas last time out and 3-1 third choice Rachel Alexandra who finished second to Sara Louise in the Pocahontas.
Rachel Alexandra was hustled out of the gate by jockey Calvin Borel and she quickly opened up a 1 1/2 length advantage after an initial 1/4 mile in 23.75. War Echo, who sat second the whole way, moved up to challenge her down the backstretch after a half in 47.85 but Rachel Alexandra pulled away to a 1 length lead, getting 3/4 in 1:12.55. Sara Louise, who had stalked the pace in third early, passed the tiring War Echo at the 1/4 pole but Rachel Alexandra was long gone, drawing away through the stretch to win by 4 3/4 lengths in 1:43.08 over the fast main track. It was a long 7 1/4 lengths back to War Echo third. Favorite Dream Empress was unhurried in 6th early and put in a mild rally of her own but finished a disappointing fourth, 2 1/2 lengths behind War Echo.
Results chart
Falls City Handicap - on Thursday November 27
Clark Handicap - on Friday November 28
