Jockey Calvin Borel added, "She had kind of a bad trip last time. She was stuck on the inside of horses and stuff. She couldn't really overcome it. I think Robby (Albarado)'s horse got a jump on her last time. I worked her twice and was so impressed. I worked her the first time and the track was real slow and we went in something like 1:05. About 4 days ago, we checked her engine to see if we were back on target. She went in like :47 under wraps. Brian Hernandez did tell me a while back when he knew I was going to ride her that she was the real deal and that she just had a bad luck trip. That happens in horse racing. I think the farther she goes the better she'll get."
2008 Kentucky Jockey Club and Golden Rod Stakes
By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com
Rachel Alexandra in the paddock
Rachel Alexandra in the paddock before the 2008 Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs
© Vanessa Ng
Winning trainer Hal Wiggins said, "I told Calvin in the paddock that you might find yourself on the lead. Maybe (Steve) Asmussen's horse (War Echo) would show some speed. I told him, 'If you're on the lead, don't worry about it. Just sit there and let her relax.' He rode a really, really nice race. We don't want to dance every dance because we want to be ready for the (Kentucky) Oaks and maybe the Ashland (at Keeneland) before that . That's what we're planning. We'll give her a little bit of time and get her ready for the spring."
Prev
- Beethoven wins the 2008 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes
- Beethoven heads for the winner's circle
- Second place finisher Giant Oak
- Third place finisher Capt. Candyman Can
- Rachel Alexandra wins the 2008 Golden Rod Stakes
- Rachel Alexandra in the paddock
- Second place finisher Sara Louise
- Third place finisher War Echo
- War Tigress wins the 2008 Caressing Handicap
- Curlin at Churchill Downs
Suggested Reading
2008 Clark Handicap on Friday2008 Falls City Handicap on Thursday
Explore Horse Racing
Must Reads
About.com Special Features
Learn to Pitch
Strike out the competition with these step-by-step pictorials. More >
Introduction to Pilates
Learning Pilates fundamentals can help you get the most out of your exercise regime. More >
©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.
All rights reserved.