Rachel Alexandra holds on to capture Woodward Stakes

Author: admin

5 Sep

Leading three-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra held off a challenge down the stretch by Macho Again to capture Saturday’s $750,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. ‘Rachel’ becomes the first three-year-old female to win the Woodward.

Owned by Jess Jackson and Harold McCormick, Rachel Alexandra was sent off as the 3-10 favorite versus seven older male thoroughbreds. During the warmup prior to the race the filly acted up and jockey Calvin Borel jumped off to help settle her down.

The eight horse field broke well from the gate with Past the Point first out of the gate followed by the filly. Around the clubhouse turn ‘Rachel’ assumed the lead followed by 2008 Belmont Stakes winner Da’ Tara, Past the Point and Cool Coal Man.

Da’ Tara and jockey Jose Lezcano pressured the favorite through the first quarter-mile, but Borel was able to slow the pace down nearing the far turn. ‘Rachel’ still had the lead as the field entered the turn with Past the Point moving into second and Cool Coal Man racing in third.

Around the final turn Macho Again, Bullsbay and Asiatic Boy began to drew closer to the leader. The filly had a one-length lead as the field entered the stretch.

Down the stretch Borel had ‘Rachel’ racing off the rail as Macho Again and Bullsbay mounted their charge. The filly refused to give up and prevailed at the wire by a head over Macho Again with Bullsbay finishing a close third.

The filly stopped the timer for the 1 1/8 miles at 1:48.29 on a fast track.

Rounding out the order of finish was Asiatic Boy, It’s a Bird, Past the Point, Cool Coal Man and Da’ Tara.

Rachel Alexandra returned $2.60, $2.40 and $2.10. Macho Again paid $3.80 and $2.80, and Bullsbay paid $4.00 to show.

‘Rachel’ is only the second three-year-old filly to start in the Woodward. Summer Guest ran in 1972 with future Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr. and finished second to entrymate Key to the Mint, but was disqualified and placed third. Next >>